I agree with Bill Rouse in that involvement is the key to making your membership in Mensa work well. I have been involved with Mensa for 19 years and have served in one capacity or another until last year. Whether it was on the board or not, behind the scenes or not, I have served the interests of Geater Phoenix Mensa (GPM).
The most common complaint I have heard is the inner circle ("clique") ran things as they saw fit and wouldn't let them (new members) into the circle. It is not really a clique, it is more that we are good friends. We have become friends through working together on various projects, committees or regional gatherings. By volunteering , we have learned each others’ likes, dislikes, personalities and much, much more. The long time friendships are like a second family of brothers, sisters, aunts and uncles, and if you are really lucky you will find a "Mensa Mom".
I have been accused of being in the clique that runs GPM. This is true to the degree that I know a lot of people in the group and consider them friends. The road has not always been smooth, like any family we have argued, discussed, agreed and disagreed on many issues. We know we can count on each other, we care about each other and support each other (emotionally). We do not purposefully exclude new members. We make the effort to include you, even though you may not agree.
I realize that going to an event and not knowing anyone may be frightening, especially with those stuffy Mensans. If you have had a bad experience, call a board member to help you, to introduce you to the group. It is much easier to be introduced than to introduce yourself.
Another way is to volunteer. You may ask to handle a small task at first, then move on to other things. Before you know it, you will have many new friends and be considered in the clique. To get started in Mensa, volunteer or start a new event with one of your own interests. You will be surprised at the number of new friends you have, but also how much fun it is.
I felt the need to respond to Mark's remarks. I have been a member of GPM for 19 years. I have met many different types of people. The types of programs you are talking about have traditionally drawn low attendance. There are exceptions of course, but for the most part the intellectual programs do not draw. We pay for the Forum meeting room, therefore we try to get programs which will draw enough people to break even, enough to make it pay for itself at the very least.
The same is true for the RG. The difference is to try to not embarrass the speaker with low attendance. There have been many Forums of an intellectual nature which have drawn quite a crowd. There are many reasons why one will work and another will not, but we never know when one will work until we try it. I have had any number of intellectual conversations at Salons, Brunches, RGs and PTAs with one person or many.
American Mensa had an annual event called the Colloquium, which was strictly intellectual, similar to an AG. I haven't noticed, but they seem to have stopped having them.
I have a problem with people telling me I am not intellectual enough for them. The fact that I am in Mensa states I do have intelligence. You are fostering the stereotype of the psuedo-intellectual or the intellectual snob by your statements. Just because I am smarter than most people, does not necessarily mean I know what is good for them, or that I should tell them what is good for them. I do not know about you, Mark, but I do not like to be told what I should do by anyone. The charter for American Mensa states that Mensa may not make statements or opinions publicly, however individuals may do so.