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Our next Monthly Gathering is on February 22nd.
The February Monthly Gathering will be held at the
Rolling Mead­ows Com­munity Center
3705 Pheasant Drive, Rolling Meadows, IL 60008

The locations of the MGs vary.

Monthly Gathering

Our Chicago Area Monthly Gatherings are open to the public. So anyone interested in finding out more about Mensa is welcome to attend. The February Monthly Gathering will be held at the Rolling Mead­ows Com­munity Center at 3705 Pheasant Dr. in Rolling Meadows. The gatherings are held each month, with the exception of No­vem­ber, at one of four lo­ca­tions. So check this site to ensure you’re heading to the correct venue. Members can also check the latest issue of ChiMe or Chicago Mensa Meetup.

Typical Monthly Gathering

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For details, visit here.

4:00 p.m.
Mensa Admissions Test (for anyone who wishes to become a member) — Pre­reg­ister to reserve a space for this session or for a different test lo­ca­tion/date. To see if any of your past tests qualify for membership, see what you need to qualify.
5:00 p.m.
Business Meeting — Our five board members and any other interested members discuss various topics and issues. Members are welcome to attend and voice their opinions, but only the Board of Directors can vote.
6:00 p.m.
Games Room opens for any early-arrivers and game enthusiasts. At recent gatherings members have played their favorite games such as Chess, Scrabble, Set, and Boggle, as well as current hit games. Our game collection is pretty extensive, so if you have a favorite, there's a fair chance we'll have it on hand. Here’s the list of our entire collection (minus a couple of oldies for which the Geek has no entry) over on Board Game Geek, although not all games are conveyed to every Monthly Gathering (there are just too many). Contact our Game Warden to ensure a specific one is available.
7:30 p.m.
Speaker Presentation — The gathering usually begins with announcements from our Local Secretary (LocSec), followed by a guest who speaks on an interesting topic for about an hour. A short description of the topic may be available on the February events page. Members can view the full ar­ticle about this month’s topic in the February ChiMe.
8:30 p.m.
Refreshments, Socializing, and Games — After the speaker presentation, our hospitality volunteers provide an assortment of party food and beverages, and people browse and mingle. Conversation and games continue into the night.

The majority of the people start arriving around 7:00 PM. Usually about 60-100 people attend the Monthly Gathering. If you prefer a smaller group, try a one of our many restaurant gatherings hosted at various lo­ca­tions throughout the metropolitan area. Check out the latest monthly calendar of events for dates, or, for more information, call the Membership Chair.

Babysitting is no longer available unless we get some volunteers willing to do so or to arrange it. If interested, contact our LocSec  . In the meantime, we encourage parents and kids to hang out together in a sepa­rate room where the children can play together under their parents’ supervision. Also please contact our Gifted Youth Coördinators  , who may be restarting the Gifted Youth MG activity held in conjunction with the regular MG.


Admission
Fees *		 Ages
18-∞ 8-17
Members $7.00 $3.00
Guests $10.00 $5.00

* Children under the age of 8 are free provided they under the supervision of an adult attending the gathering.

Directions to

The March Monthly Gathering will be held at the Benedictine University’s Campus - Daniel L. Goodwin Hall of Business (Building 8 on the Campus Map) - lo­cated at 5700 College Rd. in Lisle. The building is near the southern end of the campus. Note that the campus is only accessible from College Rd. which runs along the eastern edge of the campus.

The business meeting, games, and hospitality will be in room 411. Testing and the parent-child play will be in room 317. The speaker will be in room 321. Note: The rooms tend to be a bit chilly, so you may want to consider bringing a sweater/sweatshirt. Please note that we have this venue only until midnight — plan accordingly.

Benedictine University is lo­cated at the south­west corner of Maple Ave. and College Rd. The campus is only accessible from College Rd.

The closest parking to Goodwin Hall (Building 8 on the campus map) is the parking garage (Building 7) and the parking lot NW of the garage, both of which are accessible via the campus road which runs parallel to College Rd. So after turning west onto one of the campus entrances* on the west side of College Rd., turn south (left) and follow that road as it curves west along the southern edge of the campus and eventually curves to slightly north (see maps). There are also three large parking lots along College Rd. (the southernmost parking lot is the closest of the three to Goodwin Hall). Parking is free.

If coming east or west on I-88 (north of the campus):

  • Exit onto onto Interstate 355 Tollway S toward Joliet.
  • Continue on I-355 S for ~3.3 miles to the Maple Ave. exit.
  • Turn west (right) onto Maple Ave.
  • Head west on Maple Ave. for ~2.4 miles to College Rd.
    (Note: At the stop light, it's College to the south and Yackley to the north).
  • Turn south (left) onto College Rd.

If coming east or west on I-55 (south of the campus):

  • Take the Interstate 355 Tollway N/Interstate 355 Tollway S toward Northwest Suburbs/South­west Suburbs exit.
  • Stay right to merge onto I-355 N.
  • Head north on I-355 N to the Maple Ave. exit.
  • Turn west (left) onto Maple Ave.
  • Head west on Maple Ave. for ~2.4 miles to College Rd.
    (Note: At the stop light, it's College to the south and Yackley to the north).
  • Turn south (left) onto College Rd.

From College Rd. (no entrance from Maple Ave.):

  • The campus is on the SW corner of Maple and College so turn west (right) onto the campus from Maple.
    Warning: There is no entrance onto the campus south of the main entrance (1 on the Campus Map) even though it looks like there is one on the map.
  • Turn south (left) onto the campus road that runs parallel to College and continue along as it curves to the west along the southernmost edge of the campus and then slightly north.
  • Enter either the parking garage (Building 7 on the Campus Map) or the nearby narrow parking lot just past the garage, both of which are on the right and are closest to Goodwin Hall (the first building north of the parking garage and east of the parking lot). Otherwise you may park in the NW region of the southernmost parking lot near College Ave. and it is still a short walk NW to Goodwin Hall.
  • Walk to Goodwin Hall (Building 8 on the map).

Warning*: Although the map seems to show an entrance from College Rd. south of the main entrance (1 on the Campus Map) at the very southern edge of the campus that feeds into the road to the parking lot, some people have said it isn't always accessible.

Attention, city-dwelling Chicago Area Ms! Until further notice, there will be a taxi service for our suburban Monthly Gatherings, between the closest Metra station and the meeting site. For the Benedictine University site, we will have a taxi pick you up at the Lisle station at 6:31 PM (Burlington Northern (BNSF) Railway line — it leaves Union Station at 5:40 PM). A taxi will then leave the Goodwin Hall by 11 PM to return you to the Lisle station in time for the 11:38 PM train, which is the final train of the evening. Use of this service must be requested in advance by e‑mailing Greg  three days prior to the MG.
Note: CAM will cover the cost of the taxi, but you are responsible for your own train ticket.

The May Monthly Gathering will be held at the North Park University’s Magnuson Campus Center at 5000 N. Spaulding Avenue in Chicago (south of Foster, between Kimball and Kedzie, north of Argyle). Our main room will be Magnuson 1 & 2, Hospitality is in Magnuson 5, and the Mensa Test and the Presentation will both take place on the third floor in Magnuson 310.

The Magnuson Campus Center is Building 16 on the campus map - just behind (west of) the building (Burgh Hall on Spaulding and Argyle) that blocks one’s view of the Magnuson Campus Center from Spaulding. The building is lo­cated on the southeast side of the Chicago River, North Branch, which flows through the campus, thus there is no car access from any of the side streets near the campus that are north or west of the river although there are foot paths to a pedestrian bridge. The building is on the river just northwest of the Spaulding and Argle intersection.
Please note that we have this venue only until midnight — plan accordingly.

Free parking in the student lots. Campus security will not ticket any of us who are parked in student parking (SE corner of Carmen and Spaulding (closest lot), north of Carmen and west of Kedzie (next closest lot) and the east side of Kedzie between Foster and Carmen where the southernmost lot is just a two block walk to the Magnuson Campus Center).

There is also street parking in the neighborhood so check for spots along Carmen, Spaulding and Argyle but read the signs; there is permit-only parking in the area as well as metered parking where you pay at the box using cash or credit/debit cards or via the ParkChicago app which enables you to pay and add time remotely with your smart phone. Chicago parking tickets are expensive so make sure you park legally.

The Magnuson Campus Center is lo­cated northwest of the Spaulding and Argyle intersection. Follow the curved foot path along the river that runs west of/behind Burgh Hall (the large rectangular red brick building on Spaulding) and northeast of Anderson Hall (the round building on Argyle).
Warning: Burgh Hall blocks your view of the Magnuson Campus Center from Spaulding.

The CTA Brown Line Kimball station is less than a ½ mile south­west from Magnuson Campus Center at Lawrence and Kimball. Head north on Kimball to Argyle. Turn right on Argyle. After Anderson Hall (round building), you’ll see the Magnuson Campus Center to your right (north) next to the the river.

There are also several bus lines that service the area. The CTA Bus Tracker makes it easy to find out when the buses arrive and depart on your smart phone.

General di­rections to the campus can be found on the NPU website. The Magnuson Campus Center is lo­cated on the southeast bank of the river and is not actually on Spaudling; it is Building 16 on the map, just behind (west of) the building (Burgh Hall) lo­cated on Spaulding; all are lo­cated on the northwest corner of Spaulding and Argyle. The river prevents automobile access from any of the side streets that run through the campus north of or west of the river (see the campus map); but if you park on any of those streets, there are foot paths that lead to a pedestrian bridge, which crosses the river, enabling you to walk to the Magnuson Campus Center. After crossing the bridge, head south (right) on the curving foot path between the buildings and the entrance is on your right.

If coming from the northwest on I-90E:
  • Take the Lawrence Ave. exit.
  • Head north on Cicero Ave. to Foster.
  • Head east on Foster for 2 miles to Kedzie Ave.
  • Turn south (right from Foster) onto Kedzie Ave.
    For parking less than a two block walk:
    • Continue south on Kedzie Ave. to Carmen Ave. (four-way stop).
    • Turn west (right) onto Carmen and find parking or continue west one block to Spaulding where there is a parking lot on the southeast corner of Carmen & Spaulding (which is the closest lot). Or park along Spaulding.
    • After you’ve parked, cross Spaudling to the west side nearest the river.
    • Take the path and at the fork (do not cross the bridge), stay right and continue on the path that goes between the buildings. Magnuson Campus Center is on your right next to the river.
    For parking ~2½ blocks away:
    • Park in one of the student parkings lot on the east (left) side of Kedzie between Foster and Carmen) where the the southernmost (2nd) lot is a shorter walk to the Magnuson Campus Center.
    • Walk south along Kedzie.
    • Cross Kedzie at Carmen.
    • Walk west along Carmen to the path that runs along the east bank of the Chicago river.
    • Follow the curve south south (left) on path.
    • Stay right at the fork (do not cross the bridge) and continue as the path goes between the buildings. Magnuson Campus Center is on your right next to the river.
If coming from the north on I-94E:
  • Take the Cicero Ave. exit to Foster.
  • Head east on Foster for 2 miles to Kedzie Ave.
  • Turn south (right from Foster) onto Kedzie Ave.
    For parking less than a two block walk:
    • Continue south on Kedzie Ave. to Carmen Ave. (four-way stop).
    • Turn west (right) onto Carmen and find parking or continue west one block to Spaulding where there is a parking lot on the southeast corner of Carmen & Spaulding (which is the closest lot). Or park along Spaulding.
    • After you’ve parked, cross Spaudling to the west side nearest the river.
    • Take the path and at the fork (do not cross the bridge), stay right and continue on the path that goes between the buildings. Magnuson Campus Center is on your right next to the river.
    For parking ~2½ blocks away:
    • Park in one of the student parking lots on the east (left) side of Kedzie between Foster and Carmen) where the the southernmost (2nd) lot is a shorter walk to the Magnuson Campus Center.
    • Walk south along Kedzie.
    • Cross Kedzie at Carmen.
    • Walk west along Carmen to the path that runs along the east bank of the Chicago river.
    • Follow the curve south south (left) on path.
    • Stay right at the fork (do not cross the bridge) and continue as the path goes between the buildings. Magnuson Campus Center is on your right next to the river.
If coming from the south on I-90W/I-94W:
  • Take the Kedzie Ave. exit.
  • Head north ~2½ miles to Carmen (four-way stop).
    For parking less than a two block walk:
    • Turn west (left) onto Carmen and find parking or continue west one block to Spaulding where there is a parking lot on the southeast corner of Carmen & Spaulding (which is the closest lot). Or park along Spaulding.
    • After you’ve parked, cross Spaudling to the west side nearest the river.
    • Take the path and at the fork (do not cross the bridge), stay right and continue on the path that goes between the buildings. Magnuson Campus Center is on your right next to the river.
    For parking ~2½ blocks away:
    • Continue north on Kedzie Ave. past Carmen Ave. (four-way stop).
    • Park in one of the student parkings lot on the east (right) side of Kedzie just north of Carmen where the the southernmost (1st) lot is a shorter walk to the Magnuson Campus Center.
    • Walk south along Kedzie.
    • Cross Kedzie at Carmen.
    • Walk west along Carmen to the path that runs along the east bank of the Chicago river.
    • Follow the curve south south (left) on path.
    • Stay right at the fork (do not cross the bridge) and continue as the path goes between the buildings. Magnuson Campus Center is on your right next to the river.

The February Monthly Gathering will be held at the Rolling Meadows Community Center at 3705 Pheasant Drive in Rolling Meadows. The Community Center is lo­cated just east of IL-53, just north of the Algonquin exit and south of the Euclid exit. Use the map on the right for di­rections.

We will have games and hospitality in their spacious auditorium with overflow space in the lobby. The speaker event will be in the Card Room. There will be a Parents-Kids Play Room available. Please note that we have this venue only until midnight — plan accordingly.

Parking is plentiful and free.

  • Exit onto IL-53 north (Northwest Suburbs) and look for the IL-62 (Algonquin Road) exit.
  • Exit right onto IL-62 (Algonquin Road).
  • Turn east (left) onto Algonquin Road.
  • Continue east onto Algonquin Road for ~5 miles to Barker Ave.
  • Turn north (left) onto Barker Ave. and continue north for .04 miles to Central Road.
  • Turn east (right) onto Central Road and continue east for .03 miles to Jay Lane.
  • Turn north (left) onto Jay Lane and continue north for 0.3 mile to Grouse Lane.
  • Turn west (left) onto Grouse Lane and continue west for 0.3 miles to Pheasant Drive.
  • Turn north (right) onto Pheasant Drive and continue northwest for 295 ft. to the Community Center which is on the west side (left) of Pheasant Drive.

If you miss the Algonquin Road exit, you can exit at Kirchoff Road and head east (right) for 0.2 miles to Meadow Drive. See last three steps of the "Via the Euclid Ave exit:" di­rections (below) to get from Meadow Drive to the Community Center.

  • Exit at the Euclid Ave East exit.
  • Continue east on Euclid Avenue a short distance to Rohlwing Road.
  • Turn south (right) onto Rohlwing Road and continue south for a ½ mile to Kirchoff Road.
  • Turn east (left) onto Kirchoff Road and continue east for 0.7 miles to Meadow Drive.
  • Turn south (right) onto Meadow Drive and continue south for a ½ mile to Grouse Lane.
  • Turn west (right) onto Grouse Lane and continue for 0.2 miles to Pheasant Drive.
  • Turn north (right) onto Pheasant Drive and continue northwest for 295 ft. to the Community Center which is on the west side (left) of Pheasant Drive.

Attention, city-dwelling Chicago Area Ms! Until further notice, there will be a taxi service for our suburban Monthly Gatherings, between the closest Metra station and the meeting site. For the Rolling Meadows site, we will have a taxi pick you up at the Arlington Park station at 6:30 PM (Union Pacific–Northwest line — it leaves Ogilvie Station at 5:40 PM). A taxi will then leave the Park District building by 10 PM to return you to the Arlington Park station for the 10:29 PM train, which is the final train of the evening. Use of this service must be requested in advance by e‑mailing Greg  by Wednesday, February 19th.
Note: CAM will cover the cost of the taxi, but you are responsible for your own train ticket.

There is no Monthly Gathering in October nor in November. Instead, CAM hosts HalloweeM, the largest Regional Gathering (RG) in the country. It's a wonderful, fun, and informative event that runs Thursday, October 29th through Sunday, November 1st. Expect games, dances, programs, costume parades, and excursions. Our great RG will be held at the Westin-Chicago North Shore Hotel at 601 North Milwaukee Avenue in Wheeling. The hotel is located on the east side of Milwaukee and the main entrance is at the intersection of Milwaukee Avenue and Wolf Road (just south of Lake-Cook and north of Dundee Road).

The rooms facing east enjoy a great view of the Forest Preserves. The hotel is located just west of the Des Plaines River and is steps away from the Des Plaines River Trail leading into the Potawatomi Woods Forest Preserve.

There’s plenty of free parking both on the north and the south side of the hotel. The south lot is closer to the meeting rooms.

The hotel offers a shuttle service from the nearby METRA stations. Please call them well in advance to arrange a pickup.

Monthly Gathering Schedule

2020
February 22nd
Rolling Mead­ows Com­munity Center
3705 Pheasant Drive
Rolling Meadows, IL 60008
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March 28th
Bene­dictine Univer­sity
5700 College Road
Lisle, IL 60532
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April 32th
aka May 2nd
Rolling Mead­ows Com­munity Center
3705 Pheasant Drive
Rolling Meadows, IL 60008
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May 30th?
Tentative‡
North Park University?
5000 N. Spaulding Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625

June 27th
Bene­dictine Univer­sity
5700 College Road
Lisle, IL 60532
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July 25th
Rolling Mead­ows Com­munity Center
3705 Pheasant Drive
Rolling Meadows, IL 60008
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August 29th?
Tentative‡
North Park University?
5000 N. Spaulding Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625

September 26th
Bene­dictine Univer­sity
5700 College Road
Lisle, IL 60532
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October 29th–November 1st
HalloweeM
Westin North Shore Hotel
601 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Wheeling, IL 60090
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HalloweeM

November
No Gathering
December 5th
Rolling Mead­ows Com­munity Center
3705 Pheasant Drive
Rolling Meadows, IL 60008
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‡ If a Monthly Gathering is tentative, both the lo­ca­tion and dates may change. Please check this site, ChiMe or Meetup about a month before the gathering for any changes.

Mensa Testing

The test is administered at 4 PM at every Monthly Gathering. Get more information about taking a proctored test to join Mensa including different dates and lo­ca­tions. You must pre­reg­ister to take advantage of any special offers from American Mensa. Or check out if any of the tests you’ve taken in the past can be used as prior evidence to join.



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