Local Election Statements—2007

Thanks for such a fun year! I sincerely enjoyed being your Local Secretary this past year. As with any learning experience, it was a ton of work (with a little awkwardness thrown in) but also extremely gratifying.

When I began my 2006 term as LocSec last May, my goals included welcoming new members, revising the position descriptions for our Steering Committee and getting to know areas of Chicago Area Mensa with which I had limited experience in the past. I kept them simple since I was new to the job. As I look back, I’m satisfied! First, I welcomed new members by phone, through email, during functions, at Monthly Meetings and so on. Second, revisions to the position descriptions are at a solid 50% right now; considering we nicknamed this the “Long and Winding Project” four years ago, I see that as forward progress. Finally, it was very satisfying to me to attend activities such as the downtown lunches, dinners on Thursday, A Gathering of Gamers, NIBBLERS brunches (and not even gain weight!).

This coming year, I plan to continue the same goals – meeting new members, enhancing Steering Committee positions and attending new and interesting events. For 2007, I intend to go further by creating an easier and friendlier environment for local members to get involved or develop new events and activities. I also intend to increase contact with other local groups. This past year, several members and I recommended event-planning tips, developed a scholarship program and increased exposure to national programs. In the future, I plan to work more closely with other regions and our national organization to improve all Mensa’s activities.

As Chicago Area Mensa, we have many strengths to leverage; for instance, membership continues to grow steadily, HalloweeM delivers as a spectacular Regional Gathering and we develop creative new ways to keep you happy (Colloquium, A Gathering of Gamers, etc.). But I can only take some of the credit for these activities, seeing as each event is put into action by our team of hardworking volunteers.

I sincerely enjoy working, and feel I work well, with the team that is the Steering List, the WeeM TeaM, the Colloquium Chairs and so many others. It would be my pleasure and privilege to continue as your Local Secretary – or, Commander in Geek – this coming year. I look forward to seeing you or working with you soon!

I am very excited to be running for the office of Business Manager for Chicago Area Mensa, and I welcome the chance to share my background and qualifications with you. I was born in Washington, D.C. and grew up in the Maryland suburbs. I have one brother, who is mentally handicapped, and both my parents work for the federal government. While I started my college career studying organic chemistry, I ended up with a B.A. in English from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. I was a member of the Honors College while at UMBC, was Poetry Editor for Bartleby, the UMBC literary magazine, and am still a member of Sigma Tau Delta, the English Honors Society. I moved to Chicago in June, 1999 and just joined Chicago Area Mensa last January.

I have worked in investment management since I moved to Chicago, at a small private firm and a large multinational corporation. A typical day for me is a mix of leading client service projects, gathering data, and preparing analyses. The most critical part of what I do, however, is knowing how the different parts of my organization fit together, and helping my co-workers understand all the pieces they don’t see. Additionally, I come up with creative ways to streamline workflow, and convince others to help me implement my ideas. My job involves daily negotiation, collaboration, high accountability (I frequently have the leading role in moving forward multimillion dollar client transition projects) and the ability to delicately influence and delegate without being overbearing. I think these skills will be invaluable to CAM in the Business Manager role.

I’ve often heard it said that organizing Mensans is like herding cats. I just so happen to have three of the most adorable, friendly, personable cats that the world has ever known. At one point, two of them were leash-trained. They happily allow their feet to be massaged. Like little purring dogs, they roll over for a good belly rub. And perhaps most amazing of all, they come when they are called! I like to think that my care and devotion to my cats over the years has helped our relationship flourish; and if Mensans truly are like cats, then I hope that, by serving CAM as Business Manager, I will continue to be graced with amazing friendships and good times with the wonderful people in our group.

As a Mensa member for a little over a year, I’m excited and honored by the opportunity to run for General Representative. I have thoroughly enjoyed both the activities provided by Mensa and the wide range of people who come to them. The opportunity to represent this diverse group of people as a General Representative would be an honor. I will make myself available to Chicago Area Mensa members to represent their idea to the board, and I look forward to becoming even more involved with Mensa in the coming years.