Mensa

Mensa is an international, not-for-profit organization for people who score at or above the 98th percentile on a standard test of intelligence. This is the only requirement for membership. Mensa's message for and example to educational leaders is simple: intelligence can flourish in social settings that promote its use and usefulness.

The goal of Mensa is to form a nonpolitical society free from any forms of discrimination. Founded in 1946 by Roland Berrill, a lawyer, and Dr. Lance Ware, a scientist and lawyer, Mensa is a society with the purposes of identifying and fostering intelligence, encouraging research, and promoting members' intellectual and social opportunities.

Mensans come from all walks of society. Some live in poverty. Others are multimillionaires. Age limits are nonexistent as preschoolers, high school dropouts, and octogenarians belong. In the United States, at least 5 million Americans are eligible for membership. To be a member in good standing, members must agree to abide by the Mensa constitution, pay the annual dues, and permit their names and addresses to be published in Mensa listings.

The organization believes that intelligence should be used for the benefit of humanity. As a result, the free expression of ideas and multiple points of view are encouraged. How do Mensans accomplish that? They get together and discuss ideas plus attend a variety of social functions sponsored by the organization. For example, in the United States, over 150 special interest groups (SIGs) exist. Some national events include the Colloquium, which offers members an opportunity to debate, evaluate, and study issues of importance to society. The Culture Quest is a 90minute test of cultural knowledge that takes place at the same time on the same day in both Canada and the United States. Every spring, national games competitions are held. Members select winners based on originality, game play, play value, aesthetics, and clarity of instructions.

As a forum for the exploration of opinions, Mensa rests on the idea that humans are social animals and that intelligence works better in stimulating social circles. Mensa also believes that intelligence can be measured. Intelligence, however, is not the same as goodwill, and Mensa has had its share of malcontents and mischief makers.

Mensa makes no attempt to define intelligence. However, it does encourage members to contribute to the field of intelligence and conduct research into the characteristics and uses of intelligence. The Mensa Education and Research Foundation (MERF) gives out five different awards for outstanding research, creative achievement, teaching, and writing. MERF also awards college scholarships. The Mensa lifetime achievement award recognizes those members who have contributed to the fields of giftedness, brain function, human intelligence, creativity, or intelligence testing over a period of 15 years or more. Other competitions are also available. The American chapter annually challenges Americans to find out how smart they are by taking a test administered at more than 100 locations.

The hierarchical structure of Mensa consists of an international general council, which includes the CEO of each national Mensa and the international chairman. This council meets annually. The international board of directors formulates policy and conducts Mensa's international growth and internal affairs. As of 2003, Mensa had active organizations in 40 countries.

...