Mensa Worldwide Experience
Tomáš Kubeš
www.TomasKubes.net
tomas.kubes@mensa.cz
This presentation was prepared as a part of Leadership Exchange Program sponsored by MI.
Content
• Mensa experience
• Mensa International
– Organization
– LEP, MERF
• SIGHT
• Gatherings worldwide
– AMAG, EMAG
• Internet resources
7th April 2011
Mensa Worldwide Experience
2
The Mensa Experience
• What the word Mensa means to me?
– Mensa is people.
– Mensa is openness and tolerance.
– Mensa is not being afraid to be myself.
– Mensa is respect to others.
– Mensa is diversity.
7th April 2011
Mensa Worldwide Experience
3
Mensa Crosses Borders
• The same reasons which led you to join and
stay in your national Mensa apply also abroad.
– Stepping out of the national context dramatically
increases the number of fellow mensans.
• Other Mensas might have already solved
problems you face and will be willing to help.
7th April 2011
Mensa Worldwide Experience
4
Mensa International
The Framework
Mensa Organization
7th April 2011
Mensa Worldwide Experience
6
What Mensa Int. Does?
• Helps to establish national Mensas.
• Guarantees that national constitutions follow
the international one, guarantees tests.
• Protects and licenses Mensa logo.
• Publishes international journal, runs website.
• Provides framework for international activities
and meetings.
• Governs itself, organizes IBDs, etc.
7th April 2011
Mensa Worldwide Experience
7
Leadership Exchange Program
• 2010 – 2011 pilot
– Send 7 volunteers across continents to attend
gatherings and workshops to share knowledge.
– Establish more personal relationships between
national Mensas, build conduits for ideas.
7th April 2011
Mensa Worldwide Experience
8
Mensa Education
& Research Foundation
• Supports mensans in studies – scholarships
– U.S. scholarship program
– International scholarship program, apply!
• Recognizes Achievement
– Copper Black Award, Distinguished Teacher
Award, Awards for Excellence in Research,
Intellectual Benefits Award, Lifetime Achievement
Award, Mensa Press Award
• Mensa Research Journal
7th April 2011
Mensa Worldwide Experience
9
SIGHT – The Treasure in Shell
• Service of Information, Guidance and
Hospitality to Travelers
• SIGHT Is NOT couch surfing!
– Benefit of finding a cheap place to stay is tangible
and easy to promote, but it is not the main point.
• SIGHT is primarily about the possibility to
meet new interesting and friendly people.
– Share their view of the world
– Get local view of your destination
7th April 2011
Mensa Worldwide Experience
10
Making SIGHT Work
• Local group might not be aware that their
SIGHT coordinator is malfunctioning.
– Ask politely, but do not hesitate to contact other
people if no official reply arrives within a week.
– Start early, be patient, but do not give up.
• Try to ask for quantifiable help in simple way
– Can you send me the list of events? Forward my
message? Give me a contact?
7th April 2011
Mensa Worldwide Experience
11
Meeting Mensans
Gatherings
US Annual Gathering
• Portland, Oregon, June 30th – July 4th, 2011
• Around 2 000 participants
• There is lot to do, but most activities are just
an excuse to meet similarly minded mensans.
• Large part of the program is indoor, in hotel.
• There is 24/7 all you can eat buffet provided
by organizers as part of registration fee ~$100.
7th April 2011
Mensa Worldwide Experience
13
European Annual Gathering
•
•
•
•
Paris, France, 3rd – 7th of August, 2011
Around 500 participants
Only truly international gathering
Unlike at AMAG, people tend to spread
around the city
7th April 2011
Mensa Worldwide Experience
14
Resources
What is ready to be grabbed?
Mensa International Website
• http://www.mensa.org/
• What can you do?
– Chat, share pictures
– Join international SIGs
– Download books and national publications
– Eventually find helpful tools and materials
• How to join?
– Go to the site, ask for the login
7th April 2011
Mensa Worldwide Experience
17
Intranets
• Did you know that you can get access to the
US intranet? Or Czech, or Swiss … ?
– Most Mensas open their pages to other members
• Contact target national Mensa office directly.
7th April 2011
Mensa Worldwide Experience
18
Readymade Packages
• US Intranet offers a plethora of well prepared
materials to develop and improve your group.
• Lecture: Getting People Involved
– Ready made presentation with narrative
• 14 Handbooks
– Detailed instructions of different “jobs”
• 52 Workshop proposals
– Descriptions of topics and activities
7th April 2011
Mensa Worldwide Experience
19
Websites
•
•
•
•
MI
www.mensa.org
MERF
www.mensafoundation.org
US Mensa www.us.mensa.org
National Mensas
.cz, .ch, .de, .fr
www.mensa .org.uk, .pl, .se
7th April 2011
Mensa Worldwide Experience
20
Mensa won’t give you
what you do not take!
It is up to you.
7th April 2011
Mensa Worldwide Experience
21
Thank you for your attention.
Questions?
www.TomasKubes.net
tomas.kubes@mensa.cz