* * * * * * The next ExComm Business Meeting is being held at 6 PM on Tuesday, September 15th via Zoom.
Our Chicago Area
Bi-Monthly Gatherings are open to the public.
Anyone interested in finding out more about Mensa is welcome to attend.
There is no Monthly Gathering during October nor November nor during the month of the Annual Picnic.
Our next Bi-Monthly Gathering is in December.
Join us for HalloweeM,
which is the largest Regional Gathering (RG) in the US.
It's a long weekend of fun for the whole family.
WeeM will be held in the Westin North Shore Hotel located at 601 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Wheeling
on Oct. 29th–Nov. 1st. There will be an ExComm Business Meeting on Sunday, November 1st at 10 AM in the hotel, which any Chicago Area Mensa member is invited to attend, without paying for the RG. The Mensa Test is scheduled for 2 PM.
The December Monthly Gathering, held on Saturday, December 5th, will be in the Rolling Meadows Community Center at 3705 Pheasant Dr. in Rolling Meadows.
Gatherings are held each month, except for every November.
Check this site to ensure you’re heading to the correct venue.
Members can also check
Chicago Mensa Meetup
or the latest issue of ChiMe. The website will supersede information in ChiMe should there be a discrepancy.
The September and November Business Meetings will be held at 6 PM on Tuesday, September 15th virtually and 10 AM on Sunday, November 1st respectively. The Zoom login info can be found on our
Contacts webpage.
Instead of a Monthly Gathering in September, there will be a special Odd Outing touring a Viking Ship on Saturday, September 19th. We encourage all CAM members, any family members, and/or their guests to take advantage of this great opportunity.
Typical
Bi-Monthly Gathering
5:00 PM
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.
Walk-ins are welcome but you cannot be late; it’s best to
contact the test coordinator in case the session is cancelled.
To see if any of your past tests (ACT, SAT, LSAT…) qualify for membership, see
which tests qualify.
Or arrange for an approved private test.
6:00 PM on Tuesday, September 15th
Business Meeting —
Our five elected ExComm members and any other interested members discuss
various topics and issues. Members are welcome to attend and voice their opinions, but only the
Executive Committee can vote.
6:00 PM
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
Gathering (there are just too many).
Contact our Game Warden
to ensure a specific one is available.
Kids Room opens
under the supervision of volunteers and parents. The Youth Program has been relaunched.
We’ll have hands-on activities, often shaped by the kids themselves.
Speaker Presentation for December
TBA
7:30 PM
Speaker Presentation —
This part of 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.
8:30 PM until midnight
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.
Pet Policy
Pets are not allowed in any group event areas at Chicago
Area Mensa sponsored events, with the exception as laid out
by the Americans with Disabilities Act. This exception is
listed below.
Service animals, as defined by Title II and Title III of the
Americans with Disabilities Act, are always allowed in any
Chicago Area Mensa sponsored event. The handler is responsible
for the care and supervision of the animal, including cleaning
up after the animal. The ADA guidelines on Service Animals
should be used if questions arise.
Events held in private homes are exempt from this policy.
Pets are still allowed in guest rooms. It is
recommended that you check the hotel’s pet policy on the
hotel’s information sheet and contact the hotel for additional information.
The majority of the people start arriving around 7 PM.
Usually, about 40-80 people attend the Monthly Gathering. If you
prefer a smaller group, try
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, contact 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
kids to hang out together in a separate room where
the children can play together under the supervision of volunteers and parents.
Code of Conduct
Chicago Area Mensa is a safe and inclusive in-person and on-line community for CAM members and guests
regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical
appearance, race, ethnicity, age or religion.
Unacceptable behavior will not be tolerated. Unacceptable physical, written, or verbal behavior
includes, but is not limited to: intimidating, harassing, abusive, discriminatory, derogatory, or
demeaning conduct.
Please be aware that the other members are real people; gossip and negativity negatively impact the
group as a whole. Controversial topics are part of Mensa; that is not license to be tiresome or exhibit
a belief that everyone else is wrong. Assume good intentions. If your interactions frequently turn
negative, please consider self-reflection.
CAM encourages members to report any illegal activity to the proper authorities. CAM’s response
to unacceptable behavior is not dependent on the involvement of outside authorities.
Consequences can include being removed from an event, denial of access to future events and/or CAM on-line
communities, and referral to a regional or national hearing.
If you encounter inappropriate behavior, please immediately report it to the event host, a
CAM ExComm member, or the
CAM Ombudsperson.
Fees
Admission Fees *
Ages
18-∞
8-17
Members
$10.00
$5.00
Guests
$12.00
$7.00
Check-in starts at 7 PM. CAM is now accepting major credit cards at the MGs.
* Children under the age of 8 are free provided they under the supervision of an adult attending the gathering.
Venue Info for
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, dance(s), programs, and costume contests.
Get the most up-to-date information about WeeM by
visiting our website.
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).
Book your room today!
The hotel is offering a WeeM room rate of $132 through October 8th.
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 also a pool and workout equipment.
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.
For detailed directions, visit our HalloweeM directions webpage.
The hotel offers a shuttle service from the nearby
METRA stations .
Please call them well in advance to arrange a pickup given staff shortages have increased wait times.
Otherwise use one of the ridesharing services like
or Uber .
The Saturday, December 5thBi-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 IL-53 Euclid exit.
We will have games and hospitality in their spacious auditorium (straight back when you enter)
with overflow space in the lobby.
The speaker event will be in the Card Room (when you enter, to the right via the hallway, past the restrooms).
We’ve relaunched Youth Program.
There will be a Parents-Kids Play Room available at 6 PM.
We’ll have hands-on activites led by volunteers
and shaped by the kids themselves. We encourage you to bring your kids to try it out.
Rolling Meadows Community Center
Parking is plentiful and free behind the building. The NW lot is closest to Entrance K, located near the inner corner of building.
Please note that we have this venue only until midnight—plan accordingly.
Heading north on IL-53 north through the Northwest Suburbs, look for the Kirchoff Road exit.
Exit right (east) onto Kirchoff Road.
Continue east on Kirchoff Road for ~1 mile to Meadow Drive.
Turn south (right) onto Meadow Drive.
Continue south on Meadow Drive for two blocks to Martin Lane.
Turn west (right) onto Martin Lane.
Continue west on Martin Lane as it curves south into Pheasant Drive.
Continue south on Pheasant Drive to the Community
Center which is on the west (right) side of Pheasant Drive.
Pull into the first (northern-most) driveway (white dotted line on detail map)
and head for the rear lot.
Park near Entrance K (see photo above; northwest inner corner slightly taller with an array of 4×3 windows just to the right).
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.
Pull into the last (northern-most) driveway (white dotted line on detail map)
and head for the rear lot.
Park near Entrance K (see photo above; northwest inner corner slightly taller with an array of 4×3 windows just to the right).
Attention, city-dwelling Chicago Area Ms! Until further notice, you can request taxi service
or get reimbursed for the use of a ride sharing service
like or Uber
for our suburban Bi-Monthly Gatherings, between the closest Metra station and the meeting
site with prior approval from
GenRep Allison (Stallings) Reeves by Wednesday, December 2nd.
The best location and time is the
Arlington Park station
at 6:30 PM
(Union Pacific–Northwest line —it leaves
Ogilvie Station at 5:40 PM).
You should then plan to 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 any of these services must be requested in advance by emailing
GenRep Allison (Stallings) Reeves by Wednesday, December 2nd.
Note: CAM will cover the cost of the taxi, , or Uber
but you are responsible for your own train ticket.
Double check the Metra Train schedule which may have changed.
[p]CAM’s ExComm Business Meeting is usually an hour covering various topics related to our group, including GOBS requests, volunteer positions, the budget, and upcoming events like AGOG, WeeM, Odd Outings, etc.[/p][p]Join Zoom meeting: [url]https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84286333832?pwd=yBAC8AE2Fbof7ZFBOfd6bYjSFdCIlb.1[/url][/p][p]Meeting ID: 842 8633 3832[br]Passcode: 223536[br]Zoom instructions: [url]https://chicago.us.mensa.org/mensacal/pdf/CAMZoomInstructions.pdf[/url][/p][p]The form for GOBS funds must be submitted the Wednesday prior to this meeting. The GOBS liaison will have it added to the agenda.[/p][p]You may submit an issue to be added to the agenda for the ExComm's consideration or request the pdf version of the agenda a few days prior to the meeting by emailing our Recording Secretary. ([url]mailto:Secretary@chicago.us.mensa.org?subject=ExComm Business Meeting on Tuesday, September 15th[/url]).[/p]
[p]Chicago Area Mensa’s Regional Gathering (RG) HalloweeM is being held at the Westin North Shore Hotel. This is a large (about 500 attendees), fun, family-friendly event. Drinks, snacks, and most meals are included. There are games, tournaments, dances, and a multi-track program as well as the infamous Costume Contest on Friday and both Pretentious Drinking and the Epicurean Experience on Saturday. [/p][p]We encourage you to register and book your room in advance to qualify for any discounts, but you may register on-site. [p]Please sign-up on the website to volunteer in in late September or during October.[/p][p]Bring books and media to donate to our book sale—all proceeds are donated to a charity.[/p][p]See our HalloweeM website ([url]https://chicago.us.mensa.org/weem/index.php[/url]) for the most up-to-date details.[/p]
Add CAM ExComm Business Meeting @Westin North Shore Hotel
CAM ExComm Business Meeting @Westin North Shore Hotel
[p]CAM’s ExComm Business Meeting is usually an hour covering various topics related to our group, including GOBS requests, volunteer positions, the budget, and upcoming events like AGOG, WeeM, Odd Outings, etc.[/p][p]The form for GOBS funds must be submitted the Wednesday prior to this meeting. The GOBS liaison will have it added to the agenda.[/p][p]You may submit an issue to be added to the agenda for the ExComm's consideration or request the pdf version of the agenda a few days prior to the meeting by emailing our Recording Secretary. ([url]mailto:Secretary@chicago.us.mensa.org?subject=ExComm Business Meeting on Sunday, November 1st[/url]).[/p]
Add CAM Bi-Monthly Gathering @Rolling Meadows Community Center
CAM Bi-Monthly Gathering @Rolling Meadows Community Center
The Chicago Area Mensa’s Monthly Gathering (MG) ([url]https://chicago.us.mensa.org/mensacal/mg.php[/url]) is in the Rolling Meadows Community Center in Rolling Meadows.[p]We have interesting conversations, games, snacks, beverages, and usually a presentation. [p]Encourage your smart non-Mensa friends to sign up for the Mensa test; they’ll probably view it as a compliment that you think they have a high IQ.[/p][p]Schedule: [ul][li]5 PM Mensa Admissions Test[/li][li]6 PM Games Room opens[/li][li]7:30 PM Presentation[/li][li]8:30 PM Snacks & beverages available[/li][/ul][br][p]Check our MG webpage ([url]https://chicago.us.mensa.org/mensacal/mg.php[/url]) closer to the event date for the most up-to-date details. In addition to directions, the topic and featured games may be known. And, if applicable, any cancellation or change in venue will be highlighted.[/p]
[p]CAM’s ExComm Business Meeting is usually an hour covering various topics related to our group, including GOBS requests, volunteer positions, the budget, and upcoming events like AGOG, WeeM, Odd Outings, etc.[/p][p]Join Zoom meeting: [url]https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84286333832?pwd=yBAC8AE2Fbof7ZFBOfd6bYjSFdCIlb.1[/url][/p][p]Meeting ID: 842 8633 3832[br]Passcode: 223536[br]Zoom instructions: [url]https://chicago.us.mensa.org/mensacal/pdf/CAMZoomInstructions.pdf[/url][/p][p]The form for GOBS funds must be submitted the Wednesday prior to this meeting. The GOBS liaison will have it added to the agenda.[/p][p]You may submit an issue to be added to the agenda for the ExComm's consideration or request the pdf version of the agenda a few days prior to the meeting by emailing our Recording Secretary. ([url]mailto:Secretary@chicago.us.mensa.org?subject=ExComm Business Meeting on Tuesday, December 15th[/url]).[/p]
A Gathering of Gamers (AGOG) is a Chicago Area Mensa Regional Gathering (RG) @ Westin North Shore Hotel. This is a fun, family-friendly event occurring over a long weekend. CAM brings all their games (over 375) & puzzles. Drinks, snacks, and most meals are included.[p]If you didn't sign up for the megagame [em]After the Throne[/em], you can still do so by contacting the Chairs.[/p][p]We encourage you to register and book your room in advance to qualify for any discounts, but you may register on-site.[/p][p]Please sign-up to host a tournament or to volunteer.[/p][p]Visit our AGOG website for the most up-to-date details by using this link: [url]https://chicago.us.mensa.org/agog/index.php[/url][/p]
Add CAM Bi-Monthly Gathering @Rolling Meadows Community Center
CAM Bi-Monthly Gathering @Rolling Meadows Community Center
The Chicago Area Mensa’s Monthly Gathering (MG) ([url]https://chicago.us.mensa.org/mensacal/mg.php[/url]) is in the Rolling Meadows Community Center in Rolling Meadows.[p]We have interesting conversations, games, snacks, beverages, and usually a presentation. [p]Encourage your smart non-Mensa friends to sign up for the Mensa test; they’ll probably view it as a compliment that you think they have a high IQ.[/p][p]Schedule: [ul][li]5 PM Mensa Admissions Test[/li][li]6 PM Games Room opens[/li][li]7:30 PM Presentation[/li][li]8:30 PM Snacks & beverages available[/li][/ul][br][p]Check our MG webpage ([url]https://chicago.us.mensa.org/mensacal/mg.php[/url]) closer to the event date for the most up-to-date details. In addition to directions, the topic and featured games may be known. And, if applicable, any cancellation or change in venue will be highlighted.[/p]
The test is administered at 2 PM during HalloweeM and at every Bi-Monthly Gathering. Walk-ins are welcome, but you cannot be late.
Get more information about taking a
proctored test to join Mensa
including preregistering to guarantee a spot or to view different dates and locations. You must preregister at certain sites and to take advantage of some special offers from
American Mensa but we recommended you do so regardless.
Or check out if any of the tests you’ve taken in the past (ACT, SAT, LSAT…) can be used as prior evidence to
qualify to join.
Or arrange for an approved private test.
