Mensa was founded in England in 1946 by Roland Berrill and Dr Lance Ware. They had the idea of forming a society for bright people, with the only qualification for membership being that high IQ. The original aim was, as it is today, to create a society that is non-political and free from all racial or religious distinctions. The Society therefore welcomes people from every walk of life, with the sole qualifier being an IQ in the top 2% of the population. Its objective is simply to enjoy each other's company while participating in a wide range of social and cultural activities.

Mensa has three stated purposes: to identify and foster human intelligence for the benefit of humanity; to encourage research into the nature, characteristics and uses of intelligence; and to promote stimulating intellectual and social opportunities for its members.

With more than 50,000 members, American Mensa is the largest national Mensa operating under the auspices of Mensa International, Ltd. There are currently more than 100,000 members worldwide.

American Mensa is divided into 10 regions. We are part of Mensa's Region 2, the Middle Atlantic region, which also includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, and Virginia.

Central Pennsylvania Mensa is one of four Mensa chapters in the state of Pennsylvania. The others are Western Pennsylvania Mensa, Lehigh Pocono Mensa, and Delaware Valley Mensa.

Here are some upcoming events in our area. Please see the Calendar for complete information.

• May 13 - NTN Trivia in State College
• May 15 - NTN Trivia in Harrisburg
• May 18 - Discussion Night in State College
• May 22 - Dinner at Summer Palace Asian Buffet
• May 25 - Discussion Night in State College
• Jun 1 - Discussion Night in State College
• Jun 8 - Discussion Night in State College

Would you like to meet members of Mensa without leaving your home? Check out these areas where Mensans meet and discuss topics of interest:

• Central Pennsylvania Mensa Yahoo Group
  To subscribe, send an email to: CentralPennsylvaniaMensa-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
  Or visit on the web at: groups.yahoo.com/group/CentralPennsylvaniaMensa
   
• Region 2 Mensa Yahoo Group
  To subscribe, send an email to: AML-Region2-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
  Or visit on the web at: groups.yahoo.com/group/AML-Region2
   
• American Mensa Forums
  The American Mensa Forums are for general discussion of any topic of interest.
  visit on the web at: www.community.us.mensa.org/forums

American Mensa's 2008 Annual Gathering will take place July 2 - 6 in Denver Colorado. Of course, there will be all the greatness you expect from an Annual Gathering: stimulating programs and day tours, Kids Trek, food, drink and a long holiday weekend with more than a thousand of your favorite people. Take advantage of this once-in-a-life-time opportunity and join us!

Tidewater Mensa presents their Regional Gathering on Friday, November 14 through Sunday, November 16 at the Four Points Sheraton, Williamsburg, Virginia. Please check out their Website.

American Mensa, Ltd. accepts no responsibility for the opinions and information posted via its Internet Communications Services by its members or guests. Additionally, American Mensa is not liable for damages resulting from information transmitted via these Services or from any interruption or failure of these Services.