Connecticut & Western Massachusetts Mensa Leadership Development Workshop * Sponsored by C&WM *

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The Leadership Development Workshop (LDW) held during the first weekend of April 2004 was a great success. Connecticut & Western Massachusetts Mensa thanks Bob Smith, LocSec (equivalent to Chapter Chairman), for his literally years-long effort to get approval for C&WM to host the LDW. Most people didn't know it was three years in the pre-approval stage!

Marghretta McBean, Region 1 Vice-Chair and LDW organizer, deserves high praise for her hard work and late hours. She was declared "best begger" by Cookie Bakke, one of the outstanding workshop presenters. Jean Becker, Ph.D., Chair of American Mensa, and her husband Ed (also a Dr. Becker) exemplified the Mensa ideal of equals at a round table. Deborah Ruf, Ph.D., and Kathleen Jantzen, Ph.D., kept the kids, parents, and leaders in the Gifted Children track interested and involved.

Kudos also to Will Mackey, LDW Registrar, Vice-LocSec, and wizard; Gisela Rodriguez, Calendar Editor and keeper of the mostly-weekly e-reminder; Jeff Kochosky, Media (Chapter newsletter) Editor and printer of LDW handouts; Mike Wilson, Treasurer and diplomat extraordinaire; Bill Vincent, Media publisher and food/beverage guru.

Special thanks to Simon Hessler and his outstanding staff at Super 8 Motel and Conference Center of Manchester, CT! When most of us heard "Super 8" we thought of something quite different from what we found upon arrival. The photos may show what we mean about the physical property, but we cannot show the courtesy, attention to detail, and friendliness. While Mensa does not officially endorse a lodging chain or individual location, if a meeting in the Greater Hartford, CT area is in your future we suggest that you consider a call to (860) 643-1864.

The information listed here and in the related Pages reflects what really happened....

Registration

Fees are listed below, as is the location. Scholarships were available! Registration continued on Saturday morning.

Workshop

How to Organize a Regional or Multi-Group Activity.

Orientation Session

Marghretta McBean, Region 1 Vice-Chair; Bob Smith, C&WM LocSec; Will Mackey, LDW Registrar and C&WM Vice-LocSec. A quick, painless overview about what an LDW is (and isn't); the importance of filling out evaluation forms; where rooms are, etc.

Mixer

A chance to meet and talk with Mensa officers. C&WM Mensa hosted a lively evening of conversation, with C&WM Chapter members talking with the LDW attendees, including the National officers. Light snacks plus grinders (a.k.a. subs, hoagies, heroes) and beverages were provided. A great temporary replacement for First Friday Happy Hour!

Continental Breakfast

 

Wrap-up Session

Sayonara from the presenters and the C&WM Chapter ExComm. Many people, reluctant to leave, stayed and chatted long after the official end of the LDW.

Mensa Room Rates

Double: $55.25 plus tax per night

Queen: $63.75 plus tax per night

King: $93.50 plus tax per night

From New York

Take I-95 North to Exit 48, I-91 North. Follow I-91 North to Exit 29, I-84 East. Follow I-84 East; take Exit 63. At the traffic light turn left onto Routes 30/83. Continue straight through 2 traffic lights. After intersection, turn right onto Taylor Street. Super 8 Motel of Manchester is located at number 20, on the right-hand side.

From Boston

Take the Mass Pike (I-90) to Exit 9, I-84 West. Follow I-84 West; take Exit 63. At the traffic light turn right onto Routes 30/83. Continue straight through 2 traffic lights. After intersection, turn right onto Taylor Street. Super 8 Motel of Manchester is located at number 20, on the right-hand side.

From I-84 East-bound

Take I-84 East to Exit 63. At the traffic light turn right onto Routes 30/83. Continue straight through 2 traffic lights. After intersection, turn right onto Taylor Street. Super 8 Motel of Manchester is located at number 20, on the right-hand side.

From I-84 West-bound

Take I-84 West to Exit 63. At the traffic light turn right onto Routes 30/83. Continue straight through 2 traffic lights. After intersection, turn right onto Taylor Street. Super 8 Motel of Manchester is located at number 20, on the right-hand side.

Bus

The Greyhound Bus Lines stop in Manchester is at 455 Hartford Road. It is a short drive to the Super 8 Motel.

Train

New Haven, CT is about half an hour South of Manchester. Some people, including Marghretta, took MetroNorth (or Amtrak). Mike Wilson gave them a lift (thanks, Mike!).

Plane

Bradley Field is about half an hour North of Manchester. Bob Smith and C&WM members met Jean and Ed Becker and others (thanks, Bob, Gisela, and everyone!).

Registration Fee

National Resources and Group Dynamics Tracks: $15.00

Included Friday and Saturday night mixers, Saturday and Sunday breakfasts, Saturday lunch.
  

Gifted Children Track: $10.00

Included Saturday lunch.
Children were free. All minors had to be accompanied by an adult.
  
The young people and their parents are planning activities for "intellectuals developing", the brand-new "Ween, Tween, & Teen C&WM Mensa group". Look for the "id" Pages coming soon to the C&WM Site!
  

Scholarships or financial assistance was available.

Marghretta McBean, Regional Vice-Chair, was the contact information at RVC1 @ US.Mensa.Org

Some people used the on-line Registration Form that opened in a separate window so that they might print it and close its window. We did not have the capability of processing forms and billing electronically.

Local Coordinator / Registrar

William A. G. Mackey
52 Llynwood Drive
Bolton, CT, 06043
Telephone: (860) 646-1619
Email: MackeyW @ ATT.Net

Latest revision: 31 May 2004

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Copyright © 2004 Connecticut & Western Massachusetts Mensa. The Mensa logo is a registered trademark of Mensa International, Ltd. and American Mensa, Ltd.; all rights reserved. Mensa does not hold any opinions, have or express any political or religious views.