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by Ed Gordon, RVC Region 2 |
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Summer is gone; fall is about to begin. Region 2 has some of the most beautiful places on earth, when it comes to fall, from the Shenandoah Mountains, to the Delmarva shore. I hope you all enjoy, and also are able to recover from Hurricane Isabel. She was not exactly a lady, leaving destruction in her wake. To those who had problems, I hope that you reached out to your fellow Mensans, and that they reached out a hand to help. It was as a result of just such a catastrophe, that Inkslinger was started; so if you know of a library that needs assistance, do not hesitate to get in touch with the Chair or me, so that we can get the help where it is needed. It was an exciting time, Linda, a veteran of Hurricane Andrew in Florida, was home alone during the storm, for I was attending the September AMC meeting in Dallas. We survived intact, and no worse for the wear, especially, thanks to free long distance/roaming on our cell phones. Isabel produced a tailwind, that got me into DFW 15 minutes early, but I did get the chance to do the Mensa Puzzles by Dr. Abby Salny that the airline magazine just happened to have published in the current edition. The first stop was the National Office, where we got a chance to meet the staff, and tour the facilities. The facilities are in fine shape, and the staff members are a great group of individuals. They work hard to ensure that we get and have what we need; perhaps we should consider their performance as a new qualifying test for membership! From that point on, we were confined to our hotel for a marathon AMC meeting. It was planned as a meeting and a retreat. Due to this purpose, we spent much time together, in the meetings, the seminar, and "socializing". The effect of the effort was that the individuals present were turned into the team that will be guiding American Mensa over the next two years. Since we are known for our strong personalities, the synthesis will not be perfectly amiable, but I'm sure that it will be productive. Discussions, both official and unofficial were stimulating, and if nothing else, it was proven that a Mensan is a Mensan, whether a new member or a seasoned veteran of the AMC. The meetings were marathon, for there was a lot of business to attend to. We started at 8 AM on most days, and didn't make it to the double-deck cancellation hearts table until after midnight. We are still discussing dues increases, and the need will be kept in the discussion phase, until we are sure that it is necessary. Mensa membership is a good value, and we are trying to keep it that way. Two things that were discussed affect Region 2 specifically. First, Marc Lederman was officially appointed as Publications Recognition Program Chair for the 2004 season, and I hope that you will help him perform his duties. One of the best ways you can do that is to ensure that your group participates, and perhaps, wins. Secondly, I was asked to change the title that was chosen for Atty. Jim Gross from Regional Counsel to Regional Advisor, since in Mensa, the term has a specific meaning, for it implies that the individual is acting on behalf of Mensa, where my original intent was to merely have him give his experienced advice to the RVC, and it was felt necessary to underscore the fact that this advice is not legally binding, as it relates to the performance of my duties. The most important outcome of the meeting was the discovery of the need to change the Certificate of Incorporation (CofI) for American Mensa. There is a discrepancy with the voting procedures as set forth in the current Not-For-Profit regulations of the State of New York, where the organization is incorporated, and the way that we conduct our voting procedures. In order to rectify this situation, we will be having a proxy drive over the next few months in order to approve changes to bring our CofI in accordance with our procedures. We request most urgently that you return the proxies, voting in the affirmative, so that we can carry on our business of running the organization, so that you can carry on your business of enjoying yourselves. I will be discussing the situation and handing out proxies for submission at the upcoming RGs and meetings. Your assistance is greatly appreciated. When this is published, "Ms Just Wanna Have More Fun" will have already taken place, and we all will already have had a great time. We have our calendars full, for the next few months, as far as RGs are concerned:
Until next month... |