Greater Phoenix Mensa
- Local Secretary: Carol Young
- Assistant Local Secretary: Daryl Gullickson
- Recording Secretary: No Candidate
- Treasurer: Bruce Stiles
- Members at Large (3 to be elected)
- Jerry Corbin
- Pat Edwards
- Jason Grimm
- Janet Jared
- Meg Kelleher
- Mike Keller
- Bill Rouse
A message from the election committee -- The current timing of the GPM election deadline and the April MAAM deadline puts quite a crunch on all of us. Next month the candidates’ campaign statements will be published after a considerably longer lead time. This month’s candidates’ biographical statements were those received by the deadline of 5pm April 14th. Thank you to all candidates for volunteering to run for office.
I'm Carol Young and I'm running for the position of LocSec. I joined Mensa in 1991 by sitting for the 3-hour test. Having been lackadaisical in my approach to the SATs way back when, there was no way I could qualify using those scores. And my graduate school didn't require GREs, so that avenue was closed to me. I was successful and so began my association with one of the best organizations I've come across.
I didn't get involved much in Mensa matters during my first year or two but I don't enjoy being in organizations without becoming involved, so gradually I decided to expand my involvement in the organization and meet more people. Eventually, I wound up at the Phoenix RG of 1992, which led me to my relocation from California to Phoenix in January of 1994, just 17 days before the big earthquake hit 10 miles from where I used to live.
My Mensa involvement includes LA New Member Chair, Program Co-Chair for the 1993 LA RG, Chair of the 1994 LA RG ( the last few months of which I chaired from Phoenix), and Chair of the 1994 and 1995 Phoenix Phiestas. Currently, I reign as the self-anointed "Calendar Goddess" for MAAM. When not involved in Mensa stuff, I spend my time as an in-home family counselor, working with teens assigned to counseling as part of their probation. For relaxation, I travel around the World Wide Web and play computer games - my Pipe Dreams record now stands at 233,400 and my JezzBall record is 146,133 (if you're familiar with either game, you've GOT to be impressed!).
I am originally from Minnesota, and have been a member of their Mensa Chapter since 1983. I moved to the Valley and converted to GPM-ism in October, 1996. I live in Northeast Phoenix with Cheryl, my wife of six years. I have worked in Scottsdale for General Business Services since last fall. I am a previous business owner and entrepreneur in every aspect of business from non-profit (by design), to retail and service businesses. I have a degree in Business Management and an MBA in Finance and Marketing. I am a recently retired Army Reserve Officer and I enjoy many various activities.
In December, 1996, I started the Business Networking SIG. In the brief amount of time since then, I have met and become friends with some very interesting, wonderful Mensans. If I had not taken the time or made the effort to get to know them, it would have been my loss with no one to blame but myself. As long as I am a part of Mensa, I share in the responsibility to make it a better organization. So do all of you! My sincere interest is in the advancement of Greater Phoenix Mensa. I know we have the human resources to make this organization better. Cynicism can be contageous, you’re the Doctor, don’t let it spread.
Born 10/20/57. Never married. 1981: Graduated United States Military Academy, West Point, NY; B.S. Nuclear Engineering. 1982-85: Assigned to duty at the Russian Front in Schweinfurt, Germany, defending Western Freedom from the Red Menace in the form of Soviet Union and Warsaw Pact Forces in East Germany. Saw some real live communists. Also saw London, Paris, Rome, Jerusalem, Cairo, Spain, Yugoslavia, Stonehenge and a bunch of other cool places. 1985-86: Assigned to Ft. Hood to protect Central Texas from the Red Menace. No communists seen. Joined Mensa. 1986: Left military. Started Financial Planning business in El Paso, TX. 1988: Financial planning business crashed and burned. Moved in with parents in Mesa. Started financial survival jobs. 1989-90: Red Menace crashed and burned. No more Soviet Union, no more Warsaw Pact, no more East Germany. 1990: Moved out of parents' home and started decent job in Lake Havasu City, AZ. Wound up in Bullhead City, AZ. 1994: Company losing money. Fired from decent job. Moved back in with parents in Mesa. 1994: Found another good job, this time in Scottsdale. Not fired yet. 1995: Moved out of parents' home to Phoenix. 1996: Elected Treasurer of Greater Phoenix Mensa.
Mensa means a lot to me, and I’d really like to be able to give something back to all the friends I’ve made.
This will be my second attempt at office, the first being my debacle as high school senior class treasurer, where I was released on my own recognizance. My other attempt was as Boy Scout Patrol Leader, thwarted when my patrol put poison ivy in my sleeping bag and I was rushed to a hospital and pumped full of cortical antihistamines.
My therapist tells me I try to be too responsible, but then, I pay him to tell me such nonsense. I’m looking forward to serving as member@large ("heh, heh, he said ‘member’") and hope to soon work my way up to treasurer.
Once upon a time in the beautiful city of Los Angeles, in the days before smog and freeways, I stepped on the path that would eventually lead to this spot in Phoenix, and to this time, which finds me asking for your support as I seek the position of Board Member-at-Large for Greater Phoenix Mensa.
After graduating from USC, and helping my two children reach an age of independence, I spent most of my time and energy for several years managing a medium-sized law firm in Atlanta. Fate being what it is, I found myself in Phoenix about 15 years ago.
GPM and I found each other while I was working on a masters degree at University of Phoenix. My working years here were spent with a local developer and later a property management company. Now retired, I have spent the past few years trying to see some of the exotic and interesting parts of the world. This summer will keep me close to home, and until I can find someone to explore further far flung destinations with me, I'll continue to volunteer at our marvelous new library, act as treasurer of my investment club, enjoy beautiful music and do some hiking. This will leave plenty of time to participate as your member-at-large -- at least that's what I’ve been assured. It will be good to get back into active participation in Mensa.
Meg Kelleher has been a member of Greater Phoenix Mensa for 7 years, thoroughly enjoying the friendships, stimulating conversations and good times this association has afforded. She is from Rhode Island originally, and spent 5 years in Minnesota on her way to the Valley of the Sun. Having been here now for 13 years, she has just about thawed out.
Meg works as a desktop publisher for an insurance brokerage firm, combining her wild creative side with her ability to pass as normal, even among insurance salespersons! Meg has a degree in theatre, is studying computer programming, and volunteers with Phoenix Youth at Risk and Sun Sounds Radio reading service for the blind. Someday she’ll figure out how to meld all this into what she wants to be when she grows up. In the meantime, she cares for her two cats and tries to emulate the porcupine, who has so many fine points.
My name is Bill Rouse, and I am running for the position of Member At Large. I am 38 years old, and have been a member of Greater Phoenix Mensa since 1990. My education is in business, although my carreer of choice is engineering. I have served in the past as Member At Large, as well as Membership Chair. It has been my pleasure to host a number of parties for the membership, as well as provide a place for videos and hospitality at several RGs.
Although I am fairly new to GPM, I have lived here in the valley (Ahwatukee) for about seven years. And prior to moving here, I was active in Mensa in Southern California.
I have a BS in Physics and an MBA from Ohio State University. For most of the past 17 years I have been a marketing manager for three different large semiconductor companies. Currently I am in the process of writing a non-fiction book.
GPM's ExCom is actively encouraging new people to step up and assume part of the responsibility for the care and growth of GPM. They recognize that a continuous infusion of "new blood" is necessary for any organization to remain healthy over the long term. I am willing and able to add my talents and efforts to this GPM infusion.
I believe that I would make a good Member-at-Large. For me personally it would be fun and interesting to get more involved in Mensa. And thus I would be willing to work hard to help make GPM even more responsive to the needs and wants of its members.