SIGnet The Newsletter for SIG Coordinators

August 1998

SIGnet

Volume 6, Number 3

I want to thank everyone of you. I think this is the best response I've had to the semi-annual questionnaire over the past three years. There is only a handful or so SIGs from whom I didn't get the form back. Your attention to this really makes my job so much easier.

And, for those of you who asked, no I'm not paid. I only get reimbursed for my costs (such as printing and mailing SIGnet). Just like everyone on the AMC, this is a volunteer position to which I attend in my spare time. I do this to return to Mensa a small part of what I get out of the group. SIGs are important to me and I give some of my time in return for all of the benefits that I receive.

On another note, please double check that you are using my new address to mail out your newsletter. I told everyone last issue that I've moved to Austin; but I'm still receiving SIG newsletters at my old address. Granted the post office forwards them for now, but it is not assured. Speaking of that, please note Marie's notice in this issue of SIGnet. Twice a year (or more, for that matter) you must send a copy off to her. It is one of the hard and fast rules of being a SIG Coordinator.

I want to announce that National is ready to help out SIGs in a number of ways. Go, read Pam's piece here in SIGnet and come back to this column. Don't worry, I'll wait.... (Pam's article is on the next page immediately following the SO's column. Ed.)

Now that National has a permanent home and a stable staff, they wish to expand and emphasis the support that they can give to SIGs. We are starting slow, intentionally, but there are some really exciting ideas we are batting about and hope to introduce over the next year or so. I think that these efforts will enhance the ability of SIGs to operate without adding any additional oversight or, as some have stated, control by AML.

A few comments on Pam's article, if I may. For the address searches, we will need the name, last known address and Mensa Membership Number. Without that information, it may be difficult to determine who you are actually asking about due to common names, nicknames and/or people using different mailing addresses for different activities. Also, the address will be what the person has provided to National. If they haven't updated their address there, unfortunately, it won't be much help. For non-Mensans or former Mensans, they will be unable to help.

The update of the PDQ is a long time in coming, but is very welcome. I plan on putting a copy of the new form in the November issue of SIGnet. In the interim, if you wish a copy of the form, send me a letter or note and I'll send one out. However, it won't be available until after September 1st at the earliest. Also, we are talking about the cost of this and how best to handle it. In the past, there has been a charge for the output (to cover National's costs). I'll have more information in the next SIGnet.

With the November semi-annual update, I plan on including another option on the form. Just as you can choose to be listed on International or Computerized listings, you'll be able to check that you wish to participate in Mensa media activities. A list will be provided to National of those SIGs who indicated that they want the exposure. However, until then, please contact Mark at National directly to get on the list.

Yes, National has moved. I've visited the new offices, and it is a vast improvement from the previous digs in downtown Fort Worth (though the view isn't quite as impressive). We now have room to grow, and the employees have plenty of space to perform their tasks. Along those lines, those of you who have AML's address and/or phone number in your boilerplates, please take a moment to update them. Potential Mensans can only be irritated that they have a response delayed because they have the wrong information.

One, last comment on the support National will give to SIGs. If you have an ad for your SIG, send it directly to National. Pam has assured me that it will be included in the next monthly mailing to all local groups. She does request that you submit the ad in various sizes and that it be "copy ready" for the photocopier. However, don't send a new ad every month - once a quarter or when information changes is plenty.

That's it for this time. Have a great fall and look for the Spring semi-annual updates in mid-November.

From the National Office
Pam Donahoo, AML Executive Director

• Address searches - If your SIG has members that are MIA, you can check with the National Office to verify current addresses (and membership status if you wish) for Mensa members. To facilitate this process, Andy asks that requests be sent to him first, via e-mail or snail-mail. He will then forward on the request to the National Office.
• The all new PDQ data has been input and will be available after September 1, 1998. If SIG coordinators would like to request the names and addresses of Mensa members who have indicated an interest that fits their SIG, we can supply this to the SIG in a paper report, labels or as an ASCII file on disk. (FYI, we do not send membership data via email.) Again, these requests need to be approved by Andy first and we are in the process of developing a form that will need to be returned. Demographic data can also be included with the name and address data as well.
• As we are contacted by the media (and we contact them) in search of the perfect story to be published about Mensa, the media often sees a great angle to a story that involves one of our SIGs (see the recent article in Chocolatiere Magazine.) Often these special interest magazines and publication can be the launch pad for a broader based story about Mensa and its great diversity. If your SIG is interested in assisting with national publicity efforts please contact Mark Witter at the National Office (email [email protected] )
• In that same vein, while we know it costs your SIG extra, the National Office would love to be included on your mailing lists if possible. As we talk to prospective members across the country, it really helps when we can learn as much as possible about the opportunities that members have to participate. Newsletters can be sent to American Mensa, Ltd. 1229 Corporate Drive West, Arlington, TX 76006
• If you need to reach the National Office, our new phone number is 817/607-0060. The fax is 817/649-5232. Or, you can leave a voice message on the new Mensa toll-free message center (24 hours a day/ 7 days a week). Option 3 gives members the opportunity to leave messages to change an address, request a reinstatement or get local group information.
• Finally, if you are ever in Arlington, Texas, please stop by and visit the new Mensa National Office. We are pleased with the new offices and love to show them off to members.

From Marie Mayer
AMC Communications Officer

Reminder: If your SIG publishes a newsletter, you must send two issues a year to the AMC Communications Officer. For those SIGs that publish electronically, either send a copy via e-mail or send the Web address where a copy can be located. Send to Marie Mayer, P O Box 786, Ames, IA 50010 or by e-mail at [email protected].

EDITORIAL

CORRESPONDENCE

(You will recall in May, Lisa issued a plea for suggestions on how to get members to write in. Below are some of the responses she received. Ye Ed.)

Date: 26-May-98 08:49 PDT
From: "Lisa Shea"
Subj: Fw: Boohoo SIG

I've actually gotten quite a few emails and letters, here you go:

-----Original Message-----
From: Peter Kendall
To: Lisa Shea; W. Andrew York
Date: Monday, May 25, 1998 2:55 PM
Subject: The trials and tribulations of SIG leaders

"A SIG is supposed to be about members sharing information, not about everyone learning [the SIG coordinator's] View of the World." Ooh, welcome to the real world .

Seriously, Lisa, I FULLY understand your dilemma, inasmuch as I typically have to write 50 to 75% of every issue of my SIG newsletter in order to produce something which I think even halfway gives people their money's worth. I am afraid that anyone who coordinates a small SIG winds up with this problem. The old "20/80" rule applies here (20% of the members do 80% of the work), and 20% of a SIG with, say, less than twenty members is -- well -- just not a lot of people to help out. "I've tried various tactics to get more people to join in, to little avail. Does anyone have a method that works?" If you find one, forward it to me, too. Our gimmick here is to extend people's subscription by one issue for each submission, and the only thing that it accomplishes is that those few who contribute are now set well into the next millenium. No, it's an apathy thing, and apathy is tough to cure. I don't know if this makes you feel any better, but I try to view the whole thing as a labor of love. I write about things which I have enjoyed experiencing, if only for the sake of prolonging and extending the experience, even if I don't think anybody else is listening. And if I get to the point where this is no longer sufficient justification in and of itself, I'll quit. So hang in there, and I wish you well.

Peter M. Kendall, Computer Gaming SIG

Date: 29-May-98 08:35 PDT
From: "Lisa Shea"
Subj: another note

This was a real life postcard, from Susan Kehr, M'Arts editor

Read SIGNET - Here's what I do with the M'Arts SIG which brings some repsonse from the members - with each newsletter I select several people and write them a note asking what they're doing, etc. I don't ask everyone with every issue. But usually I'll get something back from most people. Good luck!

From Joyce Megginson Kircher
(Widow(er)'s and Self-Employed SIGs)

[Apologies to Joyce. I lost her original message to Lisa. When I wrote her a note requesting permission to reprint, the following was her very gracious response. Thank you. ebw]

Yes, of course you can reprint the tip on getting more editorial contributions for newsletters... particularly since I picked up the tip from SIGnet to begin with! I forget whose tip it was, but it was to offer some kind of prize for earliest, best, whatever...contribution. The caveat was to not announce any plethora of receipts...as that kills future contributions.

SIG WEB PAGE NEWS

To: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
Cc: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], "Andrew York" [email protected], "E. Bunny Warsh" [email protected]
Subject: Mensa SIG Web Ring

I've started up a web ring for Mensa SIG Pages - rings are those "previous/next" ways of looping through a set of related pages. The information on the ring is at:

http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Canopy/1484/sig_ring.html

If you're interested in having your web page become part of the ring, simply follow the instructions on the page and you'll be attached! Feel free to email me with any questions or comments.

Lisa

Date: 24-Jul-98 08:46 PDT
From: "Lisa Shea"
Subj: SIG web page

From: "Lisa Shea"
To: "E. Bunny Warsh" <[email protected]>,
"Andrew York"
Subject: SIG web page
Date: Fri, 24 Jul 1998 11:43:10 -0400
Our "SIG Info" web page is doing very well - we've gotten 516 visitors there so far! Let me know if there's anything else you'd want to have up there. Maybe ask in the SIGnet what people would like more info on. Also, I've been tapped to administrate the Mensa main SIG homepage - where all the on line SIGs are listed. We're thinking (as Andrew probably knows) of expanding it so it lists all SIGs, but only has "real contact" information for SIGs that have allowed this. That way if someone is looking to see if there IS a SIG on say Cheese Bread, they can see that one exists, but not the address and such unless the person authorizes the posting of that information. Again, maybe we should ask "the group" what they would like to see posted on the SIG page, remembering that there can always be different levels of posting to preserve various people's requirements for privacy.

Lisa

Enter reply. (/EXIT when done)

Yes, I absolutely agree that the coordinators should have the final say on posting. If I may make the request, I do NOT want the Alzheimer's SIG listed on our electronic SIG page with or without contact info, please. Thank you. ebw

Date: 28-Jul-98 12:43 PDT
From: "Lisa Shea" > INTERNET:[email protected]
Subj: Lisa's New Email

Please use my "real direct" email account at:

[email protected]

So much for the great "get one email despite the ISP and company you work for" theory!!! If you've sent email in the past two days, please resend it -

I'm not getting anything from earthling.

Lisa

Enter reply. (/EXIT when done)

Okay, this will be published in the next SIGnet. Tnx, ebw Message sent to >INTERNET:[email protected]

CALENDAR UPDATES

In an effort to let you know in plenty of time the deadlines through the next update, here is a projected timeline (subject to change as needed):

August 1: Deadline for August SIGNET
August 10: Target date to mail August SIGnet
August 14: Column for October BULLETIN sent in
September 12: Column for November BULLETIN sent in
October 10: Column for December BULLETIN sent in
October 24: Deadline for November SIGnet
November 9: Target date to mail November SIGnet and Spring semi-annual Updates
November 14: Column for January/February BULLETIN sent in
December 24: Deadline for return of Spring Updates

Is your SIG interested in leaving a lasting legacy to the importance of your Special Interest Group in American Mensa, Ltd.? Then why not consider buying a brick in the Walk of Minds at the new National Office. Look in your Bulletin or contact the National Office for more information. The cost of $150 per brick is a donation to MERF and your SIG gets to decide what to inscribe on this permanent memorial of Mensa history.

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.

SIGnet is provided automatically and free of charge to all SIG coordinators. Other individuals involved in the SIGs Program (Co-coordinators and SIG Newsletter editors) may from time to time (assuming an adequate budget) be extended the opportunity to receive SIGnet on a no-cost subscription basis.

Other interested Mensans may subscribe to SIGnet at $6.00 for six issues. All opinions expressed in SIGnet, including those of the SIGs Officer, are those of the author and not of Mensa or AML, which has no collective opinions.

See the Officers Page for the most up to date addresses and email. NOTE OUR SIGs OFFICER's NEW SNAIL & E-MAIL ADDRESSES.

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