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!
Jacek Cywinski, Mensa internation Treasurer. Reprinted from the Mensa World Journal, 8/2022, issue 115.