[From Mensa Journal, issue #183, January/February, 1975.]
 
I led a brainstorming session at the British Annual Gathering.  It proved nearly impossible to do.  Mensans do not like suspending judgement.  The rule is "no criticism" but we got plenty in spite of my increasingly distressed reiteration of the rule.  There were as I count it 78 different ideas produced in answer to the four questions asked--here they are.

[What follows is a selection of answers to two of the questions, chosen partly for diversity--from fanciful to practical--and partly for potential as idea-starters.  Some of the ideas are in effect in American Mensa.]

How could Mensa offer a better service to members?

Allocate regions to regional chair person.  Ask local groups to brainstorm the same problem.  Find out which ideas members like.  Ensure publicity for all ideas needing local or individual initiative.  Give local groups authority to do what they want to do.  Fix Mensa holidays for people with like minds.  Look into a discount club for members.  Ask all lapsers why.  At east remind lapsers.  Give priority to research which helps to solve these problems or to gain publicity.  Adopt an intelligent whale (threatened brainy species).  Implement these ideas, do not just let them rot.

How can Mensa's influence or reputation be increased?

Exploit the change in external circumstances as it occurs (i.e., the collapsed civilisation as we know it).  Homebrew wine for local secretaries.  Look for growth in growth areas (e.g., new towns).  Offer prototype games and simulations.  Run open meeting to enliven dull town.  Offer a counselling service to satisfy the growing desire among the public for self-knowledge.  Put M after name.  Write letter in Latin to Pope asking him to condemn the IRA's bombing.  Start Mensa action groups not limited to Ms.  Offer to provide a daily or weekly problem for local press.  Stress that members are not to imply Mensa's support for their own ideas (i.e., crackpot notions), also SIGs are not to do so.  Stress that Mensa is not a one party system but a truly diverse spread of opinions.