REGION 2 RVC

Vice Sheet - December 2001
by Sallie Banko, Region 2 RVC

The first part of this report will be on the AMC meeting that took place on December 1-2; the second will include various items of interest. Feel free to include one part or all in your local newsletter.

Please remember that the following is a selective summary of what took place during the recent AMC meeting; longer than the mini-minutes, and not nearly as detailed as the full minutes will be. I usually include things that seem to have been of some concern or that will directly affect members and/or local groups. If anyone has any questions, wants either more details on the items mentioned or on something I didn't cover, contact me and I'll fill you in with the rest of it.

The motion dealing with a person who resigns while faced with charges was passed. The overall feeling was that this was not the best way to deal with such a situation, but that it was a stopgap wording until a proposed bylaws change could be put forth in a referendum.

Motion about local group websites and e-lists had major word changes. Bottom line: The local group sets the policy for the content of its website, and has control over the creation of and access to any e-mail lists, chat rooms and other electronic facilities it chooses to sponsor.

Ed Gordon was appointed Publications Recognition Program Chairman. Congratulations, Ed!

Clarification for release of information motion: This one was also reworded. It basically states that information will be released to a member about another member only if the person (whose information is being sought) has agreed to release the information in a national directory. In other words, the information will not be released on an individual request basis unless the info can be considered "public" within Mensa.

The motion defining the unauthorized use of member information as an "act inimical to Mensa" was withdrawn.

The motion specifying that officers need to authorize publication of their contact information to members within the organization to facilitate communication also passed. (There are some group/officers who do not publish any contact information, even within their own newsletter. It was felt that this was a necessary inclusion.)

AMC adopted a policy that prohibits use of the membership list for e-mail marketing. (The phrase "electronic contact" was changed to "e-mail marketing" so that it was clear as to what specifically was being considered a no-no.)

Interesting tidbits:

Mensa is one of the few Social organizations which have been growing. Other groups are asking us "how do you do it?" One of the differences noticed is our use of the Web. Mensa has been using the WWW more than the "service" groups asking this question.
The ASIEs are updated and improved! They have been cross referenced, indexed, and printed in a double column format. Also, there are plans to go through these and weed out unnecessary and/or outdated ones. There is also an overhaul planned for both the Local Group Minimum bylaws and American Mensa's national bylaws.

Other news/information:

Published 10 times a year, InterLoc offers articles and information of interest to those members who are involved in leadership of the organization, or who may just want more information about current programs and policies. InterLoc is automatically sent to all national and local group officers. Subscriptions are available upon request to all members at no charge. If you want to get InterLoc, contact Annette at the National Office or subscribe on the Web site. (And then remember that you will need to do this again every March to continue to receive it.)

And now for the request for volunteers (you knew there had to be one, right?) Interloc is looking for things to include in their printing. Got a pet peeve? Know a better way to do something? Has your group done something unusual/exciting/fulfilling recently? Let everyone else know about it, and how they can plan something similar for their local group. Not satisfied with how things are going/being handled regionally? Nationally? Let others know of your concerns. Remember, it can't be published if it is never received. (Please keep in mind that personal attacks will probably NOT get published!) Now go make Jane Gmur's New Year one to remember and send something in for publication.

Good news! American Mensa is a winner in the ASSOCIATION TRENDS annual publication contest. The AML Web site and the Mensa Research Journal (vol 32, No. 2) were both awarded honorable mentions in their categories Congratulations to Mary Dwyer Wolfe and Kim Lovering for the Web Site and Phyllis Miller and Annette Kovac for the MRJ as well as all the contributors who made it all possible.

Early warning [from the national office]. March 31 falls on a weekend this year! If you are a procrastinator - or know someone who is - write yourself a reminder now not to wait until the last minute to pay their dues. March 31, 2002, is a Sunday so the last day that dues will be processed at the National Office will be Friday, March 29. With mail delays still occurring in various parts of the country, it is important to mail early. Dues may also be paid with Visa or MasterCard via the Web site or by calling the National Office.

Have a happy and safe New Year!

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