SIGnet The Newsletter for SIG Coordinators

May 1998

SIGnet

Volume 6, Number 2

It's springtime, and all's well. The most important news is that I've moved! I finally have a full-time job. I was going to work for the Texas State Library (actually using my History degree); however I was offered a second job that was more challenging (and better pay) later in the week. So, I'm working for the Texas WorkForce Commission running herd on two RISC 6000 boxes running on AIX (with another planned in the near future). The building I work in is in downtown Austin with the Capitol across the street.

If anyone wants to see the webpage that is hosted on the RISC boxes, it is www.twc.state.tx.us Ironically, this is where I found out about both jobs I was offered! Check out the Governor's Job Bank if you want a State job here in Texas (16 paid holidays in FY98 and excellent benefits!!).

When you receive this, I'll be installed in my new apartment (moving in with a close friend from the military and my time as a police officer). My new address is: POB 201117; Austin TX 78720-1117. Be sure to change your mailing labels (you do send me every issue of your newsletter, don't you?). People still use the wrong zip code (after three years) for my previous address.

Speaking of address changes, please use only my Compuserve address ([email protected]) for Email. I will close my AOL address in the near future, and the Juno address is only my emergency back-up. I do have a couple of others, including one at work, but please don't use those for SIG matters.

I don't know my new phone number at this time. We plan to move to a larger apartment shortly, and I don't know if the number will be the same. In any case, I prefer receiving anything regarding SIGs by mail or Email. And, as my apartment-mate is a police officer working shift work, if you called you most likely would wake someone up.

In other matters, I've a few things to remind you about and to bring up:

• Enclosed is the semi-annual chore (as some folks call it!). Please look over the blurb and make any changes, fill out the rest and return to me by the deadline. If I don't receive this update back, your SIG will be listed as closed in the Fall Directory. You can return the form by post or send the equivalent information back via Email.
• Please review the information on the blurb (and your mailing address). I lost quite a bit during a recent disc failure and have had to reconstruct the mailing list and such. Please let me know if I made any typing mistakes or am using an old address!
• If there are folks who help you in running the SIG, such as a newsletter editor or Asst Coordinator, let me know. I'll be happy to send them a copy of SIGnet to keep them informed of what's going on. Of course, they'll need to be a member of Mensa to receive this complimentary subscription.
• If you did not renew your membership in Mensa for '98/99, please let me know ASAP. I'll do what I can to help you find another coordinator for the SIG or assist in closing it down.
• With the large number of recent changes in coordinators, let me know if I missed sending anyone the SIG Coordinator's Handbook. Or, if you are an old-time coordinator and don't have the current Handbook around, I'll be happy to send you a replacement.
• Along those lines, if you are a coordinator and have not received your SIG Coordinator's Pin, let me know and I'll send one to you directly. If you are an old-time coordinator who has misplaced your pin, I'll send a new one for a 55 cent stamp.
• A question was recently raised about SIGs and outside organizations. No SIG of American Mensa may join, affiliate with or be officially associated with any organization other than Mensa without specific approval of the AMC. However, you may trade newsletters, list contact information, advertise or otherwise informally exchange information.
• The AG is right around the corner. Contact Paula Trumble ASAP if you wish some space at the AG for a SIG meeting or a recruitment session.

As always, let me (or the others on the SIG ExComm) know if you have any questions, problems or need assistance. That's what we're here for!!

See the Calendar Page for the most up-to-date SIG deadlines.

From former SIGs Officer Lisa Shea:

Date: 01-Apr-98 09:15 PST
From: "Lisa Shea" INTERNET:[email protected]
Subj: SIG web page

OK, the SIG web page has been updated.

http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Canopy/1484/sig/index.html

It has the deadlines up, and I'll put up the actual text of the Feb. issue when we get back from Orlando next week.

Let me know if I should add anything else! We're getting a few people roaming through the page. Oh!! A form :) I'll see if I can find one. Andrew's machine crashed apparently.

Date: 07-Apr-98 13:23 PDT
From: INTERNET:[email protected]
Subj: SIG staff listing
I get a bounce back when I try to email [email protected] (our pubs officer). Do we have a new email address for her?

Lisa

Enter reply. (/EXIT when done)
Not to my knowledge. Will check with AML. ebw

Date: 07-Apr-98 14:01 PDT
From: INTERNET:[email protected]
Subj: SIGnet
OK, I have the last SIGnet posted on the web page. When you finish the next one, if you can email me the text that'll save me retyping it in :) Thanks!!....

I'm still having trouble in my two SIGs trying to get people to write in. I run the feudal Japan and Gardening SIGs, and while a few people might write about their flowers, nobody writes about Japan and absolutely nobody volunteers entire articles! I end up writing them all myself, doing all the research. A SIG is supposed to be about members sharing information, not about everyone learning Lisa's View of the World. I've tried various tactics to get more people to join in, to little avail. Does anyone have a method that works?

Lisa

Date: 10-Apr-98 05:33 PDT
From: American Mensa Ltd AmericanMensa
Reply to: e-mail address correction-Reply

Hi Ms. Warsh,
Marie Mayer's e-mail is [email protected] Marie has been out of town because of a death in her family so it is a good chance that her e-mail box is full. Have a good weekend.

Paige Dickey
Administrative Coordinator

To: INTERNET:[email protected]
From: E Bunny Warsh
Subj: correct e-mail address

I just got a message back from AML. Marie Mayer's e-mail address is indeed correct; however, I am advised that she has been out of town due to a death in her family, and it is possible that her mailbox is full. So.......give it about a week or 10 days and try again. ebw

Okay, this wraps up another issue. Hope you and yours are well, happy and enjoying life. If any of you wish to respond to Lisa's question of April 7, please copy to us as well, so we may share it with other coordinators. We all know Ms, like most people, tend to respond better when food is involved, whether it's a pot luck supper, a restaurant meeting, snacks served for chores ranging from putting the newsletter together to helping to move and/or pack. But how do we transfer that to a SIG which is 99.99% correspondence? Suggestions? Ideas? Comments?

See the Mensa BULLETIN for details

Scuba SIG December 6 - 13 Cozumel, Mexico
Ski SIG January 31 - February 7, 1999 Breckinridge, CO

Contact John Adams, 8211 Fairhope Place, Houston, TX 77025-3201 for more info.
Yep, he coordinates both SIGs; a busy man, he!

SIGnet, the SIG Coordinators' forum, is published approximately four times a year as a vehicle for communication among coordinators of Special Interest Groups of American Mensa Limited (AML), and between the coordinators and the American Mensa Committee (AMC), via the SIGs Officer. SIGnet is published with funds provided by the AML as part of the budget approved for the SIGs Officer by the AMC.

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