Mensa

  

                        Mensa

 

 

        Questions and Answers about the Organization

 

 

 

        What is Mensa?

 

        Mensa is an international organization with only one requirement

        for membership - a score on a standardized I.Q. test higher than

        98% of the general population.

 

        How many people belong to Mensa?

 

        American Mensa now has nearly 50,000 members; another 20,000 

        members belong to national Mensas in Australia, Austria, Belgium,

        British Isles, Canada, Channel Islands, Finland, France, Germany,

        Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden,

        and Switzerland.  There are Mensans in 98 countries throughout the

        world.

 

        What is Mensa's purpose?

 

        Mensa has three major purposes:  to identify and foster human 

        intelligence for the benefit of humanity;  to encourage research

        in the nature, characteristics, and uses of intelligence;  and to

        provide a stimulating intellectual and social environment for its'

        members.

 

        What are Mensa members like?

 

        Mensa members represent:

        1. All ages from 4 to 94...

        2. Every educational level from preschoolers to high school

           dropouts to Ph.D.s...

        3. All economic levels,  from people on welfare to millionaires...

        4. A broad range of occupations,  including executives,  factory

           workers,  scientists,  farmers,  authors,  engineers,  lawyers,

           doctors,  truck drivers,  homemakers,  teachers,  computer

           programmers,  secretaries,  politicians,  the military,  actors,

           musicians,  and hundreds more.

 

        What does "Mensa" mean?

 

        Mensa is Latin for "table".  We are a round-table society that makes

        no distinctions as to race,  color,  creed,  national origin,  age,

        or economic,  educational,  or social status.  Only intelligence

        matters.

 

        What can Mensa offer me?

 

        You can be assured of meeting others at your own intellectual

        level.  In a world that is becoming more and more stratified and

        classified,  and in which social and intellectual contacts are

        frequently limited to people with whom you work,  to your neighbors,

        and to the usual civic organizations,  Mensa has a lot to offer.

        Most of all, it offers a challange:  Mensa dares you to use, exercise,

        and,  ultimately,  expand your intellectual potential.  The entire

        organization is structured for that purpose.

 

 

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        How is Mensa organized?

 

        American Mensa has about 140 Local Groups,  located in all 50

        States,  Puerto Rico,  and the Virgin Islands.  Chances are there's

        a local group near you.

 

        What do these groups do?

 

        Most local groups hold regular meetings,  at least one a month,

        as well as various other activities.  (Many groups have meetings

        and activities more frequently,  sometimes several times a week.)

        These activities allow members to become acquainted with each other;

        many friendships have developed as a result of Mensa.  In addition,

        the groups publish newsletters distributed monthly to their members,

        containing an activities calendar, and other items of information

        and interest.  The activities of each group are determined by its

        own members.  

 

        What are the meetings like?

 

        Meetings vary,  from a board-of-directors planning session to get-

        togethers that feature speakers and/or fre-for-all discussions.  A

        speaker may be a noted authority on a subject of may be a member

        with knowledge to share.

 

        What other activities are available?

 

        Activities cover a wide range of interests,  from games night  

        (Scrabble,  Chess,  Boggle,  and Dungeons and Dragons are especially

        popular) to theme parties;  from singles get-togethers to family

        outings;  from luncheons or dinners to a night at the local pub;

        from theater and film parties and concerts to a night of playing

        records and dancing at a member's house.  When Mensans get together,

        they usually have a good time.

 

        What's so special about Mensans meeting?

 

        There is an atmosphere of congeniality,  intellectual stimulation,

        good humor,  and,  perhaps most important,  lively conversation.

        There is freedom to think and to express those thoughts.  There's

        always someone who will listen to,  enhance,  and even challenge

        your ideas.

 

        What do members talk about?

 

        Unless there's a specified theme at a particular meeting,  pretty

        much the same things people everywhere talk about -- current events,

        sports,  sex,  the future,  music,  politics,  art,  computers,  the  

        economy,  kids,  cars,  values.  It isn't so much a question of  

        "what" -- it's more a matter of "how".

 

        How do I know whether anyone shares my interests?

 

        Mensa has over 180 SIGS -- Special Interest Groups -- composed

        of members with personal or professional interests in common.

        SIGs are started and maintained by members,  and cover a vast

        range of topics including astronomy,  body language,  law,

        photography,  history,  and allergies -- to name just a few.  

        Almost all SIGs have newsletters of their own.  If your special

        interest doesn't have a SIG,  it's easy to start your own.

 

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        How is Mensa organized nationally?

 

        Mensa is governed by the American Mensa Committee (AMC), composed

        of elected and appointed volunteers.  There is also a small paid

        administrative staff whose members -- along with the officers --

        are always ready to assist the entire membership.

 

        Are there national activities?

 

        A national convention, or Annual Gathering,  is held every June or    

        July -- in a different city each year -- where over 1,000 members

        attend workshops,  participate in seminars,  attend social functions,

        renew old friendships and start new ones.  The Annual Gathering is

        a special,  never-to-be-forgotten experience.

          Regional Gathers (some 40 of them) are held annually in various

        parts of the country,  with most of the excitement and activities

        (both intellectual and social) of the Annual Gathering,  on a 

        somewhat smaller scale.

          The Mensa Annual Colloquium is a new activity sponsored by the

        Mensa Education and Research Foundation.  It is designed to provide

        a stimulating intellectual forum where members may meet with experts

        to spend a few days discussing a chosen topic.

 

        What about special programs?

 

        The Mensa Education and Research Foundation (MERF) sponsors the

        Mensa Scholarship Program (in which students nationwide compete

        for varying sums of money for their education),  Awards for 

        Excellence for short papers in the field of giftedness,  the Mensa    

        Meritorious Publication Award (with Wright State University, Dayton

        Ohio)  for a major work in the field of giftedness,  Memorial

        Awards,  and donor programs.

          The Gifted Children Program compiles and provides information

        that includes activities,  both national and local,  centered 

        around gifted children.

 

        Does Mensa have its own publications?

 

        The "Mensa Bulletin",  published ten times per year,  is sent

        to members as a part of their membership.  It incorporates the

        "International Journal",  and these publications contain views

        and information about Mensa,  as well as contributions by Mensans

        on a wide variety of subjects.

          Local newsletters are published by almost every local group,

        informing members of local activities and events,  and other

        items of interest.

          "Interloc" (also published ten times yearly) is free to officers,

        and to other active members on request.  It contains news and

        information about various society,  administrative,  and internal

        matters.

          The "Mensa Research Journal",  published periodically by MERF,

        reports on Mensa-supported research.  It also publishes original 

        articles in diverse fields of interest,  and is available for a

        subscription fee.

          "Isolated-M" is a popular and informative newsletter published

        by the Isolated-M SIG.  It is sent to those members who are      

        geographically isolated from a local group,  and is available to

        others by subscription.

 

  

  

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          The "Mensa Register", or other membership directory,  published

        periodically,  list all of the members and may include such 

        information as geographic location,  areas of expertise and/or

        interest,  and other professional and personal data.

 

        Are there any special benefits for members?

 

        Although hardly the primary reason for joining Mensa,  membership

        does afford some special benefits,  such as S.I.G.H.T.,  which

        assists traveling Mensans,  and insurance.

 

        How can I become a member?

 

        We suggest you begin with a valid,  at-home, I.Q. test.  Complete

        the application form (at the end of this text) and return it to 

        us with your check or money order for $9.00.  We'll send you an 

        I.Q. test you can take at home.  Upon receipt of your completed  

        test,  we will score it and notify you of the results.  If the 

        results indicate an I.Q. at or above the 95th percentile,  you 

        will be invited to take our supervised tests,  which cost $20.00

        and are administered by one of our proctors at a convenient location.

        Should your score on one of the proctored tests indicate your I.Q.

        to be in the top 2%,  you will be offered membership in the Society.

        Our tests,  however,  are not valid for persons under the age of

        14;  they can qualify for membership via alternative procedures

        for admission (see the end of this text).

 

        What about I.Q. test taken in the past?

 

        A score in the 98th percentile or higher on one of many standardized

        I.Q. tests -- if approved by our Supervisory Psychologist --

        previously administered in school,  the Armed Forces,  or by any

        licensed psychologist,  is satisfactory evidence of qualification

        for membership (see the end of this text).

 

        What's the next step?

 

        You will be notified that your score is acceptable,  and,  soon

        after payment of the membership dues,  you will begin receiving

        the national "Mensa Bulletin",  a local newsletter,  and your

        membership card entitling you to participate in all Mensa

        activities and special benefits.

 

        What are the membership dues?

 

        Current annual dues are $33.00 -- less than ten cents a day.

        (Information about student dues,  additional family member

        dues,  and life dues is provided at the time membership is offered).

        Part of your dues is returned to the local groups to provide

        a greater range of activities and benefits for the members on

        a local level.  Mensa is a not-for-profit organization.

 

        Is Mensa for me?

 

        Only you can answer that.  If what you're looking for is intelligent 

        conversation,  stimulating people,  interesting activities,  and an

        opportunity to expand your world,  the answer is yes.  Why not

        fill out the application blank and find out if you qualify?

 

 

 

 

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        Remember,  one out of every fifty people qualifies for Mensa.

        YOU could be that one.

 

        Join us.  We might be just what you're looking for.

 

 

 

 

        ---------------------------------------------------------------

 

                  Alternate Procedure for Admission

 

        Admission to Mensa may also be granted on the basis of 

        evidence of a previous intelligence test.  A list of the 

        qualifying scores* for several of the major intelligence

        tests is given here.

 

        * It should be noted that the term "I.Q. score" is used as a 

        convenient,  easily understood reference,  but that candidates

        for membership in Mensa must achieve a score at or above the 98th

        percentile on a standard test of intelligence.  The "I.Q. score"

        varies from test to test, as indicated by the list below.

 

        Candidates MUST supply the evidence or make the necessary

        arrangements to have it sent.  Such documentation is returned

        only if request is made at the onset.  If the test was given by 

        a psychologist,  psychometrist,  or agency,  the score must be

        reported on professional letterhead and signed by the test 

        administrator.  If the evidence is in the form of a transcript,

        the transcript must be certified.  Notarized photostatic copies

        of original documents are usually acceptable. 

 

        ------------  Qualifying Test Scores  -------------------

 

        California Test of Mental Maturity ............ IQ  132

        California Test of Cognitive Skills ...........     132

        CEEB or SAT (Verbal and Math combined)

          prior to 9/77 ...............................    1300

        CEEB or SAT (Verbal and Math combined)

          as of 9/77 ..................................    1250

        GRE (Verbal and Math combined) ................    1250

        LSAT (prior to 1982) or 662 (as of 1982) ......      39

        ACT Composite .................................      29

        Miller Analogies Test - raw score .............      66

        Stanford Binet, Form L-M ...................... IQ  132

        Wechsler Adult and Children Scales

          (WAIS and WAIS-R, WISC and WISC-R) .......... IQ  130

        Otis Tests:

                Alpha ................................. IQ  138

                Beta .................................. IQ  128

                Gamma ................................. IQ  131

                Lennon ................................ IQ  132

 

        Many other intelligence tests may also be accepted subject

        to individual appraisal of the documentation by Mensa's

        Supervisory Psychologists, e.g:

 

        Henmon-Nelson

        Medical College Admission Test

        National Teachers Exam

 

 

 

                                      Page 5

 

 

        Wechsler Bellvue 1

        Cattell Cultural Fair

        Graduate Management Admission Exam

        ACE

        SRA Primary Mental Abilities

        Army General Classification Test (AGCT or GT prior to 10/80)

        NY State Regents Scholarship Test (aptitude section only)

        Navy GCT (Standard Score) prior to 10/80

 

        Mensa reserves the right to alter or modify these norms as

        the tests indicated are renormed or restandardized.  All prior

        evidence submitted to Mensa will be appraised individually,

        and Mensa reserves the right to make the final determination

        as to the acceptability of any test.

 

 

 

 

        ------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

        Mail to:  American Mensa, Ltd.

                  2626 East 14th Street

                  Brooklyn, N.Y. 11235-3992

                  718-934-3700

 

        Name: .....................................................

 

        Age:  .......

 

        Address: ..................................................

 

        City: .............................. State: ... Zip: ......

         

        Phone: (h)................... Phone: (b)...................

 

        ... [A] Please send me the preliminary test to do at home without

                supervision.  Enclosed find U. S. $9.00; please inform me

                of my score.

 

        ... [B] I wish to go directly to the supervised test.  Please send

                me the name and address of the nearest Proctor. I understand

                the $20.00 fee is to be paid to the Proctor.

 

        ... [C] I claim exemption from testing and enclose evidence that my

                I.Q. is in the top 2% or the general population.  I enclose 

                $15.00 nonrefundable evaluation fee. (If the evidence is to 

                be sent to us by a psychologist or testing institute,  please

                give name and address of same.

 

        ....................................................................

                             

        .................................................................... 

 

        I learned about Mensa through: ..................................... 

 

        Amount enclosed: $ ...................... (U.S. funds only)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

  

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