MEET THE MEMBERLANA LEE SFRM’s Webmaster, Member at Large, and Publicity Chair What was the moment when you decided to become a Mensa member?I remember sitting on my couch with my friend Karen commiserating about how bored we were. Karen suddenly said “We should join Mensa!”. I just laughed thinking that the group was beyond my reach. But one day, I decided to look at the American Mensa website…and the rest is history! I’m still trying to convince Karen to join. What is something we don’t know about you that you’d like to share?When I was in grade school, one of my hobbies was collecting autographs. I’d save my allowance to buy authenticated signed photographs of celebrities; my favorites are those from Bob Hope and Jimmy Stewart. What’s your favorite moment as a Mensan (or what is your favorite Mensa event)?I like going to Mensa events because I never feel like I have to downplay my accomplishments or intelligence. It’s nice having conversations with people who “get it” the first time without my having to explain things in-depth. What’s your worst moment as a Mensan?By nature, I’m a shy introverted extrovert, and I remember attending my first AG in Portland (2011) hardly knowing anyone or even knowing what to expect. Everyone seemed to know other people and there were a lot of pre-established groups. That experience motivated me to form the SFRM GenX SIG, of which I’m the co-coordinator, and be mindful of first-time attendees. What’s the one suggestion you’d like to make to make Mensa better?We need more SIGs for people to connect with each other as well...
MEET THE MEMBERCYNTHIA WILCOX What was the moment when you decided to become a Mensa member? It was all rather spontaneous. I went to sit for the test, hoping to get my IQ score. As soon as I handed over my check and filled out the registration form, the proctor announced that Mensa no longer issued IQ scores. I was too embarrassed to ask for my check back and walk out, so I stayed and took the test anyway. Weeks later, when I got my invitation in the mail, I thought why not?” and I decided to sign up. I have been a member for over a decade now. What is something we don’t know about you that you’d like to share? When I get bored, I like to write backwards. Many of my teachers in high school said they had to read my essays using the bathroom mirror. What’s your favorite moment as a Mensan (or what is your favorite Mensa event)? At my first AG, I ended up up chatting the night away in the GenX room with Mensans from all over the globe. We had this fascinating discussion that spanned dark matter, philosophy, skiing, opera, Porsches, and Scandinavian heavy metal drummers. It’s great having such eclectic discussions with others who can not only keep up, but also broaden our horizons. What’s your worst moment as a Mensan? Showing up to proctor a test at a library on a beautiful Saturday afternoon and everyone but two people canceled. It made me very bummed I couldn’t be spending those hours hiking instead. What’s the one suggestion you’d like...