There are two significant changes between these InterLoc guidelines and the original:  first, the five specific functions of InterLoc listed in the original have been collapsed to two more generalized statements; second, the assertion that InterLoc played a role in training potential or upcoming officers was added.

APPENDIX 15: InterLoc Guidelines (see 2000-039, 3/25/00)

InterLoc is an official publication of American Mensa, Limited. To aid present and future Editors, it seems appropriate to state InterLoc's purpose and functions, and to establish guidelines for editorial scope and direction.

PURPOSE:  InterLoc is an *information* publication. It was founded as a vehicle to disseminate information among Mensa officers and newsletter editors, particularly such administrative, operating, political, or record data too detailed, or of insufficient interest to the general membership, to warrant publication in the Mensa Bulletin. InterLoc is *not* a local newsletter. It is not concerned with literary merit, entertainment, philosophy, or intellectual stimulation, except as these apply to information helpful to national and local Mensa officers and editors.

FUNCTIONS: The functions of InterLoc are as follows: 

• To serve as a channel of communication among the National Office, the AMC, the local officers, and other interested members.
• To be a vehicle for significant, thought-provoking ideas, suggestions, questions, concerns, or discussions from Mensa members relative to Mensa administration or operation, and directed to national or local Mensa officers and/or newsletter editors.

EDITORIAL GUIDELINES: The following are suggested as policy guidelines for the Editor of InterLoc, subject to approval by AMC, and to such revisions, clarifications, and additions as may be considered desirable.

The position of Editor of InterLoc requires enthusiasm combined with self-discipline, dispassionate judgment, and a good sense of perspective. He or she is, at the same time, the communication voice of AMC; a leading member of the body of Mensa editors; and a concerned Mensa member. He/she should seek and foster the communication of as much information as possible that will be helpful or constructive for Mensa officers and editors, and should, ideally, avoid harmful and destructive usage. He/she must appraise material submitted as to potential value, merit, and significance to determine whether or not to publish it. He/she must exercise more than normal restraint, recognizing that InterLoc editorial comments will often be read as at least quasi-official statements of AMC position.

The Editor of InterLoc is required to publish official communications of the AMC to Mensa officers and editors.  These will normally be requested by the AMC as a body, or by the Chairman or the Communications Officer. Requests for publication of material by individual AMC officers, acting in the proper performance of their duties, will normally be honored. If the Editor has questions as to either the propriety of publication, or the length or suitability of material, the Communications Officer, or the Chairman, or the AMC in body should be queried prior to publication. Unless specifically directed to the contrary, the Editor shall have the right to publish editorial opinion, comment, or explanation, if desired, about any AMC communications.

Since InterLoc plays a role in the training of Mensa leaders, local and National Officers receive InterLoc automatically and are the primary audience. Potential local and National Officers as well as any member who wants to help improve the function and benefit of AML is encouraged to subscribe; this group is an important additional audience for InterLoc.

To serve communications among officers and editors of Mensa, it is especially desirable to encourage significant communication from local to national levels, and among local officers and local newsletter editors. Worthwhile communication, pertinent to the functioning of Mensa or of any of these offices, that will be of value to a reasonable number of officers, or editors, or both, should be published. This requires appraisal by the Editor of InterLoc. A communication intended for only a few; an individual complaint about an individual instance, unless it has larger implications; or a suggestion for localized improvements, should normally be forwarded to the person or persons involved for action, rather than published. Communications, even if referring to single instances, that have a constructive information value to Local Groups or editors are publication material.

The Editor of InterLoc should neither foment nor fear controversy. He/she is the dispassionate reporter and analyst of such controversy as may exist insofar as it affects, or may affect, Mensa operations. Editorial judgment is demanded.  Space in InterLoc should not be made available to the individual fanatic, nor for soothing personal ego bruises, nor for unsubstantiated and apparently baseless charges or vendettas. Nor should InterLoc publish lengthy, repetitive, and exhausting screeds. But InterLoc should be a forum for intelligent and reasoned disagreement, desire for change, serious question, and the presentation of thoughtful views that may be unpopular or controversial. Because of the time lag involved in monthly publication, it should be a matter of policy that any communication critical of a present practice, or officer, or condition which is judged worthy of publication, be published in the same issue an explanation, defense, or answer by an appropriate individual, so that the readers may have a relatively complete communication element. The Editor, working with the Communications Officer, can set suitable deadlines for receipt of such reply materials.

The Editor of InterLoc is not required to publish "in toto" any material except official AMC communications. The InterLoc Editor will often need to edit by digesting, excerpting, cutting, or rephrasing submitted material to accommodate effective communication within the constraints of space. Such editing is the prerogative of the Editor.

Each issue of InterLoc is reviewed before publication by the Communications Officer. Other relevant parties may be requested by the Communications Officer or the Editor to review some or all of an issue to ensure accurate representation of data or policies.

These guidelines may be altered or expanded by suggestions from any of the interested parties, subject to acceptance and approval by the AMC.