The Chronicle April 2016
THE CHRONICLE APRIL 2016 CONTENTS 1…
FROM THE INTERNATIONAL SIGS COORDINATOR – Barbara Kryvko highlights interesting SIGs from the world of Mensa.
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MENSA 70TH ANNIVERSARY – Want to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the organisation? Do it in tartan!
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MEMBER PROFILE, NAVAS ASFANANDI – Mensa Iran’s youngest member impresses.
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INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGE EXCHANGE – Looking to learn a new language? This new program is just the ticket.
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INTERNATIONAL PHOTOCUP – The final deadline for entries is looming, get in the running now.
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NATIONAL ANNUAL GATHERING 2016 PRETORIA – This Westernthemed crossword competition teases with a mystery prize up for grabs.
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EVENTS – Mensa SA events calendar for May.
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HIQORA – The International High IQ World Championship. Entry is free for Mensa members.
FROM THE INTERNATIONAL SIGS COORDINATOR Finland is known for its wonderful education system, its awesome Ice Hotel, the annual Air Guitar Championships, and for having the highest number of library books checked out per capita (18). What you may not know is that Mensa Finland has one of the oldest national SIGs program in MIL, starting soon after the organization was founded in the 1960s. Earlier SIGs included a Youth SIG, a SIG for social skills, graphology, an English study group, and a SIG for Esperanto.
United States and operates online. Bitcoin is the world's first global, distributed, decentralized digital currency. It is also the first public immutable timestamped database that has innumerable non-currency uses. This SIG is used for discussing developments in the Bitcoin protocol and in the ecosystem that is being built around it. To join, contact: Jameson Lopp (jameson.lopp@gmail.com)
Barbara Kryvko sigs@mensa.org
Jarno Kekäläinen is the SIG Coordinator for Mensa Finland, and he tells me that currently, CultureSIG, Game-SIG and Music-SIG are the most active groups. Culture-SIG has many high-quality events in a year, such as opera or a weekend trip with a planned program. GameSIG holds many gaming events each year, and provides interesting articles in the Mensa Finland members’ magazine. Music-SIG has two Mensa bands, which are planning to perform in Mensa Finland's 50-year celebration party. For more information on SIGs in Finland, you can visit www.mensa.fi, or contact Jarno at jarno.kekalainen@mensa.fi.
For all information about International SIGs, please contact Barbara at sigs@mensa.org
Bitcoin SIG is the newest recognized MIL SIG. It is based in the 1
Reprinted from Mensa World Journal, issue #039, April, 2016 Editor Kate Nacard
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RUG UP WITH A MENSA TARTAN SCARF!
black professional apron, with more to be added during the year.
2016 is upon us – and it’s time to celebrate Mensa’s 70th anniversary!
Following on from the very popular limited edition whisky produced for Mensa’s 60th anniversary, the society also commissioned a limited edition small batch of artisan gin for the 2015 AG in Glasgow. The gin, called Spirit of Mensa, is 40% abv and is distilled and bottled in Scotland.
Mensa was formed in England on October 1 1946 and, to mark the occasion, there is a year of celebrations lined up. British Mensa will have numerous national and local activities and events taking place throughout the year, including celebrations around the country on the anniversary itself, October 1. You can show your affinity to the Mensa family by wearing the official Mensa tartan – the design, mainly in blue and yellow, is unique and has been lodged with the Scottish Register of Tartans. It was launched at the 2015 annual gathering in Glasgow. The idea for the tartan was developed over many years and the final design was created with members of Scottish Mensa. Tartans are traditional fabrics worn in Scotland and parts of Ireland to identify individuals as members of a particular family, known as a clan. The Mensa tartan is available exclusively to order from Scotweb in Edinburgh. Visit www.scotweb.co.uk/mensa to see what is available. Other special anniversary gifts and products include a specially-minted coin, a new lapel badge and a stylish
The highlight of the anniversary celebrations will be the British Mensa annual gathering, which this year will take place in London. Based in the east of the city, close to the Canary Wharf financial hub, the AG will take place from September 23-26. Keep an eye on the website (mensa.org.uk) for details – and come and join the party! To win a special Mensa tartan scarf, just answer this question: In which English city was Mensa founded in 1946?
Email your answer to news@mensa.org.uk by June 30, 2016.
Reprinted from Mensa World Journal, issue #039, April, 2016 Editor Kate Nacard
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MEMBER PROFILE: NAFAS ASNAVANDI, MENSA IRAN
all children do, she likes to play in the park and spend time with her friends.
Nafas has an excellent memory and can remember every little detail about events - which is surprising to others - and because of her manner and dialogue, people realise that she’s extraordinarily clever. This makes her mother very proud - but at the same time she realises the responsibility she has in raising a highly-intelligent child.
Nafas Asnavandi was born on August 31, 2011 in Tehran, Iran. By the time she was seven months old, she was able to enunciate many basic words and because of her strong interest to learn new things, she learnt the names of all the capital cities in Europe, the names of our solar system’s planets, external and internal organs, shapes, and opposites, by the time she was two and a half years old.
At four years old, Nafas, an only child, is learning English, and in addition, is the youngest model in the Violet institute (www.violetmodels.com). She’s also learning music, and has extraordinary talent in painting - far beyond her years.
She became a member of Mensa with an IQ of 155 as the first Iranian child member in November, 2014, at the age of three.
Nafas is interested in painting, she’s fond of scientific programs, and is keen on understanding various diseases and other medical matters. She also likes playing with LEGO and games which are mathematically-based. Moreover, as
Because Nafas is also interested in the environment and animals, she is a member of the environmental kids club Plan for Land. The club’s
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activities include eco-tourism and increasing the bond between children and nature such as making nests for birds to make sure they survive in cold weather. Nafas is eager to learn, but unfortunately the education system in Iran has no provision for profoundly-gifted children, with the result that she studies maths, science, and Farsi language books far above her age at home. Perhaps most importantly, Nafas is full of life and takes care of what she eats and her health. As her psychologist and consultant commented, some of her most prominent traits are high selfconfidence and diligence in doing her favourite things! Nafas and capital cities of Europe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9yCU VMvm9s&feature=youtube_gdata
Reprinted from Mensa World Journal, issue #039, April, 2016 Editor Kate Nacard
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LANGUAGE EXCHANGE GROUP Do you study a foreign language? Then you need someone bright to practise with! Find a Mensan who speaks that language and studies yours, then teach one another on Skype.
Seeing the potential value in this, Stefano Lodola of Mensa Italy founded the Language Exchange ISIG (International Special Interest Group) which is open to all members worldwide. Stefano explains: “I know that language exchange works because I’ve learned four languages this way. However, it’s hard to find a motivated - and motivating - study partner. Then I thought, Mensans love learning stuff, including learning languages, no?” The group works on two platforms: a website and a Facebook group. The website is modelled after Italki.com, the best website to find language teachers and exchange partners, so that members can browse profiles through a simple search panel. In the Facebook group, members keep in touch and discuss language-related topics.
The group is part of Stefano’s project for LEAP 2015 (Leadership Exchange Ambassador Program), a program inside Mensa that sent him to present his work at the Annual Gathering of American Mensa in July 2015. (Watch the one-hour presentation “See the world with Mensa” from the link at the end of the article.) In just 8 months, more than 700 members from all over the world have joined and many have already found their study partners: “I heard of the Mensa Language Exchange through my local New Zealand Mensa Facebook group. Coincidentally, I had been learning German for a few months, and decided to give the MLE a go. I’ve met lots of friendly and helpful people there who I talk to about not only their native language, but the culture they live in as well.” Stella, Mensa New Zealand
”I got to know about the language exchange group through a link shared by Mensa Malaysia. I am now improving my Japanese by keeping in touch with fellow group members through Facebook where we help each other in our learning process.” Kingsley, Mensa Malaysia
“I found the languagexchange.club when looking through a list of special interest groups to try out. I was 6
interested in learning Norwegian, and found someone who messages me and helps me with my studies. She’s really kind and it’s been a lovely experience.” Quintessence, American Mensa
The group is being promoted on official channels, and word of mouth is helping too. “It takes a lot of members to cover all language combinations. Spread the word in your national Mensa!” says Stefano. Links
Website: http://languagexchange.club
Facebook group: http://fb.languagexchange.club
LEAP 2015 presentation “See the world with Mensa”: http://leap15.languagexchange.club Support: support@languagexchange.club
Reprinted from Mensa World Journal, issue #039, April, 2016 Editor Kate Nacard
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MENSA INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2016
The art of photography is an area where Mensans from over 50 countries with different languages, customs and traditions can converge with a single, visual language! Use your creativity, skills, and technical expertise to produce your entry in this year’s PhotoCup competition. The theme for 2016 is “UNEXPECTED!” Let your imagination run wild.
If your Mensa chapter is holding a national competition to select entries for the International phase, a set of the rules and closing dates will be available from your national office or board. Direct International Members and members from countries not holding national contests are eligible to enter the International competition directly.
The Mensa International Photographer of the Year 2016 could be you!
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National Annual Gathering 19 – 21 August 2016
Crossword Competition Clues: Across: 2. Which Native American was originally named 'Slow' (Slon-he) by his parents before he proved himself in battle? 5. What were the people who took part in the California Gold Rush of the mid-nineteenth century known as? 7. Levi's, originating in 1860s, were originally made out of what fabric? 8. William Cody is better known as which Wild West character? Down: 1. In 1880, a cowboy used what to hold up his pants? 2. What was the traditional purpose for a cowboy’s hat? 3. The Gunfight at the OK Corral is one of the most famous gunfights in history. How many people were killed? 4. At which famous battle was General Custer defeated? 6. According to legend, who was holding a Pair of Aces and a Pair of Eights during a game of poker when he was shot dead? The hand is now known as "Dead Man's Hand".
Crossword competition rules: • This competition is ONLY open to members who are attending this year’s Mensa NAG in Pretoria • To stand a chance to WIN the mystery prize, send your answers to marketing@mensa.org.za • Entries close on 20 May 2016 • The first correct entry received would be the winner • The winner would be announced in the May 2016 edition of The Chronicle 9
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MENSA SA EVENTS CALENDAR
Saturday, 28 May 09:30 Mensa SA - HELDERBERG TESTING
Wednesday, 4 May 19:15 Mensa Helderberg: Discussion SIG
Saturday, 4 June
Thursday, 5 May
10:00 Mensa SA JOHANNESBURG TESTING
19:00 Mensa KZN: Gourmet SIG
Saturday, 7 May 09:00 Mensa SA - CAPE TOWN TESTING
Saturday, 14 May 09:30 Mensa Cape Town: Supercar Saturday 10:00 Mensa SA JOHANNESBURG TESTING
09:45 Mensa SA - DURBAN TESTING
Saturday, 18 June 09:00 Mensa SA - CAPE TOWN TESTING 10:00 Mensa SA - PRETORIA TESTING 17:30 Mensa Helderberg: Full Moon Night Walk
Wednesday, 22 June 19:00 Mensa Helderberg: Speaker evening
Tuesday, 17 May 19:00 Mensa Helderberg: Speaker evening - Dr Larissa Panieri-Peter
Saturday, 25 June 10:00 Mensa Cape Town: Diamond tour
Saturday, 21 May 10:00 Mensa SA - PRETORIA TESTING 14:00 Mensa Helderberg: Parliamentary artwork collection (II)
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High IQ World Championships 2016 The 2016 High IQ World Championships (www.hiqora.com) are an educational and intellectuallystimulating competition for the world’s brightest and most gifted minds. Participants of all ages and countries engage in a wide-range of innovative activities and questions to test intelligence in quantitative puzzles, games-based learning and real-world IQ aptitude tests.
Free Entry – Mensa Members
Register here: http://www.hiqora.com
Closing date May 28, 2016
HIQORA helps foster intellectual education and continuous learning across areas of ability and interest for the high-achieving intellectual community.
How It Works HIQORA involves participants competing individually in two Online Qualification Rounds, held simultaneously worldwide. The Top 12 highest-scoring participants will receive flights and accommodation to the LIVE World Finals in San Diego, California, USA in July 2016, held in conjunction with the American Mensa Annual Gathering of 2,000+ members. Following completion of the championships, all participants will receive worked solutions and a confidential ranking of their performance in their country, region and institute. American Mensa is a major global sponsor.
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