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| Commentary on the current election for MN Mensa officers |
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OK, the Minnesota Mensa election ballot is out and we've got two, count 'em, two contested elections. Paul Jensen must be removed from the LocSec position he has co-opted by forcing two capable, long-serving members to resign from the board.
This blog should be available to everyone who checks out my web site on the current sad condition of the MN Mensa Board of Directors. I hope that this will encourage discussion, not name-calling, abuse, vile language, or the other kinds of nastiness so prevalent on the 'net. I expect that almost everyone reading my site will be members of Mensa; let's act like people of intelligence, not net morons.
That said, let's have at it! | ||
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| The past locsec, Dede, was good for the group, and from what I hear, was forced out of office by bullying from Paul Jensen. What kind of leadership is THAT? I left the AG committee for the same reason. He was being overly supervisory, and wanted everyone to let him know exactly what they were doing at any point in time. He didn't let the volunteers do what they thought was best. Any ideas that differed from his were shot down like ducks.
It's too bad good volunteers like Dede, Karin, Judy, me, and others went away. This is a social organization, NOT a company. I vote for Jane G. She was nice to work with while I was still on the AG committee. | |||
| Posted by Anonymous | |||
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| I agree that Mensa should not be run as a business. We all are volunteers. I guess some have more busy lives than others, but any time spent on the business of Mensa should be rewarding in some way. I remember when it used to be fun to hang out and do the stuff to be done with plenty of laughs and good times.... | |||
| Posted by Anonymous | |||
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| WHAT A MESS!
If it says “Anonymous” at the end of this, ignore it. My name is Gordon Andersen and I am far from anonymous. Many of you know me and many don’t. Those who do know me are aware that I despise having to fight anyone, but they also know I do not back down when I know I am in the right. First, let me say clearly that Jane Gmur has nothing to do with this entire Web log. In fact, she doesn’t even want her name mentioned on it, so I will respect her wishes and not refer to her again. There are those who fear that this mostly negative posting will cause some backlash. Others like me believe that members, for good or otherwise, are entitled to know. We don’t expect to please everyone, but what is important is that you receive information you will not find anywhere else. I’ll be as brief as I can. Never before in the 41-year history of Minnesota Mensa have there been factions in our organization. Paul Jensen is solely responsible for the schism that now exists. He has somehow gotten a few members to side with him, notably the recent appointments to vacancies of the Board of Directors, including his own (it was his vote that broke the tie). A sizeable committee, of which I am one, has had to “choose up sides,” because of the way Mr. Jensen has treated several of our members, including elected officers and appointed officers. Let me add to what you have already read:  The Al Heigl affair is a travesty. Mr. Heigl refused to accept being dismissed as Webmaster, which occurred following his failure to respond to several requests from the Board of Directors to upgrade our Web site. Officially unappointed, Heigl refused to turn the Web site over to the new Webmaster, and further embarked on a campaign of harassment against the new Webmaster, including calling his employer with derogatory remarks. LocSec DeDe Tredinnick asked Paul Jensen to meet with Heigl and find out what it would take to get him to cease and desist, and to let him know what he could expect if he didn’t. The two of them signed an agreement reinstating Heigl as Webmaster and turning over the Annual Gathering Web site to him as well. Unfortunately, Jensen had no authority to negotiate such a contract. When informed of this, Heigl believed he had been betrayed and dug in his heels. Ombudsman Eric Adams had no success in dealing with Heigl either, so the board asked for help from American Mensa, which requested a letter affirming that Jensen was not authorized in any way to engage in a contract. The letter was sent. After a protracted legal battle, at great expense to American Mensa, our Web site was wrested from Heigl’s control by the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization), which oversees assignment of domain names.  Missing from the material under “Resignations” is DeDe Tredinnick’s e-mailed statement to the Board of Directors that she was resigning because she “can no longer work with Paul Jensen.” This was much too gently put. Jensen hounded her out of the office. DeDe has told us that Jensen would call her on the phone and berate her for anything he could think of – that she was incompetent, too old (she’s only in her 40s), and that she was losing her looks. He made her cry on several occasions, and at least once he made her physically ill. DeDe is too nice a person to hang up on anyone, and Jensen knew this and took advantage of it. Even DeDe’s husband tried to get Jensen to leave her alone, but was unable to. DeDe’s own inability to be unkind was her undoing. She could not take it anymore and she resigned.  Re: the “Heigl Affair” files: Jensen fought to have those files turned over to him as the newly appointed LocSec. He may or may not have wanted to “edit” the files before they went to the national office, but the question being raised resulted in the instruction from the national office for DeDe to send them there directly, which she did.  Testing and resignations: As the background information says, Jensen has boasted about the great increases in membership due to his testing program, but he ignores the fact that the lapse rate in the last two years is the highest in history, a lapse being equivalent to a resignation. I have the statistics and records in case anyone wants to see them.  Judy Hogan’s statement: She did not include how Jensen had treated the official American Mensa Hotel Liaison, Rose Lee Crutcher, before, during, and after the Annual Gathering. Although the hotel insisted on dealing only with her as the official contact, Jensen repeatedly went directly to the Convention and Catering Manager with his demands for room set-ups, etc. Further, when he was supposed to furnish information the hotel needed (via Crutcher), he went well past deadlines, thus making it hard for the hotel staff to plan for the AG and other events, as well. Conversely, when Jensen needed information from Crutcher, he e-mailed and phoned her repeatedly, even for information that did not exist, including a complete electrical layout of the convention area, something never before requested. Only the engineering staff had the specifications, and they reluctantly prepared a layout just to get Jensen (via Crutcher) off their backs. His only responsibility at the AG was programs, but he decided to enhance his importance by designating the office he had been given as the “Operations Center,” giving the impression that it was where everything was controlled from. People with questions about hospitality, registration, etc., almost invariably went to see Jensen, frequently receiving incorrect information. I was in charge of the Help Desk and was also serving as liaison to the American Mensa Committee. Jensen made it a special point to tell the AMC people to see him if they needed anything. I found out about this only much later.  Karin Jones is no longer a member. How sad.  DeDe’s July column: Politics is defined as “the use of intrigue or strategy in obtaining any position of power or control…” Jensen described her column, in which she questioned the nominating process, as giving the appearance of being “politically motivated and possibly a violation of editorial integrity.” Note that Jensen apologized. However, at the next board meeting he repeated his accusation and got his followers to agree with him. Although they deny it now, the word “libel” bounced off the walls. I was there and I heard it very clearly. In order to avoid a charge of slander, the secretary left the word out of the minutes. Also notice that Jensen attempted to instruct the editor in the placement of material in the newsletter. Jensen knows very well that this is just not done. The editor’s response reflects this accurately.  Bylaws: Regarding the waiver of board meeting dates, the bylaws allow for the board to order it, although it should be stated at each meeting that this is being done. The wording is: “Regular sessions of the Board of Directors shall convene on the Tuesday before the First Friday of each month, unless the Board orders otherwise.  The really odd thing Jensen did – a first – was to appoint a Nominating Committee (including some relatively new people who know little about Mensa), but to make the appointment effective approximately two weeks later, thus giving him more time to look for candidates of his choosing. He has had his hand in every phase of this election, including attempting to orchestrate voting at the December First Friday by encouraging immediate voting. He knows that the odds were in his favor because undecided voters automatically put their X in the incumbent’s box.  Fix it? It’s up to you. As for treasurer, Chris Harbron joined Mensa in April 2003, and lapsed in March 2004, after one year’s membership. She remained lapsed for the next year and a half, reinstating on October 11, 2005, only 4 days before the deadline for the Nominating Committee to submit its final report. This means that she was recruited by Paul Jensen when she was not a member. While this may be technically legal, the bylaws need to be changed to forestall this occurring again. In any event, you have another candidate for treasurer who has proven experience.  Gordon Andersen – (952) 929-0502 – gkandersen@aol.com | |||
| Posted by Anonymous | |||
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| I was fairly amazed to get an email from Paul Jensen which listed all of the other recipients. It doesn't take a rocket scientist (or a Mensan) to figure out how to use the BCC: feature of most email systems. I'm a bit nervous about a loc sec who doesn't understand security.
I didn't really have an opinion about the election until I got that email. I'll be voting for Jane. | |||
| Posted by Anonymous | |||
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| I would like to know more about what was objectionable about how Al Heigl was running the site in the first place. I know that my password never seemed to work. Was that sort of thing a related issue? What were the issues? Why would Paul want to work with Al Heigl, and everyone else not want to?
Another far more important issue is testing: how does someone get un-appointed to test new people? Who can we get to train new proctors in, and is it possible for testing to not be controlled by Paul? What is he doing with these tests while he is not turning them in for 6 weeks? Is he studying them closely and knowing exactly what every applicant has upstairs? Is he changing answers? Is he getting less-bright people in, and keeping more-bright people out? Is he hand-picking who he wants to work with based on their ability to answer? None of these questions proves that he's doing any of these things, of course, but it is valid to ask why he's keeping tests for so long, and whether we can get someone else in there who will not keep tests even one day before they are sent off to the proper evaluators. | |||
| Posted by Anonymous | |||
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| Well, for the Al Heigl issue, who cares? He made a crappy website and failed to update it. I say "who cares" becuase it was years ago and finally resolved with the matter living at national's archives. Let's look at the problem being presented, Paul Jensen
About Paul Jensen? Well, my experience from the AG matches the website, but I didn't know any better being a Mensan for all of 6 months at that point. I'd like to hear more personal stories that confirm what was written on that site since the author(s) of the site fail to identify themselves nor disclose how they received those emails. ~ Shawn M. Lavelle St Paul AG Volunteer MN GenX Founder PS People make their CC lists public when they want others to know who is involved. | |||
| Posted by Anonymous | |||
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| My name is Martha Henrickson. I am a member who is not active and never has been. I have consistently forgotten about or had conflicts with Greeting Meetings and First Fridays, although I have had every intention of eventually getting involved.
Based on all of these goings-on, I will be keeping my distance, at least for awhile. This is clearly a dysfunctional organization. I don't know Paul Jenson (aka the Antichrist) and I don't know any of the individuals referenced on this website (aka the Downtrodden Masses). If true, the allegations about Paul display that he has behaved poorly, at least in some instances. However, this website does not demonstrate that any higher standard of behavior exists within the organization. Nor does it indicate that any mature and professional actions were taken by any member to address Paul’s behavior. This website exists mainly to influence the outcome of the election, which renders it nothing but ethically questionable and inflammatory campaign literature, in my opinion. I look forward to becoming involved with Minnesota Mensa in the future; however, now is clearly not the time. I have no interest in this type of organizational politics. I sincerely hope the situations can be resolved to the best interest of the group as a whole. Martha Henrickson | |||
| Posted by Anonymous | |||
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| My name is Anne Louise. I was very active in Minnesota Mensa until about ten years ago. I was a board member and PR director. I lost touch with a lot of people when I stopped attending First Fridays due to a serious illness, followed by a move to Duluth (I am now much better, thank you, and living in SE Minnesota.) I wasn't around when these sad events were taking place and I don't really know Paul Jensen.
If I didn't know any of the other people involved, I would think all this was a case of internecine squabbling run amok. But I do know Gordy, and Judy, and Dede, and Andrew, and I know them to be honest, good, principled people who don't play politics. If any one of them had told me this, I would have considered it very seriously. Hearing it from all four of them at once makes me come to the sad conclusion that what they are saying must be true. In the past month or so, I have had a few email exchanges with Paul, on a totally unrelated subject. During this time, my name was inadvertently put on the "to" line on one or two messages that he sent to other people. The general impression I got from that overall experience was of a desire to micromanage and a tendency to self-aggrandize. I've gotten to know Jane since I mostly dropped off the Mensa radar, and I think very highly of her. What I've seen of her in person fits what others say about her on this site and in emails I've received. I know the kind of work Celia did for a living until her retirement, and how well qualified she is. You can be sure I will be voting for Jane and for Celia! | |||
| Posted by Anonymous | |||
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| I second the notion that this is probably a good time to steer clear of MN Mensa.
Too bad, but life is too short. | |||
| Posted by Anonymous | |||
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| I'm Linda Jensen (no relation to Paul). I've been a member of MN Mensa for a handful of years. I was involved in the AG of 2003, worked with the younger kid members of Mensa, staff the Fair booth, and am the receptionist for the Mensaphone, etc. Personally, I don't enjoy politics, and find this site off-putting in the way attack politics are unwelcome by most citizens in elections of government officials. But, on the other hand, some people like this sort of thing, and I suppose there are worse things than an organization lively enough to have volunteers who devote what must be a huge number of hours to preserve what they perceive to be the organization's well being. So, have at it. For the benefit of new member/visitors, though, please step up and identify yourselves, so people don't think we're pathetic. Especially the author of the site. And, in fairness, you probably should explain blood and marriage relations among the site participants and favored candidates.
My two cents is that Paul has done a terrific job at everything I've seen him do. He is a thoughtful person, mindful of the organization's well being. He is considerate of others and motivates volunteers to commit to the organization. He has done much to promote the interests of younger folks in Mensa, which is nice to see in older members of any organization; some of us get a bit focused as we approach our sell-by date. Jane is probably a perfectly lovely person, but I voted for Paul this time. | |||
| Posted by Anonymous | |||
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| I've only met Paul once, but it took about 2 minutes to come to the conclusion that he would be a perfect Basic Training DI, but is misplaced as a person in the top position at a social organization of highly intelligent people. He definitely has skills and strengths, but they are better used in a different setting. What I find strange indeed is that he does not see this himself. When the common denominator of so much dysfunction is your self, the solution ought to be obvious. An honorable and graceful resignation is not a bad thing. I'll get closer to the organization once the more active folks have straightened this all out. I do appreciate seeing everyone's thoughts on this, from both sides. Don Branom. | |||
| Posted by Anonymous | |||
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| Just for the record, this blog was my idea. It was at first intended to be just a Web site, but my suggestion was to make it an open forum so that all sides could contribute. The technical aspects have been ably handled by others who choose not to be either attacked or bothered with retributive messages. I have no such compunctions, so if you want to holler at someone, holler at me.
Paul Jensen talks a good game, but he doesn't live up to his own image. To those who think that he is being treated unfairly, I have only one question: Why would anyone want to do what we are doing just for fun? There have to be a very good reasons for our activism, and these reasons have been stated. The deliberate hounding of DeDe Tredinnick out of office was the final straw. We said that enough was enough. Vote your conscience, but be sure to learn all you can before you do. Also, to clarify, I was not a LocSec, but I have been more deeply involved in Minnesota Mensa than anyone. Gordon Andersen | |||
| Posted by Anonymous | |||
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| I am also an inactive member, and my name's also Jensen (and glad I am that no relative of mine is named "Paul").
But my, oh my, y'all are in the midst of a kerfuffle! Sounds to me like a bunch of smart people who can't communicate well enough to prevail in person and so have retreated to the 'net to lob nasties at The Man. This site is the most outrageous piece of childishness that I've seen in a while. You won't allow personal attacks in the blog postings? What's left of this man to attack that you haven't already covered? Paul Jensen may be Osama's long-lost brother, and he may be using my dues improperly, but is this the way to conduct the business of the organization? Do the by-laws have a recall process? If not, stand up at the meetings, shout, wrestle, get your hands dirty. But this is cowardly. Sheesh. Get some lives. Deb Jensen | |||
| Posted by Anonymous | |||
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| As a "newbie" to Minnesota (and Mensa), my five years here has tought me that "minnesota nice" is really a misnomer for "minnesota psycho passive aggressive." This garbage to which I've born witness sinks nails in the coffin. Personally, I don't know a single individual in this ongoing soap opera, and from ALL sides, I'm not particularly interested in ever meeting any of you. I've read all the emails, and you ALL look stupid, petty, and ridiculous. Please get your heads out of your asses and figure some resolution. Get a therapist, or a professional arbitrator if you have to, because NONE of you looks particularly intelligent at this point.
I'm not a registered user, but I'm happy to sign my name here. Chris Mrozinski (cmrozinski@charter.net) 4 year Mensan from Duluth | |||
| Posted by Anonymous | |||
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| I have been asked to make certain material relative to the upcoming election available to the MnMensa public. I am doing so as a service to the membership.
The material may be found at: http://members.iphouse.com/fredg/elections/ This is a work in progress. Other material will be added as I have the time, and/or as it becomes available. Read the material. Decide for yourself. Vote your conscience. | |||
| Posted by Anonymous | |||
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| The "15 comments" do not come up when clicked. Have they been removed or are they lost?
Kudos to all who care enough about MN Mensa to gather information and detail their frustrations. This is time-consuming for you as well as emotionally draining. You have my appreciation and my thanks. At one point I served as the testing coordinator for MN Mensa, back before I changed my name. After an absence of some years I re-instated my membership, and sought to renew my proctor status. I wrote my request to national, but was told I needed to observe a new test session. Paul Jensen was quite critical because I went directly to national and tried to discourage me, leting me know he assumed I wanted to take his position away. Since I was hoping to move out of state I pushed the issue, thinking it would be easier to observe the new test being given here than having to travel to do so later. Paul did not refuse my observing his test giving, but he never followed through with what was required by national. It's not a big deal to me, so I let it go and remain a former proctor. Kristin D. Anderson | |||
| Posted by Anonymous | |||
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| I am the National Gifted Chidlren Program Coordinator and a not-very-active member of Minnesota Mensa. Paul Jensen actually suggested me for my professional appointment and needed to talk me into it. I am now grateful, although my first year as GCPC (Gifted Children Program Coordinator) was quite politically trying. Apparently this is sort of political behavior is somewhat normal for Mensans everywhere. Ah, a growing experience. For those of you who have given up, I encourage you to come back in knwoing that when you do a good job, people eventually notice and support you.
I am also a private high intelligence consultant/specialist and assess children for their intellectual levels and profiles on a daily basis. I probably qualify an average of one child a week, give the family Mensa information and application materials, and then find out that they visited once and there was really nothing going on (or the people they ran into were weird). It is important to continue to encourage "regular Mensa folk" not to give up and stay the course so that more and more people you joined to meet want to be there. Paul Jensen persuaded me to appoint our local GCC (Gifted Children Coordinator) - a long-time good pal of his - to my national committee my first year in office. I did. Not once during an entire year did she ever contribute or even respond to any requests for input, help, or action. I had the clear-cut ability to unappoint her and di so at the end of the first year. I spent much time trying to help her to get a program going in our area and kept hearing a continuous sort of nondescript whine about this and that but didn't ever see any progress. I do not have the same ability to unappoint her as the local GCC, however, and she has an incredibly small amount of arranging or organizing for more than four years (I didn't pay attentio before that so don't know how long this has been going on). Her excuse is always the same, "Well, we set something up but hardly anyone came." And then she'd wait another 6 months or so before trying anything again. I must give strong credit to Linda Jensen who tried to help. It would make far more sense to appoint and support both Linda Jensen and Teresa (the other interested person) than to allow this current set-up to continue. This is an embarrassment to one of the largest local groups in the country and completely inexplicable. My national team offers help with articles for the local newsletter, a template for a Gifted Children's page on the local website, a new detailed handbook on how to build a program, etc. There is another Mensan, Teresa, who has been activley running a Gifted Children's Program "on the side." I want her to be appointed. I worked with National to find out how to do this. Apparently I can't do this myself; power resides completely with the LocSec. We were in the process of making it possible for Local Groups to have more than one GCC and DeDe was ready to approve the official nomination of this second person. Well, I have talked in person and by email and by phone with Paul Jensen about signing the form to at least allow this second person to get the background check and materials so that she can continue running the only program we have, but I want her to do so with National sanction and support. He described her as one of the most selfish people he's ever known because she only runs acitvities for children who are in the same age range as her own children. My, my. He said that he would not sign the form to set the background check in motion unless I'd vote for him. He said that if he did sign it, she would in no way be official. He would not approve a co-GCC. I was non-plussed. I have apparently not been involved enough to have seen this coming. I have checked several times with Teresa since last talking to Paul and she said that Paul didn't bring it up, Paul wouldn't discuss it, and Paul has been hostile to her and clearly not ready to do as I requested. The entire reason that our national team has gotten permission to have co-GCCs and other background-checked interested members is to help us circumvent inactive position-holdlers who like having the title on their resumes but see no reaosn to do anything productive. I am getting no where with MN Mensa. My point is, MN Mensa is a huge group with many good members. This is ridiculous. It is embarrassing. We not only have a LocSec who won't support the most basic goals of Mensa (a Gifted Children's Program would rank rather high, I think), but he personally and specifically maligned the one person who has been working to make things happen anyway. I do plan to be at the Soapbox meeting in early January. I am not a coward at all. I want to reach as many people as possible about this because MN Mensa has been held hostage too long by those who scare away the members we all joined to meet. I probably still won't want to be a regular at FF, but I think the whole concept of Mensa is great and I will continue to encourage its presence and growth. Deborah Ruf GCPC American Mensa | |||
| Posted by Anonymous | |||
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| At this point, a couple of things have become apparent to me:
1. By his own actions and words, Paul Jensen has demonstrated that he is what his opposition says he is. 2. Whatever Paul's opposition did does not justify what he did in response. I can understand his being upset, and in my opinion some of the material on that web site constitutes nit-picking, but his response went far beyond the bounds of propriety. I cannot, and will not, vote for such a person. Having said that, I wish to emphasize how important it is for every one of us to vote in this election. We need to fill that ballot box so full that whoever becomes LocSec will not be able to cavalierly dismiss us as inattentive, uncaring objects to be ruled at will. He or she needs to know that we are watching, and that we care, and that in politics two years is a very short time indeed. | |||
| Posted by Anonymous | |||
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| I've been letting the comments run along without any interference, but I thought I should add a couple comments of my own in reply to some of the questions.
The issue of anonymity is a good one. It's been addressed, in part, by Gordon Andersen stepping up and admitting his backing of this site and blog. But others are still in the shadows, and for a good reason. Just ask yourself: given the kind of tactics Paul has used against the people listed on the site, would you be eager to let him know you were hosting this site? I'd prefer not to be his next target. Is that cowardice? I don't think so, I just think I can get more done if I'm not spending time refuting personal attacks. Several people have noted that these comments are not always visible. I can't help you.... they've always been accessible for me, and I can't find any configuration choices that suggest they should be hidden. I'll keep an eye on it, but I'm stumped as to why it happens. I have not, to date, editted or deleted any comments from anyone. So far everyone has been polite, even when being critical. Excellent! Keep it up! Your host, jasax53 | |||
| Posted by jasax53 | |||
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| Whoa....I moved here not too long ago as a member of the (very inactive) North Central FL Mensa chapter and was looking forward at some point to meet some smart people and possibly get around to some events, even. I was personally called by DeDe some months back when she invited me to her home for a dinner party for new members. I was unable to attend, but I appreciated the invitation and she seemed nice enough...now, I find out somebody is hating on her, along with a bunch of other people...
This is just way, way too much drama for all these intelligent individuals to be pushing around. This is not a sorority, people. I imagine it is necessary to say, however, that this Paul guy seems like a total dips@#$ that needs to be dethroned. I apologize if he has been already...I'm not up on what is going on with Planet MN Mensa. This really does deter me from participating in future activities. It makes me wonder what I am getting into here....yikes! If there are any SANE late 20-30 something singles in the group that actually manage to keep part of this organization close to normal, I'd appreciate a note. If not, I'll be staying the hell away. Becky Lauderdale beckylauderdale@yahoo.com | |||
| Posted by Anonymous | |||
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| Whew....I am amazed and embarrassed at what is going on in MN Mensa. I have been a silent member for many years - my total involvement has been two First Fridays and one published letter to the bulletin, but I do keep abreast of what's going on, though I do not personally know any of the persons involved in this fiasco. My thoughts? I'm going to remain a silent member for the forseeable future. I've been involved in another organization that is related to the industry I am employed it, and we have never in the many years I've been involved as a board member had anything remotely similar to this - well, this crap. Though they are not all Mensans - in fact, I may be the only one - they all conduct themselves intelligently and with adult behavior. I am saddened to see that this does not happen in MN Mensa. I've often thought that I'd like to get involved with MN Mensa, but no more. One question: how old is Paul Jensen? If he is an older person, is it possible he has brain disease of some sort, or has had a stroke? If he has always conducted himself in this manner, it must simply be his personality, such that it is. I highly recommend a strong therapist. But I digress. I am also not comfortable with this public forum; then again, how else are the silent masses to know what's going on? I look forward to watching this epic unfold. By the way, my name is Rita Sandstrom. | |||
| Posted by Anonymous | |||
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| This is why I don't participate in Mensa functions, and even hesitate to admit I'm a member.
-Marc Weber | |||
| Posted by Anonymous | |||
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| I am not very active and really don't know the people or specifics well enough to have a valid opinion on the details of the dispute itself. I do have a great deal of experience dealing with this type of situation and have learned that changing the leadership is the only way to solve things.
It really doesn't matter which side is 'correct' , the real issue is that the problem exists and is ongoing. That one reality, and that alone, is enough reason to make changes. Bill Selover | |||
| Posted by Anonymous | |||
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| I have been a member of Mensa for about 10 years. I may be representative of the vast majority of Mensa members - little, if any, involvement in the organization. Shortly after joining I was the proofreader for Mensagenda for two years, and from time to time I have worked at the State Fair booth.
After reading all the material in the recent e-mail regarding governance of Minnesota Mensa, I feel as though I'm a juror in a “he said, she said” trial. So, like a juror, I have to determine the credibility of the witnesses. I met, and have had contact with, Gordon Anderson many years before I joined Mensa. I know him to be an honorable, honest man who has always been motivated by what is best for Minnesota Mensa. I trust his observations in this matter. fred webber | |||
| Posted by Anonymous | |||
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| You won't post personal attacks or repetitive remarks?
Thats all I read here. I felt bad that I had deceided to let my membership lapse after only one year. The Willmar group was, to me, a bust with only one or two people showing up and I have no contact with any of the membership. If this is how people with above average IQ's function, I'll spend the money I'd pay for next years dues on a lobotamy and hang with normal people. | |||
| Posted by Anonymous | |||
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| While many newer members probably do not know me, I choose not to be "anonymous" either: I am Joachim F L Sommerfeld ("J F Leo Sommefeld") and likely remembered by many of the long-term members. For two years I was editor of the Mensagenda. A member since April 1975, I have now been a life member for a goodly time.
I am appalled to learn about the apparent mismanagement of our fine group. I know most of the people who started this website and consider them beyond reproach. Unless I am very much mistaken, Section 13 of the MN Mensa bylaws offers a remedy: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The following can be found on MN Mensa's official website (copy and paste into your browser): http://www.mnmensa.org/bylaws.html Section 13: Failure of an elected officer to maintain membership in Mensa and Minnesota Mensa during a term of office, or absences not excused by vote of the Board of Directors from any three regular sessions of the Board of Directors during any twelve-month period, shall constitute forfeiture of office. For other misconduct or other neglect of duty in office, an elected officer may be deposed from office by a procedure including, but not limited to, the filing of charges (with specifications) by at least fifty members of Minnesota Mensa, the written notification of the officer, a hearing before the Board of Directors or a committee appointed by the Board of Directors, and a ballot vote by the hearing body (voting separately on the charges and the matter of punishment, all matters being determined by a majority). Alternatively, a recall election by the general membership of Minnesota Mensa may be invoked, ballots for which must be either a part of the local newsletter or mailed separately to all members of the local group. Ballots are to be distributed to the members within sixty days of the recall initiation, and are to be returned to an impartial agent of the Board of Directors within thirty days of their distribution. The officer in question shall have an opportunity to be heard by the Board of Directors, as well as the Ombudsman, on appeal of the charges and the decisions thereof, and shall have the right of further appeal to the local group’s Regional Vice-Chairman and to the American Mensa Committee (AMC), if necessary. The officer may enlist the aid of any members for all levels of appeal. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Paragraph 2 and 3 of the Bylaws should cover this situation. While the result of the upcoming election may very well moot the question of dealing with a sitting LocSec, the fact of the current office holder moving into the Past LocSec position automatically might still warrant appropriate action. The remedies allowed by the Bylaws would take much time to resolve the issue. Then again, removal from office of any elected official should not be easy to do. It merely has to be an option which exists, should the need to invoke it arise. While I have met Mr. Jensen at a FF, I am not well acquainted with him, thus cannot offer any personal observations. From my dealings and friendships with many of the persons involved here, I can unreservedly vouch for their fairness and integrity. Joachim "Leo" Sommerfeld | |||
| Posted by Anonymous | |||
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| You took the words right out of my mouth, Leo! Well, not exactly, but I was starting to wonder if there isn't some sort of impeachment procedure for Bad Board Members. If Paul gets re-elected, I suggest we get Gordon Anderson to lead us in the prescribed procedure for having him (Paul, not Gordon) removed.
I can understand why some of the newer or less active members might see this issue as a dreary soap opera. but seriously, folks, most of us are pretty cool! C'mon back! I've mostly been a bemused spectator of these events, but I must say that anyone who would deliberately make DeDe Tredennick feel bad is not someone I want to know. DeDe is one of the most civilized human beings I've ever met. Jenny McDermott | |||
| Posted by Anonymous | |||
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| Article III Section 1 of the MnMensa bylaws designates the office of Past LocSec as an elective office, as follows:
"The elective officers of Minnesota Mensa shall be a Local Secretary, a First Vice-Secretary, a Second Vice-Secretary, a Recording Secretary, a Treasurer, and the Past Local Secretary." Thus, even if Paul Jensen is not re-elected as LocSec, he would still hold an elected office, and the removal procedures would apply. -- Fred Grosby http://members.iphouse.com/fredg/elections/ | |||
| Posted by Anonymous | |||
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| Hey Shawn,
Here is one personal story … Anyone remember the Cookbook Project? We were there to be minions for the cookbook JOB. No creativity, no brainstorming, nothing but limits and deadlines. I did try to speak at that meeting but the meeting wasn’t open for discussion at all. A bunch of us met, what about 7 or so? and were basically told by Paul what it was going to be down to who was going to be shipping it.(ok, I guess I did volunteer for that.) what font people had to submit their recipes in like it wouldn't have to be re-edited anyway? Esp. all those odd cooking measurements, think subscripts galore. "IT" didn't even exist! yet we had a flow chart of delegated jobs, I think even a price for “IT” My impression was Paul wanted the cookbook to happen for the AG2003 to be sold at the Marketplace as a product, a fine idea with a shortish deadline. So the people that gathered that day, seemed a bit flabbergasted and dazed or maybe it was just me? Too much too fast we hadn't coalesced as a group yet. Even Jell-o needs some time for that special Jell-O magic to happen. I guess this could be a style difference in that Paul is much more direct, a tad dictorial relying much on delegation. Nothing wrong with that style of leadership but then again not my personal cup of tea. I don’t think that leadership style works best for MN Mensa. If that is a taste of Paul leading a smallish group, No thanks. One person had samples of other Mensa cookbooks to look at, some suggested tasting parties... NO TIME! NO FUN!! NO COOKBOOK!!! I also remember that our cookbook had to be the best ever, a premiere gourmet type of cookbook. Wonder if we would have had to omit the SPAM section? I guess in the future if Paul remains Loc-Sec study up on Roberts Rule of Order because you will need them a tool at board meetings he will be running. Who knows maybe there will be some other type of Rule ordered. Is there such a thing to adopt? ~Patty Morgan oftentimes has volunteered. | |||
| Posted by Anonymous | |||
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| Just returned to MN Dec 30 to find out about the Paul problem. As an inactive member for some 25 years I would suggest boycotting the monthly meetings. Nothing speaks louder than silence. The boycott could extend to the monthly report and SIG meetings. And the final guesture would be a Mensa Meet at a more attractive spot than the Officers club which I think is a downer. Been there twice. don't like the atmosphere...so I don't come. Just a thought. By the way, do you know any Mensa members interested in joining me in developing an idea I have for a new knowledge based media to access global intelligence? Dan Silvers, p10th@mn.rr.com. 612 926 4197. | |||
| Posted by Anonymous | |||
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| I can understand how you feel, Dan, but a boycott is not a good idea. We have searched for a better place for years, and found none. We pay nothing for the room, and we have no bar minimum, two things that keep us where we are. As our liaison with the O Club, I watch very carefully over the schedule, and so far we have had no trouble.
Paul Jensen has nothing whatsoever to do with our arrangement, so a boycott would only hurt Minnesota Mensa, and not him. We need strong attendance to help put off a bar minimum for as long as possible, and there is occasional talk of one. But thanks for caring about our organization and its membership. More of us should be as concerned as you are, Dan. Gordon Andersen | |||
| Posted by Anonymous | |||