Author: Admin

From time to time a SEMM member asks why they were skipped on the birthday list or not recognized when they reach a Mensa Membership Milestone.  These (and the Directory Updates) are fun regular features in M-Pathy brought to you by John Senko and Toby Berger, our Editor. 

Each month, John goes to get the long SEMM information list and slices and dices to make these features that so many members enjoy.  He is another of those “behind the scenes” volunteers that without which we would not have the benefits of a large Mensa local group that we too often take for granted. 

However, he only has available to him the information that you, the member, agree to release to the local group.  If you have not checked that box on your Communication Preferences, we have no way of knowing when it is your special day, or when you achieve one of those important milestones.  This is similar to not knowing your email address to notify you if something happens last minute, or a new activity is added after the newsletter deadline.

If you have not seen your name in print, but would like to get your proper recognition, go to www:us.Mensa.org and select “Membership Profile” under “My Mensa”.  Click on “My Communication Preferences” in the “My Account Links” box in the upper right. 

Edit if necessary to check “Release Internal” under “Releases”. Check things you wish to share under “Member Directory”.  The format is clear on the webpage and easier to do than it is to tell about.  If you do not have access to the website or have any trouble, phone the National Office at817-607-0060. 

If you check the box “Release the above email address within the organization” you will share your information with us, but this will NOT result in your receiving M-Pathy electronically unless you want to.  In “Publication Preferences” you check the box that about whether you want M-Pathy in paper form or electronically. 

American Mensa’s website will experience some brief, planned service interruptions in the coming weeks. For example, there will be a short period where payments, such as event registrations, will not be able to be processed onus.mensa.org.

The interruptions are an unavoidable side effect of the organization’s transition to a new Association Management System (AMS).

“The new AMS will be fantastic at making easier some tasks performed by volunteers and the National Office, so we can offer more and better services to members and improve the Mensa experience,” said Trevor Mitchell, American Mensa’s Senior Director of Membership and Strategy, who is leading the AMS changeover. “Unfortunately, the transition is not as easy and instant as flipping a switch, and there will be short periods where some functionality on Mensa’s website will not work.”

The parts of the website that will be affected are primarily related to functions that involve payments, logging on to the site and uploading information. The interruptions are expected to last only a few days, notwithstanding unforeseen technical glitches, and will be timed during low-traffic periods on the site. Members can expect periodic updates, primarily via email, on the exact timing and services affected. And Local Group leaders and other Mensa volunteers will receive communication informing them if and how their work will be affected.

Because the new AMS will operate using member email addresses for login, members are encouraged to check their contact information and make sure theirs is up to date. This can be done by visiting us.mensa.org/profile. After the website’s transition to a new AMS in early November, membership numbers will no longer be used for login purposes.

Updates on the AMS transition, including affected services and their timing and the answers to frequently asked questions, can be found at goo.gl/9aFOlB, which will be updated regularly.

Pamela Donahoo, CAE

Executive Director, American Mensa

We know about what is going on in our local group through M-Pathy, our website (MensaDetroit.com), facebook pages (SEMM and SEMMantics) and occasional special emails if American Mensa has your current email address and you have given permission to share it within AML.  (See https://mensadetroit.com/notification-help/ to see how to do this.)

But do you think about connecting with Mensans when you travel?  Thanks to the internet, that is much, much easier than it used to be.

If you have a question about something where you will be travelling, don’t forget the SIGHT Program.  Most American Mensa groups also have SIGHT coordinators.  Go to US.Mensa.org/Connect/Local groups to find contact information for local group officers across the country.  Also see US.Mensa.org/Connect/SIGHT for additional information on the program.  If you need more help, our SIGHT Coordinator is John Voymas (see inside the back cover for contact information for all the SEMM Officers).

If you just want to see if anything is happening when you are going to be somewhere, go to us.Mensa.org/Connect/Read/Local group Newsletters for over 140 newsletters from A-Q-Men to WoMensa.  You can do the same in over 45 countries by going to US.Mensa.org/Connect/Mensa International, where you simply click on the country to get their contact information.  Ed and I have met with Mensans on every continent buy Antarctica, which has led to unforgettable experiences.

And how many of you have discovered the fantastic possibilities of US.Mensa/org/Connect/Member directory?  Want to know who else shares your name?  No problem.  How about who lives around you?  Fill in a zip code and hit search.  Maybe you need the email address or phone number of someone you met at a Mensa event.  You guessed it—two clicks and you can find it if they have given permission to display their information.  You can even search for others who share your interests from a huge list that runs from accounting to Yoga/Pilates.

One of the primary benefits of Mensa is networking.  Here’s hoping you will make good use of that ability soon.

Jean K. Becker

Communications Officer

Hello,

In an effort to help people stay abreast of the many opportunities for youth in Mensa, we have a new, free service called Remind for which people interested in what Mensa is offering for youth may sign up.

This service will enable them to receive text or email messages (their choice) that are sent from the national office with information about events, deadlines, resources and services for youth in Mensa.

Anyone may sign up, and their phone numbers will not be visible to anyone, even us.

The service does not accept replies, so privacy is guaranteed. People may unsubscribe at any time, and you may find information on signing up or unsubscribing here https://www.remind.com/join/mensaym. We have also uploaded a printable instruction sheet into the Sharehouse, tagged “Gifted Youth” and named “Youth Text Sign Up Instructions.” Feel free to share this sheet or upload it your local group website. The simple instructions are that in order to subscribe you should enter this number (682) 593-4959 with this message: @mensaym

Here are some FAQs:

What is this service?
Remind is a free, safe, easy-to-use communication tool that helps teachers connect instantly with students and parents. We have received permission to use this service for our youth program.

Why do we need this service?
We are trying to meet people’s needs to be contacted about our services in the way that works best for them. As the youth membership is so fast growing, we want to keep that membership, especially those who are new and may not be as familiar with our programs and services, informed about how to make the most of their membership. Additionally, we have a number of members who have children or grandchildren who can benefit from Mensa’s program who do not receive our email mailings with information because they go to youth under eighteen.

What about privacy?
Phone numbers are always kept private so communication is 100% safe and secure. We can easily access their stored message history for any administrative requests. We cannot see the numbers or emails of people who subscribe, but we can see names.

I don’t have access to the LocSec list, so anyone who has questions should please direct them to me privately off-list.
Best,
Lisa
Lisa Van Gemert
Youth & Education Ambassador |mensafoundation.org
lisav@nullamericanmensa.org | 817.607.5578
get resources: pinterest.com/brightkids |explore: mensaforkids.org