1/Sun­day

  • December ChiMe Activ­ity Bulletin Dead­line. Last day for these submissions to the ChiMe newsletter. 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.

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

  • clock

    Daylight Saving Time ends at 2 AM. Remember to set your clocks back and sleep a bit longer.

  • HalloweeM 50: Golden Ticket Continues until ~2 PM. Join us for breakfast, the program, games, awards and more. By participating in the fun, sometimes silly, tournament “Amazing Race: WeeM Style” scheduled in the morning, perhaps your team can be the amazing ones. Attend the CAM ExComm Business Meeting. Find out which of the volunteers won monetary awards (it could be you!). And please consider donating an hour or two of your time to help pack up—we really need your help and it’s the volunteers that make this RG so great. For those interested in visiting some local sites—check out Things to Do Nearby.

Our next Bi-Monthly Gathering occurs on December 5th.
at the
Rolling Mead­ows Com­mu­ni­ty Center
3705 Pheasant Dr., Rolling Meadows, IL 60008

1
Nov

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]
2026-11-01
10:00
11:00
601 N Milwaukee Ave, Wheeling, IL 60090

  • CAM ExComm Business Meeting 10 AM at the Westin North Shore lo­cated at 601 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Wheeling. You do not have to be registered for WeeM to attend.

  • Inquiring Minds: Constructing Health: How the Built Environment Enhances Your Mind's Health 1 PM. Can a building make you feel better? Architect Tye Farrow explores the fascinating intersection of neuroscience and architecture, revealing how our surroundings affect the brain, body and well-being—and how thoughtful design can help create healthier spaces. See the full write-up by visiting the American Mensa Event.
    Virtual Event!!

  • A Gathering of Gamers (AGOG ) - Preregistration Rate Increase Alert! Join us for a relaxing weekend of games and hospitality on January 15th – 17th, featuring the megagame After the Throne. Today is the last day you can pre­reg­ister for AGOG and qualify for a great AGOG discount ($20 less for ages 18+ and $20 less for ages 9-17). By pre­reg­istering, not only do you qualify for a discount, but once you get to AGOG, you avoid the hassle of filling out forms at registration—plus you’ll get a pre-printed badge. So instead of wasting time at registration, you can start playing more, sleeping less, and making friends!

  • Mind Games® 2027 Judge Registration. Join American Mensa members for Mind Games hosted by Cincinnati Area Mensa Thursday, April 15th through Sunday, April 18th, at the Holiday Inn Cincinnati Airport located at 1717 Airport Exchange Blvd. in Erlanger, Kentucky. Visit the website for all the details.

3/Tues­day

  •

    Polls close at 7 PM. Anyone still in line at 7 PM will still be able to cast their vote.

5/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 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 Mensa's longest running event anywhere, Chicago’s Downtown Lunch is now on Zoom and open to Mensa members everywhere. It's held every week, alternating between Tuesday and Thursday. Join us for conversation, laughs, and whimsical solutions to the world's problems past and present. 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!!

7/Satur­day

  • New Zealand Sunday Seminars: AI Risks 5 PM (Sunday Noon NZT ). AI’s potential risks—including existential ones—are sparking serious conversations around the world. For this discussion-based seminar, everyone will read Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei’s recent essay on AI safety and come ready to discuss. Additional essays and a Hard Fork episode are available for those who want to dig deeper. The list of the upcoming seminars and any details can be viewed on their website.
    Virtual Event!!

  • Chicago Toy and Game Fair (ChiTAG) 10 AM through 6 PM. On Sunday ending at 5 PM. It will be held Rosemont Convention Center in Rosemont, using the People of Play (POP) platform. In addition to the ability to preview the many new toys and games exhibited, they feature a Young Inventor Challenge. For all the details, visit their website. You may be able to get a discount on tickets via Groupon or LivingSocial.
    Virtual Public Event!!

  • AML Leadership Workshop: Creating & Communicating a Shared Vision That Moves People 7 PM. This session of the new Level Up! leadership development series, features Dioane Gates. Unlike traditional LDWs, these talks focus on building your career and personal growth across five key areas: vision, results, culture, people, and well-being. Don't miss this chance to level up your game.

    Three words that describe the Kansas Leadership Center's (KLC) Chief Civic Leadership Officer Dioane Gates are encouraging, pioneering, and entrepreneurial. With 18 years in law enforcement, 24 years in ministry leadership, and over 14 years as a small business owner, Dioane possesses a versatile skill set that equips him to connect thoughtfully with various audiences as a trainer and communicator.

    For more details, visit the AML Event which includes the Zoom link for this event.
    Virtual Event!!

10/Tues­day

11/Wednes­day

  • vet

    Veteran’s Day
    (Federal Holiday)

12/Thurs­day

  • American Mensa Member Forum 7 PM. Curious about where American Mensa is headed? Pull up a (virtual) seat and join American Mensa Chair Jon Gruebele for this lively Member Forum. It's your chance to get the inside scoop, ask questions, and share your thoughts with fellow members who care about American Mensa's future as much as you do. Register on the American Mensa Event.

13/Fri­day

  • Rock­ford-Area Lunch Noon. Join Dave and other Rockford-Area Mensans for lunch at Gerry’s Pizza lo­cated at 7403 Argus Dr. in Rockford (NW corner of E. State St. and Bell School Rd.). 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.
    Time Change!!

  • Poetry Dis­cus­sion 7 PM. Our poetry group is using Zoom for meetings. Please send a poem or two to Joe D. by Monday, November 9th. 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!!

16/Mon­day

RSVP for DOW held on Wednesday, November 18th no later than Monday, November 16th. RSVP via Meetup preferred.

  • Irish Mensa Lecture and Discussion: TBA 1 PM. Irish Mensa meets virtually on the third Monday of each month at 7 PM IT; a discussion then follows the lecture.

    When the event details are available on the American Mensa Event Calendar, we'll update this 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 Saturday, November 14th).
    Virtual Event!!

18/Wednes­day

Dinner Out West

  • Dinner Out West 6:30 PM. Do you know the difference between Nepalese and Indian food? Well, I don't either! (My guess is that they're similar with subtle differences.) But if you do, come join us and teach us! Or we can have a group discussion about it or a multitude of any other subjects! We're going to Taste of Himalayas, located at 10 N. 3rd St. in St. Charles. GOBS will cover ½ of your meal cost, including tax and tip (rounded up to the nearest dollar), up to a maximum subsidy of $20, for each CAM member and their guest. Cash, Zelle, Venmo, or PayPal for your portion. Limit 15 people. Reservations are required so Hieu knows how big of a table to reserve. RSVP via Meetup (strongly preferred) or directly to Hieu N. by 6 PM on Monday, November 16th.

  • Inquiring Minds: My Life Tracking the Great White Shark 1 PM. Are shark attacks becoming more frequent along the coast of New England, such as at Cape Cod? How much of our knowledge about these predators has been influenced by the movie Jaws? Are there misconceptions? How exactly does the Great White Shark expert Greg Skomal conduct his research on sharks? How does he assess the behavior of sharks? How does he assess the physiological stress and survival associated with their capture and release for scientific purposes?

    Greg Skomal is an accomplished marine biologist, great white shark researcher, underwater explorer, photographer, aquarist, and author. He has been a senior fisheries biologist with Massachusetts Marine Fisheries since 1987 and currently heads up the Massachusetts Shark Research Program. He is also adjunct faculty at the University of Massachusetts School for Marine Science and Technology in New Bedford, MA, a guest investigator at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Woods Hole, MA, and an adjunct scientist with the Center for Shark Research in Sarasota, Florida. He has been actively involved in the study of the life history, ecology, and physiology of sharks. His shark research has spanned multiple fish habitats around the globe, taking him from the frigid waters of the Arctic Circle to coral reefs in the tropical Central Pacific.

    See the full write-up and find contact info on the American Mensa Event. All attendees must preregister.
    Virtual Event!!

  • MWW: Nonfiction Book Discussion 4:30 PM CST. Please join us in discussing Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds & Shape Our Futures, by Merlin Sheldrake. 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 books will be asting History: Explore the Past Through 4,000 Years of Recipes by Max Miller & Ann Volkwein (December 16) and The Meaning of Your Life: Finding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness, by Arthur C. Brooks (January 20). See the full write-up and find contact info on the American Mensa Event.
    Virtual Event!!

19/Thurs­day

21/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.

23/Mon­day

  • spiral

    Fibonacci Day honors Leonardo Bonacci.
    Today’s date represents first 4 numbers in the sequence (1 1 2 3 5 8…).

24/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. 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.

26/Thurs­day

  • cornucopia

    Thanksgiving Day


* * * * *

1 December/Tues­day

  • January 2027 ChiMe Activ­ity Bulletin Dead­line. Last day for these submissions to the ChiMe newsletter. 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.

  • January 2027 ChiMe Editorial and Ad­vertising Dead­lines. Last day for editorial submissions to the ChiMe newsletter. Please submit original ar­ticles, insights, puzzles, brain teasers, photographs, or short poems. Your fellow Chicago Area Mensa members would love to hear from you.

  • A Gathering of Gamers (AGOG ) - Preregistration Rate Increase Alert! Join us for a relaxing weekend of games and hospitality on January 15th – 17th, featuring the megagame After the Throne. Sunday, November 1st is the last day you can pre­reg­ister for AGOG and qualify for a great AGOG discount ($20 less for ages 18+ and $20 less for ages 9-17). By pre­reg­istering, not only do you qualify for a discount, but once you get to AGOG, you avoid the hassle of filling out forms at registration—plus you’ll get a pre-printed badge. So instead of wasting time at registration, you can start playing more, sleeping less, and making friends!

  • Mind Games® 2027 Judge Registration. Join American Mensa members for Mind Games hosted by Cincinnati Area Mensa Thursday, April 15th through Sunday, April 18th, at the Holiday Inn Cincinnati Airport located at 1717 Airport Exchange Blvd. in Erlanger, Kentucky. Visit the website for all the details.

  • Mind Games® 2027 Judge Registration. Join American Mensa members for Mind Games hosted by Cincinnati Area Mensa Thursday, April 15th through Sunday, April 18th, at the Holiday Inn Cincinnati Airport located at 1717 Airport Exchange Blvd. in Erlanger, Kentucky. Visit the website for all the details.

Activities Bulletin
November 2026

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. Note: CAM will discontinue the use of Meetup after November 2026.

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. Note: CAM will discontinue the use of Meetup after November 2026.

Play & Make Friends Jan. 15th – 17th

15
Jan

Add AGOG Weekend @ Westin North Shore Hotel

AGOG Weekend @ Westin North Shore Hotel
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]
2027-01-15
15:00
2027-01-17
15:00
601 N Milwaukee Ave, Wheeling, IL 60090
Top Join Contact Members
Only