Friday, January 27, 2012 (Not precise enough for ya?) (OK, how 'bout this?)

  Welcome to the digital town common of New Hampshire Mensa. We're the Granite State's (and until recently, the Pine Tree State's) chapter of Mensa, the international society made up of people from all walks of life who share a single common bond: achievement of a score in the top 2% on one of many standardized intelligence tests. From that common bond in an otherwise diverse group comes a common purpose: sharing the enjoyment of pursuits that stimulate the mind.

Mensa is not a "think tank," and is entirely apolitical. It's primarily a social group, through which many great friendships come into being. Benefits of membership include a national magazine, local newsletters, over 150 national special interest groups, and local, national and international events, just for starters. Mensa is a place where nobody has to hide their intelligence. Here's a pretty good description.

Officially, NH Mensa is part of Region One of American Mensa, which in turn is part of Mensa International. There's some great general information about Mensa on the Mensa International web site. There's also some more specific information about the benefits of membership on the American Mensa web site, and info about our neighboring chapters on the Region One web site.

We currently have somewhere in the vicinity of 350 members in our chapter. If you're not one of those members yet, have a look around. Check out the Member Benefits page for some of the perks, and our local Events pages for an idea of how we pass the time. Then stop by the Admissions Testing Sessions page to see how you can join in the fun!

Earthshakingly Important Stuff, Just Below the Fold

www nh.us.mensa.org

The 2010~2011 NH winners of MERF chapter scholarships are:
Monica Vendituli - a local scholarship of $500
Jamie King - a local scholarship of $200
The 2010~2011 NH winners of national and regional scholarships are:
Parker Raus of Gilford, NH - Grosswirth-Salny Scholarship, $500
Jamie King of Wentworth, NH - Diana Mossip Memorial Scholarship, $300
Congratulations to all of our New Hampshire Mensa winners! 

This just in from the Local Office:
RG Proposals Sought.  Persons wishing to make a proposal for the setting and plans for the next NH RG can present them to the Executive Committee for consideration at either May or June's ExComm meetings, with a vote to accept at June's meeting.  ((There is a very strong likelihood the 2011 RG Chair will make a proposal, but all proposals will be considered.))

This just in from the Home Office:
Thanks to Mensa of Northeastern New York for hosting an exciting Mind Games this past weekend, 4/15~17/2011! About 300 Mensans gathered in Albany to play and rate 58 new board games. After tallying the votes on Sunday morning, five new games have earned Mensa Select distinction. They are:
InStructures (Jane's Games) - This is an exciting construction-themed game.
Pastiche (Gryphon Games) - Explore the paintings, palettes, and pasts of artists in this unique and challenging game for the whole family.
Pirate versus Pirate (Out of the Box Publishing) - Pirates have discovered an island brimming with treasure; conquer the island by capturing the gold and silver, or by eliminating enemy pirates.
Stomple (GaZima Games) - Outwit your opponents by stomping their marbles before they stomp yours!
Uncle Chestnut's Table Gype (Eternal Revolution) - An abstract strategy game with a random element.

It is with profoundly deep sadness that we're obliged to note the passing of NH Mensa's dear friend and long-time force of nature, life member Joe Zanca.

Joseph B. Zanca, 65, of Northfield, died suddenly Monday, March 28, 2011 at the Franklin Regional Hospital in Franklin after a long illness. Calling hours will be Friday, April 1, 2011 from 10am to noon at the William F. Smart Sr. Memorial Home, Franklin-Tilton Road in Tilton, NH. A committal service with military honors will be held at 2:00pm at the NH State Veterans Cemetery, 110 Daniel Webster Highway in Boscawen. Burial will follow. An online guestbook is available.

Those so moved may make memorial contributions to the MERF scholarship previously established to honor his considerable efforts in the promotion of education, and of which he was so proud:
Joe Zanca Scholarship
C/O MERF
1229 Corporate Dr. W
Arlington, TX 76006-6103

So long, Joe. You know you will be missed.

Attention harried schedulers! The NH Mensa website now employs a Google Calendar! You can find it linked from the main calendar page. If you already use Google Calendar, you'll appreciate the benefit of being able to now seamlessly and automatically integrate NH Mensa events to your personal itinerary. If you don't currently use Google Calendar, then you can go get yourself a free Google account, and find out what all the fuss is about (then get really silly and sync your calendar with your Blackberry!). Just follow the "+ Google Calendar" button in the bottom margin of the Calendar.

Now that you're pumped to volunteer (right?), NH Mensa's Executive Committee often isn't playing with a full slate (here's your chance for the inside track on next year's RG Chair honors!). Check out the currently open positions on the Officers page, then give our venerable a shout, or just show up at a monthly ExComm meeting and pull up a chair!

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