(Written and posted 10/10/07)
Northwest Passages
RVC Column for November Newsletters in Region 8
by John Recht, Region 8 RVC
rvc8@us.mensa.org
Here we are, Mensa members: in fact, this month marks my 30th anniversary as a member. How is being a Mensa member working out for you? For me, it's been terrific.
It started slowly, but I began by coming to local events in Seattle, and joining a couple of Special Interest Groups (SIGs). Not much happened for ten years, and Mensa wasn't a priority for me then, as I had many other friends and activities to keep me occupied.
When I moved to Portland in 1987, things changed. I went more regularly to TGIFs, games nights, and other events, and I began to make friends. After awhile I began to go to Regional Gatherings (RGs), then Annual Gatherings (AGs), then Colloquiums, all of which provided a great deal of intellectual stimulation in addition to opportunities to socialize. Over the course of time I made many friends, and my life has been much richer, all because I overcame my natural shyness and decided to meet other Mensans face-to-face.
Of course, the world has changed radically, and it isn't necessary to leave the comfort of your home in order to meet people. I have everything I need to meet slews of people at my fingertips, right now. Some of them are contacting me on MySpace almost every day, in fact, and there appears to be no shortage of attractive young women who are anxious to be my friend. Unfortunately for them, I already have a dazzling and brilliant wife, Linda, whom I met indirectly through Mensa. Linda and I celebrated our wedding in September, and we were absolutely delighted to have many of our Mensan friends in attendance.
The point of my reminiscences is that my life changed for the better when I decided to meet with other Mensans, and I hope that you will find this to be true in your life as well. I recommend that you go to local meetings and events, and if you can, attend regional and national gatherings, which afford the best opportunities for making the most of your Mensa membership.
Upcoming events in our region include San Francisco Regional Mensa's RG, Brilliance by the Bay, on Nov. 23-25; a registration form is available at www.sfmensa.org/rgreg.html. On Feb. 15-17, 2008, Mensa of Western Washington will host their RG, EveRGreen 2008: Romp & Circumstances, for which information and registration forms are available at www.mensaww.org/gather.htm. I would be delighted if you would send me an email at rvc8@us.mensa.org and tell me how Mensa is working out for you, and how we may make it better for you in the future, but I would be happier still if you would come up to me in person at one of these RGs...hope to see you there!
|
|