Common Mensa Terms glossary
Some specific to lone star mensa
Compiled by Crockett Grabbe 7/17/2011, with updates by Leslie Stevenson 5/2015
LSM = Lone Star Mensa is the local Mensa group for Central Texas.
Lone Star Mensa covers a wide geographical area including:
Austin, Bastrop, Belton, Brenham, Bryan, Cedar Park, College Station, Gatesville, Georgetown, Hillsboro, Killeen, La Grange, Lampasas, Round Rock, San Marcos, Temple, Waco, and everything between.
AMC = American Mensa Committee, essentially the National Board of Directors, which meets 4 times a year. (Sometimes this is used to refer to Chairman or Chief Executive of that Committee).
AG = Annual Gathering of American Mensa. The AG is a Mensa convention normally held on the week of July 4th every year, and it's location varies around the country. It is filled with fun and intellectual festivities for all Mensans and their guests for a registration fee. A close hotel is available for all travelers at Mensan discounted rates, and the event is hosted by a local group. This is normally held in following the annual American Mensa Colloquium, which is a day-long educational event is also open to the general public.
To learn more about the American Mensa Annual Gathering, click HERE
ASIE = Actions Still in Effect, decisions by the AMC or the local ExComm that affect current & future policy.
Assistant LocSec = or "Vice President" for the local Mensa unit (eg LSM), which derived from the British term "Local Secretary".
Colloquium: col·lo·qui·um (noun): a usually academic meeting at which specialists deliver addresses on a topic or on related topics and then answer questions relating to them. — Merriam-Webster In 1980, American Mensa's then-Chairman Gabe Werba proposed an annual Colloquium, saying, "I want to stimulate within Mensa a climate of intellectual excitement in which concepts can be explored, dialogues can be started and ideas can be generated that will move us in new directions."
The first Colloquium was held in October 1982, citing as its purpose: To offer a forum for any interested Mensan to explore, debate, evaluate and offer judgment on a major issue of long-range importance to society.
Using the format of that first event as a springboard, each Colloquium has made changes, learning from previous experiences and adding new features. Colloquium participants come primed to discuss whatever topic is presented, not primarily to socialize — although there is also ample time to do that. This day-long educational event is also open to the general public.
To learn more about the American Mensa Annual Colloquium, click HERE
ExComm = Executive Committee, a name for the Board of Officers, such as that in LSM.
LDW = Leadership Development Workshop: courses to improve skills & knowledge for Local Group officers & Mensans.
American Mensa's Leadership Development Workshop resources can be found HERE
Local Board = Board of Directors or Officers for a Local Group, eg LSM.
Lone Star Mensa's Local Board of Officers are elected each year by LSM member votes, and serve 2-year overlapping terms (currently we have 8 board members with 4 board members being elected each year).
Local Group = a geographically defined local chapter of American Mensa, eg LSM.
Local Groups in Texas include:
06-750 - North Texas Mensa
06-754 - East Texas Mensa
06-760 - Mensa 76
06-770 - Gulf Coast Mensa
06-780 - South Texas Mensa
06-786 - Lone Star Mensa
06-794 - Lubbock Mensa
06-797 - Permian Basin Mensa
06-798 - Paso del Norte Mensa
06-870 - New Mexico Mensa
LocSec = or "President" for the the Local Mensa Group (eg LSM), which derived from the British term "Local Secretary".
LSM = Lone Star Mensa is the local Mensa group for Central Texas.
Lone Star Mensa covers a wide geographical area including:
Austin, Bastrop, Belton, Brenham, Bryan, Cedar Park, College Station, Gatesville, Georgetown, Hillsboro, Killeen, La Grange, Lampasas, Round Rock, San Marcos, Temple, Waco, and everything between.
LSM Board of Officers = Lone Star Mensa's board consisting of LocSec (or "President"), Asst LocSec (or "Vice-President"), Secretary, Treasurer, past LocSec, senior officers and standing committee chairmen.
Proctors = the monitors/administrators of the Mensa sponsored tests.
One of the most important elements of American Mensa is the Proctor system and our Proctors perform a valuable service on behalf of Mensa. Our Proctor Network consists of several hundred proctors who administer the supervised tests to qualify prospects for Mensa membership. Each month, many prospective Mensans are given proctored tests by one of these approved administrators who, quite often, are the first Mensa contact these prospects may make.
Region = an area covering several American Mensa Local Groups, one of 10 such areas in the US.
Lone Star Mensa is part of Region 6, which encompasses all Mensa groups in the Southwest region of the United States, including: Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.
RG = Regional Gathering, a time at a designated regional location of intellectual festivities for all Mensans at a very modest fee, intended for a region of the country. A close hotel is available for all travelers at Mensan rates, and these are hosted by a local Mensan unit, many volunteers from which devote time towards its success.
National Office = the administrative headquarters of American Mensa in Arlington, TX.
RVC = Regional Vice Chair, the representative of the Local Groups within a region to the American Mensa Board.
SIG = Special Interest Group in Mensa, for Mensans to pursue hobbies & special interests.
SIGHT = Service of Information, Guidance, and Hospitality to Travelers was proposed and founded in June 1967 by June Alexander Solntseff, then living in Australia. Her proposal was reminiscent of an idea proposed in 1959 by Victor Serebriakoff, one of Mensa's most influential leaders. It is one of the most interesting and rewarding services Mensa offers as part of membership.
As an international service, SIGHT allows members to enjoy the company and hospitality of Mensans from around this country and from more than 40 other countries.
Our members are encouraged to experience the SIGHT program both as hosts and as guests.
Find out more about the SIGHT program HERE
WG = World Gathering: a Mensa convention that is hosted by the National Mensa Organization.
LSM = Lone Star Mensa is the local Mensa group for Central Texas.
Lone Star Mensa covers a wide geographical area including:
Austin, Bastrop, Belton, Brenham, Bryan, Cedar Park, College Station, Gatesville, Georgetown, Hillsboro, Killeen, La Grange, Lampasas, Round Rock, San Marcos, Temple, Waco, and everything between.
AMC = American Mensa Committee, essentially the National Board of Directors, which meets 4 times a year. (Sometimes this is used to refer to Chairman or Chief Executive of that Committee).
AG = Annual Gathering of American Mensa. The AG is a Mensa convention normally held on the week of July 4th every year, and it's location varies around the country. It is filled with fun and intellectual festivities for all Mensans and their guests for a registration fee. A close hotel is available for all travelers at Mensan discounted rates, and the event is hosted by a local group. This is normally held in following the annual American Mensa Colloquium, which is a day-long educational event is also open to the general public.
To learn more about the American Mensa Annual Gathering, click HERE
ASIE = Actions Still in Effect, decisions by the AMC or the local ExComm that affect current & future policy.
Assistant LocSec = or "Vice President" for the local Mensa unit (eg LSM), which derived from the British term "Local Secretary".
Colloquium: col·lo·qui·um (noun): a usually academic meeting at which specialists deliver addresses on a topic or on related topics and then answer questions relating to them. — Merriam-Webster In 1980, American Mensa's then-Chairman Gabe Werba proposed an annual Colloquium, saying, "I want to stimulate within Mensa a climate of intellectual excitement in which concepts can be explored, dialogues can be started and ideas can be generated that will move us in new directions."
The first Colloquium was held in October 1982, citing as its purpose: To offer a forum for any interested Mensan to explore, debate, evaluate and offer judgment on a major issue of long-range importance to society.
Using the format of that first event as a springboard, each Colloquium has made changes, learning from previous experiences and adding new features. Colloquium participants come primed to discuss whatever topic is presented, not primarily to socialize — although there is also ample time to do that. This day-long educational event is also open to the general public.
To learn more about the American Mensa Annual Colloquium, click HERE
ExComm = Executive Committee, a name for the Board of Officers, such as that in LSM.
LDW = Leadership Development Workshop: courses to improve skills & knowledge for Local Group officers & Mensans.
American Mensa's Leadership Development Workshop resources can be found HERE
Local Board = Board of Directors or Officers for a Local Group, eg LSM.
Lone Star Mensa's Local Board of Officers are elected each year by LSM member votes, and serve 2-year overlapping terms (currently we have 8 board members with 4 board members being elected each year).
Local Group = a geographically defined local chapter of American Mensa, eg LSM.
Local Groups in Texas include:
06-750 - North Texas Mensa
06-754 - East Texas Mensa
06-760 - Mensa 76
06-770 - Gulf Coast Mensa
06-780 - South Texas Mensa
06-786 - Lone Star Mensa
06-794 - Lubbock Mensa
06-797 - Permian Basin Mensa
06-798 - Paso del Norte Mensa
06-870 - New Mexico Mensa
LocSec = or "President" for the the Local Mensa Group (eg LSM), which derived from the British term "Local Secretary".
LSM = Lone Star Mensa is the local Mensa group for Central Texas.
Lone Star Mensa covers a wide geographical area including:
Austin, Bastrop, Belton, Brenham, Bryan, Cedar Park, College Station, Gatesville, Georgetown, Hillsboro, Killeen, La Grange, Lampasas, Round Rock, San Marcos, Temple, Waco, and everything between.
LSM Board of Officers = Lone Star Mensa's board consisting of LocSec (or "President"), Asst LocSec (or "Vice-President"), Secretary, Treasurer, past LocSec, senior officers and standing committee chairmen.
Proctors = the monitors/administrators of the Mensa sponsored tests.
One of the most important elements of American Mensa is the Proctor system and our Proctors perform a valuable service on behalf of Mensa. Our Proctor Network consists of several hundred proctors who administer the supervised tests to qualify prospects for Mensa membership. Each month, many prospective Mensans are given proctored tests by one of these approved administrators who, quite often, are the first Mensa contact these prospects may make.
Region = an area covering several American Mensa Local Groups, one of 10 such areas in the US.
Lone Star Mensa is part of Region 6, which encompasses all Mensa groups in the Southwest region of the United States, including: Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.
RG = Regional Gathering, a time at a designated regional location of intellectual festivities for all Mensans at a very modest fee, intended for a region of the country. A close hotel is available for all travelers at Mensan rates, and these are hosted by a local Mensan unit, many volunteers from which devote time towards its success.
National Office = the administrative headquarters of American Mensa in Arlington, TX.
RVC = Regional Vice Chair, the representative of the Local Groups within a region to the American Mensa Board.
SIG = Special Interest Group in Mensa, for Mensans to pursue hobbies & special interests.
SIGHT = Service of Information, Guidance, and Hospitality to Travelers was proposed and founded in June 1967 by June Alexander Solntseff, then living in Australia. Her proposal was reminiscent of an idea proposed in 1959 by Victor Serebriakoff, one of Mensa's most influential leaders. It is one of the most interesting and rewarding services Mensa offers as part of membership.
As an international service, SIGHT allows members to enjoy the company and hospitality of Mensans from around this country and from more than 40 other countries.
Our members are encouraged to experience the SIGHT program both as hosts and as guests.
Find out more about the SIGHT program HERE
WG = World Gathering: a Mensa convention that is hosted by the National Mensa Organization.