In October, I attended two Regional Gatherings (RGs). The first was Delaware Valley Mensa's Liberty Bell. Approximately 100 people enjoyed a weekend full of excellent programs, games, hospitality, and conversation. Many people followed the "That's Medieval!" theme and dressed in medieval garb throughout the weekend. At the RG, I presented an overview of next year's World Gathering, and held my first RVC rap session.

Two weeks later, I went to Chicago Area Mensa's HalloweeM. HalloweeM is the largest RG in the country, attracting more than 500 people. Once again I presented an overview of the world Gathering and participated in a Meet the AMC session with the eight other attending members of the AMC. The questions from the audience focused on bids for the 2008 Annual Gathering and on Risk Management.

Coming up in December is Central Pennsylvania Mensa's Winter Solstice RG, December 16 - 18 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. This is a very low-stress, casual, relaxing RG. There are no formal programs, but the game room is huge, the family style banquet is included in your $60 registration, and you get to attend their famous gift exchange. Check out http://www.cpa.us.mensa.org/solstice.php for all the latest information.

Region 2's Leadership Development Workshop (LDW) is taking shape. We are planning the event for Saturday, May 13, 2006, at the Sheraton Park Ridge in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. The programs will be chosen based on the results of the LDW Needs Analysis Survey that was distributed to the LocSecs in the region. It also was available on the Region 2 website. LDWs are standardized training sessions with the purpose of developing local group leaders. This LDW is open to all of our members, not just the officers. This is a great way for past, present, and future leaders of Mensa to meet, share ideas, and learn some new ways for doing things and invigorating your local group. Please check the Region 2 website for the latest LDW information.

The next American Mensa Committee (AMC) meeting takes place on December 3 in Phoenix. The agenda can be found in the member only section of the American Mensa website, http://www.us.mensa.org. The highlights of the agenda include: - Establishing a task force to review local group funding issues; - The Site Selection Committee recommending a bid for the 2008 AG for the AMC to approve; - Discussion for establishing an "Angel Fund" to assist members who have difficulty paying dues, with the money provided by donations from other members to the Angel Fund; - Funding AMC members for up to five nights at the hotel for meeting attendance at the World Gathering; - Amending the Policy and Guidelines for Administrators of Internet Communication Services to lift the ban on electronic versions of member directories for Local Groups, provided these only are available for download via secure Web sites; - Changing the AMC planning sessions from biennial to annual; - Allowing electronic voting in national Mensa elections; and - Formation of a committee to study the feasibility of local premises by larger Mensa local groups.

We'll be discussing the agenda, and other Mensa issues, on our Region 2 yahoo group, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AML-Region2/.

Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions on these items, or any other Mensa issues. I hope you all enjoy the holiday season.