What is Mensa?
Mensa is a social club and educational organization for people who have scored in the top 2% on a recognized and accepted standardized (IQ) test.
What does Mensa stand for?
Yes, it is possible to think of Mensa as a social organization with something of an intellectual auspice, or intoxicating aura, around it and where everybody learns something and goes away pleased. Actually, though, the term Mensa comes from the Latin words meaning mind, table, and month. Today it simply means a somewhat regular (monthly) meeting of minds around a table.
What is the American Mensa Annual Gathering?
Something of a tradition since 1963, this ‘residential’ sort of convention (or, national meeting) has evolved from a two-day meet-and-greet at the New York Belmont into an exciting and diverse sprawl of talks, games, and other forms of entertainment.
Historically, “members of Mensa seem to like having arrangements made for them and they do not want to be consulted over details. They like to be told what someone is willing to organize then vote with their feet.” (Serebriakoff, Mensa, pg. 31)
Now, Annual Gatherings can be “well-organized, intellectual, social and gustatory feasts which leave many members, who are normally slightly starved of intellectually stimulating company, with a warm glow when they reluctantly and lovingly break up when the weekend is over.” (Serebriakoff, Mensa, pg. 31)
Held in a different city each year, and typically spanning around the July 4th weekend, the Annual Gathering gives Mensa members an opportunity to meet new friends, catch up with longtime friends, eat, drink, and make merry, while enjoying speakers and presentations which we know have something important to say to ‘tweak’ our thinking.
Where is it?
The American Mensa Annual Gathering in 2020 will be in Kansas City, Missouri, and held at the Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center during the several days, July 1-5, around the first weekend in July.
What is the Mensa Foundation Colloquium?
Sponsored by the Mensa Education & Research Foundation, the Colloquium is a one-day educational symposium which provides a forum for Mensa members and the general public to explore, discuss, and evaluate a major issue of long-range importance to society.
