From: werme@alliant.com (Ric Werme)
Subject: Re: Mensa national versus local, New York City
Organization: Alliant Computer Systems Corp.
Date: Mon, 27 Jul 1992 19:04:46 GMT

In article <1992Jul24.191433.8577@ttinews.tti.com> hollombe@polymath.tti.com (The Polymath) writes:
>In article <1992Jul22.141007.27275@nntpd.lkg.dec.com> edp@math.zko.dec.com (Eric Postpischil) writes:
>}... The amounts American Mensa provides will not pay for printing of
>}our newsletter (five standard 8.5 by 11 pages) at the cheapest service
>}in the area (New Hampshire).
>
>GLAAM manages to print and distribute thousands of copies of a 32 - 40
>page newsletter every month with available funds.

You have economies of scale we do not have.  Our mailing is only about 400
copies (330 members, 30+ AMC, 50 locally maintained (proctors, subscribers,
samples, etc.))  I believe last month we spent $200+ for 500 copies.  Treelady
will try to get a smaller run next month.

>The newsletter money from American Mensa is supposed to be enough to
>publish a calendar of local events and mail it out first class, period.

Personally, I agree that the newsletter subsidy should be inadequate.  It
provides encouragement for RGs and other activities.  Also, I've always
figured that the group support and flat grant were available for newsletter
stuff.  The flat grant, especially, was designed to help with newsletter
production.

>Financing anything more is up to the local group.  I suggest you start by
>applying for a 2nd class permit, as we did.

We have been mailing at second class rates for over 11 years.  My computer
fills in form 3541R, including the shaded gray area the post office is
supposed to fill in.  (It wins big brownie points with out local postmaster
and only slightly annoys the USPS auditors.)  About $50 a month.

> Then consider taking on some
>advertising for additional revenue, as we do.

We do too, but the $ amount is negligible.  Most advertisers aren't
interested in reaching 300 people.  (Though with 3 current and lapsed
members running for political office on the Libertarian ballots, we
do need to call attention to that!)

>}From the local group, I benefit from frequent events and new
>}acquaintances.  In contrast, I receive little from American Mensa except
>}the Bulletin, which is useful for RG announcements and little else. 
>}(The articles are occasionally entertaining, but not worth much.)

>American Mensa is what holds the local groups together as a national, and
>international, organization.  The books are open to inspection.  I doubt
>they waste much  How much would it cost to move the main office, hire new
>staff and train them?  How long would the difference in rent take to cover
>that expense?  What about hidden expenses and economies? (New York is a
>major metropolitan area.  Moving to East Podunk might save on rent but
>double the cost of obtaining office supplies).

Office supplies in NH are easy - call the local distributor and get them
tax free.  Judging from my last trip to New York, "major metropolitan area"
does not mean inexpensive.  Why did my Citibank Visa bill from South
Dakota and no Manhattan?

>}We should change how dues are distributed and move American Mensa out of
>}New York City.
>
>Maybe.  It's not a simple matter and there's more to consider than the
>obvious raw numbers.

I agree it's not something to do rashly, and apologize for not having a
better focus here.  It's just that your suggestion to get a 2nd class
permit sent my finger reaching for the F key.
-- 
| A pride of lions               | Eric J Werme                 |
| A gaggle of geese		 | 77 Tater St			|
| An odd lot of programmers      | Mont Vernon NH  03057	|
| A Constitution of Libertarians | Phone: 603-673-3993		|
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa