Difference between revisions of "2007 Annual Gathering of American Mensa"
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==Hospitality issues and leadership change== | ==Hospitality issues and leadership change== | ||
| − | On Saturday, June 23, it was announced that the management of the gathering had changed due to a "a quickly deteriorating relationship with the hotel over Hospitality issues, and a lack of adequate communication between AML and the core committee".{{ref|insideaml}} According to information released by American Mensa and by people involved in the issue, the problem was that the organizers of the gathering intended to bring in home-cooked food and heat it up in the hotel, and the hotel and the local health authorities had a problem with this. The hotel contract allowed for the bringing in and preparation of food by Mensan volunteers, but only within local and state regulations. Ultimately, the AMC stepped in, involving the national office in negotiations, and after communications broke down, insisted that the local committee relinquish control of hospitality. They were unwilling to do so as long as they were in charge of the AG in general, so ultimately they stepped down altogether. This has led to much discussion and controversy in Mensa political forums, with some | + | On Saturday, June 23, it was announced that the management of the gathering had changed due to a "a quickly deteriorating relationship with the hotel over Hospitality issues, and a lack of adequate communication between AML and the core committee".{{ref|insideaml}} According to information released by American Mensa and by people involved in the issue, the problem was that the organizers of the gathering intended to bring in home-cooked food and heat it up in the hotel, and the hotel and the local health authorities had a problem with this. The hotel contract allowed for the bringing in and preparation of food by Mensan volunteers, but only within local and state regulations. Ultimately, the AMC stepped in, involving the national office in negotiations, and after communications broke down, insisted that the local committee relinquish control of hospitality. They were unwilling to do so as long as they were in charge of the AG in general, so ultimately they stepped down altogether. This has led to much discussion and controversy in Mensa political forums, with some concerned that there might be no more AGs organized and run by volunteers rather than paid professionals. |
==Notes and references== | ==Notes and references== | ||
Revision as of 12:44, 24 June 2007
The 2007 Annual Gathering of American Mensa is to be held in Birmingham, Alabama, which hosted an AG ten years earlier. It is once again held at the Sheraton Civic Center and was originally chaired by Steve and LeAnne Porter until the leadership was abruptly changed in June, 2007, just weeks before the AG, due to problems between the AG committee and the hotel management over hospitality.
In contrast to recent AGs in expensive "destination" cities, with increasing amounts of management and organization provided by the paid staff of the national office, this was planned to be a more "home-grown" volunteer-based effort, similar to AGs of days gone by. However, the last-minute management changes seem likely to affect this.
The Birmingham AG is being referred to as "a good old time AG" by promoters who cite its "old-time" registration prices, starting at $40.00, as well as the hotel room price of $89.25 plus tax (with free parking and airport shuttle).
A wide variety of programs is planned, along with a well-stocked games room, three dances, and a friendly, comfortable Hospitality Suite, open round the clock and full of candy (Umm, Chocolate!), chips, dips and veggies, drinks, and even real food.
Hospitality issues and leadership change
On Saturday, June 23, it was announced that the management of the gathering had changed due to a "a quickly deteriorating relationship with the hotel over Hospitality issues, and a lack of adequate communication between AML and the core committee".[1] According to information released by American Mensa and by people involved in the issue, the problem was that the organizers of the gathering intended to bring in home-cooked food and heat it up in the hotel, and the hotel and the local health authorities had a problem with this. The hotel contract allowed for the bringing in and preparation of food by Mensan volunteers, but only within local and state regulations. Ultimately, the AMC stepped in, involving the national office in negotiations, and after communications broke down, insisted that the local committee relinquish control of hospitality. They were unwilling to do so as long as they were in charge of the AG in general, so ultimately they stepped down altogether. This has led to much discussion and controversy in Mensa political forums, with some concerned that there might be no more AGs organized and run by volunteers rather than paid professionals.
Notes and references
- ^ Information and documents relating to the hospitality issues and change of AG management are in the American Mensa member Web site (member login needed to access it).
| Preceded by: 2006: Orlando (WG) |
Annual Gathering of American Mensa 2007 |
Succeeded by: 2008: Denver |
