Effective July 1, 2005, at least one member of the hospitality committee for AGs, RGs, LDWs and Colloquiums must complete a food safety course prior to the gathering or workshop. I recently passed the food safety test and received my food safety certificate. For those interested in becoming certified, the easiest way to do this is to contact Stephanie Gilley at the National Office. She will mail you a booklet and a test. After reading the booklet, you take the test and return it to Stephanie. Once you pass the test, you will receive your certificate. There is no cost for the booklet or the test, and you don't have to attend an AG or LDW to receive the training.

Region 2's LDW is taking shape. We are planning the event for Saturday, May 13, 2006, at the Sheraton Park Ridge in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. We currently are waiting for the final hotel contract and final selection of the programs and speakers. The official LDW proposal forms will be sent in by the end of the year, with approval granted shortly thereafter. Once we have official approval, we will update the Region 2 website with all of the details. Registration will be free and lunch will be included. This is a great way to meet with, and learn from, past, present, and future leaders of Mensa. This is an event for everybody, not just officers.

The American Mensa Committee (AMC) meeting took place on December 3 in Phoenix. The highlights of the meeting are as follows:

• The 2008 Annual Gathering will be hosted by a consortium chaired by Kim and Tony Jackowski in Denver, Colorado.
• The 2007 Mind Games will be hosted by Western Pennsylvania Mensa in Pittsburgh.
• The motion to establish a Mensans Helping Mensans Fund (previously referred to as the Angel Fund) to assist members who have difficulty paying dues was defeated.
• The motion to increase the funding for the AMC members to attend the World Gathering was approved.
• The motion to allow a referendum to implement electronic voting was approved.

Each year American Mensa has two large events, Mind Games and the Annual Gathering. Mind Games will be held in April in Portland, Oregon. It is an intense weekend of play, a marathon of gaming, and an experience you're never likely to forget. And judging by the many Mensans who make it an annual outing, it's something not to be missed. The Annual Gathering will be the World Gathering as we celebrate Mensa's 60th birthday. More than 800 people from 15 countries now are registered. We have 65 people signed up so far from Region 2. Information on both of these events can be found on the Mensa website.