Terminology

This is the last column of the 2003-2005 term for the AMC. Here, in Washington, I’m sure that they would have a number, and there would be some great fanfare. In Mensa, there will just be an announcement of the new committee at the Annual Business Meeting at the Annual Gathering in New Orleans in July. If you are there, you will see the changing of the guard, and the seating of the new AMC at the meeting that takes place later during the gathering.

It has been quite a term. There has been much to learn, for all of us, and hopefully we all have grown older and wiser during the past two years. There has been much excitement, with some very well run and enjoyable Regional Gatherings, including one that hosted an AMC meeting in Charlottesville, and all groups have shown me some excellent programs and camaraderie. Keep up the good work.

There are currently some topics with considerable debate on the AMC. As the discussions on managing risk continue, there will be contention over the decisions that are being made to deal with the concept. We have settled issues on SIG membership and event attendance, and are now tackling the issues on ride and room sharing. When one shares one’s personal space with another, there are always situations that occur that need to be dealt with, and it is imperative that all users are cognizant of the issues, and that they act appropriately. For instance, when you are offered a ride, and the person has had an alcoholic beverage, then there is risk of a problem. If a problem occurs, then there is the question of liability. In such places as the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, not only is the driver liable in an accident, but also the server of the alcohol. Do our hosts want to monitor the drinking habits of the attendees, well, there is more then the ethical responsibility; there is also the legal responsibility, for Mensa could be determined to be liable, should there be a problem. For this reason, the AMC is discussing the appropriate venue for advertising sharing situations. If it is Mensa run, then Mensa can incur liability. If it is member run, then the liability is more likely to fall on an individual, rather then the organization. If we ban sharing as a program, then the situation exists where no can be held liable. Do we need to deal with the situation? It was believed so, and the issue was discussed at length at the March AMC meeting. The result was an ASIE (Action Still In Effect) that curtails the promotion of sharing, but due to some voting difficulties, its implementation was postponed. The forging of the motion was difficult, and I’d like to believe that my views on the subject had a part in the discussion, for they were based on your input, the input I got in person and on the Region 2 Yahoo board. Since other members of the AMC are from our region, they were cognizant of your wishes from the input on the board, and they also acted in accordance with your wishes. That is the foremost responsibility of an elected representative, to reflect the view of the constituency, and that was my primary goal, difficult as it is. Any decision requires the consideration of three factors; the will of the people, the needs (sometime legal) of the organization, and lastly (it being the last is important), the conscience of the officer. I hope that I was able to serve all three facets appropriately.

“Dance like there is no one watching….”