Mensa Wiki - User contributions [en]

Welcoming New Members: Local Group Approaches

2026-04-06T11:19:43Z

LisaBlair:

'''New Member Contact San Diego'''

Who? The Member Services (MS) Officer, or assistant.

Frequency? Monthly or whenever they show up in the New Member report.

Delivery method? Email when possible, USPS otherwise.

We send out a welcome letter tailored to the circumstances of being new to the group – new Mensa member, move-in, rejoined, member by preference. I’ve attached generic version of the email version for new Mensa members. Along with the letter is a New Member Profile that requests info that we then publish in a Welcome column in our newsletter. Check out the November 2025 ISSUE of our newsletter, the ''San Diego MENSAN'' online to see a typical column. The USPS version doesn’t have the ''Mensa Speak'' info.

There is an invitation to the Monthly New Members Orientation, which is held 30 minutes before the Monthly Gathering. Someone from the MS team gives the orientation, which includes info about the local group – number of members, geographic area, board composition and other appointed positions, activities, publications, and online resources, among others. We also discuss the idea that they as new members, can start new events or SIGs that interest them, and possibly other members.

'''New Member Contact Western New York'''

I'm the Membership Chair for Western New York Mensa. I'm the one who sends a welcome email to or calls new members. We're a relatively small group; as stated in the sample email below, the editor of our newsletter and Test Coordinator sends me names of new members as they come in, sometimes waiting until she has several names. The medium I use depends on what information the newbie has provided. If I have a phone number, I usually start with a call, to make it more personal, and leave a message if I get voicemail. If there's no email or phone number given, just a street address, I print this email out as a letter, personalized with their name, and mail it. Some new members respond by calling or emailing me; alas, many don't reply at all. I'm not adverse to calling back if I haven't heard from someone, but I don't push if they're clearly not interested in attending an event. If they have attended an event, I might tell them that we enjoyed meeting them and hope to see them at another event soon.

Jan Sandberg

Welcoming New Members: Local Group Approaches

2026-04-06T11:12:03Z

LisaBlair: added best practice local group

Welcoming New Members

2026-04-06T11:10:22Z

LisaBlair: Added Best Practice Local Groups to Include Communication Methods

Welcoming new members is one of the highest-impact things a Local Group can do.

== Purpose ==
Help new members feel welcomed and connected early.

== Guiding Principle ==
First impressions shape long-term engagement.

Welcoming is about helping members feel seen, informed, and connected from the beginning.

== Philosophy ==

* First impressions matter
* Personal contact is preferred over automated communication
* All members matter — including those who may never attend events
* Welcoming is a shared responsibility

Success is measured by whether members feel acknowledged and included — not by event attendance.

== What This Means in Practice ==

A successful welcoming process means:

* New members receive timely contact
* Members understand how to engage locally (if they choose)
* Members feel included regardless of participation level
* Outreach is thoughtful and appropriately personal

== Key Actions ==
{| class="wikitable"
! Step !! What It Means
!See
|-
| Make Initial Contact ||
*Reach out to new, reinstated, and transferred members
* Use personal, welcoming communication
|
*[[New Member Contact Methods]]
* [[Welcoming Timing and Reports|Accessing Reports (timing of contacts)]]
* Encouraging Attendance
* [[Making It Personal]]
|-
| Help Members Get Started ||
*Help members understand how to engage
*Share relevant information and opportunities
* Provide guidance without overwhelming
|
*[[New Member Orientation]]
*Welcome packets
*[[Local Group Events and Activities]].
|-
| Support First Connection || Reduce barriers to first participation
|
*[[Encouraging First Event Attendance]]
* [[New Member Events]]
|-
| Build Early Connections ||
* Introduce members to others
* Support mentor or buddy connections where appropriate
|[[Mentor Programs]]
|}

== [[Best Practices]] ==

=== It Takes a Team ===
Welcoming is not the responsibility of one person.

* Involve officers and experienced members
* Use name badges and clear identifiers
* Ensure new members are acknowledged at events

== Common Pitfalls ==

* Delayed or no initial contact
* Overwhelming new members with too much information
* Relying only on mass or automated communication
* Focusing only on event attendance
* Leaving new members to navigate alone

== Related ==

=== Core Context ===
* [[Membership Officer]]

=== Welcoming Process ===
* [[New Member Contact Methods]]
* [[Welcoming Timing and Reports]]
* [[Making It Personal]]

=== Supporting First Engagement ===
* [[Encouraging First Event Attendance]]
* [[New Member Events]]
* [[Mentor Programs]]

=== Resources ===
* [[Membership Officer - Templates and Samples]]
* [[Best Practices Shared from Local Groups]]

Welcoming New Members

2026-04-06T11:08:30Z

LisaBlair:

National Tools and Resources

2026-04-05T21:50:10Z

LisaBlair: created link to report information under tools

* Email lists
* Platforms used locally

* Basic guidance (not detailed tutorials)
* [[Reports Run on National Website]]

Membership Officer Resources

2026-04-05T21:47:48Z

LisaBlair: title local group example lapsed letters

== Purpose ==
Provide ready-to-use templates and examples for common Local Group tasks. {{LGFlexibleRoles
| role = Local Group Membership Officer
}}

Use these to save time, improve consistency, and reduce guesswork.

== How to Use This Page ==

* Start with what you need to do
* Choose a template that fits your situation
* Personalize before sending

== Member Outreach ==

=== First Contact ===
* [[Initial Welcome Emails]]
* [[Area Coordinator: First Contact]]
* [[Move-in Welcomes]]
* [[Example Letters from Local Groups|Example Welcome Letters from Local Groups]]

=== Follow-Up and Conversation ===
* [[Responding to Members]]
* [[Handling Difficult or Negative Responses]]

== Member Lifecycle ==

=== New Members ===
* [[New Member Packet]]
* [[Welcome Example]]

=== Renewals and Retention ===
* [[Membership Renewal Reminder Email]]
* [[Lapsed Member Contact|Example Lapsed Member Letter Local Group]]
* Lapsed Member Call Scripts
* Re-instatement Welcomes

== Events and Engagement ==

* [[Event Recap]]

== Tips for Using Templates ==

* Personalize at least one sentence
* Keep messages short and clear
* Avoid sending messages that feel automated
* Match tone to the situation

== Contributing Templates ==

If you have a template that works well:

* Add it to the appropriate section
* Include context (when to use it)
* Keep it simple and reusable

See:
* [[Contributing to This Wiki]]
{{ChecklistsAreAResource}}

Membership Officer Resources

2026-04-05T21:44:05Z

LisaBlair: clarified welcome letter local groups

== Purpose ==
Provide ready-to-use templates and examples for common Local Group tasks. {{LGFlexibleRoles
| role = Local Group Membership Officer
}}

Use these to save time, improve consistency, and reduce guesswork.

== How to Use This Page ==

* Start with what you need to do
* Choose a template that fits your situation
* Personalize before sending

== Member Outreach ==

=== First Contact ===
* [[Initial Welcome Emails]]
* [[Area Coordinator: First Contact]]
* [[Move-in Welcomes]]
* [[Example Letters from Local Groups|Example Welcome Letters from Local Groups]]

=== Follow-Up and Conversation ===
* [[Responding to Members]]
* [[Handling Difficult or Negative Responses]]

== Member Lifecycle ==

=== New Members ===
* [[New Member Packet]]
* [[Welcome Example]]

=== Renewals and Retention ===
* [[Membership Renewal Reminder Email]]
* [[Lapsed Member Contact|Lapsed Member]] Email
* Lapsed Member Call Scripts
* Re-instatement Welcomes

== Events and Engagement ==

* [[Event Recap]]

== Tips for Using Templates ==

* Personalize at least one sentence
* Keep messages short and clear
* Avoid sending messages that feel automated
* Match tone to the situation

== Contributing Templates ==

If you have a template that works well:

* Add it to the appropriate section
* Include context (when to use it)
* Keep it simple and reusable

See:
* [[Contributing to This Wiki]]
{{ChecklistsAreAResource}}

Reconnecting with Lapsed Members: Local Group Outreach Examples

2026-04-05T21:42:51Z

LisaBlair: added 3 local group lapsed letters

Sample Local Group Lapsed Member Contact Letter

'''SCM Letter'''

I’m the Membership Officer for Southern Connecticut Mensa. I noticed that you’ve decided not to renew your Mensa membership this year. We at SCM want you to know that you will be missed. While I understand you have reasons why you have chosen to let your membership lapse, I just wanted to take an opportunity to bring to your attention some of the upcoming events and benefits that you’ll be missing out on...

1. The Annual Gathering, the largest yearly confab of Mensans anywhere, featuring dozens of speakers, games, tournaments, free around-the-clock hospitality, and the opportunity to meet fellow Mensans from across the country and the world.

2. Mind Games®, the uniquely Mensan national games competition where Mensans can play and rank new games from around the world and select five as Mensa Select® winners. Previous winners such as Set™, Scattergories™, Taboo™ and Apples to Apples™ have become international best-sellers.

3. A plethora of member discounts on goods and services such as hotel & travel, rental car, auto insurance, vision insurance, and electronics – some of which could more than pay for your annual membership dues! If you weren’t aware of these member discounts, see us.mensa.org/shop/benefits-and-services/ for more details.

4. Perhaps most importantly, there are regular SCM events that provide you with an opportunity to meet people from this area who can understand your jokes and relate with your experiences. Recent events have included game nights, trivia events, speakers, escape rooms, dinners, and other random outbreaks of intelligence.

Mensa membership has much to offer. Should you change your mind and decide to renew your membership, you can simply go to '''us.mensa.org/renew''' to renew online or call the National Office at 817-607-0060 ext 199, if you have any questions or would prefer to renew by phone.

Thanks for being a member. It's people like you that make being a part of Mensa such a unique experience, and we hope that we’ll see you back with our group soon. If you have any questions or concerns that you’d like to discuss, please reach out to me at the email address below.

Best regards,

Larry Schwartz

SCM Membership Officer

statguylarry@gmail.com

'''SEMM Lapsed Letter'''

Dear _____,

I’m the Membership Officer for Southeast Michigan Mensa, and I noticed recently that you’ve decided not to renew your Mensa membership this year. We at SEMM are saddened that you’ll no longer be a part of our group and want you to know that you will be greatly missed. While I understand that there are probably many reasons why you might have chosen to let your membership lapse, I just wanted to take an opportunity to bring to your attention some of the great upcoming events and benefits that you’ll be missing out on.

'''Membership Benefits'''

1. The Annual Gathering, the largest yearly confab of Mensans anywhere, featuring dozens of speakers, games, tournaments, free around-the-clock hospitality, and the opportunity to meet fellow Mensans from across the country and the world.

2. Mind Games®, the uniquely Mensan national games competition where Mensans can play and rank new games from around the world and select five as Mensa Select® winners. Previous winners such as Scattergories™, Taboo™ and Apples to Apples™ have become international best-sellers.

3. A plethora of member discounts on goods and services such as hotel & travel, rental car, auto insurance, vision insurance, and electronics – some of which could more than pay for your annual membership dues! If you were not aware of these member discounts, please visit us.mensa.org/shop/benefits-and-services/ for more details.

4. The SEMMantics Regional Gathering, our annual celebration of all things Mensa and the largest event organized by SEMM. This event is modeled on and very similar to the Mensa Annual Gathering, except catering specifically to the SEMM community.

5. The SEMMer & Winter Bashes, SEMM’s annual group parties that provide our members with a chance to eat, socialize, and play games (yes, if you haven’t guessed by now, we do like to party).

6. Perhaps most importantly, there are numerous regular SEMM events that provide you with an opportunity to meet people from this area who can understand your jokes and relate with your experiences. Recent events have included dinner outings, a monthly invited speaker event, movie and game nights, kids’ events, and other random outbreaks of intelligence. Please let me know if you’d like a copy of the current events calendar.

I hope you agree that Mensa membership has a lot to offer. Should you change your mind and decide to renew your membership, you can simply go to '''us.mensa.org/renew''' to renew online or call the National Office at (817) 607-0060, ext. 199, if you have any questions or would prefer to renew by phone.

Regardless of your decision, I would be grateful if you could take a moment to respond to the short survey below. It shouldn’t take more than a minute or two and will help us to better serve our membership.

Thanks again for your membership this past year. It is people like you that make being a part of Mensa such a unique experience, and we sincerely hope that we’ll see you back with our group soon. If you have any questions or concerns that you’d like to discuss, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at the email address below.

Best regards,

Tony Pak

SEMM Membership Officer

'''Central Indiana Lapsed Letter'''

July 2023

Dear Fellow “M”

Your Central Indiana Mensa ExCom has been advised that either you have forgotten, chosen, or in either case missed the deadline set for 2023 Renewal of your MENSA Membership.

As your CIM Outreach Coordinator, I am reaching out to you and wondered if you might share with me, and with your local ExCom, the reasons you may have chosen not to renew? Or if your “check has crossed in the mail” I am happy to do the leg work to see that you get credit.

As a group, we are reentering social networking after the COVID Lockdown; our members are engaging and coming out in force in more gatherings than in the past as well as continuing what was occurring before “that Virus” so interrupted our socializing with each other.

If you have found that you would like other programs or activities, let’s talk about it. Along with the other members of the ExCom and members of CIM, we are open to engaging more connections if we can arrange them.

Please feel free to contact me, CIM Outreach Coordinator, through email (barbarageorge.indy@gmail.com) or phone (317.291.0109 - text, voicemail, or talk) so that I can share your ideas and thoughts with fellow CIMers (anonomously if you desire). We would really like to have you re-up and join us at the Monthly Gathering (2nd Friday of each month, hybrid in-person/Zoom meeting); our growing and varied Eating Out Gatherings (these are only in person for good food and good reason); Games and Get Together Socials; and even our monthly virtual ExCom (which is open to all members to attend).

Central Indiana Mensa values your input and company. Please reconsider renewing your membership.

Reconnecting with Lapsed Members: Local Group Outreach Examples

2026-04-05T21:37:02Z

LisaBlair: added to lapsed member contact

Sample Local Group Lapsed Member Contact Letter

National Tools and Resources

2026-04-05T21:35:11Z

LisaBlair: added reports

* Email lists
* Platforms used locally

* Basic guidance (not detailed tutorials)
* Reports

Welcoming New Members: Local Group Outreach Examples

2026-04-02T20:57:47Z

LisaBlair: added Tampa Welcome letter

'''Western New York Mensa'''

Hi, _________

I'm the Membership Chair for WNY Mensa. Welcome to the group!

I got your name and information from Serena Tabor, the editor of our monthly newsletter, the ''Mensana (''men-SAHNA). Serena sends me info for new members when she's gotten a few accumulated, and yours was one of those in her last list. I'm so glad you've joined us in the WNY chapter.

Have you started receiving the ''Mensana'' yet? You should be receiving it via either email or mail (whatever you listed as your preference when you joined) by now. If you haven't, please let me know so that I can make sure you get it. It has our monthly calendar of events and a number of enjoyable regular features, as well as Board Meeting minutes.

We have a variety of monthly events at which one can meet and chat with other members. Casual dress is the norm, although some members spiff it up a little for the annual Holiday Party. Games nights are usually well-attended, as are potlucks and ice cream socials. Currently, there are also monthly pub nights, a speaker series at The Buffalo History Museum, a monthly brunch, dinners, traditional "Jewish Christmas" (Chinese food and a movie), and visits to places of interest. Here's a list of upcoming events for this month:

[Calendar entries in chronological order inserted here. I usually add comments about the brunch I organize every month, especially if it's going to take place near where they live or has in the past]

There's no scheduling committee, however; ''any'' member can think up an event and get help creating a calendar entry for it, if they like. New ideas are always welcome! One thing we local Ms have learned (especially post-pandemic, as it were), is that even if an event has a small turnout, it can be just as - if not more - enjoyable than if it had had a large turnout.

Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. I hope that I'll get to meet you, soon!

Jan Sandberg

= =

'''San Diego Mensa'''

'''[return address]'''

[auto-fill date]

Dear ,

Welcome to San Diego Mensa (SD Mensa). We look forward to seeing you at our activities. All the events listed in our newsletter, '''''San Diego MENSAN''''', are open to you and there is contact information for each event for additional information. Also, our calendar is online at: <nowiki>http://sandiegomensa.org/events/calendar.html</nowiki>, which requires your American Mensa website login. If you haven’t done it yet, go to <nowiki>http://us.mensa.org</nowiki> to create your login. Be sure to check out the other cool stuff on our website also. You don’t need to wait for an orientation to start attending events. Also, be sure to go to www.mensa.org and create an account for yourself on the International Mensa website, so you can vote in elections for the International Board of Directors.

We have four private Facebook groups: for adults, GenX, GenY/Young Adult, and Gifted Youth. The Gen X group is for members born between 1965 and 1980. The Gen Y/Young Adult group is for members born during or after 1981 and who are at least 18 years old. The Gifted Youth group is for members who are not 18 years old yet, and their parents. The adult Facebook group is open to all members world-wide, though some posts might not be appropriate for children. All four groups can be accessed through their links on the San Diego Mensa website main page.

Our next New Member Orientation is on:

'''[day/date]'''

'''New Member Orientation, [time]'''

'''Monthly Gathering, [time]'''

[event details – location, contact info, description]

Admission to the party is FREE for you and a guest if you attend the orientation. If you plan to attend, please also RSVP to memberservices@sandiegomensa.org. The one-time free admission to a monthly gathering will expire in six months, in case you can’t make it to the orientation this soon.

We would appreciate a thumbnail sketch to print in our newsletter, to introduce you to our group. Please return the enclosed New Member Profile info to the email below if possible. List your hobbies, interests, accomplishments, employment, how you learned about Mensa, and/or anything else you think we might find interesting. You can also include a photo if you reply by email (.jpg is best). Regular mail is fine if you prefer.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact our Member Services Team at sdm.ms.team@gmail.com.

Again, welcome to SD Mensa!

'''''[sender’s name]'''''

'''San Diego Mensa Member Services Team'''

'''Southern Connecticut Mensa'''

I am the Membership Officer for Southern Connecticut Mensa. Joe Lee, our Loc Sec, forwarded your request to me.

I am the one who welcomes new members to the group. I check for new members every month or two. I either call them or email them asking them to call me.

When we connect, I tell them about some of my top experiences as a nearly 40-year member of Mensa.

Then I inform them of some of the following Mensa Activities and Benefits:

<nowiki>===========Local & Regional ============</nowiki>

* Southern CT Mensa Facebook group <nowiki>https://www.facebook.com/groups/SCM066</nowiki> (our chapter is one of 124 chapters)
* Region 1 Facebook group – (there are 10 regions) NY to ME <nowiki>https://www.facebook.com/groups/188180494045</nowiki>
* Local newsletter -- The Chronicle (quarterly)
* Access to other chapters newsletters such as CWM, Greater NY, and Mid Hudson
* Chapter parties
* Monthly Game Night
* Monthly Trivia Night
* Book Discussion
* Annual chapter picnic
* Joint events and reciprocity with CWM Mensa -- see our website & newsletter
* Local scholarship essay judging
* Opportunity to be a local officer or volunteer - learn and practice leadership and community service
* Opportunity to be a regional officer or volunteer - plan an RG for example

<nowiki/>===========National & International ============

* National Special Interest Groups (SIGs) (n=154)
* International SIGs
* Serve on the National Mensa Board
* SIGHT (Service of Information, Guidance and Hospitality to Travelers): meet new people out of town or overseas, stay free (us.mensa.org/connect/sight)
* M-Hospitality Facebook group - moderated
* M-Firehouse Facebook group - unmoderated
* M-Available dating Facebook group - free
* Mensa Match dating service
* The Bulletin magazine (10 times per year)
* International online discussion forums
* Mensa Language Exchange - <nowiki>https://languagexchange.club/</nowiki>
* National member directory - find old friends and meet new ones
* International member directory - make an international connection
* Weekly BrainWave email newsletter with items of special interest to Mensans
* MensaConnect online forums
* Regional Gatherings (RGs)
* Annual Gathering (AG) July 4th weekend
* World Gathering (International)
* CultureQuest national trivia contest (end of April)
* MindGames (gaming gathering) mensamindgames.com
* Discounts (hotels, rental cars, insurance) see us.mensa.org/shop/benefits-and-services
* Mensa Educational Research Foundation (MERF) - scholarships and enrichment
* Mensa World Journal – monthly international magazine free online (us.mensa.org/read/mensa-world-journal)
* Mensa Marketing Research Panel (“Rated M”) - get paid for surveys
* MensaWorks career service
* Mensa Research Journal - quarterly, separate paid subscription
* Mensa Store
* Mensa Colloquium ag.us.mensa.org
* Mensa PhotoCup photography contest
* Mensa poetry contest
* Publishing opportunities
* Mensa for Kids mensaforkids.org
* Young Mensan Magazine
* Mensa Honor Society (grades 10-12)
* Junior Mensa Honor Society (grades 5-9)
* Vanity email address: jane.doe.us@member.mensa.org
* Mensa Badge

-Larry Schwartz

Membership Officer

Southern CT Mensa

Tampa Bay Mensa Welcome Letter ( sent by postal mail)

Dear Mensa Member,

Welcome to Tampa Bay Mensa. Whether you're new or returning, we're glad you're here. Our chapter offers numerous opportunities for involvement. You'll find both virtual and in-person events on our calendar and in our newsletter, The Sounding. However, the online calendar is always the most current.

We also stay connected through our Facebook group and Mensa Connect. For a quick overview of how all our communication channels work, refer to our Communications Guide. The link to the guide is below, along with links to our social media, calendar, and other resources.

Our events include book discussions, volunteer projects, restaurant meet-ups, and quarterly social gatherings. We're excited to have you with us and look forward to seeing you at an event soon.

Sincerely,

James D. Gamble II

Deputy Membership Officer & Webmaster

Links:

'''Calendar:''' <nowiki>https://tampabaymensa.org/members/events/</nowiki>

'''Communications Guide:''' <nowiki>https://tampabaymensa.org/communication-guide/</nowiki>

'''Facebook:''' <nowiki>https://www.facebook.com/groups/tampabaymensa/</nowiki>

'''Mensa Connect:''' <nowiki>https://connect.us.mensa.org/home/</nowiki>

'''Tampa Bay Mensa Website:''' <nowiki>https://tampabaymensa.org/</nowiki>

New Member Welcome Materials: Local Group Examples

2026-04-02T18:19:30Z

LisaBlair: I added MWM explanation of their events to new members, but it looks great as PDF but not this copy

What is a New Member Packets

Ideas of what would go in

'''Samples:'''

'''Tampa Bay Mensa'''

This is what I put together for Tampa. Needs some more work such as Connect settings that default to not being able to receive messages. . And it is a lot of information.

Hello, this is a publication from Tampa Bay Mensa in response to member requests for information on the various communication methods and sites available to members. You don’t need to use all of these communication options; any major group information will be sent to you several ways. However, some of these features might enhance your membership experience.

'''American Mensa Website'''

American Mensa’s website (<nowiki>https://www.us.mensa.org/</nowiki>) is a good place to start to learn more and connect with other Mensans. This site can be accessed by logging on with your unique member number. After logging in you can navigate to the different parts of the site by selecting options from the drop-down menu pictured below. While I am going to highlight a few uses for this site, I encourage you to get in there and explore as there are many more features than I can detail.

'''''Attend Tab''''': provides a link to the Events Calendar, including Regional and National events. There’s also a filter for virtual events that are available for you to attend. This is different from our local events calendar on our local website.

'''''Connect Tab:''''' provides links for Mensa Connect (I will give much more information on that later), the member directory, and the Special Interest Group (SIG) listing. If you have a particular interest, then chances are that there is SIG for that. SIGs meet on Mensa Connect, Facebook, or in person depending on how the group organizer sets it up. If you don’t see a SIG for your interest, you can start one if you would like to!

'''''Lead Tab''''': most folks holding group officer positions will be familiar with this section, which has links to officer reports and other tools.

'''''Learn Tab:''''' has an introduction for new members and gifted youth information.

'''''Read Tab:''''' you can access newsletters from all groups as well as National publications.

'''''Recognize Tab:''''' lists group and individual awards.

'''''Volunteer Tab:''''' gives information on how you can volunteer and provides a space for groups to share their community projects. Mensa is a completely member-driven volunteer organization from the local group up to National officers.

'''''Shop Tab:''''' gives you a site to purchase some Mensa swag.

'''''Play Tab:''''' provides some information on ways to engage with other members in games play.

'''''My Mensa Tab:''''' this is where you can customize some of your communication preferences and make changes to your address, email, phone, or profile. If you don’t want to miss your local group email, be sure your profile is set to ‘ok for local group to email you.’ This is also where you can elect to have the local newsletter delivered electronically or by mail. If you are ok with the electronic version, please consider updating this setting because a huge portion of our share of dues monies are used to print a newsletter for those that want it.

'''Mensa Connect''' Mensa Connect is a communication platform provided by American Mensa. As such, it is an official site unlike Facebook. Its purpose is to provide space to engage in conversation and share information. Events can be posted here also. There are numerous subgroups called communities. Current members are automatically enrolled under their local group’s community as well as the general group. After you sign in to Mensa Connect using your Mensa credentials, you can browse different communities and request to join ones that interest you. Some are private, such as officer communities, but many are not.

There are two ways to sign in to Mensa Connect, either from the American Mensa website under the '''''Connect Tab''''' or through the MemberCentric application. There are more features available using the web-based version versus the app. On the web-based version, you can log in and select the drop down '''''Participate Tab''''' to get information on using Mensa Connect. One big question folks have is how do I receive notices on postings in my communities? You can choose to have notices sent to your email in real time or daily digest, or you can also decline email and check the communities yourself. The tutorial Q and A explains how to post and reply to conversations. There is also a personal email box feature. So if you reply to a sender rather than a group on a chat, it becomes a private conversation. This is another area where just signing in and exploring will be the best way to learn what the site has to offer.

As Tampa Bay Mensa members, it might be of interest to join the Region 10 Mensa Connect group since events and information from other groups in Florida may be of interest.

'''Facebook'''

If you are already a Facebook user, then odds are you are already in the Tampa Bay Mensa Facebook group. If you prefer not to use Facebook, no worries. Any important group information will be provided in multiple ways. Besides the Tampa Bay Mensa group there is also a Region 10 group, Tampa Bay Mensa Bookclub group and American Mensa on Facebook. For our Gifted Youth member parents, we also have a new group for their use, Tampa Bay Mensa Gifted Youth.

'''Tampa Bay Sounding'''

Our newsletter is now published every two months, on even months. I know folks are used to using this as their main source for information on group events, but I urge you to check our online calendar on our website (tampabaymensa.org) to be informed of the latest event information. As mentioned earlier, if you would like to change to electronic delivery it would reduce printing expenses for our group. When a new edition is published you can have a notice emailed to you that it is available. To submit an article to the newsletter, contact editor@tampa.us.mensa.org

'''Local Group Website'''

To navigate to our local group website use tampabaymensa.org. You can view the event calendar, look up local group officer listings, read the ExComm minutes or link to the newsletter.

I hope this information is helpful. Keeping our Tampa Bay Mensa members informed and connected is important!

'''MWM Mensa ( This did not format well from PDF Copy. I can ask Chad if he has as a document or let me see if we can import PDF'''

The Dummy’s ( ) Guide to Something for Everyone The purpose of this document is to provide you with just a glimpse of the breadth of offerings that Mensa provides, and for you to see that it has something for everyone. Many members regret that they were inactive for their first few years, having joined just to see if they could pass the test, and lament that they didn’t realize earlier how much Mensa has to offer. It is our hope that whether you explore now or later, you realize that there is value for you here; in the forms of friends and community, things to do, or just intellectual stimulation on your own time. The deeper you dive, the more you will discover. Regularly scheduled MWM events: A few of the unique activities that we’ve done recently: New Members Open House (M) Walking tours and city-wide scavenger hunts Saturday Night Party (M) Attended lectures/discussions with experts (RS) Young Adults Trivia Night (W) Escape rooms (RS) Young Adults Brunch (M) Wine festivals and winery trips Young Adults Bar Night (M) Axe throwing Gourmensans (+ other events for foodies) (M) Fused-glass making class Games nights (W) Georgetown GLOW Nationals games (A) Visited a pop-up poutine restaurant Capitals games (A) Many events at the zoo (ZooLights, Brew at the Zoo, etc.) Gifted Youth and Teen SIG activities (M) Karaoke Movie screenings (M) Rocky Horror Picture Show Book club (M) Truffle Factory Tour Classical music night (M) Travel to Las Vegas for a trivia tournament (and fun!) Intro to curling class Key: W=Weekly, M=Monthly, A=Annual, RS=Regularly scheduled event, but not on a set cadence National Events: ● Regional Gathering (RG) - MWM’s RG takes place each summer and is one of the largest in the country. Regional Gatherings are a great place to meet much of the chapter: with full hospitality, speaker tracks, fun meet-and-greets, activities, and a games room. This weekend long event has something for everyone! Book a hotel room, you’re going to want to stay the night. ● Other RGs - Other local groups have their RGs take place throughout the year, and as with ours, many Mensans will travel to the larger ones, such as Snowball in NJ, or WeeM in Chicago. ● Annual Gathering (AG) - The national gathering for American Mensa. This takes place in the summer, and is held in a different city each year. ● Mind Games® - An annual event where Mensans gather for a weekend to play new games being released by game makers, with the chance to judge and provide feedback. ● CultureQuest® - A trivia competition in which teams of up to 5 Mensans simultaneously gather to compete. Ways to get to know people: ● Attend events - There is obviously no better way to meet like-minded people than going to some of our events. This is how most of us build our circles of friends within Mensa! ● Special Interest Groups (SIGs) - SIGs could have been placed in a few sections of this list, as their offerings are diverse and they probably provide more than any other single aspect of Mensa. The American Mensa website aptly refers to them as “the fabric of the rich tapestry of Mensa.” Some SIGs allow you to casually follow a topic of interest and make like-minded friends, while others offer the opportunity to be much more involved, with a few even taking trips together. There are over 140 SIGs covering every imaginable topic, including games, fitness, entertainment, tech, SCUBA diving, travel, dating, generational groups, books, art, aviation, music (and musicals!), health conditions, philosophy, food and drinks, career fields, sports, politics, religion, and much more. ● Volunteer - Whether you organize a picnic, help at the registration desk at an RG, or assist with the Gifted Youth program, volunteering is the best way to meet a large number of Mensans, while simultaneously contributing to the organization as a whole. ● Play games - Mensans LOVE playing games, whether they’re board games or online games. This can be a great way to have fun while encountering new people, and provides a particularly easy environment if you’re a bit introverted. ● SIGHT - SIGHT (Service of Information, Guidance and Hospitality to Travelers) allows Mensans to meet (and even stay with or host) other Mensans while they travel around the country or the world! Communities: ● Facebook groups - Approximately 200 Facebook groups are unofficially or semi-officially associated with Mensa (including Facebook groups for SIGs). These groups are often the best places to meet and connect with others based on an endless array of topics, interests, hobbies, and backgrounds, both broad and specific. ● Mensa Connect - The official Mensa forums platform Ways to follow MWM/American Mensa: ● Benefits and Services - Membership in Mensa provides you with access to various partner benefits, such as discounts on everything from insurance, to travel, to technology. ● Facebook - Join MWM’s Facebook group, DC Area Young Adult Mensa, and DC Gen X Mensa; and follow our page as well as American Mensa’s. Groups are private, so only other people in the group can see you are a member, or what you post. ● Make sure you receive emails - On the website, ensure that you allow your local group to contact you via email, and that you are opted into messages. We don’t send many emails, we promise! ● Capital M (CapM) - MWM’s monthly newsletter has the calendar of events, among other notices, and is always available online. Publications: ● Mensa Bulletin - The national magazine of American Mensa ● Local Group Newsletters - Every local group publishes a newsletter, including ours! ● Mensa Research Journal - The MRJ publishes recent findings on giftedness and intelligence ● Young Mensan Magazine - A magazine just for our youngest members ● Mensa World Journal - The membership magazine for Mensa International ● Email Newsletters - Four different newsletters focusing on the world both inside and outside of Mensa Things to do/know: ● Mensa Foundation - Our philanthropic arm; offering awards, grants, fellowships and gifted youth education (Mensaforkids.org) ● Mensa verification badge - Although many Mensans are modest about their intelligence and membership in Mensa, some like to show proof that they are in fact members. This digital badge allows

New Member Welcome Materials: Local Group Examples

2026-04-02T18:06:56Z

LisaBlair: trying to MWM group information

New Member Welcome Materials: Local Group Examples

2026-04-02T17:54:33Z

LisaBlair: I added sample Tampa Communication Guide

What is a New Member Packets

Ideas of what would go in

'''Samples:''' This is what I put together for Tampa. Needs some more work such as Connect settings that default to not being able to receive messages. . And it is a lot of information.

Hello, this is a publication from Tampa Bay Mensa in response to member requests for information on the various communication methods and sites available to members. You don’t need to use all of these communication options; any major group information will be sent to you several ways. However, some of these features might enhance your membership experience.

'''American Mensa Website'''

American Mensa’s website (<nowiki>https://www.us.mensa.org/</nowiki>) is a good place to start to learn more and connect with other Mensans. This site can be accessed by logging on with your unique member number. After logging in you can navigate to the different parts of the site by selecting options from the drop-down menu pictured below. While I am going to highlight a few uses for this site, I encourage you to get in there and explore as there are many more features than I can detail.

'''''Attend Tab''''': provides a link to the Events Calendar, including Regional and National events. There’s also a filter for virtual events that are available for you to attend. This is different from our local events calendar on our local website.

'''''Connect Tab:''''' provides links for Mensa Connect (I will give much more information on that later), the member directory, and the Special Interest Group (SIG) listing. If you have a particular interest, then chances are that there is SIG for that. SIGs meet on Mensa Connect, Facebook, or in person depending on how the group organizer sets it up. If you don’t see a SIG for your interest, you can start one if you would like to!

'''''Lead Tab''''': most folks holding group officer positions will be familiar with this section, which has links to officer reports and other tools.

'''''Learn Tab:''''' has an introduction for new members and gifted youth information.

'''''Read Tab:''''' you can access newsletters from all groups as well as National publications.

'''''Recognize Tab:''''' lists group and individual awards.

'''''Volunteer Tab:''''' gives information on how you can volunteer and provides a space for groups to share their community projects. Mensa is a completely member-driven volunteer organization from the local group up to National officers.

'''''Shop Tab:''''' gives you a site to purchase some Mensa swag.

'''''Play Tab:''''' provides some information on ways to engage with other members in games play.

'''''My Mensa Tab:''''' this is where you can customize some of your communication preferences and make changes to your address, email, phone, or profile. If you don’t want to miss your local group email, be sure your profile is set to ‘ok for local group to email you.’ This is also where you can elect to have the local newsletter delivered electronically or by mail. If you are ok with the electronic version, please consider updating this setting because a huge portion of our share of dues monies are used to print a newsletter for those that want it.

'''Mensa Connect''' Mensa Connect is a communication platform provided by American Mensa. As such, it is an official site unlike Facebook. Its purpose is to provide space to engage in conversation and share information. Events can be posted here also. There are numerous subgroups called communities. Current members are automatically enrolled under their local group’s community as well as the general group. After you sign in to Mensa Connect using your Mensa credentials, you can browse different communities and request to join ones that interest you. Some are private, such as officer communities, but many are not.

There are two ways to sign in to Mensa Connect, either from the American Mensa website under the '''''Connect Tab''''' or through the MemberCentric application. There are more features available using the web-based version versus the app. On the web-based version, you can log in and select the drop down '''''Participate Tab''''' to get information on using Mensa Connect. One big question folks have is how do I receive notices on postings in my communities? You can choose to have notices sent to your email in real time or daily digest, or you can also decline email and check the communities yourself. The tutorial Q and A explains how to post and reply to conversations. There is also a personal email box feature. So if you reply to a sender rather than a group on a chat, it becomes a private conversation. This is another area where just signing in and exploring will be the best way to learn what the site has to offer.

As Tampa Bay Mensa members, it might be of interest to join the Region 10 Mensa Connect group since events and information from other groups in Florida may be of interest.

'''Facebook'''

If you are already a Facebook user, then odds are you are already in the Tampa Bay Mensa Facebook group. If you prefer not to use Facebook, no worries. Any important group information will be provided in multiple ways. Besides the Tampa Bay Mensa group there is also a Region 10 group, Tampa Bay Mensa Bookclub group and American Mensa on Facebook. For our Gifted Youth member parents, we also have a new group for their use, Tampa Bay Mensa Gifted Youth.

'''Tampa Bay Sounding'''

Our newsletter is now published every two months, on even months. I know folks are used to using this as their main source for information on group events, but I urge you to check our online calendar on our website (tampabaymensa.org) to be informed of the latest event information. As mentioned earlier, if you would like to change to electronic delivery it would reduce printing expenses for our group. When a new edition is published you can have a notice emailed to you that it is available. To submit an article to the newsletter, contact editor@tampa.us.mensa.org

'''Local Group Website'''

To navigate to our local group website use tampabaymensa.org. You can view the event calendar, look up local group officer listings, read the ExComm minutes or link to the newsletter.

I hope this information is helpful. Keeping our Tampa Bay Mensa members informed and connected is important!

Membership Officer Resources

2026-04-02T17:43:43Z

LisaBlair: add page for example group letters

== Purpose ==
Provide ready-to-use templates and examples for common Local Group tasks. {{LGFlexibleRoles
| role = Local Group Membership Officer
}}

Use these to save time, improve consistency, and reduce guesswork.

== How to Use This Page ==

* Start with what you need to do
* Choose a template that fits your situation
* Personalize before sending

== Member Outreach ==

=== First Contact ===
* [[Initial Welcome Emails]]
* [[Area Coordinator: First Contact]]
* [[Move-in Welcomes]]
* [[Example Letters from Local Groups]]

=== Follow-Up and Conversation ===
* [[Responding to Members]]
* [[Handling Difficult or Negative Responses]]

== Member Lifecycle ==

=== New Members ===
* [[New Member Packet]]
* [[Welcome Example]]

=== Renewals and Retention ===
* [[Membership Renewal Reminder Email]]
* [[Lapsed Member Contact|Lapsed Member]] Email
* Lapsed Member Call Scripts
* Re-instatement Welcomes

== Events and Engagement ==

* [[Event Recap]]

== Tips for Using Templates ==

* Personalize at least one sentence
* Keep messages short and clear
* Avoid sending messages that feel automated
* Match tone to the situation

== Contributing Templates ==

If you have a template that works well:

* Add it to the appropriate section
* Include context (when to use it)
* Keep it simple and reusable

See:
* [[Contributing to This Wiki]]
{{ChecklistsAreAResource}}

Welcoming New Members: Local Group Outreach Examples

2026-04-02T17:42:33Z

LisaBlair: add southern Ct Letter

Welcoming New Members: Local Group Outreach Examples

2026-04-02T17:35:45Z

LisaBlair: added San Diego welcome email

Hi, _________!

I'm the Membership Chair for WNY Mensa. Welcome to the group!

I got your name and information from Serena Tabor, the editor of our monthly newsletter, the ''Mensana (''men-SAHNA). Serena sends me info for new members when she's gotten a few accumulated, and yours was one of those in her last list. I'm so glad you've joined us in the WNY chapter.

Have you started receiving the ''Mensana'' yet? You should be receiving it via either email or mail (whatever you listed as your preference when you joined) by now. If you haven't, please let me know so that I can make sure you get it. It has our monthly calendar of events and a number of enjoyable regular features, as well as Board Meeting minutes.

We have a variety of monthly events at which one can meet and chat with other members. Casual dress is the norm, although some members spiff it up a little for the annual Holiday Party. Games nights are usually well-attended, as are potlucks and ice cream socials. Currently, there are also monthly pub nights, a speaker series at The Buffalo History Museum, a monthly brunch, dinners, traditional "Jewish Christmas" (Chinese food and a movie), and visits to places of interest. Here's a list of upcoming events for this month:

[Calendar entries in chronological order inserted here. I usually add comments about the brunch I organize every month, especially if it's going to take place near where they live or has in the past]

There's no scheduling committee, however; ''any'' member can think up an event and get help creating a calendar entry for it, if they like. New ideas are always welcome! One thing we local Ms have learned (especially post-pandemic, as it were), is that even if an event has a small turnout, it can be just as - if not more - enjoyable than if it had had a large turnout.

Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. I hope that I'll get to meet you, soon!

Jan Sandberg

= =

'''[return address]'''

[auto-fill date]

Dear ,

Welcome to San Diego Mensa (SD Mensa). We look forward to seeing you at our activities. All the events listed in our newsletter, '''''San Diego MENSAN''''', are open to you and there is contact information for each event for additional information. Also, our calendar is online at: <nowiki>http://sandiegomensa.org/events/calendar.html</nowiki>, which requires your American Mensa website login. If you haven’t done it yet, go to <nowiki>http://us.mensa.org</nowiki> to create your login. Be sure to check out the other cool stuff on our website also. You don’t need to wait for an orientation to start attending events. Also, be sure to go to www.mensa.org and create an account for yourself on the International Mensa website, so you can vote in elections for the International Board of Directors.

We have four private Facebook groups: for adults, GenX, GenY/Young Adult, and Gifted Youth. The Gen X group is for members born between 1965 and 1980. The Gen Y/Young Adult group is for members born during or after 1981 and who are at least 18 years old. The Gifted Youth group is for members who are not 18 years old yet, and their parents. The adult Facebook group is open to all members world-wide, though some posts might not be appropriate for children. All four groups can be accessed through their links on the San Diego Mensa website main page.

Our next New Member Orientation is on:

'''[day/date]'''

'''New Member Orientation, [time]'''

'''Monthly Gathering, [time]'''

[event details – location, contact info, description]

Admission to the party is FREE for you and a guest if you attend the orientation. If you plan to attend, please also RSVP to memberservices@sandiegomensa.org. The one-time free admission to a monthly gathering will expire in six months, in case you can’t make it to the orientation this soon.

We would appreciate a thumbnail sketch to print in our newsletter, to introduce you to our group. Please return the enclosed New Member Profile info to the email below if possible. List your hobbies, interests, accomplishments, employment, how you learned about Mensa, and/or anything else you think we might find interesting. You can also include a photo if you reply by email (.jpg is best). Regular mail is fine if you prefer.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact our Member Services Team at sdm.ms.team@gmail.com.

Again, welcome to SD Mensa!

'''''[sender’s name]'''''

'''San Diego Mensa Member Services Team'''

Welcoming New Members: Local Group Outreach Examples

2026-04-02T17:33:48Z

LisaBlair: added letter WNY

2026-02-28T21:46:02Z

LisaBlair: /* Welcome to the Local Group Toolkit */

Local Group Toolkit

{{Task force ideas}}

= '''Welcome to the Local Group Toolkit''' =

=== '''Welcome!''' ===
Thank you for volunteering with your Local Group — your time, energy, and care make our community stronger, warmer, and more connected.

This toolkit exists to help local group volunteers succeed faster, with less stress and less guesswork.

It is:

* Practical
* Experience-based
* Editable
* Built by volunteers for volunteers

It is '''not''' a policy manual or a substitute for official governing documents. It is also understood that local groups vary by size and may have some interlap of officer duties but this toolbox in intended as a helpful tool that can be used with flexibility.

=== '''Please note: This is a work-in-progress.''' ===

===== '''The pilot effort will be for [[Membership Officer|Membership Officers]].''' =====

===== Intended future work =====
Additional [[Local Group Officers|Local Group Officer]] roles will be added and this wiki will be kept up to date with the efforts of local volunteers under the guidance of the [[Leadership Development Committee]].

<nowiki>##</nowiki> Need ToC that links to all Local Group Officers, even though most will be blank, Put in Getting Started? Info box on page? Both? /DL /bw

=== '''What This Toolkit Is''' ===
This wiki is your one-stop resource for everything you need to serve your Local Group effectively:

* '''Role guides and responsibilities''' – clear descriptions of what each officer does
* '''Step-by-step processes''' – from welcoming new members to planning events
* '''Templates and examples''' – emails, checklists, SOPs, and more
* '''Best practices and tips''' – lessons learned from experienced volunteers
* '''Tools and systems guidance''' – how to use our resources and keep information up-to-date

It’s designed to be '''practical, easy to navigate, and continuously growing'''. The content evolves as volunteers like you contribute ideas, improvements, and success stories.

=== '''Who This Toolkit Is For''' ===

* New and experienced [[Local Group officers]]
* Volunteers who support events, communications, or membership
* Anyone looking to make a positive impact in their Local Group community

=== '''How to Use This Toolkit''' ===

* Browse by role or topic to find relevant guidance
* Search for templates, process ideas, best practices, tools, or FAQs
* Follow links between pages to explore related topics
* Add your insights, examples, or suggestions — your contributions help make this toolkit even better]
**[[What belongs here]]
**[[Contributing to this wiki]]
**[[Wiki danger zones]] <<Contributing to wiki might be its own page that includes the others>>

=== '''Getting Started''' ===

* '''New officer?''' Start with your role’s “First 30 Days” guide and checklist
* '''Experienced volunteer?''' Explore best practices, templates, and tips you can share
* '''Curious or mentoring?''' Browse other roles to learn how the Local Group functions as a team

Thank you again for giving your time and talent to your Local Group. Every email sent, checklist completed, newsletter article published, and event coordinated makes a real difference — and your efforts are deeply appreciated. Together, we make our Mensa community welcoming, vibrant, and fun for everyone!

Consult the [https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Help:Contents User's Guide] for information on using the wiki software.

== Getting started ==
* [https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Manual:Configuration_settings Configuration settings list]
* [https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Manual:FAQ MediaWiki FAQ]
* [https://lists.wikimedia.org/postorius/lists/mediawiki-announce.lists.wikimedia.org/ MediaWiki release mailing list]
* [https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Localisation#Translation_resources Localise MediaWiki for your language]
* [https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Manual:Combating_spam Learn how to combat spam on your wiki]

Main Page

2026-02-28T21:32:48Z

LisaBlair: /* Welcome to the Local Group Toolkit */

Local Group Toolkit

{{Task force ideas}}

= '''Welcome to the Local Group Toolkit''' =

=== '''Welcome!''' ===
Thank you for volunteering with your Local Group — your time, energy, and care make our community stronger, warmer, and more connected.

This toolkit exists to help local group volunteers succeed faster, with less stress and less guesswork.

It is:

* Practical
* Experience-based
* Editable
* Built by volunteers for volunteers

It is '''not''' a policy manual or a substitute for official governing documents.

=== '''Please note: This is a work-in-progress.''' ===

===== '''The pilot effort will be for [[Membership Officer|Membership Officers]].''' =====

===== Intended future work =====
Additional [[Local Group Officers|Local Group Officer]] roles will be added and this wiki will be kept up to date with the efforts of local volunteers under the guidance of the [[Leadership Development Committee]].

<nowiki>##</nowiki> Need ToC that links to all Local Group Officers, even though most will be blank, Put in Getting Started? Info box on page? Both? /DL /bw

=== '''What This Toolkit Is''' ===
This wiki is your one-stop resource for everything you need to serve your Local Group effectively:

* '''Role guides and responsibilities''' – clear descriptions of what each officer does
* '''Step-by-step processes''' – from welcoming new members to planning events
* '''Templates and examples''' – emails, checklists, SOPs, and more
* '''Best practices and tips''' – lessons learned from experienced volunteers
* '''Tools and systems guidance''' – how to use our resources and keep information up-to-date

It’s designed to be '''practical, easy to navigate, and continuously growing'''. The content evolves as volunteers like you contribute ideas, improvements, and success stories.

=== '''Who This Toolkit Is For''' ===

* New and experienced [[Local Group officers]]
* Volunteers who support events, communications, or membership
* Anyone looking to make a positive impact in their Local Group community

=== '''How to Use This Toolkit''' ===

* Browse by role or topic to find relevant guidance
* Search for templates, process ideas, best practices, tools, or FAQs
* Follow links between pages to explore related topics
* Add your insights, examples, or suggestions — your contributions help make this toolkit even better]
**[[What belongs here]]
**[[Contributing to this wiki]]
**[[Wiki danger zones]] <<Contributing to wiki might be its own page that includes the others>>

=== '''Getting Started''' ===

* '''New officer?''' Start with your role’s “First 30 Days” guide and checklist
* '''Experienced volunteer?''' Explore best practices, templates, and tips you can share
* '''Curious or mentoring?''' Browse other roles to learn how the Local Group functions as a team

Thank you again for giving your time and talent to your Local Group. Every email sent, checklist completed, newsletter article published, and event coordinated makes a real difference — and your efforts are deeply appreciated. Together, we make our Mensa community welcoming, vibrant, and fun for everyone!

Consult the [https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Help:Contents User's Guide] for information on using the wiki software.

== Getting started ==
* [https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Manual:Configuration_settings Configuration settings list]
* [https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Manual:FAQ MediaWiki FAQ]
* [https://lists.wikimedia.org/postorius/lists/mediawiki-announce.lists.wikimedia.org/ MediaWiki release mailing list]
* [https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Localisation#Translation_resources Localise MediaWiki for your language]
* [https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Manual:Combating_spam Learn how to combat spam on your wiki]