Yesss! Thank you all who supported me for the chairmanship. I am humbled and excited at the same time. Onward!

End in Sight

The end of the balloting period is this weekend - did you vote? There's still time. Mensa is stronger than ever despite the recent challenges - we'll get through it. Hope to see all of you in Pittsburgh in a month!

Does anyone still read the "funny papers"? I look forward to Sunday because of the comics...

The Waiting Game

Ballots are out & the deadline to return them is May 31. I think that is too long a period between April 15 & the end of May. What do you think? I cannot make any plans for June or July until I know the outcome of this election. I either jump into a very big job as chairmain or... I have a lot of time on my hands.

I'm going to the AG in Pittsburgh, whatever the outcome. It's my hometown and I will enjoy being back in the 'burg.

There's good news and bad news regarding Mensa's lawsuit against the pharmaceutical company: good - we own the mark in the U.S; bad - no money is forthcoming to make the decision even sweeter. Owning the mark means any other entity better not try to use it.

I'm glad that is behind us now. Whether we appeal or not is up to our attorneys.

On to maybe a very busy summer!

Earth Day 2009

The film, "Earth" sounds like one I want to see. I've seen all of the "planet" series on the Discovery channel, most more than once. Viewing the beauty and immensity of Earth makes one feel small & infinite at the same time. Hard to explain...but if Disney is going to plant a tree for every person who buys a ticket opening weekend, well, I'm in that line.

Election ballots are being delivered - got mine yesterday. The email blast I sent out reminding people to vote has not gotten many responses. One of the best was from a promoter who congratulated me on my "round robin" approach - contacting people by email, website, blog, etc. Snail mail too because a good friend in my local group actually sent real letters to members of the group whom none of us know - that's quite a lot, probably 200 out of 350 members.

I think the period for voting is too long - about 6 weeks. That's too long for all of us to wait for results. Life is on hold, so to speak. I dare not make plane reservations for the San Diego AMC meeting in Dec. until I know for sure. Fares seem to be very inexpensive now from south Florida, but, still I can't afford to make the reservation then have to cancel if I will not be part of the next AMC. That's the reality.

What are you doing to commemorate Earth Day 2009??

April Musings

Hard to believe but the month is half over. I received my Bulletin today; the ballot materials will follow in a day or two. I've written another statement that I will attach below - this statement addresses some concerns people have over our recently approved budget and how the strategic plan will work for us...going forward.

I am pleased that the blast email got out; it went to any member who was not an officer. I hope it encourages members to vote no matter what their choices are. I did get a couple of positive responses already. Wonder how many I will get over all??

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What Mensa Needs Now by Elissa Rudolph, candidate for chairman

A chairman of an organization is a leader, a team builder, a champion of the individual members whose voices need to be heard. My philosophy for Mensa is on the back of my business card – it is that uncomplicated: encourage an environment where all feel at home with other curious individuals. The society we joined to find camaraderie in whatever form needs a chairman who can focus on the big picture, while listening and then listening some more.

It is a tough economic time; no one knows when it will get better. Yet I believe that Mensa is prepared for any eventuality. We passed a budget recently that is conservative and cautious. I have been part of the Finance Committee for three years and have seen the planning and considered thought that has developed our current secure financial picture. There are no guarantees, but I believe that our future is safe.

We now have a strategic plan, something that past boards did not have to help them focus on a clear direction. Mensa is poised grow even stronger with this plan in place, an initiative that I have encouraged since day one. The key word now is progress, not process. What do we want to do, not how do we get there. Part of the strategic plan is to look at the structure and retool, redesign as necessary.

It’s up to you, the members, to choose your candidates carefully. I ask you for your support now in this election. Link arms with me so we can make Mensa even better for us all. I am a proven team builder since my first gathering in 1980 until chairing the World Gathering in 2006. And yes, I am a cheerleader, with an emphasis on the latter part of the word – leader. I would be honored to serve as your leader.

Whatever your choice, please vote!
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Have a wonderful rest of April!

Campaign Stuff

The word is out - I sent my campaign statement out to many editors across the U.S. to publish in their next issue. Some editors wanted to keep national politics out of their communiques - for which I do not blame - because us candidates have other venues where we can espouse our opinions - the Bulletin, for instance. Some editors said they were waiting for my statement; they did not want to publish one without the other. Going for a balanced perspective.

I am pleased that I was able to correspond with many editors - they were without exception, respectful and cordial. But then I assumed that from the beginning.

So here is my statement for any of you bloggers out there:

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Elissa Rudolph for Chairman, American Mensa Ltd.

American Mensa elects a new chairman come July—a chairman who looks to the future while paying homage to the past and recognizes how organizations evolve with the ebb and flow of changing demographics. I would be honored to lead our organization as it reaches its 50th birthday next year and safeguard its future with a strategic plan created by dedicated members over the last couple years. I am looking ahead, feeling confident that what I have to offer will appeal to our veteran members while capturing the enthusiasm of our younger members so that together we continue to strengthen and grow our society with opportunities for all. Chairing the World Gathering in 2006 convinced me that greatness happens when Mensans of all backgrounds and experience work together. The Mensa round table has room for everyone; I want to look across it to see you there. Visit my website (www.elissa.com) and my blog (http://hermensauniverse.blogspot.com/) or throw a sheep at me on Facebook. Ask me for my business card that says it all: elissa12@bellsouth.net. And thank you for reading this.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Thank you all in advance for reading this far. Please vote for me! Or ask me questions.

March is upon us

Hey, all you bloggers & blog lurkers out there - send me a note, ask me a question, draw an appropriate emoticon, whatever, just let me know you are there.

Today I've sent out hundreds of my cards with my one idea on them. I hope that little card is enough.

As I see it, my job as chair, if I should be elected, is to build a team that can focus on a goal or goals, work efficiently toward those goals and enjoy the process. One of my best qualities is as a team builder. I think Mensa needs teams tackling the tasks rather than individuals working separately. We can be so much more together.

At a games night/birthday party last night I enjoyed meeting 2 new young members, Alex & Julie, who I hope had a good time. Saw some old friends too & helped Phil celebrate another birthday. Hope it was a good day all around, Phil!

Signing off for now...

Elissa

Here I am in Oslo showing off my Hells Ms tattoo - mine's in a slighter different spot than everyone else's!

Sunday

Busy weekend with lots of editing work and some Mensa work. I tested 3 people yesterday, one of which took the Culture Fair battery of tests. I hope he makes it. In all the years I've been testing (about 30), that was the first time I used the CF. I still don't have my 100 names on my Mensa petition. If you are reading this and you haven't signed already, please do - go to: www.us.mensa.org/election

And thanks in advance!

Progress on the Petition

Looks like over 50 signatures so far. I have purposely not asked for AMC members' signatures nor the signatures of all my local group members. That is sort of salting the list. Almost all of the people who've signed are friends who know me well (or they think they do ;-))!!

I feel extremely happy that I have the support of so many.

The Signers

If you've signed my petition, then thanks, thanks a lot. If you haven't let me know & I'll give directions. Having a petition signed by 50+ members gives my run for American Mensa chair more of a personal touch. While I am grateful to the Nominating Committee, their stamp of approval is sort of impersonal while yours (blush!) means something much more personal.

So how are we going to help Mensa be all it can be? Let me hear your ideas...

Mensa Politics

The unofficial lists are full of ideas, some great, some way, way out there. Makes for interesting reading.

Even though I am already a Nominating Committee candidate, I have decided to create a petition and ask people to sign it. So far, so good. Everyone I've asked has come through. We have until the end of January to get at least 50 signatures.

Meanwhile I'm thinking of sending out my Mensa business cards to my contacts to help spread them around. I think the card says everything I want to say in just a few words.

I'm hoping some members take me up on my offer to blog with them - no takers there yet.