American Mensa Violations Of Law And Bylaws

American Mensa is in trouble.

American Mensa's leadership have violated multiple provisions of New York State law (where Mensa is incorporated) as well as provisions of the Mensa Constitution and the American Mensa Bylaws.

The decision of the National Hearings Committee to remove the majority of American Mensa Committee members (eight of fifteen voting members, two non-voting members) for supposed violation of undefined sections of the American Mensa Bylaws is a violation of New York State Non-Profit Code sections 706, 712, and 714. It is also in conflict with provisions of the American Mensa Bylaws.

American Mensa is in violation of the requirements of the Mensa Constitution which require a fair and independent hearing process which includes an appeal process. American Mensa has no appeals process for Hearing Committee actions.

Chair Lori Norris has called for a special meeting of the AMC on February 17. This meeting will be in violation of New York State Non- Profit Code sections 608 and 707 which define a quorum to be eight voting members. Any actions taken at this illegal meeting will be void.

Motion C on the February 17 agenda, authorizing a special election for RVCs, is in violation of the American Mensa Bylaws, which do not provide for special elections. In 2009, the membership narrowly defeated an amendment to the Bylaws which would have authorized special elections for RVCs. ASIEs cannot change the Bylaws or create new sections of the Bylaws; only a referendum of the membership can do this.

These multiple violations of New York State law, the Mensa Constitution, and the American Mensa Bylaws constitute a breach of fiduciary duty and are harmful to American Mensa. I urge you to contact Chair Lori Norris, Interim Executive Director Greta Zeimetz, the National Ombudsman, and other members of the AMC to halt these violations.

Contact:

  American Mensa -- (817) 607-0060
  Chair Lori Norris -- Chair@us.mensa.org
  First Vice Chair Jon Gruebele -- FirstViceChair@us.mensa.org
  Second Vice Chair Tabby Vos -- SecondViceChair@us.mensa.org
  Interim ED Greta Zeimetz -- ExecutiveDirector@americanmensa.org
  National Ombudsman Justin Wall -- Ombudsman@us.mensa.org