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RVC Thoughts
Autumn, 2008
Hello all! I'm freshly returned from the AMC meeting held in Arlington, Texas. Driving through Kentucky and Tennessee this time in the fall really was memorable with the hillsides ablaze with color. My trip took me to Monroe and Shreveport, Louisiana, then to the Dallas-Ft. Worth area, with a return layover in the Carbondale, Illinois. I love the variety of sites one experiences driving across our nation. It is so easy today to make time the priority and jump on a plane so the pleasure of driving is often overlooked. That's a shame because life is made of all the cumulative experiences we have, and being in a hurry really limits those.
The AMC meeting was a joint planning session/board meeting. The AMC (I really have to work on eliminating Mensa jargon like this, we are a board of directors plain and simple) is working on establishing a strategic vision to carry us into the near and mid-future in an orderly fashion. Traditionally, too much time and energy has been spent on putting out brush fires and refining Mensa jargon. A shift in focus to long-term goals should bring about some meaningful accomplishments. Some of these will be noticeable such as improving Mensa's governance structure and methods, emphasizing Mensa's successful programs, increasing community projects, and being more responsive to the membership's expectations. Some will be intangible like increasing public awareness and respect for Mensa and Mensans, becoming more accepted in society as a solidly mainstream organization, instead of being perceived as a bunch of inept nerds and geeks, and ultimately making a positive contribution to society as a whole. These are all obtainable goals provided that your board vigorously moves forward with focus and well-directed energy to accomplish them.
The board meeting itself was low key, where straightforward routine topics were at hand. I'll give a brief recapitulation of what occurred, but please keep in mind that this is an unofficial version. The official one is not yet released. I will comment where I think it will be useful, but again these are my opinions.
In the consent agenda, motion 01.04 concerning expelled or suspended members attending events was passed. When the National Hearings Committee has a hearing, and their recommendation is considered and approved by the board of directors (AMC), and a member is suspended or expelled, we wanted it known that at that point we are playing for keeps. Mensa does not spend hundreds of man hours and thousands of dollars in hearings and deliberations just to have that offender prance into a Mensa event as a guest. Not wanted is not wanted. This may sound like a harsh decision, but allowing one to go on as though nothing happened mocks and belittles us all. Of course, what one does in their private home as a host is up to them, and that is the exception in this motion.
Under new business, the motion (06) renewals and joining dates was withdrawn in large part to the uproar and indignation of present life members. Your input as a member really does count.
Motion 07 1 and 2 Hearings Process Review... was passed. While certainly not a perfect product (none ever will be), this is a measurable improvement over the existing process in terms of fairness and objectivity. I personally lean towards establishing a single national hearings officer whose findings and recommendations are reviewed by the board. The incredible cost of holding national hearings under the current system (which is not perceived as being especially fair or unbiased) screams for a radical overhaul. Who knows what the future will hold.
08 Executive Session - can't talk about this one. I will attempt to clarify and dispel erroneous perceptions of what happens during these. There are no cloak and dagger episodes where the villainous AMC and their evil Chairemperor work on new ways to enslave and impoverish the membership. Seriously, what is discussed are legal matters whose attorney-client privileges must be maintained. That is difficult enough to do with twenty-one members let alone depending on the discretion of 50,000 plus members. It's a matter of practicality and reality. Personnel matters are sometimes discussed as well - AMC members, appointees, and national staff. While I personally favor opening up some of these personnel discussions to open session, there are those current, and undoubtedly future, board members who are a bit timid and find discussing such matters face-to-face intimidating and unpleasant. Keeping in mind that we (the directors) are unpaid volunteers, making the job less daunting by a little give-and-take is not unreasonable. For now, these matters are discussed in closed session. That's all there is to it.
Motion 10 Descriptive text for AMC Motions was tabled until the March '09 meeting. It enjoys support but needs more refinement.
Motion 11 Definition of Calumny was defeated. I don't consider myself or my colleagues up to Mr. Daniel Webster when it comes to definitions. The degree on how calumny affects Mensa or the person(s) calumniated was felt to be best left up to the hearings committee in the course of their deliberations. Reasonable enough.
Motion 12 Disbarment of members by local groups was tabled to the membership committee for further evaluation. The concept of this motion enjoys enormous (but not unanimous) support. For any of us who have been local officers, or those of you who have ever felt victimized by inappropriate behavior from another member, you should appreciate this effort. This motion addresses two main points. The first is that most groups have a disruptive or seriously unpleasant member(s) who feel they can behave any way they choose anytime they choose. Lodging formal complaints with the RVC, National Ombudsman, or National Hearings Committee is often overkill. The second is that local groups are clamoring for more autonomy and empowerment in governing their groups as they think best. This gives them a tool to use at the local level with built-in safeguards so that it isn't abused. It doesn't have to be used, it's just a tool to be used. I strongly urge all of you to support this one.
Motion 13 Election of the AMC Chairman passed. This simply leveled the playing field between nomination committee-endorsed candidates and petition candidates. This probably should have been done several years ago.
Well, that wraps it up. As you see, nothing earth-shattering, but important nonetheless. Please remember that you sharing your ideas and expectations really makes a difference. Let me, or any of your national board members, know your concerns and suggestions to make Mensa a better organization for us all. Thanks for your continued support and have a wonderful holiday season.
Always yours in Mensa,
Dave Swanka
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American Mensa - Region 3