Since I am writing this column before the Region 2 LDW takes place, you'll have to wait till next month to read all about it. In the meantime, here are some upcoming events that might interest you.

During the month of June, Mensa is going to make things easier for test takers by encouraging them to take a friend with them when they test. And, we'll let their friend test for free! For any test given between June 1 and June 30, we'll administer another test (given at the same session) at no charge. Local groups will receive regular funding for both tests. Local groups will receive $25 for every test taker who shows up and brings a friend. This is a great way not only to recruit new local members, but also to increase your treasury.

In August, American Mensa will be celebrating Mensa's 60th birthday in Orlando at the World Gathering (WG). At last count, 1,425 people have registered, representing 24 countries, 44 states plus the District of Columbia, and 112 local groups. If you want to learn more about the inner workings of Mensa, you can attend the International Board of Directors Meeting, the American Mensa Committee Meeting, the Annual Business Meeting, and any of the 40 to 50 LDW programs. Don't worry, you will find more than 250 programs on other topics. I hope to see many of you there, August 8-13, 2006, at the Coronado Springs Hotel. More information about the WG can be found at our website, wg06.us.mensa.org.

The Mensa Foundation hosts and supports events that encourage and expand learning, research and intelligence. These events take place at the local, regional and national level. Chief among them is Colloquium which, since 1982, has stimulated a climate of intellectual excitement in which concepts are explored, dialogues are started and ideas are generated that move conversations in new directions. Join us in Albany, New York, October 6-8, 2006, to participate in a stimulating mix of information, revelation, and discussion as we explore the great mystery and the resulting “Revolution in Cosmology”. Speakers from an elite group of world-renowned scientists will share their knowledge of the recently discovered accelerating universe and "dark energy" responsible for it, galaxies surrounded by invisible "dark matter", extra dimensions, string theory, loop quantum gravity and much, much more! More information about the Colloquium can be found at our website, colloq06.us.mensa.org.

Each spring, American Mensa hosts Mind Games, a game competition that awards the Mensa Select® Seal to five new games. Mind Games started in 1990 in New York and, in 1996, it began moving around the country to allow more members the opportunity to participate. Manufacturers and inventors from around the world enter new-to-the-market games into the annual competition. Over a three-day period, Mensans gather at the host location, divide into groups, play the games, fill out score sheets and comment cards, and rank their favorites. This year's competition was hosted by Oregon Mensa in Portland, Oregon. The Mensa Select® winners were Deflexion, Hive, Keesdrow, Pentago, and Wits & Wagers. The 2007 competition will take place April 20-22, 2007, in nearby Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Registration information for Mind Games can be found at our website, mindgames.us.mensa.org.