Campaign Statement of Ian Hadley
And my statement:
It may be apposite that Ian is from Oxford, UK. This is where
Mensa began. Perhaps it is time to return to our roots.
We believe that International Mensa has two roles to perform.
The first is introspective and protective in nature; the second expansive
and outward looking. Both are concerned with the future welfare and wellbeing
of the society.
To address the former, we see the International group as being at the
forefront of protecting the copyright and intellectual property of Mensa
across all national boundaries in the world. This cannot be done
effectively at a national level.
From the perspective of the latter, we believe that Mensa needs to expand
to embrace its full potential. 2% of the populace does not
mean 2% of UK or USA. It means 2% of the human race if it means anything.
Whilst Mensa has no opinions, it does adhere to the idea that
its membership can think, regardless of the issue or content of that thought.
There are still many communities on our Earth which do not subscribe to
the notion that the populace can think and so choose to think for them.
We would see Mensa demonstrate them wrong.
We would also like to see:
a return to the roots of Mensa, offering a more community-minded image
to the public, encouraging members worldwide to assist the community
with projects concerning intelligence. We would hope to overcome community
attitudes regarding the "Tall Poppy Syndrome", a syndrome which has all
but disappeared in the sporting arena and the musical world, but which
lingers on with regard to intelligence in many countries, forming a community
barrier to the fostering of bright minds.
greater administrative support for new Mensa organisations.
Too often new groups start with a bright flame, but after the initial
success, lapse and fade into obscurity once more. While it is important
to develop Mensa in new areas, we also believe that sustained administrative
support for these fledgling organisations is crucial; that those partially-developed
organisations should be carefully nurtured and not left to wither.
increased support for officers should be increased at the international
level for the benefit of all Mensas. Volunteer officers are the lifeblood
of our organisation and are our most valuable assets. They are an
integral part of our infrastructure.
increased financial support for the International Journal, which is often
the only point of contact for members; greater assistance with both
electronic and traditional distribution of the IJ.
more concentrated effort put to the development of Mensa internationally
in Cyberspace. The purpose is twofold, reflecting Mensa's two roles.
Not only should we be assisting member countries to enter a Mensa cyberworld
where they can instantly meet fellow members without regard to geographic
restrictions, thus expanding the concept of a 'global village'; we
should also be examining our second, 'outward' role. The internet is where
the future lies; Mensans should be amongst the forerunners of electronic
communication. Cyberspace is a vast universe of uncharted lands. It is
those of us who use it today who will be forming the codes of ethics governing
the Cyberspace of the future. Mensa should be an integral part
of that future.
Mensa is above all, a community of kindred spirits. It transcends
national boundaries and ethnic norms. It embraces philosophical and
political positions which are at once traditional and also radically new.
It provides for a huge spectrum of thought - but it does above all, provide
for thought. It is this that we must strive to protect and to promote,
and to engender in places which would suppress it.
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