1/Fri­day

  • ChiMe Activity Bulletin Deadline. Last day for these submissions to the June ChiMe. Interested in organizing and hosting a virtual or in-person event? Find out how by checking out our guide to hosting events.

  • ChiMe Editorial and Ad­ver­tising Deadlines. Last day for editorial submissions to the June ChiMe. Please submit original ar­ticles, insights, puzzles, brain teasers, or short poems. Your fellow Chicago Area Mensa members would love to hear from you.

2/Satur­day

  • New Zealand Sunday Seminars: Topic TBA 7 PM (Sunday Noon NZT). Save the date. A list of the upcoming seminars can be viewed on their website.
    Virtual Event!!

4/Mon­day

  • May the 4th Be With You!

5/Tues­day

  • cinco

    Cinco de Mayo

7/Thurs­day

  • Conversation with London Mensans 8 AM. Join a video chat with our kin from across the big pond in London at 2 PM BT. RSVP (via Meetup preferred) to local host Carey S. to receive the Zoom sign-in information. The London host is Ian David Moseley.
    Virtual Event!!

  • Zoom Lunch 1 PM. Perhaps the longest running Mensa event anywhere, Chicago’s Zoom Lunch (formerly known as the Downtown Lunch) is held every week, alternating between Tuesday and Thursday. Join us for conversation, laughs, and attempts to define words you’ll never use again. The Zoom id is 836 1178 6315 and the passcode is 190710; it is also included as part of your host Jon G.’s contact information if you prefer a link. Questions? Contact Jon via email or call/text him. You may also RSVP via Meetup. We’d love to have you join us!
    Virtual Event!!

8/Fri­day

  • Rock­ford-Area Dinner 6:30 PM. Join Dave and other Rockford-Area Mensans for dinner at Dos Reales Mexican Restaurant lo­cated at 5855 E. State St. in Rockford (on the south side of State St., west of Mulford, across from St. Anthony Hospital and next to Red Lobster). To RSVP , for more information, or to get on our email list, contact Dave L., our Rockford-Area Coordinator. RSVP required in case of cancellation, time, or venue change. Do not RSVP via Meetup. This event usually recurs on the second Friday of the month.

  • Poetry Dis­cus­sion 7 PM. Our poetry group is using Zoom for meetings. Please send a poem or two to Joe D. by Monday, May 4th. Interested persons who are not currently members of the poetry group can contact Joe D. , and he will email the poems to be discussed. Contact Bill K. for the Zoom links or any help you might need. Do NOT RSVP via Meetup. This event is usually held on the evening of the second Friday of the month.
    Virtual Event!!

10/Sun­day

  • mom

    Mother’s Day

12/Tues­day

14/Thurs­day

16/Satur­day

  • Conserv­atives Lunch 11:30 AM. Join other members of the Mensan cell of the Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy for lunch and civilized un-PC conversation. No forbidden questions, no unchallengeable answers. This lunch happens on the third Saturday every month. The venue will be The Patio, 2780 S. Highland Ave. in Lombard (NW corner of Butterfield and Highland, but you can enter only from Highland). RSVP by emailing Jim Z. the event coor­di­na­tor. You may also RSVP via Meetup. Open to non-Mensans; bring a curious friend.

  • Beverly Area Saturday Salon (B.A.S.S.) ~Noon. Spontaneous conversation in far SSW Chicago, approx­i­mate vicinity of 107th St. & Western Ave. Please contact Rick E. the Beverly Area Coordinator, for this month’s lo­ca­tion and the exact time as well as more information; if emailing, put “BASS” in the subject line. This event usually recurs midday on the 3rd Saturday of the month.

  • SEMM : Atheism…Living Without Religion: The Past, Present, and Future of Doubt 6 PM CDT. Come and explore the intellectual roots of atheism—from Epicurus to today—while addressing common misconceptions, highlighting key moments in American atheist history, and examining current trends and challenges. Chris McLaughlin’s talk will trace the intellectual and cultural roots of atheism from ancient Greece to the modern atheist movement in the U.S., while debunking myths and offering insight into who atheists are today.

    Chris McLaughlin, the State Director of the Secular Alliance of Michigan and President of Michigan Atheists, will lead us in our examination of atheism, secular identity, and the broader cultural and civic landscape of nonbelief in America. Chris is a lifelong atheist and activist who speaks regularly on atheism, secular identity, and the growing influence of nonreligious Americans in public life.

    See the full write-up and find contact info on the American Mensa Event. All attendees must preregister by visiting the SEMM Monthly Gathering page and choosing "May 17, 2025 5:30 pm" from the dropdown. Due to rising Zoom costs, SEMM asks for a $5 donation, if you can afford it.
    Virtual Event!!

18/Mon­day

  • Irish Mensa Lecture and Discussion: The Later Years: Organisation, Independence and Peace of Mind 1 PM. Irish Mensa meets virtually on the third Monday of each month at 7 PM Irish Time; a discussion then follows the lecture.

    How should we get organized for our later years? With just a little preparation while we are fit and healthy, we can express our wishes for more difficult times. There are simple and positive options to be followed. Not just a will and lasting power of attorney, but simple steps to being independent longer, staying at home longer and enjoying life longer. A little thought now, and hopefully with discussion with family members, will provide reassurance and peace of mind for all.

    His Honour Sir Peter Thornton KC was a practicing barrister in criminal and human rights law, a QC (now KC), founder member and head of Doughty Street Chambers in London, a Senior Circuit Judge at the Old Bailey (the Central Criminal Court), and judge in the High Court and Court of Appeal (Criminal Division).  Sir Peter was the first Chief Coroner of England and Wales.  He is now a Visiting Professor at King's College London (where he teaches a course, Death Investigation: Coroners and Inquests), a member of the Independent Expert Panel of the House of Commons, and an international trainer of coroners and judges with the Civil Service College, the Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges Association and the Slynn Foundation.  His latest book is The Later Years: The Simple Guide to Organising the Rest of Your Life (Bedford Square Publishers, 2025). He also conducts workshops on life and lifestyle in the later years.

    For the full write-up and to join, visit the American Mensa Event. One does not have to register early for the event—simply click on the Zoom link before the session starts (check back here for that link on Monday, May 18th).
    Virtual Event!!

19/Tues­day

  • Northern Ex­po­sure Dinner 6:45 PM. Polar bears paddling around your pool? Then you should have dinner with us. Join us for dinner at a venue TBD in Lake County. Recurs on the third Tuesday of the month.

20/Wednes­day

  • MWW : Nonfiction Book Discussion 4:30 PM CST. Please join us in discussing Outlive: The Science & Art of Longevity by Peter Attia. We generally discuss what we liked about the book or found challenging. We also discuss what we would like more or less of, what format we read the book in, and whether it was a recent read.

    Can't make it this month? The next book will be Fixing Fairness: 4 Tenets to Transform Diversity Backlash into Progress for All by Lily Zheng (June 17). See the full write-up and find contact info on the American Mensa Event Calendar.
    Virtual Event!!

21/Thurs­day

24/Sun­day

  • Theodore Talk: National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame 2:30 PM. Join Bethany Dodson, Director of Research & Education at the National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame, for an engaging discussion on the history and culture of cowgirls. The Cowgirl is where history meets horsepower, and fearless women take center stage. Located in the heart of Fort Worth's Cultural District, it's the only museum in the world that celebrates the grit, grace, and guts of the women who shaped the American West—and those breaking boundaries today. Through permanent and temporary exhibits, interactives, and powerful storytelling, the Museum highlights artists, ranchers, rodeo champions, activists, and trailblazers from all walks of life. It's not just about looking back—it's about inspiring the next generation of unstoppable women.

    Dodson will lead a virtual tour of the galleries and interactives, share some of their 261 Honorees' incredible stories, and discuss their expansion, opening in the fall of 2026, that will add 16,000 more square feet to their existing 33,000 square feet of interpretive spaces.

    See the full write-up and find contact info on the American Mensa Event. Provided you register for the live talk, you will receive a link to a recording of the event. Closed captioning enabled.
    Virtual Event!!

  • Mensa Cares: Land & Waterways 2 PM. This month, naturalist and educator Karen Jensen will lead us as we walk along the Des Plaines River in the Lake County Forest Preserve. We will be participants in an open data citizen science project. The Marine Debris Tracker app helps to answer the question of what the different types and amounts of debris are in order that we may prevent such debris from happening.

    Karen will instruct us in what and how we will do what we will do, but this will involve walking on the forest preserve trails. Wear comfortable shoes, clothing and your citizen scientist hat (the winner of the best hat gets big kudos from Karen!). Also, bring a well charged phone, water and snacks to carry along with you. You will download the Marine Debris Tracker App and Karen will assign us our group (Chicago Area Mensa) by which we will track what we find. Some participants may want to only record what is found and some may want to pick up debris—that is up to you (bring gloves, we will provide the debris bags).

    The location is Edward L. Ryerson Welcome Center, 21950 Riverwoods Rd. in Riverwoods. The entrance is on Riverwoods Road between Half Day Road (Route 22) and Deerfield Road, just west of Interstate 94. Signs to the Welcome Center will be easy to see and follow. For more details, see the ChiMe (when it becomes available). If you have any questions or you wish to RSVP , email our Community Services Coordinator Jean D. .

25/Mon­day

  • memorialDay

    Memo­rial Day

26/Tues­day

  • Break­fast in Mount Pros­pect 10 AM. Breakfast or lunch and conversation at Jelly Café lo­cated at 1784 W. Golf Rd. in Mount Pros­pect (northwest corner of Golf Rd. and Busse Hwy.), featuring a large and diverse menu. Dining might be indoors or outdoors, depending on conditions. Sepa­rate checks are available. Use Meetup, but if not on Meetup, RSVP to Ken L. via email. If you RSVP by email, your reservation is not confirmed until you receive a confirmation email.

  • MEANS (North Suburbs) Dinner 6:30 PM. Join Mensans Eating Around North Suburbs (MEANS) at Hackney’s on Lake located at 1514 E. Lake Ave. in Glenview. Free parking. Separate checks available. Limit 12. Please RSVP via Meetup (preferred) or email Brent B. Recurs on the 4th Tuesday of the month.

27/Wednes­day

  • GOBS Request Deadline Noon. Today is the last day to submit a request for GOBS funds to be approved at this Sunday’s virtual Business Meeting for any planned, eligible event, activity, or class taking place after Sunday, May 31st through Saturday, June 20th and, optionally, later; to be eligible, events involving CAM members must be published in the issue of ChiMe corresponding to the month in which they occur. For CAM events, it’s recommended you submit the GOBS request and get it approved before submitting your event information for publication in ChiMeso no later than today for events planned for July. July events need to be submitted by the 1st of June to the activities editor to be included in the July ChiMe. An article must be featured in the July ChiMe for GOBS-subsidized August events with an RSVP deadline in July (same 1st of June deadline but article emailed to the editor; see editorial deadline).
    Tentative: Date & Time; may change based upon the the date of the Virtual ExComm Business Meeting!!

28/Thurs­day

31/Sun­day

Our next Bi-Monthly Gathering occurs on April 25th.
at the
Rolling Mead­ows Com­mu­ni­ty Center
3705 Pheasant Dr., Rolling Meadows, IL 60008
* * * * * *
Our April MG is free for all CAM members!

* * * * * *
The next ExComm Business Meeting is being held at 5 PM on Sunday, March 29th via Zoom.

  • Monthly ExComm Business Meeting 5 PM. Held via Zoom during odd months. Our ExComm and any other interested members discuss various topics and issues as well as GOBS requests. Members are welcome to attend and voice their opinions, but only the five elected members of the Executive Committee can vote. The Zoom login info can be found on our Contacts webpage.
    Tentative: Date & Time; may change after the New ExComm is Elected in April!!
    Virtual Event!!


* * * * *

1 June/Mon­day

  • ChiMe Activ­ity Bulletin Dead­line. Last day for these submissions to the July ChiMe. Interested in organizing and hosting a virtual or in-person event? There’s bound to be an activity or a restaurant you want to try, but you just want some other people to experience it with you. So invite your fellow Mensans. Find out how by visiting our guide to hosting events.

  • ChiMe Editorial and Ad­vertising Dead­lines. Last day for editorial submissions to the July ChiMe. Please submit original ar­ticles, insights, puzzles, brain teasers, photographs, or short poems. Your fellow Chicago Area Mensa members would love to hear from you.

Activities Bulletin
May 2026 (Tentative)

May
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31            

RSVPs - Always contact the CAM event host as specified in the event details—email , phone , text , or Meetup.

About
Meetup

Chicago Mensa Meetup - All our events are listed; see who signed up, get notifications, and add the event(s) to your personal calendar. Check out the current calendar

About
Meetup

Chicago Mensa Meetup - All our events are listed; see who signed up, get notifications, and add the event(s) to your personal calendar. Check out the current calendar

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