Announcing Winter Bash 2021

Southeast Michigan Mensa’s Winter Bash is coming Saturday, November 13, 2021. 

Featuring: A chance to mingle with Mensans and guests who will actually get your jokes! All you can eat: pizza, salad, soft drinks, beer, wine, dessert, and munchies! Stuff to do: eat, socialize, games– bring your favorites!

Visit the Winter Bash page for ticket information.
Early bird pricing ends on November 11th.

October Monthly Gathering – Domestic Terrorism: Threats, Government Policies, And Responses

The events of January 6, 2021 at the US Capitol served as a stark example of the evolving threat of domestic violent extremism in the United States. In response, new initiatives and programs have been announced by the Biden administration, the Departments of Defense (DoD), Homeland Security (DHS), Justice (DOJ), the FBI, and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), as well as a new senior domestic counterterrorism position at the National Security Council (NSC). All demonstrate an increased focus on the problem.

This threat has ebbed and flowed in intensity over the past several decades, with some experts suggesting the more recent manifestation of what the country is currently experiencing started a decade ago, if not earlier. This discussion, led by Javed Ali, former National Security Council Senior Director for Counterterrorism, will provide perspectives on the threat landscape, the policy and legal framework on domestic terrorism, and possible new approaches that can help reduce the threat in the future.

Please join us at 7pm (EDT) on Saturday, October 16, for a discussion of what top justice and homeland security officials call today’s most dangerous terrorism threat.

Javed Ali is an associate professor of practice at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy. Ali brings more than 20 years of professional experience in national security and intelligence issues in Washington, DC. He held positions in the Defense Intelligence Agency and the Department of Homeland Security before joining the Federal Bureau of Investigation. While at the FBI, he also held senior roles on joint duty assignments at the National Intelligence Council and the National Counterterrorism Center, and the National Security Council under the Trump Administration. Mr. Ali holds a BA in political science from the University of Michigan, a JD from the University of Detroit School of Law, and an MA in international relations from American University. He writes and provides commentary across a number of media sites and platforms, including MSNBC, CBS, CNN, ABC, The New York Times, The Washington PostThe Hill, and Newsweek.

WHEN: Saturday, October 16, 2021

5:30pm: The ExComm business meeting begins. All Mensa members are welcome to attend
6:30pm: Mingling begins
7:00pm: Program starts

ADMISSION: (Exact change appreciated)
Adult Mensa members: $4, Adult guests: $5; Children 13 and under: $3
Mensa members receive free admission in the month of their birthday

LOCATION:
Northwest Unitarian Universalist Church in Southfield
23925 Northwestern Hwy
Southfield, MI 48075

We ask that you help us to provide a safer live meeting environment for all by wearing a face mask.

If you are unable to attend in person, join the Zoom presentation! Zoom attendees need to pre-register by clicking on the following link: https://tinyurl.com/SEMM-1021-Gathering, The event’s Zoom URL and instructions for connecting will be sent to those who are pre-registered, about an hour before the presentation. The Zoom room opens at 630pm for mingling.

Following the presentation, join us for dinner at Buddy’s Pizza, located at 31646 Northwestern Hwy., in Farmington Hills, Just northeast of Middlebelt Rd.

Let’s Get This Party Started — Kicking Off Our New Gen X SIG

Are you an current member of Mensa around the SEMM area who was born between 1961 and 1981?  If so, we are looking for you! SEMM is starting up a brand-new Gen X SIG this spring. Beginning in March, we’ll be having a monthly SEMM Gen X zoom gathering so that we can hang out and have fun from the safety of our homes.  We’ll enjoy things like virtual escape rooms, ’80s trivia, and any other entertaining things we can think of.  Considering that we’re Mensans, I’m sure we’ll think of a lot. 

As the pandemic winds down and in-person events become possible, there’ll be lots of activities planned to bring us all together.  We’ll do things like dinners out, board game nights, card games, picnics, billiards, bowling and kayaking.  If you haven’t already completed the Gen X SIG interest survey, click here to fill it out and let us know where you are and what kinds of activities you’d like to take part in. It’s the first step in joining the fun. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions about the new Gen X SIG, send an email to semmgenxsig@nullgmail.com

The March SEMM Gen X monthly gathering is an escape room hosted by Tony Pak on Thursday, March 18th at 7 pm Eastern.  If you are an active SEMM Gen Xer and would like to attend, please see our announcement on Mensa Connect.

Save the Date for the MAGC Conference

The Michigan Association for Gifted Children is excited to announce that it’s Fall 2020 conference has gone online! 

Educators and parents from across the state – and around the country – will have the opportunity to listen to and learn from experts in the field of gifted education!

Mark your calendars and be ready to join us, more information will be coming soon

Save the Date!
October 24, 2020
9:00 am - 4:30 pm
Fall Online Conferernce