Founded in 1946 in Oxford, England, membership is open to anyone scoring at the 98th percentile or above on on certain standardized IQ (or other approved) intelligence tests. It is a truly international organization, with around 145,000 members in 100 countries. The largest national Mensa groups are American Mensa, British Mensa, and Mensa Germany.
As far as the organization’s name,“’Mensa’ means ‘table’ in Latin, and the organisation was so named because Mensa is a round-table society where ethnicity, color, creed, national origin, age, politics, educational and social background are all completely irrelevant.” (mensa.org)
To identify and foster human intelligence for the benefit of humanity.
To encourage research into the nature, characteristics, and uses of intelligence.
To provide a stimulating intellectual and social environment for its members.
American Mensa is the largest national group under Mensa International, with over 50,000 members. Within American Mensa are regional and local groups across the country. Formed in 1960, it was the first group outside of Britain to be officially recognized. Originally founded in Brooklyn, American Mensa is now headquartered in Arlington, Texas.
American Mensa adheres to the Mensa constitution, within which its three primary purposes are defined. American Mensa gatherings occur at the local, regional, and national level. Mensa members range in age from 2 to 102, and include those from many varied walks of life.
Triad Mensa is a local group of American Mensa, Ltd. located in the Triad area of North Carolina. Mensa Members in the Triad and surrounding areas, which include Mocksville, Lexington, Thomasville, Asheboro, Candor, Sanford, Pittsboro, Mebane, Reidsville, Eden, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, High Point, Kernersville, Colfax, Clemmons, Yanceyville, Yadkinville, and Mt. Airy, are invited to participate in our activites.
Triad Mensa was founded in August, 1978. The area of Triad Mensa can be sized up from Yanceyville (mid-Caswell County) in the east, to Yadkinville (mid-Yadkin County) in the west, and from the NC/VA border in the north, to the Uwharrie Mts. in the south. Major cities include Greensboro, Winston-Salem, High Point, Burlington, Thomasville, Lexington, Asheboro, Sanford, Reidsville, Eden and Clemmons.
At first, Triad Mensa's calendar was printed in IdioM, the newsletter of Charlotte/Blue Ridge group; but in late 1979, enthusiastic members produced Triad Mensa's own newsletter, M-Pact. In addition, activities and events increased.
In 1994, the first Regional Gathering was held, "A Comedy of Errors." The RG chairman declared that there wouldn't be another RG until Hell freezes over. Thus, in May, 1996, the "When Hell Freezes Over!" RG took place.
The group continued to flourish until 2003, when emergency circumstances created a void in leadership, plus a collapse of activities. Sadly, Triad Mensa was dissolved in 2003 and the membership divided between two neighboring N.C. groups.
Eventually, with a large influx of move-ins and new members, and with the ease of electronic communication, new leaders emerged, and Triad Mensa was re-established on September 8, 2007.
The Bylaws are the set of rules which define the purpose of the group, its membership, the officers and their duties (including elections thereof), the extent of the group's meetings and any other matters pertaining to the administration of Triad Mensa.
Download PDF: Triad Mensa Bylaws