Pleased to Meet You
May 2002
Mary W. Matthews
By now you may have noticed a few changes in the Sounding. Maxine Kushner is enriching her professional life, and I am privileged to take the reins of the newsletter from her.
I joined Mensa right out of college, and for more years than I care to recall, I was a closet member — all I ever did was read the Bulletin and my local group’s newsletter and occasionally contribute a column of language puzzles.
Then one day, Metropolitan Washington Mensa’s locsec phoned and asked me to run for publications officer in the election that would be held in about six weeks. Busy with plans for an upcoming vacation, I agreed — and when I got home, I was startled to learn I was running unopposed.
Becoming active in MWM was one of the best things I’ve ever done. I went to discussion groups, open houses, RGs, and of course ExComm meetings, along with some of the world’s best parties — heck, I met the love of my life at a Mensa party! For those of you who are still in the closet: Come on in. The water’s fine.
In summer 1999, my husband, Jerry Merchant, completed 30 years with the federal government and retired. We moved from Maryland to St. Petersburg — not a big deal for Jerry, a native Floridian who grew up an Air Force brat, but a very big deal for me, who had never before spent serious time away from the Washington, DC area.
I found myself 1,200 miles from home (my former home) as the car drives. I didn’t know a soul except for Jerry. I wasn’t used to cockroaches the size of Subarus and lizards that run across one’s window screens. I still thought the corruption Carl Hiaasen writes about so hilariously was exaggerated. I felt like a chocolate chip that had lost its cookie.
There was only one thing to be done: get active in Tampa Bay Mensa. I volunteered to be circulation officer, and the rest is history. And I was right — I’ve met dozens of charming, clever, scintillating people, I’ve learned the difference between Withlacoochie and Thonotosassa, and I’ve had a great time. It makes being a “recovering Yankee” much easier!
Mensa is like everything else in life: The more you invest in it, the more you’ll get out of it. Test the water this month by going to the Bash (May 24-27) — an RG is the best weekend-long party you’ll ever go to. Then look at the calendar and find an event or two you might enjoy. FSM is a great way to meet other Ms who care about our group and who get something accomplished. Try a party, a discussion group, a lunch bunch. Throw caution to the winds and host an event of your own! — Ms don’t need to live in House Beautiful to impress other Ms.
But, as they say, Just Do It. The only way a closet M is going to discover how much fun being out of the closet can be is to take a deep breath and open the door.
