Mentors in Mensa
AS WE LOOK toward the reopening of the world, I look forward to seeing, or meeting for the first time, some of the members who have positively affected my Mensa experience. We are all different, but most of us join Mensa for a few similar reasons: to meet like minds, to engage in those oh-so-unique conversations, to prove something to ourselves or to others…. Rarely does someone look to Mensa for mentoring, but I have found it intrinsic to our organization — not the official definition of a mentor or one with a title but a more casual and easy life experience. We have leadership development in the organization, but that experience tends to attract only those already in leadership positions. I’m talking about the way members deal with each other in real life. This casual mentoring has been more profound lately and also more visible. We’ve always had a surprisingly high percentage of members who were not interested in using technology, for whatever their reasons. Over the past year I have seen wonderful web meetings of all sorts. In so many recent RGs, mini-RGs, speaker presentations, and other activities now connecting us, help and instruction on the platform has been provided. Seeing the patience in instruction has been heartwarming — volunteers intent on making sure a member who hasn’t seen their friends in a long time will be able to participate. Thinking about this, I also thought back to the before times and if I still thought the same. Yes, I do; the mentoring was just more subtle and quiet. I’ve seen it in the weekly lunches, at Regional Gatherings, at the Annual Gathering. A local member needs help with something, and another member will teach or guide. Small things, big things. It also made me think about the Special Interest Groups within Mensa that also mentor in their own way, on a variety of subjects: investing, knitting, snow skiing, how to do Burning Man right…. Not only do our SIGs gather people with similar interests but also help members learn from and teach each other. So while we may not be focused on mentoring, we seem to do an awful lot of it. I’ve had some wonderful mentors in Mensa who have become great friends. Plus, I’m still learning every day and look forward to new mentors. Who have been some of your mentors? Someone who helped you with your taxes or taught you something you needed to know? I would love to hear about it. Please be safe, and, as always, I’m listening.