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REPORT 2011

DIRECTOR–SMALLER NATIONAL MENSAS

In my first report, shortly after becoming D-SNM a year ago, I wrote: " I entered this office knowing that my priorities would likely change, or at least take a clear form, once I learned more about how the ExComm and Mensa International functions."

Viewing Mensa International from outside and afar, is different from working within the structure itself. Apart from participating in the work of the ExComm, the ”usual” tasks of the D-SNM is to respond to a variety of questions from mostly national chair about all sorts of things: How other countries do things, how to solve particular problems, what MIL requires etc. I have at this point also identified a couple of priorities that I have begun working on.

Better communication is needed. Too many National Mensa groups are "far away" and do not speak often with myself or other MIL representatives. This makes even simple tasks unnecessarily lengthy and difficult, creating a strain on the MIL office. Also, it makes MIL seem distant and it is not clear to all what good it can do. To help here, I have endeavoured to set up phone calls with all SNM chairs on a regular basis. While I at the time of writing this still have not seen the end of the list, the conversations have so far been very useful, giving me more information about the status of various groups. It is a work that must continue and that I will expect future D-SNMs to carry on with, though it does mean an extra workload due to the pro-active nature of it.

The Small Mensa groups vary between themselves a lot. Now and then, there will be conflicts and problems in a country that might escalate and effectively stop the development of Mensa. I have identified what I see as a need for good governance, in the sense of more knowledge of the constitution and national by-laws and stricter adherence to rules. For this reason, I am proposing that all countries install an officer responsible for actively monitoring compliance, with authority to do something when necessary.

Questions have come about income from Mensa merchandise that is licensed in other countries. This is something that needs to be addressed, so that all groups know how to benefit from such opportunities.

The EMAG panel has been instituted, to ensure continuity and some form of structure for European Mensa Annual Gatherings. Guidelines have been drafted and posted on the website, and a teleconference will be held in September to select host for 2014, evaluate 2012 and check up on 2013. I participated both at the latest EMAG and at the Asian Mensa Gathering in Malaysia last year, with presentations on Mensa International and possible routes ahead for Mensa in the future.

Regarding IBD meetings, the meeting rules were finally changed last year, so that the IBD now follows a much simpler set of rules, while still keeping the spirit of Roberts' Rules of Order. Discussion and feedback at the meeting showed that many delegates nonetheless do want to be able to debate, informally at least, more than one possible motion on similar topics. When the discussion becomes formal and a motion has to be finalized and voted, the stricter step-by-step approach of Robert's Rules is still the way for IBD to do business. New IBD delegates now have only a couple of pages to study, before going to an IBD meeting. Hopefully this will make more delegates feel comfortable in participating in the debates.