Local SIGs

(Special Interest Groups)

There is no “membership” in the local Special Interest Groups (SIGs). All SIG activities are open to any Mensan interested in that subject or activity. The acronym “SIG” may be applied at the discretion of the host to any regularly scheduled, Mensan-organized event or activity. If an activity is open to the general public, it will be stated in the announcement.

Mensans, their spouses, and accompanied guests may attend activities. Please observe requests for res­ervations. You are encouraged to contact the host before an event to assist in planning and to promote carpooling. Most events are non-smoking. Please observe smoking restrictions.

Note: Standing policy of both American Mensa and Chicago Area Mensa stipulates that, at parties held in private homes, the choice of who may attend is at the discretion of the host.

We currently offer these long-standing local SIGs as well as others:

• Futures and Fantasies
  F&F meets in odd numbered months, usually on the second Sunday, rotating between members' homes. Participants propose, select, and presumably read books in the science fiction and fantasy genres, as well as plain English science fact books (Hosted SIG).
  
• Poetry SIG
  Meets monthly usually during the evening of the second Friday. Participants read and discuss poetry, which is mailed out beforehand (Hosted SIG).
• Single Mensans Over Thirty-something (SMOT)
  A variety of activities for adults of many ages (Hosted SIG).
• Young Active Mensans (YAMs)
  Occasional activities for members in their twenties and thirties (Hosted SIG).

And then there are some newer ones like:

• Rainbow SIG
  A band of happy folk focusing on LGBTQ+ concerns and what LGBT+s have to offer (Hosted SIG).

In addition to the local SIGs, American Mensa also has numerous SIGs — interests include astronomy/astrophysics, beer, Shakespeare, aviation, Jimmy Buffett, poker, chess, motorcycles, Esperanto, renewable energy, and many more (see the American Mensa SIG Handbook for information on creating a national SIG). So you're bound to find a group that shares your interests.

If you find these activities intriguing but have not yet joined Mensa, please contact our Membership Chair.

Hosted SIGs

SIG Contact Information for Current Members

Communicating via Mensa Connect or E‑Mail Lists

Mensa Connect is the newest communications tool for Mensa members. To send and receive e-mails via Mensa Connect, you must first join a community (aka group). You will be automatically enrolled in certain communitities like the one for the Chicago Area Mensa. If, in the past, you signed up for an E-Mail List, you would have been transferred over to the community replacing that e-mail list. So join a community that reflects your interests. Once you join, you can see any prior communication and can initiate your own. You can opt out of any community you joined so there’s no harm in checking one out.

The long-supported, active e‑mail lists will eventually be transferred to Mensa Connect. But as long as they exist, they serve to facilitate communication amongst SIG/list members. Members sign up to be included on the list and receive e‑mails from others that have joined the list Then they can use the list to send out e‑mails to other members of that SIG/list. There is even an e‑mail list not based upon any particular interest or subject but one that enables members to voice their opinions or to enlighten other members, but most people have chosen to do so by join the various closed Mensa Facebook groups. Check out the lists and sign up for any that interest you. You can opt out any time you wish.

E-Mail List Information for Current Members

Organizing/Hosting Events

As a Mensan, you can organize events whenever you like and limit them to members of an e‑mail list or you can organize an event that includes all Mensans. If you'd like to include all Chicago Area Mensans, the best way is via ChiMe. That way you will reach not only those who have access to e‑mail, but all the members of Chicago Area Mensa. If you’d like to plan an event in June or later, and you'd like to get your event listed in ChiMe, on the calendar, in Meetup, and included in the CAM Weekly E-Mail, please contact the Activities Bulletin Editor . Refer to the ChiMe Submissions for details, and, if your event is scheduled in June, please check the submission deadline for publication in the June ChiMe (you still have 28 days to submit it). Any event in ChiMe will appear on Chicago Mensa Meetup. Missed the ChiMe deadline for your event? It's not too late to advertise an upcoming event for April or May. You can promote your event using Chicago Mensa Meetup by contacting the Activities Bulletin Editor . If you use Facebook, please notify the Activities Bulletin Editor  so that all members know. So whether it’s an impromptu event, something that’s just come to your attention you think Mensans would enjoy, or you’re just a procrastinator, you can still get the word out to try to get a group of your fellow Mensans together for a last minute event.

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