I joined Boston Mensa in 1986, after relocating from
Southern California to Boston. My primary goal was to develop a social
life outside the work circle. Of course, since I'm a male, it shouldn't be
much of a surprise that I was looking for an intelligent woman (or two) also.
Soon thereafter, I began hosting a
monthly "Games Night." We played Dungeons & Dragons in the afternoon, followed
by a general gaming party afterwards. Being the easy-going person I am, I didn't
complain when some of the people insisted that they didn't want to play games,
and just wanted to stand around talking, eating and drinking. This mix of
socializing and game playing proved quite popular, sometimes getting 40-50 people
in a night. I'm not running Games Night right now, but someday it will return
by popular demand.
It was a natural that I got sucked into a position on the Executive Committee of
Boston Mensa. I've been: Metro West Activities Coordinator, Metro West Area Coordinator,
Member-at-Large, Treasurer, Editor, Assistant Local Secretary (Vice President) and Local Secretary (President).
I was Boston Mensa's calendar editor for 4 years. Someday, you
might be able to submit calendar events, and preview the Boston Mensa calendar.
But, someday soon, I will start procrastinating and finish every project I've
started.
Every year Boston Mensa holds the New England Pilgrimage Regional Gathering. If
you don't know what an RG is, then you are missing out on the world's greatest
party. I'm quite proud that Boston's RG has a reputation of being one of the
best in the country, since I've been the RG Chairman many times.
The other big event Boston Mensa holds each year is the Cape Cod Getaway Weekend.
It's sort of like an extra relaxed RG, what is missing is the more formal organization
of the Pilgrimage RG, what is added is extra fun and excitement. Many Mensans
have said that the Cape Cod Weekend is their favorite Mensa event. I'm also quite
proud of this since I've been the Cape Cod Chairman so many times I've lost count.
My goal was to gain a social life, and Mensa has given me that, and more. I met
almost all of my current friends through Mensa (directly or indirectly). Mensa
also managed to meet my secondary goals, since I've been able to meet many
interesting and wonderful women over the years. Of course, I'm saving the best
for last... If it weren't for Mensa, I wouldn't have met my wife Sue Thornburg.
