From the LocSec
By
August 2008
In some ways, Mensans are very much alike—we all have scored well on an intelligence (or equivalent) test. And there are correlates to the high scores - we tend to be a well-educated, literate bunch (and I'd bet that we skew high on income).
In other ways, we are very diverse. After all, we don't require any commonality to join except for the test score and the willingness to pay dues - no voting anyone in to membership, no requirement for a recommendation to join. Quite simply, we take 2% of all sorts. And that means that we have a huge variety of skills, interests, and occupations.
Twice a year, the National Office sends us a listing of information provided on members' Personal Data Questionnaires ("PDQs"). Here's a summary of some of what came this summer; realize that not every member has provided information in all categories, or authorized its release to the local group; still, I think this highlights our diversity.
Marital status - 36 members report never having married, while 98 report that they are currently married. 29 are divorced, 2 are separated, 7 are widowed, and 1 is living with a partner.
Children at home - 105 members are childless or empty nesters. 18 members have one child at home, 8 have two, 7 have 3, and one member reports 4 children at home.
Foreign language ability - 51 members list ability in one or more foreign languages (21 of whom list two foreign languages - the system won't show more than that). The most common languages listed are French (27), German (17), and Spanish (16). Four members list Latin, 2 each list Dutch, Japanese, and Russian, and Hindi and Vietnamese are each listed once.
So many occupation codes are listed that I won't try to list them all. The most common listing is from our 12 retired members, followed by 8 who say that their occupation is not listed among the options. Here are the major groupings, with indications of specific occupations showing 4 or more: Administration, 25 (CEO 5); Arts, 6; Writer/editor, 6; Computer, 16 (programmer, 4); Construction, 2; Education, 16 (secondary school faculty, 7); Engineering, 14 (electrical/electronic, 4, and "other," 4); Financial, 7; Lawyers, 6; Mechanical, 1; Medical, 14 (physician/surgeon, 5); Production, 2; Protective, 2; Sales, 7; Science, 8; Service, 5; Sports, 1; Support, 4; Technician, 2; Therapist, 1; and Transportation, 3. We also have 2 full time students and 3 full time homemakers.
I'll save a summary of the interest codes for another month - since each person can list six of them, there’s a lot of data there.
And there is no better way to meet the varied members of Cincinnati Area Mensa than to come to our activities! Check the calendar - we have a full variety this month, highlights include the Queen's Croquet over Labor Day Weekend, and a visit to Vent Haven where we smarties will visit (ventriloquists') dummies. Later this year, we will host our highly acclaimed Regional Gathering December 4-6; plan now to attend. (The best way to get to know other attendees at an RG is to volunteer! Stephanie Link is volunteer coordinator this year; contact her if you’d like to sign up - prime slots are still available.)
--Rick Magnus
CAM LocSec