The New Generation

At the AG this past week in Dallas, Texas, a National Teen SIG was formed.  I breathed a long sigh of relief after the long overdue unified front of Mensa’s teenagers. After my failed attempts to create an active local Teen SIG in North Texas I had given up hope, but this newly formed branch of Mensa has renewed my resolve to be active in Mensa.  Though I am a board member and web mistress of NTM I was discouraged and depressed over the lack of activities geared toward my age group.  I felt as though I was fighting a losing battle to stay excited about Mensa activities.  In order to better relate to you the experiences of the last week the following are excerpts from “The Gathering,” which was a daily publication to keep Mensans informed during the Annual Gathering. 

On Wednesday an announcement appeared for a Teen Meet and Greet which I had arranged for Thursday evening.

Thursday, July 5, 2001

The following transmission was received just prior to publication—its provenance has not yet been verified:

“The teens have decided to take over.  Sorry, but we’re stealing your stuff & we’re holding the Baccarat room hostage.  The Baccarat room is now the teen hospitality suite!”

“If you ever want your stuff back, you meet our demands…”

“All the Ramen Noodles in the Kitchen; 8 comforters; 4 sheets; 23 cases of Soda; 2 liters of blue food coloring; Return Jimmy Hoffa and Andy Kauffman; 4 large cheese pizzas; 1 microwave; 1 water cooler; 9 lbs. Jelly Bellies; television; VCR; 5 rolls red duct tape; strobe lights; and a music source.”

“If not met, we will have more tomorrow.”

“Thanks- teen Mensans.”

A tentative peace has been negotiated.  Teens will have the Baccarat Room each night from 7:00pm until….

Friday, July 6, 2001:

Teens Victorious!  World in Chaos.

Acting against the advice of almost everyone, the AG committee caved and gave in to the teen demands.  Henceforth the Baccarat Room is Teen City from 7:00pm on.  Any adults found transgressing on this sacred ground will be force-fed pizza and Coca-Cola.

Teens Rise Again—Is There No Stopping Them?

Again, a demand message from the teens, now barricaded in the Baccarat room after being discovered in the act of liberating a couch and pillows from the Grotto.

“We do have our room, but as all demands were not met, we do have some more.”

    “Movies (including but not limited to: Tommy Boy, Hackers, Rocky Horror Picture Show, Matrix, Assorted Monty Python, Lair of the White Worm), 36 Wizard hats from the M-Boutique, 35 Nimbus 2000 brooms, 1 mop, Skinner’s bullwhip, Rik Hess’ Texas Flag Caftan, 5 rolls of red duct tape (asked for yesterday), 5 addition rolls (for failure to deliver per previous demand).”

“We would appreciate your leaving us alone for our own activity.”

Saturday, July 7, 2001:

Generation Gap Challenge!

Here is your chance to crush the teen rebellion!  The Mensa Teens are hosting a trivia bowl with a twist: Competitors write the questions.  Outscore the teens and they may retreat to their infamous Baccarat compound, assuming a peaceful end to the AG.

Huzzahs to the Teens

For using their powers for good!  On Thursday morning, with only ten minutes notice and using their fine furniture appreciation skills they were able to deliver the softest, most comfortable chair in the entire hotel – from Joan Hiller’s room (AML’s Gifted Children’s Coordinator), to one of the meeting rooms to be used by a speaker who could not stand for his presentation.

Sunday, July 8, 2001:

A Message From Our Future:

Dear Committee, Mensans, and All Attendees.

We very much appreciated the use of the Baccarat room, and we are pleased to announce that there will be no further inclinations toward a rebellion at future events.  Over the past few days, we have begun the organizational phase of a National Teen SIG.  This was, is, and will be a complete necessity for a number of reasons:

   1. Events have been scheduled for teens, not with us.  Who knows our needs better than ourselves?

   2. Everything we truly want is completely reasonable if only we ask.  Had the committee known what we would require in due time , I’m sure we would have gotten it.  Contrary to popular belief, we don’t like to steal it any more than you do.

   3. Our generation has no identity within Mensa.  As a large entity within the organization, we feel we have a right to our slice of the pie.

This SIG is by no means exclusive, as we exist solely for the best interest of Teens, so anyone who is interested, just find an orange tag (the badge for the under twenty-one set). 

We think the past week has been a learning experience on both our parts, and we will work to solve these silent problems and help keep the organization youthful.

For future Mensa events (AG’s and several RG’s) we have arranged to be acknowledged within the organization by having a Teen SIG sponsored teen room with an open door with velvet ropes policy.  With sixty-five members nationwide we are now a definite branch of Mensa.  If you are interested in joining or would like more information, please contact Heather Ferguson at tranquility@partlycloudy.com