American Mensa

So you've browsed through the SIG list and no one has started a SIG for your favorite hobby, conversational topic, area of study, obsession, etc. Not to worry — founding a SIG is easy! There are a couple of necessary constraints, but you'll be sharing thoughts with other Mensans about your special interest in no time. Here's how:

Will the group be strictly online, or will you publish a newsletter? If so, how often? What should you charge to cover postage costs? What will you call the newsletter? For that matter, what will you call the SIG? Do you want to accept non-Mensan members or international members? Do you want to maintain a SIG Web site?

Once you've developed answers to these questions, you're ready to fill out the SIG Recognition Form and send it to the SIGs Officer. You'll have to sign off that you understand you can't make money on the strictly volunteer SIG program; that you'll keep the SIGs Officer up to date on your SIG's activities; that your SIG won't operate in conflict with any Mensa, state or federal laws; etc. If you have any questions about the form or about the way SIGs usually operate, feel free to ask the SIGs Officer.

The form includes a space to specify exactly what you want your SIG description to say online and in the semiannual Mensa Bulletin directory. Say concisely and precisely what will intrigue and entice Mensans to join. While you're at it, ask the SIGs Officer to feature your new SIG in the Bulletin's SIGs column.

As far as creating a SIG, that's all there is to it. As long as there are no major problems with your request, your SIG should be approved in a timely manner. Then you can get on with the fun stuff of running your SIG. Here are some tips on how to keep your new SIG officially recognized:

Maintain your American Mensa membership by paying your dues on time. Only American Mensa members can coordinate American Mensa SIGs.
Have a U.S. mailing address. You can live on Mars if you’d like, but SIG mail needs to come to a location in the United States.
Fill in and promptly return the SIG Annual Update form when you receive it. This usually asks how many members you currently have, how many newsletter issues you’ve sent out in the past six months, how many (or what percentage) of your membership are Mensans. It also gives you a chance to update your Bulletin listing, if necessary.
If you change your SIG contact information, be sure to tell the National Office, and your corrected information will appear in the next Bulletin SIGs column.
Send a copy of each newsletter to the National Office for archiving so that your hard work will be kept for posterity.
Finally, have fun! Coordinating a SIG should enrich your Mensa experience. When it’s no longer enjoyable, hand the SIG off to someone else.

How to Create a Special Interest Group