(In response to an M-Leaders thread regarding the organization of Annual Gatherings )
We cannot make the mistake of thinking that Mensans don't have a hand in the problems listed in this thread. The fingers clearly point at a Mensa that is already "by Mensans for Mensans" in that issues listed above exist because a group of Mensa members - the AMC - created the policies that allow these things to happen...and they don't happen in a vacuum.
For instance, from the ASIEs: " All contracts involving American Mensa, Ltd.'s money, its mark, name, or logo shall be signed either by the AML Chair or by the Executive Director only upon direction of the Board or the Executive Committee. "
Or, in other words, a majority of voting Mensa members elected a body of Mensa members who voted that all contracts (including AG hotels, conference organizing companies, and various consultants) will be signed by a Mensa member or the Executive Director upon direction of a group of elected Mensa members.
The real issue we face is an AMC where the Mensa members on the board are afraid to go where other Mensans go and find out what they think. Many are afraid to enact policy in a way that reflects that thought. Many are afraid to stand up and say that the emperor has no clothes. Many don't bother to do the research necessary to make informed decisions. I did a presentation on SIGs last year when the AMC was making some hard decisions about the future of the program - and a MAJORITY of AMC members did not even belong to a SIG, and many had NEVER belonged to one.
Don't let Mensans off the hook by pretending that issues are caused by some outside conglomeration of non-Mensans. "We have met the enemy, and he is us."
We cannot make the mistake of thinking that Mensans don't have a hand in the problems listed in this thread. The fingers clearly point at a Mensa that is already "by Mensans for Mensans" in that issues listed above exist because a group of Mensa members - the AMC - created the policies that allow these things to happen...and they don't happen in a vacuum.
For instance, from the ASIEs: " All contracts involving American Mensa, Ltd.'s money, its mark, name, or logo shall be signed either by the AML Chair or by the Executive Director only upon direction of the Board or the Executive Committee. "
Or, in other words, a majority of voting Mensa members elected a body of Mensa members who voted that all contracts (including AG hotels, conference organizing companies, and various consultants) will be signed by a Mensa member or the Executive Director upon direction of a group of elected Mensa members.
The real issue we face is an AMC where the Mensa members on the board are afraid to go where other Mensans go and find out what they think. Many are afraid to enact policy in a way that reflects that thought. Many are afraid to stand up and say that the emperor has no clothes. Many don't bother to do the research necessary to make informed decisions. I did a presentation on SIGs last year when the AMC was making some hard decisions about the future of the program - and a MAJORITY of AMC members did not even belong to a SIG, and many had NEVER belonged to one.
Don't let Mensans off the hook by pretending that issues are caused by some outside conglomeration of non-Mensans. "We have met the enemy, and he is us."
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