The Mensa Qualification Test is coming to the WSU area. The test is a series of questions that will reveal your IQ.
The test will be held Wednesday, Oct. 24 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Beavercreek Branch Library, 3618 Dayton-Xenia Road. The test is two hours long and costs $40 per person, but two people can get in for the price of one. People that place in the top two percent of the qualification test will be invited to join the Mensa Organization.
“Mensa is a social club for people with high intelligence,” Dick Martin, Publicity Coordinator and Calendar Editor for the Dayton Chapter of the Mensa Organization (DAM), said. “The only criterion is your score on the qualification test. The main purpose of Mensa is to identify and foster human intelligence for humanity, encourage research in the nature, characteristics and uses of intelligence and to provide a stimulating intellectual and social environment for intellects.”
According to Martin, who has been a Mensa member since 1973, the Dayton Chapter of Mensa has grown significantly from 80 members in 1973 to over 250 today.
In 1973, there was only one activity a month for Mensa members and now there are over a dozen. Mensa was started in England by two attorneys, Roland Berrill and Lancelot Ware. They met by chance on a train and subsequently corresponded, primarily about the possible formation of a club. On Oct. 1, 1946, Berrill had the first piece of Mensa literature printed, and the date is now the recognized founding date for the organization. Mensa has a large variety of members from ages 2 to 102. Some members are engineers, homemakers, teachers, actors, athletes, students and CEO’s.
“Some benefits of being a Mensa member are the activities, networking with other intellects, discounts on products, services and insurance and travel benefits as well,” Martin said.
Martin also mentioned that DAM is governed by a steering committee of elected volunteers. Elections are held annually. DAM holds events such as game night and lunch and dinner at local restaurants, for a chance for Mensa members to interact.
DAM is also accepting scholarship application for its members. The scholarship program is held annually and the deadline is Jan. 15.
“DAM has been an extended family,” Martin said. “Being a part of Mensa, it’s great if you travel a lot. You can go to a whole other city in a whole other state and find somebody that is also a part of Mensa that would be glad for you to stay at their home while your visiting and treat you just like family. With Mensa it’s more than just getting the top two percent on the qualification test, it’s a sense of never feeling alone.”
For more information about Mensa Organization visit www.us.mensa.org or www.dayton.us.mensa.org
