East Midlands Mensa

We have an elongated region mostly around the M1 from Lincolnshire in the north to Hertfordshire in the south. Rumour has it that we comprise the bits left over after all the other regions had originally been sorted! If you live close to our border you are, of course, welcome to attend events in neighbouring regions. Several times over the years we have tried to change our name to more accurately reflect those members living in the south without success. East Mercia was the best we could find. But who associates themselves with living in East Mercia!?

Empress stands for East Midlands Press and is the eight page regional newsletter of East Midlands Mensa which is published monthly along with the Mensa Magazine. We currently have two editors who are both hardworking volunteers. Empress is YOUR newsletter and contributions are always gratefully received whether it be a quiz, puzzle, photo, review of an event, letter or news of your fundraising event. In addition we feature a profile of a different member each month, i.e. why they joined Mensa, which events they have attended, their occupation, their hobbies/interests, their likes/dislikes and more.

East Midlands Mensa has it's own web site at http://www.mensa.org.uk/eastmids. (But you already know that because you're reading it!!) It is updated frequently so you can find out what events are happening when the Magazine goes to print rather than when it arrives at your door (up to two months in advance). Reviews and photos of events are always being added. In addition you will find contact details and photos of all officers in the East Midlands region so you will know who to look out for if it's your first event

We have an email group for notification of events (both advance and impromptu), to kick around event ideas, to arrange car shares to regional events, etc. This is not a 'chat' list so is therefore low traffic and will not clog up your inbox. There are currently around 120 members on this list. To join simply send a blank email (nothing in the subject box or body of the message) to m-eastmidlands-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. Your membership will be verified before you are subscribed.

Your Local Secretary is a volunteer who acts as a Mensa contact for your postcode area and hosts occasional events; the frequency depends on the area covered and their own free time and other commitments (work tends to get in the way!). If there are no activities at a time or place to suit you, feel free to advertise an event yourself. Remember, Mensa is a DIY society! The more members organising events, the more the workload is shared and the happier we all are. Your LocSec will always be pleased to hear from you with suggestions for events.

To save space when advertising events in the Mensa Magazine regular pub socials are usually abbreviated to the day they are held. For example, 3WOTM means you will always find a group of Mensans at the advertised venue on the '3rd Wednesday Of The Month'. Likewise we have 'Last Friday Of The Month' and 'First Tuesday Of The Month' meetings.

SIG stands for Special Interest Group of which there are dozens within Mensa. They are a way of corresponding with like-minded people on a multitude of subjects. You are entitled to join two free of charge as part of your Mensa membership. Additional ones cost only a few pounds to cover photocopying and postage. Most SIGs produce a newsletter - some monthly, some only a couple of times a year - and many have their own web site. Whether you are interested in rambling or rock music, genealogy or gardening, skiing or Star Trek there's bound to be something of interest.

The AG is the Annual Gathering; a weekend of sightseeing, activities and socialising with members from around the UK and sometimes beyond. The only difference between the Annual Gathering and the many other regional weekends is that the British Mensa AGM takes place. Weekend gatherings are great fun, try one if you can! In 2006 the Annual Gathering will take place in Nottingham to celebrate the 60th anniversary of British Mensa and we have some very special events planned!

The Board of Directors are a group of nine members elected to make decisions about the society. They meet several times per year to discuss such issues as funding, development, events, research and much more. The administration of the society is, however, run by paid staff at our head office at British Mensa Ltd, St John's House, St John's Square, Wolverhampton, WV2 4AH.

There are lots of ways to get more benefits from your Mensa membership. Support your LocSec by attending an event. New faces are always very welcome! Join a SIG. Contribute to Empress. Write a letter to the Mensa Magazine. Take part in the Mensa Games competition. It's definitely a case of the more you put in, the more you get out!