HEY! READ THIS! IT’S IMPORTANT!
By Carol Young
Now that I’ve got your attention, please keep reading this month’s LocSec Column. We’re going to be making some changes in some GPM functions that may affect you. Read on for more details:
Regional Gathering - I’m happy to report that Phiesta 19 was a Rousing success (pun intended). Over 100 people from GPM and several states came together to enjoy each other’s company, food , some great programs and even a few surprises – like the impromptu belly dancing troupe that entertained everyone Saturday night. Richard Lederer was delightful, as always, and everyone had a chance to meet with him up close and personal, since he spent a great deal of time in hospitality, being, well, very hospitable. And on top of all the good fun of the RG, GPM made some money. Thanks to all of you who supported this event with your presence and enthusiasm.
We are, however, considering a change to an every-other-year format. I would love to have Phiesta 20 begin its preparations. We have a good hotel so we don’t have to spend time in that area and we have several people ready, willing, and able to volunteer their time and services. All they need is a Chair. If you’d like to head up Phiesta 1999, please call me immediately at 243-0480. If Phiesta 2000 is more to your liking, let me know that, too. The future of GPM’s RG depends on you.
MONTHLY FORUM - We are in final negotiations to relocate the Monthly Forum to a new site. If we are successful, we will be meeting on the 2nd Friday off the I-10 Freeway in the Tempe/Chandler area. We’ll start with a happy hour at 5PM in a nearby restaurant and begin the Forum at its usual time of 7PM and continue with a debriefing when the Forum concludes at 9PM. This change will be more convenient to some and less convenient to others, but the benefits will outweigh the drawbacks. Especially since we’ll be able to make the Forum free to all members, rather than charge $3 as we currently do. We will be able to report more in the next month or so and hope to make the change by the April Forum.
MAAM DEADLINES - Beginning March 1, we are setting the deadline for MAAM entries (including the Calendar) for the 14th of every month. Fold, Staple, Mutilate will be on the 23rd of each month. Yes, this means that the day of the week that these events fall on will change from month to month. This also means that if one day of the week is inconvenient for you, you can still help out when the 23rd falls on a different day. When the 24th falls on a weekend day, Fold, Staple will be held in the afternoon, so no one needs to miss an evening event. We hope this change will allow everyone a chance to come out and help put the newsletter together. And speaking of the newsletter…..
MAAM FORMAT - In the next few months, we will be making a decision to change the format of Much Ado About Mensa back to the smaller size of a few years back. Cost and ease of assembly are two primary reasons for this move. Another reason is the lack of submissions to the newsletter. Without your input, the cost and effort expended to put out a large-format newsletter is not justified. PLEASE do not call Stevie and complain that you’ve submitted something that wasn’t published. Stevie must make editorial decisions that often mean what is sent can’t be used. We are looking primarily for SHORT articles – ones that fit in a page or less. If you send her 10-15 pages, it will sit on a desk somewhere indefinitely until someone, somewhere has the extra time to read through it and condense it – probably not in this lifetime, since we’re all volunteers around here with other obligations to fulfill. But, if you have an opinion, an interesting anecdote, a joke, have read a good book you want everyone to know about or just need to vent, we want to hear from you. In writing. In 750 words, or less.
EXCOM MEMBERS - The make-up of the Executive Committee may be changing. This is entirely in your hands. Elections need to be held to elect all new officers (or re-elect current ones). If you are interested in getting more involved in the organization, now is your chance. Experience not needed, just interest in helping a great organization live up to its potential. Any one of the current members will tell you that serving on the ExCom is not that time-consuming. A 90-minutes meeting once a month will do very nicely. They’re held right after Brunch and Banter in a nice location and we have a lot of fun. We also need 2-3 people who will survey our members and see if anyone wants to run for local office. If you’d like to be on this year’s Elections Committee, please call me ASAP.
That’s it. Feedback is always welcome. Leave me a message at 243-0480 or e-mail me at carolrants@beenthere.com
We’re trying to make Greater Phoenix Mensa an organization that isn’t afraid to change and grow and evolve. Please consider helping us in this important task.