La Plume de NOM for July/August, 2005

PONTIFICATIONS

Well, it’s finally here. It’s time for MensAGumbo! After a year of hard work and preparation, by both NOMs and Baton Rouge Mensa (BROMs?) it’s time for us to show the rest of the country how to party. (We’ve also got some great speakers and programs lined up.) Go to http://ag.us.mensa.org/ and read all about it. Then register! You don’t want to miss this one.

At the June NOM Night, the revised bylaws passed unanimously. Many thanks to Phil Wilking who spearheaded this effort.

Congratulations to our new Regional Vice Chairman, Ray O’Connor. Ray has been a member of Mensa since 1985. He’s been a Proctor Coordinator for North Texas Mensa and a National SIGs Officer. He’s been Hospitality Chair for many regional gatherings. You may remember Ray from our recent RG. He’s the one who was preparing and serving delicious food in hospitality. Ray loves to cook and to have fun. Sounds like a good match for our group.

Fiscal Report of NOM

The mid-year fiscal report can be found here: July 2005 fiscal report

Minutes of New Orleans Mensa Meeting

Taken June 11, 2005

LocSec Rene Petersen called the meeting to order at 8:10 p.m. on June 11, 2005 at the home of AsstLocSec Sharon Kirkpatrick, New Orleans, Louisiana.

The first order of business was the ratification of the proposed new Bylaws of New Orleans Mensa. Frederick Hatfield was appointed Election Officer. After discussion, Hatfield called for a vote and the fourteen (14 ) voting members present all voted for ratification of the proposed new Bylaws with none against and no abstentions. At that time, the two absentee ballots were opened and each ballot read “Approved”. Treasurer Phil Wilking announced that he would notify Mensa National Headquarters of the ratification.

Secondly, Loretta Levine of the AG Committee asked for volunteers to work the registration desk at the upcoming AG, July 6-10, 2005.

There being no further other old or new business, the meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

Anne C. Barr, Secretary

Regional Vice Chairman's Report - July 2005

As this is my first RVC report, I'd like to thank all who voted for me in the election. I will do my best to serve region six as your representative on the AMC. It seems as if a major goal of this year's AMC will be risk management. I will share with you all that I am permitted and ask for your input.

I hope to see many of you at the AG. I'm easy to find. I'll either be with the AMC or in hospitality. I'll be supervising the breakfast team each day in hospitality and coordinating the 8:00 PM snack attacks. If you are going to be at the AG, don't miss our chocolate fountains on Friday and Saturday evening.

The major goal of my term as your representative will be to strengthen our Mensa Admissions Testing program. Please share with me your ideas for how to accomplish this very desirable task. Please encourage any potential proctors to contact me.

I have nominated John Neemidge as my Assistant RVC for region 6. Please feel free to communicate with either of us about your concerns and suggestions.

Ray O'Connor, RVC6
RVC6@us.mensa.org

Region Activities:

Lone Star Mensa's Seven Deadly Sins RG, September 2 to September 5. This will be their seventh RG and we hope the best. Contact
registrar@lsm.us.mensa.org. The registration rate of $50 increases to $55 on July 15, so don't delay.

North Texas Mensa's Feast of Pleasures and Delights RG, November 24 to November 27. We hope to be allowed to have the chocolate fountains at the (Out of this World) Science Fiction Theme Dance on Saturday evening. The super special registration rate of $25 expires July 31. That is the same as the one-day rate. Don't miss this bargain. Contact CWedgwood@aol.com.

MensAGumbo is Here!

MensAGumbo is here! New Orleans Mensa and Baton Rouge Mensa are hosting our national convention at the Sheraton New Orleans from Wednesday July 6 through Sunday morning July 10.With a full schedule of speakers and presentations (generally four or five simultaneously throughout the day), dances, dinners, movies, tours, and the world’s greatest Hospitality Room open all day and most of the night, this is definitely THE place to be in New Orleans the first full week in July.

If you can’t make the whole convention, come on down for a day or two, anyway. Daily registration is $25 and entitles you to all activities taking place that day. The Sheraton is discounting its valet parking, and there are numerous lots with reasonable all-day rates, particularly along O’Keefe Ave., a few blocks from the Sheraton. For Saturday and Sunday the Bank One Center (Place St. Charles), corner of Gravier and St Charles Sts., offers a weekend $3.50 all day rate one block from the Sheraton.

And don’t forget to bring the kids. Kids’ Trek is a full program of activities for children every day. The program this year focuses on Louisiana folklore, traditions, and ethnography.

For a full schedule of events, please go to the official AG website at: http://ag.us.mensa.org/ . Click on “Programs,” then click on “View All day by day.”

We want you to have a safe AG, so remember the motto of the National Association of Mathematicians: