Jon Gruebele Mensa Bulletin Articles from 2025
November / December 2025 – Getting Smarter
Because it was important for Mensa, I recently attended a two-day seminar entitled “Exceptional Boards”, sponsored by the American Society of Association Executives, at my own expense. Our new Executive Director, Tamesha Logan, also attended.
An early observation from the seminar was that there are different kinds of boards. Some “make things happen”, others “watch things happen”, “have things happen to them”, “don’t know what’s happening”, and some “keep things from happening.” I want Mensa’s Board of Directors (AMC) to be the first kind.
For over a decade, I’ve been concerned that our board was inward focused, reactive, and spent too much time rewording bylaws and tweaking our Actions Still in Effect (ASIEs). We must shift our focus to being a strategy-driven, forward-looking team.
A basic requirement of boards is to articulate goals and provide the resources to make them happen. We also must oversee our finances, manage risk, and cultivate a culture that attracts and retains staff, volunteers, and members. We shouldn’t micromanage, ignore our fiduciary responsibilities, or cater to the loudest voices at the expense of our organization’s and members’ best interests.
Changing our focus will take courage. American Mensa has a proud tradition that served us well for many years, and many of us are reluctant to change what we’ve achieved. Yet if we continue to do what we’ve always done, we can expect the same results – including slowly declining membership. We need to root out so-called “orthodoxies”: things assumed to be true but may not be. One example might be that there are many more ways to deliver member value than exclusively through local groups.
We need to take more risks. Rather than waiting for things to be perfect, sometimes it’s better to just try new things. If it doesn’t work and we “fail fast”, we can adjust or find a new approach.
The AMC needs to build trust with each other and our members. We will continue communicating with the membership; providing detailed board, financial, audit, and other information on the website; and remaining available to our members.
Finally, we are pleased to welcome five new voting Regional Vice Chairs (RVCs) to the AMC: RVC2 Erin Risch, RVC4 Beth Weiss, RVC5 Lynne Masters, RVC9 Jay Friedlander, and RVC10 Mel Dahl. Elections are underway for RVCs 1, 6, and 8. Please review the candidates’ qualifications and positions and cast your online ballots accordingly.As always, this is your organization, so your views matter. Please feel free to email me or any AMC member with your comments.
September 2025 – Recent Happenings
As you may have heard, a New York judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by 10 former members of American Mensa’s board of directors (AMC). The lawsuit contested a January decision by American Mensa’s National Hearings Committee (NHC), which had sanctioned eight Regional Vice Chairs (RVCs) and two national officers after determining they had willfully violated our Bylaws.
The Court ruled that the NHC’s determination was neither arbitrary nor capricious as the former members had engaged in acts inimical. It was also ruled that American Mensa acted in good faith, adhered to our internal rules, and proceeded within our governing authority. Finally, the Court found no basis to overturn the NHC’s decision or reinstate the former board members. We are therefore restarting the temporarily blocked special election to fill the RVC vacancies.
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It was my delight to welcome our new Executive Director Tamesha Logan to Mensa. She’s been jumping into her new responsibilities, starting by listening to staff and volunteers. She brings great enthusiasm and terrific ideas.
One example is an intense emphasis on branding. A strong brand helps attract members and provides opportunities for increased non-dues revenues. More importantly, members can be even prouder of belonging to Mensa.
Even as we improve our reputation, we have internal issues to address. First Vice Chair Tabby Vos will be working closely with our Bylaws Committee to review needed updates identified by Committees such as Elections and Hearings, the AMC, and our members.
We already have quite a few ideas. Whether these will be approved and submitted individually for member approval remains to be determined. We may be able to bundle these into modules or even present an omnibus replacement for our existing bylaws. We will encourage member feedback well before proposals are submitted for a membership vote. Stay tuned for more information.
Finally, please join me in welcoming our new Second Vice Chair, Henri Fishkind. She was appointed to the vacancy created after former Chair Lori Norris’ departure. Because Henri was serving as Regional Coordinator 2, the LocSecs for Region 2 will select a replacement for the position, a decision that had not been finalized as of press time.
We also appointed Debra Reiger as Regional Coordinator 8. She is replacing Dan Burg, who accepted a critical Mensa International role that doesn’t allow him to remain on the AMC. Fortunately, Dan will continue as Bylaws Committee Chair where he and his team continue to make vital contributions.
As always, please let us know if you have suggestions. This is your organization. I highly value you and your opinions.
August 2025 – Let's Do This
Effective Thursday July 3rd, I assumed the role of American Mensa Chair after Past Chair Lori Norris was recalled. The vote was 3,903 in favor and 2,176 against.
This has been a tumultuous year with hearings, a recall, and a special Regional Vice Chair (RVC) election put on hold while a lawsuit against us has been pending. So far all this has cost over $65,000 in unplanned expenses with perhaps another $10,000 if the special election proceeds.
The recall election underscored the dissatisfaction felt by many members. As your board, we must do better. As an organization, we must do better. As members, we too have our role in improving Mensa.
We can’t change the past, but we can shape the future. Here are my initial goals:
An ongoing challenge is attracting and retaining younger members. We’re already acting by surveying our younger members to learn more about what they want. Meanwhile, here’s a challenge. Tired of dinners with people twice your age? Then skip that and schedule a bike ride. Host a pub night. Set up some gaming on Discord. Get active in a Special Interest Group (SIG). If you don’t see what you want in Mensa, create it. This is your community. You’ll enrich our organization – and gain some impressive experience to highlight at your next job interview.
Fortunately, our organization remains strong. Local groups still produce newsletters and host great events. Regional gatherings abound. Online offerings are growing. Nationally, our flagship Annual Gathering, Mind Games®, and CultureQuest® events remain hugely popular.
If you have ideas, I and your regional representatives want to hear them. Depending on the volume of email and competing priorities, I might be unable to respond to every message. I do, however, read them all. I deeply appreciate those who offer constructive suggestions and are willing to help. Even if resource constraints prevent us from implementing every idea, please know this: your voice matters.
Jon Gruebele Local Group Newsletter Articles from 2025
February 2025 – Happenings at National
We’ve had some big changes on the American Mensa Board of Directors (AMC). Pursuant to a complaint, the national Hearings Committee determined eight Regional Vice Chairs (RVCs) and two appointed officers should be removed from their offices and be prohibited from serving in any capacity – including local and regional positions – for a number of years.
The announcements from our Chair Lori Norris and the Hearings Committee are posted on the national website under Lead -> Board of Directors.
Since you may not be seeing your usual RVC newsletter article, I’ve been asked to help keep members informed. There have been many questions raised since the announcements were made:
Floreat Mensa!
Comments? Email me at chair@us.mensa.org.
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