An international society for people with exceptional intelligence, Mensa was founded in England after WWII for three purposes:
- To identify and foster human intelligence for the general benefit of humanity;
- To promote research in the nature, characteristics and uses of intelligence;
- To render intellectual stimulation in social activities for members.
Our local region covers western Tennessee, northern Mississippi and northeastern Arkansas. We have about 300 members throughout the area, mostly in Memphis and its suburbs.
We get together at various events, including the monthly meeting (usually with a guest speaker) and a weekly "happy hour" social.
We sponsor several Special Interest Groups (SIGs) including a book club, a Financial discussion group, a Cooking 101 "class," and M-Friends (motto: "Just for the fun of it!")
as well as dinners at various local restaurants and parties. Of course, we also chatter online, on our own Yahoo, Facebook and Google+ pages.
Regionally, the United States is divided into 10 areas, each with an elected national representative known as a Regional Vice Chairman (RVC). Each regional
group may have Regional Gatherings which draw people from across the US for several days of speaker forums, parties and more parties.
Memphis Mensa is one of nineteen groups in region 5.
Nationally, American Mensa has 52,000+ members with the only criterion for membership
being a score in the top 2% on an accepted standardized IQ test. There is no age restriction.
As a Mensa member you can attend our national Annual Gathering that draws two thousand Mensans for a week-long convention of games, socializing, and seminars on every imaginable topic.
Colloquium
offers a face-to-face forum for any interested Mensan to explore, debate, evaluate and offer judgment on a major issue of long-range importance to society.
Mensans can choose from about 150 Special Interest Groups, online or by-mail discussion fora on everything from astrophysics to zymurgy. Politics, too, although Mensa itself has no opinions.
You'll receive our national magazine, the Bulletin,
and can request the Mensa Research Journal as well as other publications.
Culture Quest®
has been called "a trivia contest on steroids" -- it's a nationwide team challenge promoting cultural literacy.
Mind Games® is an intense weekend of play where Mensans judge and critique games released in the past year and award the coveted Mensa Select® seal to the
top five.
The Gifted Children Resource Program
serves as a source of information for parents, teachers and gifted children.
The Mensa Education and Research Foundation (MERF)
awards annual scholarships to worthy college students.
Mensa's Project Inkslinger®
collects and distributes books for public and school libraries across the country.
Internationally, S.I.G.H.T. — the Service
of Information, Guidance and Hospitality to Travelers, allows members to enjoy the company and hospitality of Mensans within the US and 40 other countries.
WorldConnect
pairs cities or Local Groups around the world with "sister" cities or Local Groups that would enjoy, and possibly benefit from, the connection.
Mensa International offers a connection to Mensans globally.
And finally, Mensa offers a once in a lifetime World Gathering
