A little surprise--meaning more work--but it'll be good for me to get out

[shalanna]

I got a phone call earlier this evening, right in the middle of the new episode of South Park. Hubby would've preferred I take the call into the other room, but that was the corded kitchen wall phone. He wouldn't turn down the TV or leave the room, 'cause he suspected what had happened from the Caller ID info. . . .

. . . remember that meeting (the election) that I missed the other day 'cause I can't drive fast on busy busy roads at night in the dark? Well, I got elected anyway. (Whee!) It's going to be fun, but I'm a bit wary. Why are they being so nice to me?

I didn't mean to be coy about what organization it is. Lest ye think it is the KayKayKay or even the Young Republicans (okay, Middle-Aged), I shall reveal that it's the local chapter of Mensa, North Texas Mensa. For years, the group has had low participation. It has been rather like a clique of the people who have Been There Forever, and our mission is to open it up and have new members participate. There are events. People just don't feel welcomed (because the group has lots of non-social types who just don't realize that you have to go greet these newbies.) It's tough, because many of us feel that we have a friend or associate "plugged into" every slot we have available, and we just don't have time for any new friends . . . that's going to be a toughie. Also, to make changes means more work, so it'll be pushin' the rock upstairs to change the way things work. But I'm game to try.

The tacky part is that the friend who wanted me to run didn't get elected. :( She ran for President. During her election speech at the meeting I missed, she had someone who made rude comments. I am glad I missed that, 'cause I would have had to throw a pie, and then we'd have gotten banned from the KERA meeting room. I don't know the details, but the guy was basically heckling. He was supposed to wait until her three minutes were up and then ask questions, but he just made a few smart-ass remarks. I find it tough to believe that this happened and no one called him on it until after the meeting, in private . . . and it's really depressing. Phooey. She would have made a really GREAT President. No matter . . . she can still attend board meetings and I'll just bring up her concerns. I'll be a Member At-Large and that's what I'm supposed to do--bring members' ideas and concerns to the board.

But foobar . . . I can't envision her getting heckled. Usually I resort to the Jerry Lewis "I work alone" answer, and if that fails, turn to the Redd Foxx system of heckler control (distract heckler, then have "associate" whap them upside the head). Maybe it wasn't really as bad as she perceived it to be. The guy did agree, however, to write a letter of apology to everyone who was at that meeting.

Um, out of 900 members who receive the newsletter, 23 came to that election meeting.

I agree it was held way downtown and out of the way for most members (most of us live out in suburbia or the far Northlands), but wow. Somebody is NOT getting his/her dues' worth out of belonging. Maybe I can think of ways to get more participation. I've got a few in mind already.

Comments

[jackiejj.livejournal.com]

Congratulations on your election!

[ladyjaguar.livejournal.com]

Congratulations, but it's rather like being elected convention chair of a science-fiction convention: the one who leaves the meeting to go to the bathroom usually ends up with the job! (grin)

Knock some heads, stir up the pot, rouse the rabble, and have a good time.

Oh, yes -- and comfort the afflicted, and afflict the comfortable while you're at it. (grin)