Local Group Owl Award
In 1996, the American Mensa Committee voted to recognize Local Groups that displayed outstanding effort in the areas of membership growth and retention. Thus the Owl awards were started.
The Innovative Owl award is presented to the group demonstrating the highest membership retention compared to its previous year’s membership numbers. The Prolific Owl award is presented to the group earning the highest percentage of membership growth overall. The awards are officially announced each year at the Annual Gathering.
Owl Award Recipients
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| Year | Innovative Owl | Prolific Owl |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Vermont Mensa (96.43% retention) |
Tidewater Mensa (7.39% increase) |
| 2022 | Chattanooga Mensa (94.29% retention) |
Maine Mensa (12.2% increase) |
| 2021 | Sangamon Valley Mensa, Mensa Alaska (95.2% retention) |
South Mississippi Mensa (8% increase) |
| 2020 | South Dakota Mensa (93.9% retention) |
Northern Michigan Mensa (17.9% increase) |
| 2019 | Iowa-Illinois Mensa (99.2% retention) |
Maumee Valley Mensa (11.96% increase) |
| 2018 | Southwest by South Florida Mensa (92.5% retention) |
Northern Louisiana Mensa (4.05% increase) |
| 2017 | Smoky Mountain Mensa (87.1% retention) |
South Mississippi Mensa (14.29% increase) |
| 2016 | South Mississippi Mensa Tallahassee Mensa (97% retention) |
Columbia River Mensa (12% increase) |
| 2015 | Southwest by South Florida (93% retention) |
Fort Wayne Mensa (17% increase) |
| 2014 | Sangamon Valley Mensa (92.8% retention) |
Chattanooga Mensa (25% increase) |
| 2013 | Sangamon Valley Mensa (89.8% retention) |
Northern Louisiana Mensa (10.4% increase) |
| 2012 | Borderline Mensa (90.3% retention) |
Nebraska/Western Iowa Mensa (36.2% increase) |
| 2011 | Sangamon Valley Mensa (93.1% retention) |
Vermont Mensa (22.7% increase) |
| 2010 | South Dakota Mensa (92.7% retention) |
Western Pennsylvania Mensa (14.5% increase) |
| 2009 | Sangamon ValleyMensa (92% retention) |
North Dakota Mensa (30% increase) |
| 2008 | Permian Basin Mensa (96% retention) |
Southern Illinois Mensa (21% increase) |
| 2007 | Fort Wayne Mensa (92% retention) |
Piedmont Area Mensa (20% increase) |
| 2006 | North Alabama Mensa (92% retention) |
Evansville Area Mensa (21% increase) |
| 2005 | Borderline Mensa (92% retention) |
Mid-Michigan Mensa (21% increase) |
| 2004 | Fort Wayne Mensa (94% retention) |
Gainesville Area Mensa (27% increase) |
| 2003 | Smoky Mountain Mensa (90% retention) |
Columbia River Mensa (26% increase) |
| 2002 | Sangamon Valley Mensa (96% retention) |
Sangamon Valley Mensa (25% increase) |
| 2001 | South Mississippi Mensa (97% retention) |
North Dakota Mensa (45% increase) |
| 2000 | Upper East Tennessee Mensa (95% retention) |
Central New York Mensa (63% increase) |
Honorable Mentions
| Year | Innovative Owl | Prolific Owl |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Wyoming Mountain Mensa Sunflower Mensa |
|
| 2016 | Mid-Hudson Mensa | North Texas Mensa |
| 2015 | Greater Los Angeles Mensa South Dakota Mensa |
|
| 2014 | Channel Islands Mensa Heart of Illinois Mensa |
Channel Islands Mensa Triad Mensa |
| 2013 | Piedmont Area Mensa Southern Connecticut Mensa |
Northern Nevada Mensa French Broad Mensa |
| 2012 | Central Iowa Mensa Mississippi Mensa |
Central Iowa Mensa Gainesville Area Mensa |
| 2011 | Chattanooga Mensa Vandalia Mensa |
Vandalia Mensa Central Indiana Mensa |
| 2010 | Wyoming Mountain Mensa Sangamon Valley Mensa |
Vermont Mensa High Mountain Mensa |
| 2009 | Northern Michigan Mensa Evansville Area Mensa |
Southern Idaho Mensa Bluegrass Mensa |
| 2008 | Wyoming Mountain Mensa Central Pennsylvania Mensa |
Mensa of Jacksonville Montgomery/Wiregrass Mensa |
| 2007 | North Alabama Mensa North Dakota Mensa |
Columbia River Mensa Montgomery/Wiregrass Mensa |
| 2006 | Wyoming Mountain Mensa Smoky Mountain Mensa |
Illinois-Iowa Mensa Borderline Mensa |
| 2005 | Mensa Alaska Southern Illinois Mensa |
North Dakota Mensa Southern Nevada Mensa |
| 2004 | Heart of Illinois Mensa Permian Basin Mensa |
SW by South Florida Mensa Utah Mensa |
| 2003 | High Mountain Mensa Tallahassee Mensa |
Delaware Mensa Western Michigan Mensa |
| 2002 | Mensa of Jacksonville Panhandle Mensa |
High Mountain Mensa Wyoming Mountain Mensa |
| 2001 | Chattanooga Mensa Sangamon Valley Mensa |
Manasota Mensa South Mississippi Mensa |