Regional Ramblings |
When I arrived at last month’s AMC meeting sight I was told the sad news of Marjorie Mandelblatt’s sudden death. I was on the AMC when Marjie became Editor of the Mensa Bulletin. Marjie came to the next AMC meeting to meet her new bosses. I sat next to her at lunch that day and we became friends. In the weeks and days before her death Marjie e-mailed and phoned me, as her RVC, for information and advice, particularly concerning the Santa Catalina RG. I will miss Marjie as a friend and as a dedicated Mensan. I know that those of you who knew her will too.
Around this time of year several Local Groups change officers. I would like to remind you that only officers receive Interloc automatically. If you are retiring from office, you need to request Interloc. The same goes for anyone else who wishes to receive it. Just let the National Office know that you would like to receive it. There is no charge. In case you don’t know, Interloc is the publication that has all the "how to" articles and all the news from National.
Saturday, November 14 is Mensa National Testing Day. This could be our greatest opportunity to get new members. Invite your friends and family members to take this test.
National, under the direction of Membership Officer, Cat Sterrett, has initiated a new award program. This one is to find the Group of the Year. Actually the award will be given for different Local Group sizes, just like the Owl is for the newsletters. Points will be awarded for doing all the things Mensans are supposed to do. There will be points awarded for participating in the MERF Scholarship Program, CultureQuest, a Leadership Development Workshop and so on. The most points will be awarded for early (by February 1) and prompt (by March 31) renewal of membership. You can help your Local Group be declared Group of the Year.
There are no more Regional Gatherings in our Region this year. If you must have an RG there are two over Thanksgiving weekend. One is in Dallas and the other in San Francisco. Phoenix used to compete against these two but now hold theirs over Martin Luther King weekend. Their 1999 RG, The Phull Mensa will be held January 15 - 18. The Los Angeles RG, Escape to Owland will be held on Catalina Island February 12 - 15. See the Mensa Bulletin for details.