Curious about member status
Bystander
that it matters but I am curious as to whether this newsgroup was used
predominantly by Mensans or non Mensans.
Steven
news:CzhT9.1862$io.8...@iad-read.news.verio.net...
After reading and posting where you need current
Mensa membership to get access I wouldn't judge
Mensans by what you see on ROM and the old MTM.
Bill Vajk
Steven wrote:
> After reading and posting where you need current
> Mensa membership to get access I wouldn't judge
> Mensans by what you see on ROM and the old MTM.
Clarify, please?
rian
are not up to your standard? If most are mensans will you think us a
bunch of arrogant snobs?
--
Cole's Axiom: The sum of the intelligence on the planet is a constant.
The population is growing.
Rian
"Bystander" <Byest...@cs.com> schreef in bericht
news:CzhT9.1862$io.8...@iad-read.news.verio.net...
Catharine Honeyman
I was a Mensa member, but now that I don't care about it any more, I have
let my membership lapse. That plus I don't have a spare $50 for it.
--
Aloha,
Catharine
titubant sed non decidunt wiblia
Vince
> "Bystander" <Byest...@cs.com> wrote:
>> I am just curious as to which of the regular posters were mensa
>> members. Not that it matters but I am curious as to whether this
>> newsgroup was used predominantly by Mensans or non Mensans.
>
> I was a Mensa member, but now that I don't care about it any more, I
> have let my membership lapse. That plus I don't have a spare $50 for
> it.
Likewise. I haven't lapsed yet, but I am expecting not to renew.
--
Polymorphism -- It's what you make of it.
rian
30 dollar for a haircut (men) I do not understand that you quibble on
the membership fees. I thought the Dutch were called stingy!
--
Cole's Axiom: The sum of the intelligence on the planet is a constant.
The population is growing.
Rian
"Vince" <vincest...@hotmail.com> schreef in bericht
news:OpPT9.640751$%m4.2...@rwcrnsc52.ops.asp.att.net...
Vince
> Why?
>
> Mary
Because I don't feel that I am getting any benefit that equals the cost.
I would rather spend the money on a few good books, or whatever.
NOTE: Many people do (feel/see that they are getting a benefit), and I am
happy for them. To each thier own.
Feek O'Hanrahan
>> On Sat, 11 Jan 2003 01:22:38 -0500, Catharine Honeyman wrote:
>>
>>> "Bystander" <Byest...@cs.com> wrote:
>>>> I am just curious as to which of the regular posters were mensa
>>>> members. Not that it matters but I am curious as to whether this
>>>> newsgroup was used predominantly by Mensans or non Mensans.
>>>
>>> I was a Mensa member, but now that I don't care about it any more, I
>>> have let my membership lapse. That plus I don't have a spare $50
>>> for it.
>>
>> Likewise. I haven't lapsed yet, but I am expecting not to renew.
>
> for a people that spends 5 dollars for a mochacino at starbucks and
> pay 30 dollar for a haircut (men) I do not understand that you
> quibble on the membership fees. I thought the Dutch were called
> stingy!
I don't drink coffee and I do my own haircuts at home. ;)
--
"This is my father's favorite medical text book. Read it long enough
and it will show you the error of your ways" - Charity Trask, "Dark
Shadows"
Jeffrey Meyer
--
Jeffrey
"rian" <ri...@infocom.demon.nl> wrote in message
news:avpbtt$3...@chicago.us.mensa.org...
Gistak
<ri...@infocom.demon.nl> wrote:
> for a people that spends 5 dollars for a mochacino at starbucks and pay
> 30 dollar for a haircut (men) I do not understand that you quibble on
> the membership fees. I thought the Dutch were called stingy!
>
But, you're not seriously suggesting that because some Americans have the
money and inclination to spend that amount of money on those things... that
you think that ALL Americans do.
Could you possibly be that misinformed? I don't think you are, so I don't
really know what this post is about.
For me, I don't drink any coffee and my wife cuts my hair.
P
Bill Vajk
> rian wrote:
>>for a people that spends 5 dollars for a mochacino at starbucks and
>>pay 30 dollar for a haircut (men) I do not understand that you
>>quibble on the membership fees. I thought the Dutch were called
>>stingy!
> I don't drink coffee and I do my own haircuts at home. ;)
I don't have enough hair left to warrant an expensive treatment. I pay,
a few times a year, under $10 (the tip puts it over $10 though.) It
doesn't even grow very fast these days.
As far as coffee goes, I pay less than $5 for a ~1000g tin of coffee.
I buy whatever is on sale at Sam's Club (wharehouse club.) Usually I
pay under $4. The latest purchase was Maxwell House. At one teaspoon
of grounds per day, it lasts a long time.
I think I can do an adequate job of selecting bright friends without
having some organization do it for me for an annual fee.
alt.mensa remains free to everyone as a newsgroup.
rian
only read the newsbulletin. He is a member for 14 years. But then, here
you have to actively resign, because dues are by direct debit, and you
get a 5% lowering of the fee. So every year around 5 jan the amount is
deducted from my account. For most it is easier to stay than write a
letter and send in the stop-card to the bank, and then decide in a
couple of years again to be a member.
--
Cole's Axiom: The sum of the intelligence on the planet is a constant.
The population is growing.
Rian
"Gistak" <gis...@hotmail.com> schreef in bericht
news:BA471261.1DC2%gis...@hotmail.com...
Vince
> for a people that spends 5 dollars for a mochacino at starbucks and pay
> 30 dollar for a haircut (men) I do not understand that you quibble on
> the membership fees. I thought the Dutch were called stingy!
>
Don't do either of the above, myself.<g>
Ain't so much a quibble, as a fail to see the point.
I see the cost, but fail to see any benefit.
To each thier own.
Catharine Honeyman
> for a people that spends 5 dollars for a mochacino at starbucks and pay
> 30 dollar for a haircut (men) I do not understand that you quibble on
> the membership fees. I thought the Dutch were called stingy!
I don't spend $5 on drinks at Starbucks and I don't have hair. I don't
expect to have to spend money on a haircut until sometime in late 2003. I
haven't had a haircut since May.
Paying my and my mother's bills does make it impossible to come up
with a spare $52 or whatever it is at any given time. Not everyone
fritters money away.
Steven L.
>Anyway, if you are really interested, join our new MTM. See other
>posts for address.
>
I tried to use the mailman thing, tried to sign up, could not get anything but
an illegal operation message , tried several times, tried to just send an
e-mail to mailman, got no such address.
I think I saw something about advertising Mensa, was mentioned, if ya got to be
a member to find a workable address, how would that work? I am a member for a
month or a few yet and I can't get a workable address, I am using aol one of
the biggest isp's.
If you click on the addresses in the "official list" on Mensa you get nothing,
cut and paste does not work either. The last few posts I tried here never
showed up. Don't know if this one will. MTM was most of the contact I had with
Mensa, local group meets too far away. One long post that didn't show up
explaines my experiences with e-mensa.
I sort of thought that Mensa's web site might get better over time, as far as I
can see, it hasn't. All this, changing mtm, mailman, addresses that don't
work, seem to be a way to advance ROM as representative of Mensa, type 'mensa'
in a search ans see what you get to.
Hard to tell if this will get thru, since the last few didn't. Anyway I hope
to 'see' you folks again on an mtm, I can not say that I expect that will
happen.
Steven L.
Steven L.
>30 dollar for a haircut (men) I do not understand that you quibble on
>the membership fees. I thought the Dutch were called stingy!
>
I walk past starbucks once or twice a month, and never pay more than 2 dollars
for fancy coffee, and not more than two or three times a year, never starbucks.
I am not bald and have not paid for a haircut for over 7 years, I am
Scotch-Irish-Prussian, had a Dutch uncle, business education by sone nice
Jewish folks, and my grandfather could squeeze a penny so hard Lincoln would
cry.
I do try to avoid spending money on things that are of no real value, can't
really help it.
Steven L.
John Gilmer
>
> I do try to avoid spending money on things that are of no real value,
can't
> really help it.
Good point!
The Mensa argument seems to be: "Hey, you waste money on all that other
stuff, why not waste a few dollars on Mensa!"
Vince
>>Because I don't feel that I am getting any benefit that equals the cost.
>>I would rather spend the money on a few good books, or whatever. NOTE:
>>Many people do (feel/see that they are getting a benefit), and I am
>>happy for them. To each thier own.
>
> What benefits did you expect for $49? (The cost of a meal for 2 in a
> nice restaurant)
>
> Mary
Mary,
No need to get defensive, I didn't say anything nasty about the
organization. I did not say that it needed to change in any way, shape, or
form. If you are happy with it, Huzzah. I am not asking you to change a
jot. I am not asking or suggesting that anyone else quit or not join the
organization.
However, to answer your question:
1. A high quality monthly national organizational magazine, filled with
intelligent discussion.
2. A high quality monthly local
magazine/newsletter filled with intelligent discussion.
3. A web (or USENET) presence where high quality (i.e. Logical), civil
discussion amongst people of different nationalities and viewpoints takes
place.
4. A national organizational website with high quality, interesting, and
current content.(I am talking content here, Mary, not quality of the
design. We covered that already.)
5. A local website with high quality, interesting, and current content.
6.Officals/volunteers who don't bristle and take offense any time anyone
thinks anything is less than ideal.
7. An opportunity to buy mildly overpriced stuff with an Owl or a stylized
"M" on it.<G>
I assess that I currently get 1.5 out of 7. Personally, I'd rather have
the meal for 2 in a nice restaurant, that's all. Or two good books. To
Vince
> On 12 Jan 2003 18:16:05 -0600, Vince <vincest...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>>On Sat, 11 Jan 2003 22:18:00 -0500, rian wrote:
>>
>>> for a people that spends 5 dollars for a mochacino at starbucks and
>>> pay 30 dollar for a haircut (men) I do not understand that you quibble
>>> on the membership fees. I thought the Dutch were called stingy!
>>>
>>Don't do either of the above, myself.<g> Ain't so much a quibble, as a
>>fail to see the point. I see the cost, but fail to see any benefit.
>
> Well, what else would you expect in the Bulletin?
Intelligent articles and discussion for a start. Oh, and since everyone
else seems to have weighed in, the 250 word limit bites. <g>
> How many RG's, AG's
> and local group activities have you tried out?
>
>
Irrelevant. I did not join for RG's or AG's. Nor did I joing for local
group activities. Personally, if I want to attend a party, I'll attend a
party. If I'm going to attend a party with people I don't know, I'd rather
attend something like NorWesCon (for SF/Fantasy geeks: www.NorWesCon.org).
If you find fullfilment from Mensa as it is currently organized, I wish
you all the best.
Just a suggestion, though. check the % of Mensans who are "inactive" or
"former". Perhaps there is a reason. Perhaps those who don't run the organization
have different interests than those who do. Perhaps many did not join for
RG's or AG's.
> Mary
Vince
>>> Well, what else would you expect in the Bulletin?
>>
>>Intelligent articles and discussion for a start. Oh, and since everyone
>>else seems to have weighed in, the 250 word limit bites. <g>
<snip>
> Thus we get to the point of saying, if you want more, are you willing to
> pay more? The general consensus is we want to pay the same or less.
I would pay more (or the same) for a better quality product. Of course,
that's just me. Also, if the quality were to go up, I would happily
download and print out a pdf, saving both printing and mailing costs.
<constructive comment>
To the bulletin powers that be: why not offer members a choice of
receiving the bulletin on paper or electrons? Add an option to the the
member renewal form/ or to the members only website.It would be better in
a pdf format that could be easily downloaded and printed out in one fell
swoop. It shouldn't be that difficult going from your prepress form to
pdf. The online version is nice (and it is well done!), but I like to read
longer documents on paper. However, even if you left the online version as
is, you could still save the organization many dollars but not sending a
print copy to those who don't want one - without a special request.
</constructive comment>
<snip>
> Let me also say, the Bulletin is much more of what you want than it was
> 10 or 15 years ago. : - )
Full body shudder.
<snip RG stuff - more RG stuff below>
>
> Hum, one big aspect of Mensa is socialization with other Mensans. Many
> join Mensa to find a spouse, and Mensa marriages are frequenty.
I'm sure it is, for some-namely the ones who are currently happy with
Mensa, as organized. For those who are happy with Mensa as it is, I wish
them nothing but happieness.
Off topic: What is the relative frequency of Mensa divorces. Now THAT
could be interesting!!
<snip>
>
> P.S., there are lots of trekies in Mensa.
>
But can I get a suit of chainmaille made at an RG? I did at the last
norwescon, and probably will again in a few months. <g>
> However, it is well known that some members of Mensa do not join for the
> social stuff -- but I would consider this USENET a social thing myself.
As currently constructed, I would agree it is primarily a social thing.
Anywhere (real or virtual) people meet is to some extent social. However,
that is not the _focus_ that I am interested in. Also, my feeling is that
"some" probably drastically understates the %, see below.
>>If you find fullfilment from Mensa as it is currently organized, I wish
>>you all the best.
>
> Members and staff always strive to make Mensa as better as they can for
> different groups and interests -- given the constraints of the budget.
I would question whether they actually attempt to gain the consensus/pulse
of the entire membership, or merely the politically/socially active
portion that composes the "leadership"/staff. For instance (and admittedly
not knowing the comparitive costs here), I would much rather have a high
quality monthly magazine than an AG or RG that I (and the vast majority of
Mensans) won't attend.
>>Just a suggestion, though. check the % of Mensans who are "inactive" or
>>"former". Perhaps there is a reason.
>
> There are hundreds of different reasons. Yours is one common thread,
> i.e., I didn't join for the social life.
If it is a common thread (and I emphatically agree here!! <g>), then I
think Mensa, as an organization, would do well to focus on why it is that
its inactive and/or former members are inactive and/or former.
A number I saw, though I don't have the link right now, said that approx
80% of Mensa members were "inactive" (had never attended a Mensa
function/event/meeting -telling definition, btw). I'll dig the source up
tonight, if you are interested.
>> Perhaps those who don't run the organization
>>have different interests than those who do. Perhaps many did not join
>>for RG's or AG's.
>>
>>
> I do think that you misunderstand RG's and AG's which really aren't just
> parties, but there is the solution.
They are conventions, just like any other convention. There will be some
organizational business that takes place, that will be of interest to the
"leadership" -esp as this will be one of the main opportunities for
geographically dispersed people to meet FTF. There will be some speakers,
etc - Of interest to the "leadership" (at least, I have not in 3 years
seen a request for speaker ideas in the bulleten, I could be wrong,
though).
However, it is primarily a social function (if you really object to the
word "party"). That's fine. Some people like them. Some will attend. Some
won't.
> If someone wants something else -
> become a participant and a leader as that is the way to get it.
So..Those who joined NOT for the social aspects, must put a lot of time
into socializing (become a participant and leader) to get the non-social
desires met? I agree that you are probably right there. However,
hopefully, you see the inherent conflict. People who aren't interested in
the social aspects aren't likely to spend a lot of time focusing on social
aspects, which all "leadership" roles are, to a very large degree. This
may mean that Mensa simply cannot meet the needs/desires of it's members
who joined for non-social reasons.
> The elected powers that be need to be a representation of the
> membership.
I agree, but the only people who will run for office and get elected are
the ones who are interested in the social aspects. 1. Because getting
elected is highly social, 2. Running things is highly social, and 3.
People are more likely to run (effectively!!!) if they don't feel
alienated from the organization they are trying to take a leadership role
in. Ie- They fit in, like the (extreme in my opion) social focus.
> Mary
Steven
> only read the newsbulletin. He is a member for 14 years. But then, here
Why join a social club if you don't want to participate?
It's a bit like paying to join an exclusive Gym just for the membership card
but never attending.
For me the benefits are in socialising with other members.
Vince
> Vince <vincest...@hotmail.com> wrote in
> news:UGZU9.73191$3v.12883@sccrnsc01:
>
>> Off topic: What is the relative frequency of Mensa divorces. Now THAT
>> could be interesting!!
>
> According to the 1999/2000 Mensa Register, 17.56% of the membership are
> divorced.
Well I'd meant marriages between Mensans that fall apart, however, it
seems they (I say they, because I'm part of that 17.56%) do better than
the national average. Any ideas on why this might be? Better origional
decision? More stubborn (refusal to admit a goof)? Any sociologists,
amateur or otherwise, care to opine?
>> But can I get a suit of chainmaille made at an RG? ...
>
> Depends on who the guest speakers are.
Vince
> that you are not getting. Local groups want to know why some members
> only say 1,2 or 3 years.
>
Fair enough.
<snip>
>>1. A high quality monthly national organizational magazine, filled with
>>intelligent discussion.
>
> So what is the Bulletin missing?
Thoughtful, in-depth, and logical articles. Letters longer than a
post-card. Some letters and some articles are thought-proviking, but they
are in the minority, IMO.
>>2. A high quality monthly local
>>magazine/newsletter filled with intelligent discussion.
>
> Hum, to have two publications would take more money and reasonable
> volunteers. There is no money, and we are often short on volunteers.
> The Bulletin is however, a paid staff editor. Still she needs
> contributions from the membership.
Well, I already receive a monthly newsletter from my local. However, it
would be higher quality if they didn't bother to send it. I would be
embarrased to show it to a friend as an example of something produced by a
"high IQ" society.
>>
>>3. A web (or USENET) presence where high quality (i.e. Logical), civil
>>discussion amongst people of different nationalities and viewpoints
>>takes place.
>>
>>
> The web stuff and on the books and coming shortly.
I will suspend judgement for a while, then.
>
>>4. A national organizational website with high quality, interesting, and
>>current content.(I am talking content here, Mary, not quality of the
>>design. We covered that already.)
>>
> I do think the US page is of high quality and alway current. Their are
> paid staffing making sure about that.
Tell them that they need to fix the links in the pdf versions of InterLoc.
Every one I looked at today (appr 6 issues) had links in the TOC, that did
NOT go to the article linked.
> We are currently working on moving to a new server and authentication
> for members only section. Then the sky is the limit.
>
I will suspend judgement for a while, then.
>>5. A local website with high quality, interesting, and current content.
>>
>>
> Lots of them are. Again this is a volunteer task and $49 per member
> can't hire local staff for newsletter and web site.
>
Sometimes is is better to do nothing, than to do something poorly. See
comment on local
>>6.Officals/volunteers who don't bristle and take offense any time anyone
>>thinks anything is less than ideal.
>
> I didn't brissel, I ask a question.
>
OK. I'll up it to 2 of 7. (Harken back to every discussion of
moderatation,white list, etc.)
>
>>7. An opportunity to buy mildly overpriced stuff with an Owl or a
>>stylized "M" on it.<G>
>>
>>
> Have you been to the MEnsa Boutique (linked to the AML page.)?
Yes, that wast the 1 of the 1.5 <G>
> Mary
Gistak
> news:CzhT9.1862$io.8...@iad-read.news.verio.net...
"rian" <ri...@infocom.demon.nl> wrote in message news:<avlq0h$9...@chicago.us.mensa.org>...
> > I am just curious as to which of the regular posters were mensa
> members. Not
> > that it matters but I am curious as to whether this newsgroup was used
> > predominantly by Mensans or non Mensans.
> >
> Does it matter? If most were non-mensans will you think the conversants
> are not up to your standard? If most are mensans will you think us a
> bunch of arrogant snobs?
Why would you think that he (or she) means that? It's a simple and
innocent question and it's been asked several times before.
Someone comes to a newsgroup called Mensa.etc, and is curious about
how many people are Mensans. I mean, don't answer if you don't want
to, but why assume that the person has evil intent?
P
rian
divorcees.
--
Cole's Axiom: The sum of the intelligence on the planet is a constant.
The population is growing.
Rian
"Vince" <vincest...@hotmail.com> schreef in bericht
news:uu5V9.685113$%m4.33...@rwcrnsc52.ops.asp.att.net...
Gistak
"Mary" <dev...@us.mensa.org> wrote:
> On 15 Jan 2003 14:58:17 -0600, gis...@hotmail.com (Gistak) wrote:
>
>>> "Bystander" <Byest...@cs.com> schreef in bericht
>>> news:CzhT9.1862$io.8...@iad-read.news.verio.net...
>>
>> "rian" <ri...@infocom.demon.nl> wrote in message
>> news:<avlq0h$9...@chicago.us.mensa.org>...
>>
>>>> I am just curious as to which of the regular posters were mensa
>>> members. Not
>>>> that it matters but I am curious as to whether this newsgroup was used
>>>> predominantly by Mensans or non Mensans.
>>>>
>>
>>> Does it matter? If most were non-mensans will you think the conversants
>>> are not up to your standard? If most are mensans will you think us a
>>> bunch of arrogant snobs?
>>
>> Why would you think that he (or she) means that? It's a simple and
>> innocent question and it's been asked several times before.
>
> I reacted similarly and I don't think the reaction is unfounded.
> Mysterious a unsigned post for an anonymous address appears with a
> question like this as his first post -- immediately following a
> discussion of proportion in rec.org.mensa.
>
Hmmm. Maybe it's fishy. I don't know.
> Frankly, my guess is that a certain poster or two are using a number
> of different posting names hoping to fake us out.
>
>>
>> Someone comes to a newsgroup called Mensa.etc, and is curious about
>> how many people are Mensans. I mean, don't answer if you don't want
>> to, but why assume that the person has evil intent?
>>
>
> Why not. To err on the side of caution is good.
>
IMO, erring on the side of caution means not to reply, or at least to
question gently. I dunno. If the person *was* asking just out of curiosity
(as stated), then we've done a good job of putting him/her off.
If not, then we haven't done better than if we were silent. Anyway, I'm not
saying this is a capital offense or anything....
P
Vince
> On 14 Jan 2003 13:48:15 -0600, Vince <vincest...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> On AG's:
>
>>They are conventions, just like any other convention.
>
> There are not like any other convention that I have attended. Of course
> most of those were conferences.
>
>>There will be some
>>organizational business that takes place, that will be of interest to
>>the "leadership" -esp as this will be one of the main opportunities for
>>geographically dispersed people to meet FTF. There will be some
>>speakers,
>
> Some speakers? Try one is every time slot Wed. afternoon through
> Saturday. AG goes Wed through Sunday.
Yup. Same as every convention I have ever attended. OK, sounds like an AG
is a little longer.
>>etc - Of interest to the "leadership"
>
> No, not necessarily. A local group sponsors an AG. A local committee
> runs it. They are not national leadership and may be volunteers and not
> leadership at all.
Yes, necessarily. By definition. If a local committee runs it, they
constitute the leadership. If some other entity tells the local committe
what to do, that other entity is the leadership, etc. Whether they are
paid/volunteer or national/local is irrelevant.(NOTE: I didn't say there
was anything wrong with leadership!)
> (at least, I have not in 3 years
>>seen a request for speaker ideas in the bulleten, I could be wrong,
>>though).
>
> Many speakers are locals - local to the area where the AG takes place as
> out of towners aren't going to travel to speak for free. Most speak for
> free. Local college personnel, local news media, local interesting
> people are the majority of the speakers. Some topics are very
> intellectual, and others not.
>
> Some member's attending may speak of areas of their interests.
Indeed. And?
>>However, it is primarily a social function (if you really object to the
>>word "party"). That's fine. Some people like them. Some will attend.
>>Some won't.
>
> In that sense, any gathering is social, including work.
>
Except, for many, social is not the point of work, but something that
comes along with.
And note, I started out saying that I wasn't interested in AGs or
focusing on socializing.
> Mary
rian
I am human.
--
Cole's Axiom: The sum of the intelligence on the planet is a constant.
The population is growing.
Rian
Vince
> On 15 Jan 2003 07:38:01 -0600, Vince <vincest...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>>Well, I already receive a monthly newsletter from my local. However, it
>>would be higher quality if they didn't bother to send it. I would be
>>embarrased to show it to a friend as an example of something produced by
>>a "high IQ" society.
>>>>
>>>>
> Consider these numbers. The local group support (around $8 per member
> per year) we get in Georgia is mostly used up on a newsletter that
> consists of 3 sheets of 11X17 paper making 12 pages.
Nope. Don't need to consider those numbers. Need to evaluate what benefit
I receive for the cost I pay. Need to decide if it is worthwhile. Done did
dat.
> The editor(s) spend mucho hours each month getting is ready for free.
>
> Geese for another $20 per member per year, boy could we put out
> something good (if we could find a volunteer.) For $49, we can't.
Already stated my opinion on higher dues. (If it resulted in quality, I
would be for it.
> <Snip>
>>
>>Tell them that they need to fix the links in the pdf versions of
>>InterLoc. Every one I looked at today (appr 6 issues) had links in the
>>TOC, that did NOT go to the article linked.
>
> At the bottom of each and every page, there is a contact link to the
> webmaster. With a gazillion links, sometime some are broken.
Within a pdf, that should not be possible.
>Click the
> webmaster link, and e-mail the broken page URL to the Web Services
> Director, Kim. She will fix promptly.
>
> Mary
Vince
> On 14 Jan 2003 13:48:15 -0600, Vince <vincest...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>>On Tue, 14 Jan 2003 13:24:00 -0500, Mary wrote:
>>
>>>>> Well, what else would you expect in the Bulletin?
>>>>
>>>>Intelligent articles and discussion for a start. Oh, and since
>>>>everyone else seems to have weighed in, the 250 word limit bites. <g>
>><snip>
>>> Thus we get to the point of saying, if you want more, are you willing
>>> to pay more? The general consensus is we want to pay the same or
>>> less.
>>
>>I would pay more (or the same) for a better quality product. Of course,
>>that's just me. Also, if the quality were to go up, I would happily
>>download and print out a pdf, saving both printing and mailing costs.
>><constructive comment>
>>To the bulletin powers that be: why not offer members a choice of
>>receiving the bulletin on paper or electrons? Add an option to the the
>>member renewal form/ or to the members only website.It would be better
>>in a pdf format that could be easily downloaded and printed out in one
>>fell swoop. It shouldn't be that difficult going from your prepress form
>>to pdf. The online version is nice (and it is well done!), but I like to
>>read longer documents on paper. However, even if you left the online
>>version as is, you could still save the organization many dollars but
>>not sending a print copy to those who don't want one - without a special
>>request. </constructive comment>
>
> The last answer to that included:
> The Bulletin is not produced in a manner than is writeable to pdf.
I assume (with all the inherent dangers thereof!) that at some point in
time, it is in a word processor....Also, Inter Loc seems to be produced in
a manner that is consistent w/pdf...perhaps they could use that method.
>
> The Bulletin is meant for everyone -- the one channel of communication.
Except that there are at least 2 channels for the Bulletin. The paper one,
AND the (current -and better!!) online one. Implimenting my suggestion
would decrease the amount spend on printing and postage (over 200k of
approx 265k based on the last financial statement I looked at in Inter Loc
)
> Other publications you have to request to get, like the Interloc.
>
> Tracking those who don't want is more difficult that it sounds as far a
> mass maillings go.
No. It is not. It requires one additional (Boolean) field in the member
database and one additional criteria on the where clause that generates
the mailing labels (and the same for the query that produces the count of
the # needed). That field could be updated at the same time that the rest
of the member data is updated every year when people return the survey
that comes with the renewal letter.
I happen to program for a living, and have done the exact thing outlined
above. Admittedly, not for a distribution of approx 50k. My stepfather,
however, does EXACTLY[1] (Specifically takes files from clients, mailing
criteria, and the item(s) to be mailed - And does so)that for a living.
If the organization wants to do it the way it does, that's thier choice,
but please don't insult the membership's intelligence. IMO, things like
that are a contributing factor to "inactive members" and soon-to-be-former
members deciding that they would rather have a meal for two at a nice
restaurant.
> Mary
[1] Interesting piece of trivia --Zip code order, for which sorting the
post office gives you a discount, is NOT strictly numerical.
Bill Vajk
> On Wed, 15 Jan 2003 17:44:16 -0500, Mary wrote:
>>The last answer to that included:
>>The Bulletin is not produced in a manner than is writeable to pdf.
> I assume (with all the inherent dangers thereof!) that at some point in
> time, it is in a word processor....Also, Inter Loc seems to be produced in
> a manner that is consistent w/pdf...perhaps they could use that method.
It is another example of "you can't get there from here."
Bystander
curious about this newsgroup. I just wanted to find out if this was a
predominately Mensa group or one like the other Mensa newsgroup which I
discovered was racist and not made up of Mensa members. I do hide my email
address for many valid reasons. If I establish a friendship with people on
the net then I will give them my real email address and identity. I do not
need sarcastic email in my inbox everyday. I can see that I am not missing
anything here. Sorry for the trouble but it is curious that an innocent post
like mine generated one of your larger threads.
Joseph
been
here for a couple of years now. If my memory serves me well about 80 to
90
percent are members. about 99 percent (member or not) qualify (of
regular
posters, especially long term). maybe you are too quick to judge, and
on
an inappropriate criteria (the answers you got to a snoopy question).
lurk a while you may find this is a nice place. maybe the real issue is
that you are too new to usenet newsgroups, explore some.
Joseph
Bystander wrote:
>
> "rian" <ri...@infocom.demon.nl> wrote in message
> news:b05lde$i...@chicago.us.mensa.org...
> > I just felt a sarcasm-attack coming up! That's all folks!
> > I am human.
> > --
> > Cole's Axiom: The sum of the intelligence on the planet is a constant.
> > The population is growing.
> > Rian
> >
Joseph
years. just tell me how.
Joseph
Catharine Honeyman wrote:
>
> "Bystander" <Byest...@cs.com> wrote:
> > I am just curious as to which of the regular posters were mensa members.
> > Not that it matters but I am curious as to whether this newsgroup was
> > used predominantly by Mensans or non Mensans.
>
> I was a Mensa member, but now that I don't care about it any more, I have
> let my membership lapse. That plus I don't have a spare $50 for it.
>
Steven
> Value for one, may not be value for all. I have received from Mensans
> much more than the measly membership dues. In fact, last year I opted
> to bite the bullet and I am not a life member.
Shouldn't that be "now a life member"?
I gather there is some formula for life membership or different prices for
different age groups.
I've only seen one or three year membership prices here.
Steve
Steven L.
>predominately Mensa group or one like the other Mensa newsgroup which I
>discovered was racist and not made up of Mensa members. I do hide my email
>address for many valid reasons. If I establish a friendship with people on
>the net then I will give them my real email address and identity. I do not
>need sarcastic email in my inbox everyday. I can see that I am not missing
>anything here. Sorry for the trouble but it is curious that an innocent post
>like mine generated one of your larger threads.
>
>
here, consider that a proof that there are Mensans here, SOP is, if you want
to know about the group, lurk a while, then introduce yourself and ask your
question, if you were to lurk a while or check out the archives, you would
know this is nowhere near a long thread, for m-t-m, lastly the ng is changing,
humans can be resistant to change, Mensan humans can be more so.
Steven L.
Jeffrey Meyer
"Mary" <dev...@us.mensa.org> wrote in message
news:i3703vg4s0iq72f69...@4ax.com...
> On 18 Jan 2003 10:29:28 -0600, "Steven"
> <.s.t.e.v.e.n.@.a.u.m.e.n.s.a.o.r.g> wrote:
>
> >"Mary" <dev...@us.mensa.org> wrote
> >> Value for one, may not be value for all. I have received from Mensans
> >> much more than the measly membership dues. In fact, last year I opted
> >> to bite the bullet and I am not a life member.
> >
> >
> >Shouldn't that be "now a life member"?
>
>
> >
> >I gather there is some formula for life membership or different prices
for
> >different age groups.
>
>
> >
> >I've only seen one or three year membership prices here.
>
> online renewing form. You put in your birthdate, and it computes it
> for you.
>
> Obviously, it is not cheap. <G>
It is if you're 85.
--
Jeffrey
>
> Mary
>
> >
> >Steve
> >
>