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Gatherings

I am sitting here listening to a C-SPAN broadcast called: "House Committee on Movement of U.S. Jobs to Overseas." A colleague of mine from the IEEE is speaking, and he is driving home the idea that the world has changed dramatically. As I was loading the RealOne Player in order to view the testimony, I got an email that Mensa International is considering running their IBD by teleconference, in order to save the International Mensa funds. The world is changing, and Mensa needs to change with it. We are a global organization, and the globe is becoming a much smaller place. We need to keep apace of these changes, both as a group and personally. How is Mensa going to change to keep pace with the times? Stay tuned, and we'll find out. One way will be to attend the Region 2 LDW, still in the early planning stage, scheduled for Spring 2004.

I attended my Regional Gathering in my official capacity as RVC. It was fortunate that Dave Remine, Past International Chair was present, for I was able to both get to know him as a constituent, and look to him for guidance. Delaware Valley Mensa's "Mensans Want to Have More Fun" RG was indeed fun. There were three tracks on Saturday, those sessions which I had a chance to peek in on were well attended, and from the comments that I heard, enjoyed. At the RVC Rap Session on Saturday afternoon, Marc Lederman was able to present information on the upcoming LDW, and I, with the help of Dave and former RVC Sallie Banko, was able to present the information on the proxy push (official campaign name to be announced). Materials from the Rap Session are available on the national, regional (www.region2.us.mensa.org) websites, or on my personal one (www.edgor.com). The proxy mechanism will be explained in the Nov/Dec issue of the Bulletin. I got a chance to meet with many of the local members, and would like to congratulate all on a job well done. I am looking forward to Winter Solstice in Lancaster PA in December, Hearts of Fire in Herndon VA in February, Snowball XXX in Piscataway NJ in March, and the Jefferson County RG in Charlottesville VA, also in March. At the RG in Charlottesville, one will have the opportunity to see your AMC in action and attendance is encouraged.

National Testing Day was a success. Over 1000 individuals were tested, and the figures are preliminary. Delaware Mensa was given special recognition, since they had 3 times the number of attendees that were expected. They had to reschedule the rest, and we are looking forward to the results. It is to be remembered that testing is a year-round function, so proctors, keep busy! The testing site information is made available through the National website, and perhaps we can make that information available on the regional and local websites as well. We are approximately two months ahead of last year in our membership figures, and the numbers are climbing. Remember that when it comes to recruiting that the national office has goodies for dissemination. For the test takers, there are pencils, for the public events, there are bookmarks, and also there are signs and brochures. They are freely available, so contact the office if you want some.

As part of our community service function, we provide achievement awards that reflect our interest in intelligence. In this vein, I would like to remind you, that the campaign for the Teacher of The Year Award is in progress. In addition, the period for recommendations for the Copper Black Award for "creative achievement - invention, innovation unique improvement of any kind that has been put into practice" is underway.

Finally, Marc Lederman has reminded me it is time to start gearing up the Publications Recognition Program for 2004. It is a program with which I am very familiar, and I cannot urge you strongly enough on its importance. Some of the hardest work done for the local group is the publishing of the newsletter and the maintenance of the website. These people need to be recognized, and American Mensa makes great efforts to do this. Marc is looking for judges. It does not take as much time as one would think, but if you feel the urge to linger while judging, it is an enjoyable task. Contact Marc at PRP@us.mensa.org, and prepare to smell the Mensa roses.

Well, I've gone on quite enough. I hope that you all enjoy your Thanksgiving, and have your supply of nuts squirreled away for winter.