Jon Gruebele 2025 American Mensa Local Group Newsletter Articles

Jon Gruebele Mensa Bulletin Articles from 2025

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:

Learn and improve. We must reflect honestly on the challenges of the past year and make necessary changes. I expect proposals from the board of directors (AMC), our committees, and members like you.
Refocus on our strategy. We must recommit to increasing membership, enhancing the member experience, and sound financial stewardship. We need an intense, member-first mindset.
Listen and empower. Constructive feedback from members is essential. So is member participation. Could you step up and help make Mensa better?

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:

How will this affect me? You probably won’t notice a difference. Your local group can still offer dinners, game nights, and various outings. Several Regional Gatherings and the Annual Gathering in Chicago are proceeding apace. Special Interest Groups (SIGs) and online events will continue. You’ll still get your Bulletin and Local Group newsletter.
How does the hearings process work? The process is outlined in our bylaws (IX.5). It’s designed to have respected, disinterested parties hear the evidence and make a decision. Normally that’s our three most recent past Chairs, currently Deb Stone, Timmy King, and LaRae Bakerink. These are people our members elected to lead the entire organization, so presumably they have the wherewithal to conduct a hearing that’s fair to both parties. Each side is afforded the opportunity to be represented by counsel, present evidence, and question witnesses. The Hearings Committee is fully independent of the AMC.
Why weren’t more details released? Hearings were long ago made confidential to protect all parties in the process. If someone is unjustly accused, they don’t want their name broadcast to the world and forever be associated with something they didn’t do. Conversely, victims shouldn’t be required to give up their anonymity to seek redress. That’s particularly important for people who may have been subject to things like sexual harassment. A public hearings process can feel like a second violation.
Who will represent me on the AMC? Members vote in each election for up to 6 representatives: Chair, First Vice Chair, Second Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, and RVC. Four of the six are still working to serve you, and a new Second Vice Chair was appointed by the AMC in December. Meanwhile, LocSecs are working to nominate Regional Coordinators (RCs) to represent you. RCs have the same rights and responsibilities as RVCs, but due to New York state law, they don’t have a vote on the AMC. They will serve until elections for new RVCs can be held, likely later this year.
What can I do? Renew your membership. Continue to enjoy the friendships and experiences Mensa offers. Sign up for the Chicago Annual Gathering in July. Volunteer to host an event. Join a SIG. Encourage a smart friend to join. Have some fun.

Floreat Mensa!

Comments? Email me at chair@us.mensa.org.