Hello team!
While I have no update on audited financial statements at this stage, I would like to talk about Mensa functioning in a Covid era. After being on the Executive Committee (ExComm) since November 2019, I actually didn’t have an opportunity for a face-to-face meeting until the end of March 2022 when the Excomm had a meeting in London. It was a bit challenging to fly from New Zealand for just three nights or so, but the meeting was a very fruitful one. Our schedule was packed with many discussion items and brainstorming.
It was very busy – you can read the minutes from the meeting which have a whopping 30 pages. I thought that online meetings would do, but actually, through face-to-face interaction we were able to progress so many matters, and what’s important, we were able to do that more quickly and thoroughly. That’s why I can’t wait for the IBD in Montenegro at the beginning of October, as I believe that having a real full-time meeting after three years would help us to move our organisation forward.
Mensa is all about interaction between Mensans. If you are hesitant about whether to attend a face-to-face Mensa meeting, that’s natural. However, I would say that it’s high time to get back to what Mensa is all about: member-to-member interaction. If you want to get a proper Mensa experience, I highly recommend that you come to Montenegro, EMAG, AMAG or go to your National Mensa events.
If you haven’t been to a Mensa gathering, you may be reluctant to attend a big gathering, which is fair enough. However, the bigger the gathering the better, trust me.
On a private note, on top of my day-to-day job, I have been focusing on psychological research (Researchers’ degrees of freedom) and taking care of my orchids. I can’t wait to see my parents later this year as I haven’t seen them since 2019.
Thank you for your attention. I will be back later this year to update you on finance and the budget for 2023.
Hopefully, I will see some of you in Reno or Montenegro. If you see me around, don’t hesitate to approach me and say hi. Take care!
Reprinted from the Mensa World Journal, 8/2022, issue 115.