From the Editor

By Glenn Case

In this issue we include the Annual Membership Directory.      The usual boilerplate applies:  If there is an error, report it to me and I will include the correction in a later issue.  Following the format we used last year, it is in “telephone book format.”  I chose this because it seems to work.   Also is included the First-Last name directory.  (The directory goes only to Mensans.  It is not included in the "Guest Copies" we send out.)

This is not perfect.  If a person goes by their middle name, the First-Last directory is of limited value.  It also does not help much if the person is listed by their initials.   I will think about that problem and maybe a better solution can be found.   In any case, the listing that was used for the directory is that obtained from National Mensa as of May 31, 2001.  Hope it helps.     Several of us at a recent get together noted a much more significant problem we seem to have in Greater Phoenix Mensa.  It was pointed out that five years ago, we had three to four full pages of calendar activities.  I note that with every issue of the MAAM I seem to have to “space out” a bit more to fill the two calendar pages.   When I first joined GPM we had 40-50 people who would attend our Forums.  The last couple had maybe half that amount.  So I wonder what the problem is?  All Mensa chapters do go through cycles.  Older members who have “done their thing” will retire in a manner of speaking and let the newer blood take over. 

The perplexing problem to me is that we seem to have no particular “biggies” resting under the surface.  In any group there will always be people who care for some people more than others.  That is normal.  But I am not aware of any big conflicts that exist in this group.  I am not aware of any “hot spots.”  Members that seem to disrupt the affairs of the group.  Yet, there is the simple fact that in this last election of local officers we had a hard time filling the ballot and, at that, we found no one willing to run for Asst. Loc Sec (Vice President.)  Something is wrong and I would like to find out what it is.

I do not have any magic solution in mind and I hope some of you may want to offer your ideas.