UPDATEAnchorage Mensans formerly met for breakfast at The Peanut Farm. We hope to be there again. Meanwhile, virtual Zoom gatherings on Saturdays at 9:00 have blended Anchorage Mensans with some from Point Hope, Juneau, Seattle, and New York. Need directions? Email Don Naff . What is Mensa? Mensa was founded in England in 1946 by Roland Berrill, a barrister, and Dr Lance Ware, a scientist and lawyer. They had the idea of forming a society for bright people, the only qualification for membership of which was a high IQ. The original aims were, as they are today, to create a society that is non-political and free from all racial or religious distinctions. The society welcomes people from every walk of life whose IQ is in the top 2% of the population, with the objective of enjoying each other's company and participating in a wide range of social and cultural activities. "Mensa" means "Table" in Latin, with the idea that once someone joins the group, everyone is of equal status no matter who they are, or what they do for a living. Even the traditional "President" position within most clubs has been modified to "LocSec" (or Local Secretary) to cut down on the status implications. All local officers and position holders are unpaid volunteers For more information: American Mensa. Mensa Alaska Scholarship Fund challenge: If you do not have a clear and recognizable photo of yourself in your online profile, please add one, and I (the webmaster) will then donate $10 to the Mensa Alaska Scholarship fund. As of July 7 2019 there are 16 Alaska members with photos and 88 without. That's $880 more that could be in the scholarship fund. Similarly, if you currently get the Polar Expressions newsletter on paper and are willing to switch to electronic delivery, I will donate an additional $10 to the scholarship fund. Go to www.us.mensa.org , log in, click on MY MENSA and Member Profile, upload your photo, click on Communication Preferences and Local Group Newsletter and change to Electronic. So far these opportunities have only netted the fund $180. We can do better !
Mensa Alaska ElectionsWe are in the 2020 election cycle. The offices of President and Vice President are open for decision. Submit nominations before midnight, 11/24/2020, to: Sara Maurer aksam58@hotmail.com, or 12520 Hansa Rose Cir. Anchorage, AK 99515 Nominations must include contact info for the nominee and two other Alaskan Mensans in good standing who support the nomination, and a paragraph describing why the nominee is seeking the office. | Poetry offer from one of our local members Any Mensan sending a stamped ($1.05), self-addressed 6 by 9 1/2 inch envelope to: Steve Levi P.O. Box 241467 Anchorage AK 99524 will receive a free book of poetry. You might also want to check out these links: www.authormasterminds.com www.stevelevibooks.com/blog What Does Life in Mensa Mean to You?By Denise K. Yancey Alaska's Mensans regularly support the Alaska Literacy Program by competing and attending their fundraisers: the BizBee (a spelling bee for adults) and the Scrabble Scramble (variation games of the traditional Scrabble game).Here is the result of a game night challenge where we started with Mensa at the center of the board, and tried to use primarily Mensa Life words:  For other Scrabble Scramble practice games suggestions please see our webpage. |
|
|