2007 Annual Gathering of American Mensa/Timeline
Revision as of 19:06, 10 July 2007 by DanTheWebmaster (talk | contribs) (→Timeline of events related to the 2007 Annual Gathering of American Mensa)
- Saturday, December 4, 2004: Central Alabama Mensa's bid to host the 2007 Annual Gathering of American Mensa is approved by the American Mensa Committee, pending legal review of the contract. (ASIE 2004-128) Presentations were made by prospective chairs Steve and LeAnn Porter, and by Rik Hess on behalf of the competing bid from North Texas Mensa. After a closed session, the Birmingham bid is accepted.
- Thursday, June 6, 2007: Denise Sercy, the sales manager for the Sheraton Birmingham, contacts the American Mensa National Office regarding problems with food planned to be served. They did this because American Mensa Limited (AML) is a signatory to the hotel contract for the gathering. They also made reference to "threats of getting a lawyer involved" on the part of the local group, and requested a conference call on Monday.
- Friday, June 7, 2007: AML executive director Pam Donahoo met with chairman Russ Bakke to review the contract and host agreement.
- Monday, June 11, 2007: A conference call was held with Pam, Denise, and hotel General Manager Mark Noyes. The hotel informs Pam that they have recently become aware of menu items planned for hospitality that they believe not to be in compliance with local health regulations. They say they were previously unaware of plans to bring homemade foods. They have been in contact with the health department, which has said that homemade soups and sauces are not permitted, though some baked goods such as brownies might manage to get a waiver. Another issue raised is that the members don't have Food Handler's Certificates, which are required for all people working in the kitchen. Pam sent them documentation of the Mensa food handling classes and certification which nine local members have completed, to see if this might qualify, but even if it does it is an insufficient number of people. The hotel has agreed to provide food handlers throughout the AG at a cost of $2000 (half of the $4000 cost to the hotel, so they are absorbing the other $2000), and set out food purchased via Sysco. Although the contract specifically allows the Mensa group to serve their own food, there is also a clause indicating that local regulations and laws must be followed.
- Later that day: Pam receives faxed copy of letter from hotel to Porters regarding food requirements, and it is forwarded to Russ and corporate counsel Maria Sawczuk.
[more to be filled in later]
