Several members kept copies of this open letter to MN Mensa members when it was presented to the Board. However, it was never published to all members, because Paul castigated the author as "bipolar" and the Board took no action on it. It should be noted that the "person who said he was in charge of logistics and planning for the AG" is Paul (he was the Programs Chair, by the way). Paul was also the other candidate for First Vice Secretary.
To MN Mensa members:
I joined Mensa two years ago. I had been encouraged for many years to take the "entrance exam," and I finally got around to doing it. After reading information on both Mensa U.S. and Minnesota Mensa's web sites, I thought that this would be a good way to meet other people of high intelligence, and perhaps a desire to assist others in a meaningful way, as well as to provide a social outlet.
Imagine my surprise when I saw the composition of people who were in attendance at my first "First Friday" event. I was most definitely in the minority in that the majority of people seemed to be at least middle-aged. Hmm, I thought. How interesting that the people who seem to be active are those with families, or who are a little older. Not letting this stand in my way, I made attempts to become involved as a more "active" member. I noticed that MN Mensa was hosting the Annual Gathering in 2003, and thought that the AG committee would welcome my eagerness to become involved and assist with the planning and execution of such a monumental task. Was I wrong. It took numerous attempts to contact different people on the AG committee, and finally a note to the Loc Sec to even get someone to respond. And that response was half-hearted at best.
Still determined to become involved, as I had made this commitment, I went to planning meetings, never truly sure of what my role was to be. Indeed, I was never given any real direction, until I started volunteering to do specific tasks for which I was well-qualified. I was mystified - here is a committee that was begging for people to become involved, but when a person stepped forward, that committee held back, like a child not wanting to share a toy heaven forbid I should actually have some responsibility for doing anything.
It was after that, and my continued pursuit of involvement in planning this event, that I was contacted by the person who said he was in charge of logistics and planning for the AG. He said that the person in charge of the logistics part was moving and that they desperately needed my assistance. So I put in many hours of work on this project. I became frustrated when, after I was told I would be in charge of logistics, it turned out that my job was actually more secretarial for this person, who, as a prominent businessman who was retired, did not even know how to use the simplest of Microsoft applications. In the AG guide, my name was simply listed as part of the Hospitality Committee, not mentioning specific roles I had, nor the role I played in logistics.
Hmm..does this sound like sour grapes over something that is long since over? Wait, there's more.
Last summer, I was asked by a member of the board to take over the Public Relations role, as that person had also quit (I should have seen the trend here). I gladly went to meetings and attempted to work with board members to better MN Mensa's image through this role. I was stonewalled. As a person in a non-voting board position, I had no authority in anything I said, and anything I said was ignored. I had fantastic ideas of what this role should encompass, what responsibilities it should hold and how to do them. But again I ran into the child with the candy mentality - well, heaven forbid I should actually be able to do anything that would make sense, because someone else had always done it.
When election time came, I was asked - no, that is not correct - people begged me to run for the office of First Vice President. I thought that perhaps I could make a greater contribution through that office, as I felt that quite honestly my time was being wasted in my current office. So I ran for the office. Suddenly, the incumbent, who had up until that time become increasingly hostile to me, both behind my back and to my face, began saying terrible things about me.
"Who does she think she is, to just come in here and run for this office right away?" he asked one person. Never mind that he himself had done the same thing when he joined. He also began to slander me, calling me a liar and far worse things. I began to wonder what on Earth I had ever done to make him so angry. Someone told me it was because I had challenged him in that election. Isn't it the right of ANYONE who joins this organization to run for ANY office that is elected? How was what I did such a wrong or terrible thing?
Well, he was "vindicated" in that he won the election, by one vote. Here's the irony of that situation - I did not vote in the election. When I run for an office I want it to be as objectively decided as possible, so I did not vote. Had I voted, it would have resulted in a tie. He won, but he was again angry. The man could not, nay, would not even look at me in the eye, much less talk to me. He has not spoken to me since the AG, but apparently he has had plenty to say ABOUT me. What kind of a coward is a man who does this - who makes up things about someone who is only trying to do good, both for the organization and for other people? What kind of an organization is it that allows people like this to not only participate on its board of directors, but to bully and harass people, and to dominate a great portion as well? I began to re-think my dedication to this idea.
After a few more frustrating board meetings, the last one of which I tried to illustrate how a printing error made MN Mensa look the very opposite of what we were supposed to be as the "top two percent" of intelligence. I finally said "enough" and quit the board. I told them that I could no longer serve in a position where I was not only not appreciated, but slandered and treated in so ill a manner.
Since then I have not been to a social event. I have only done the calendar, which I now take little enjoyment in doing. My whole experience with this "wonderful" group of people has completely soured me on Mensa. To be sure, not everyone in this group is as anti-social, mean and petty as some people I have encountered. But why would I want to pay to be part of an organization, for which I also volunteered my valuable time, services and expertise, when I am treated so poorly? Is this what being intelligent involves? Negative people and bad experiences?
To be sure, there are some people who serve as definite bright spots. But unfortunately, this one person who is like a big black hole of negativity has an insidious effect on this organization and people. People so not seem to be happy in their roles. Isn't it amazing that he is still allowed to do what he does, to say what he says? How did this happen in the first place, and how can we bring it to an end?
I like to be a positive person, and to be around people who are also positive. Unfortunately, with all the negative experiences I have had so far in two years' time, I am tempted to allow my membership to lapse. I am truly disappointed and a bit saddened that an intelligent group of people are not using their time in a more productive, positive manner.
Karin Jones
