Please click below to find the CBR Mensa New Member Handbook:
Email, Social Media, and the Web
You can begin with our website – http://www.cbrmensa.org. Here you will find our event
calendar, as well as all sorts of interesting links. Once there, you can use the icons across the top
to hook up with us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/cbrmensa/), Twitter
(CBRMensa), Instagram (CBR_Mensa), YouTube (cbrmensa), and LinkedIn
(https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8247917).
Handbook
There is a ton of great information in the handbook here,
including a map of our area, definitions, and a glossary of commonly used terms!
We would also encourage you, if you haven’t already, to visit http://www.us.mensa.org to create
your online profile. Once you have, you can release your email address within the organization
and include it in our online directories via the “privacy releases” section of the profile. This will
allow us to email you directly from time to time regarding upcoming events. It really is the best
way to stay connected with CBR Mensa. Otherwise, we’ll have to correspond via US Mail – how
1970! (Email was invented in 1971)
Our Newsletter: IdioM
Our monthly newsletter is called IdioM, and is available in print, via email, or both. It will
usually arrive within the first week of the current month, and contains information on our events,
meeting minutes, interesting articles, and trivia.
Volunteering
There are a lot of jobs that need to be done in order to run a chapter of this size successfully.
Most don’t take much time, nor any specialized skills or training, and are paid in smiles,
handshakes, “atta boys”, and warm fuzzies. Please see the next issue of IdioM for elective
offices, appointed coordinators’ jobs, and current incumbents. If, at any time, you can think of
something else that could be done to make CBR Mensa a better local group, please reach out to
ideas@cbrmensa.org at any time.
I’m new to Mensa/I’ve never been to a local event. What do I do?
Check the events calendar on cbrmensa.org and just show up! If you need additional information about an event before attending, contact the event host listed.
How do I know I’m going to the correct place and, when I get to an event, how do I find the Mensans?
Click on the event on the CBR Mensa calendar and the location and address will be listed. Once you get to the event, look for someone with the Mensa logo or an owl.
The event starts at 7 pm, but I can’t get there until 7:30 or 8 pm. Can I still come?
Absolutely! Most events are come when you can, leave when you need to. Events that require attendees to be there at a specific time usually indicate this.
Can I bring my spouse to an event?
The events are meant to be fun, social events and most events are open to the public. Spouses, family, and friends are welcome to attend events, with a few exceptions (ie. ExComm Meeting).
The names of some these events are a bit intimidating. What is Lunatic Fringe?
Several of the events on the calendar have been running events for years and years. The originals hosts created the names, but don’t let me them intimidate you. Many events, like Lunatic Fringe, are casual dinner meetings. When in doubt, click on the event in the calendar and the description will give you information about the event. If you still have questions, don’t hesitate to contact the host listed for that event.
I don’t see any events that I’m interested in. There aren’t any events in my area. How can I participate?
Host an event! If there’s event you’d like to see on the calendar, consider hosting it. All this involves is emailing calendar@cbrmensa.org, so that the event can get on the schedule, and then just showing up! An event can be scheduled as a one-time event or it can be scheduled as a recurring event (Third Thursday of every month). Let any one of the CBR Mensa officers know if you need a Mensa logo for others to find the contact person at the event.
I’d like to be more involved, but I’m too busy. What can I do?
There’s no minimum or maximum participation requirement for the local group. Some members attend one or two events a year, while others attend 4 or more events each month. Check the calendar and try to attend an event that fits into your schedule. Most events have a time range (ie. 7-10 pm), but that does not mean that you’re required to stay the entire time. By stopping by for even 15 mins or a half hour, you’ll get to meet some of the close to 400 members in the CBR Mensa local group. If you’d like to be involved in ways other than attending events, let the CBR Mensa officers know what your interests are and how much time you do have available (15 mins/month, an hour or two/year, etc.). There are a variety of things that can be done that can help the local group. Examples are: Calendar coordinator, which takes about 15 mins/month; Membership coordinator, which takes less than 30 mins/month. In addition to monthly events and roles, you can help with planning special events, such as a Regional Gathering or Mindgames. Let us know your interests and we’ll let you know how you can be involved! Another way to participate is to make contributions to the Idiom. Do you draw? Write poetry? Have an article you’d like to write? We love member contributions to the Idiom (editor@cbrmensa.org).