Event Guide

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Due to the pandemic, many of these events are on hiatus until the regular hosts are more comfortable. Please review the calendar page for public events and the events listing in the members only section (Mensa Connect) for scheduled activities.

This page contains a list of events that members in Mensa of Western Washington enjoy in addition to the Annual, Regional, and Monthly Gatherings listed on the Gatherings page of this website. They include regularly scheduled events such as Meetups, special interest groups (SIGs), TGIFs, regular lunches or dinners, movie nights, and games nights.

  • NONMEMBERS: You can use this sample list to learn about some activities that members of our local group enjoy. It does not display names of hosts or their contact information. The Monthly Gathering is the exception because it is open to the public. The location and time of the Monthly Gathering are shown on the calendar page of this website.
  • MEMBERS: This list provides examples for nonmembers to learn what kinds of activities we enjoy. It might not contain the most up-to-date information. For a complete and accurate schedule, including contact information, addresses, changes to the schedule, and possible additional events, see the Event Section of Mensa Connect.

Special interest groups (SIGs)

Women’s Bathroom SIG (WoSIG) meets on the first Sunday of every month at 2:00 pm. This is a forum for adult women to discuss issues of interest to them. A theme is chosen in advance for each discussion. Absolute confidentiality is required. Seems like an odd name for an interest group? There’s a funny story behind the name!

Metaphysics, Occult & Parapsychology (MOP SIG) meets at 6:00 pm in Magnolia. Metaphysics, the occult, and parapsychology cover a vast array of topics and delve into subjects that have collective appeal: learn some history, glean techniques, and identify resources for continued education and practice. We welcome seekers and open minds.

Science & Technology (SaTSIG) Meets every third Friday at 7:00 pm in Lake Forest Park. The scope includes science subjects and technology subjects such as artificial intelligence and robotics. Science is not a body of knowledge, but an approach to answer questions. Today’s science is grappling with several big questions. What is the unseen 95% of matter and energy? What is consciousness? Are we alone in the universe?

M’Odyssey (Formerly WIGWAG) meets at various times to visit interesting locations around Puget Sound. WIGWAG stands for “Where I’d Go With A Group.” People didn’t get the acronym so it was changed to M’Odyssey to reflect the adventurous nature of the group. Previous adventures have been to Mt. St. Helens, the Rhododendron Gardens, Ft. Lewis, and various other scenic walks, hikes, or attractions.

Chocoholics SIG meets at various times, usually every other month for adventures in chocolate tasting. A few of the past meetups have been tours of Theo Chocolate, Bakery Nouveau, Vavako Chocolate, and Fran’s Chocolates.

Clever Shots SIG meets the last Saturday of every month. This is a sport shooting SIG that typically, but not always, meets at the Kenmore Shooting Ranges..

GaySig Seattle meets on the last Sunday each month for a fabulous brunch and salon-style conversation. Current members, prospects and allies are all welcome..

Restaurant Adventures SIG usually meets on the second Saturday of each month for a dinner out in the greater Seattle area. The purpose is, of course, not only social, but also to explore the different culinary delights of the area. Some past adventures included: Café Turko, Café Flora, Royal India, Ma’Ono Chicken & Whiskey, Capitol Cider, and Crawfish House.

TGIFs

Wendy Hutchinson TGIF meets every Friday at 5:30 pm in Ballard.

West Sound TGIF meets every other Friday at 7:00 pm.

South Sound TGIF meets on the second Fridays of the month in downtown Olympia for Chinese, Thai, and Vietnamese cuisine in a very pleasant atmosphere.

Snohomish County TGIF meets every Friday at 5:30 pm.

Bellingham TGIF meets every second Friday of the month at 5:00 pm. In a friendly bar with good prices and good food.

Lunches and dinners

Port Townsend Lunch Bunch meets on the first and third Saturday of each month at 1:00 pm.

Gordon W. Hackbarth Memorial Lunch Bunch meets on the first Wednesday of the month at noon. Guaranteed good conversation and good food.

Sears Region Lunch meets on the second Wednesday of each month at noon.

Eastside Dinner meets on the second Thursday of each month 6:30 pm.

Edmonds Lunch meets on the third Wednesday of each month from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.

Whidbey Island Monthly Dinner meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 6:00 pm for casual dinner and conversation, spouse/significant other welcome.

Jenefer Huntoon Memorial Lunch Bunch meets on the fourth and fifth Wednesdays of each month at noon to enjoy delicious salads, soups and Neapolitan foods.

Gaming events

Games Night North meets every second Saturday of each month at 7:30 pm to socialize and play tabletop board games and cards. Hosts alternate between Lynnwood and Edmonds.

Games Night East meets every fourth Saturday of even-numbered months at 7:30 pm in Woodinville to socialize and play tabletop board games and cards. All ages are welcome.

Games Night South meets on the fourth Saturday of odd-numbered months at 7:30 pm in Renton to socialize and play tabletop board games and cards.

Fair Game meets monthly on various days at various public places (bars/restaurants) around the greater Seattle area at 6:30 pm. This group is for ages 21 and older. Admission is free, however participants are encouraged to make a donation to their choice of charities selected by the event host and to support the establishment where the event is hosted. Our purpose: (i) raising money for charity, (ii) recruiting new members for Mensa of Western Washington, (iii) networking amongst gaming industry professionals and aficionados, and (iv) having fun playing tabletop games.

Movie nights

Eastside Mensa Movie Night  meets every second Friday at 7:30 alternating between in-person in Kirkland or online. Each month has a different theme. Attendees reccomend films and vote on which movie to watch.

Seattle Mensa Movie Night meets on the last Friday of each month at 7:30 pm in a private home near the Seattle Center. Each month has a different theme, and attendees bring films and vote on which movie to watch.

Gifted Children & Youth events

1st Thursdays meets at 6:00 pm for dinner in Wings Café and afterwards tours the Museum of Flight. Neither children nor parents need to be Mensa members. Parking is free.

3rd Thursdays meets at 5:30 pm at Washington State History Museum in Tacoma, WA.

MWW Policy Documents

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Mensa of Western Washington is subject to the constitution of Mensa, the bylaws of American Mensa, Ltd., and resolutions adopted by the American Mensa Committee (AMC). In addition, we are governed by the local MWW bylaws written and approved by the MWW Steering Committee, American Mensa, and a vote of the MWW members. In addition, MWW is subject to Standing Orders or Actions Still in Effect (ASIEs), which need only the approval of the SteerCom.

The Local Group Charter codifies the relationship between the Local Group and American Mensa Ltd., establishing rights and responsibilities of each entity.

Below you will find links to the MWW bylaws, ASIEs, and MWW Charter. After opening the link members will need to log in to view the content.

Bylaws of Mensa of Western Washington

MWW bylaws consist of the following: Name and purpose, Membership, Officers and duties, Meetings, Elections, Amendments, Parliamentary procedures and rules of order.

The latest version of our bylaws went into effect on November 4, 2013.

To download a pdf file containing the bylaws, open this link MWW Bylaws.

In this latest version, the local Bylaws Committee revised the format and rewrote several sections to reflect the way we do things differently — such as having officers take office in April rather than January — and, they changed the titles of the following offices:

  • Local Secretary (LocSec) was changed to President.
  • 1st Vice-Secretary was changed to 1st Vice-President
  • 2nd Vice-Secretary was changed to 2nd Vice-President

 Actions Still in Effect (ASIEs)

The MWW list of ASIEs is maintained to keep it current by adding newly adopted actions and removing ASIEs that have been superseded or rendered obsolete. To download a pdf file containing our current list, open this link MWW ASIEs.

MWW Charter

To download a pdf file containing the Charter of Mensa of Western Washington, open this link MWW Charter.

More About Our Regional Gatherings

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While American Mensa is broken into “regions,” each encompassing multiple Local Groups, an RG is actually the gathering of a Local Group — perhaps annually or biennially . In this sense, a true “Regional Gathering” of all the local groups that fall within a designated American Mensa region does not exist. Also, please note not all Local Groups hold an RG.

Confusing, eh?

Every year or two (sometimes less often), MWW hosts or co-hosts a Regional Gathering. In 2011, instead of hosting a Regional Gathering, we were pleased to co-host the Annual Gathering with Oregon Mensa.

Our most recent Regional Gatherings were:

  • 2017, Emerald City Regional Gathering, Return to Oz @ DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Seattle Airport
  • 2018 Emerald City RG, Where Magic Can Happen @ Red Lion Hotel, Bellevue, WA
  • 2021, Emerald City Regional Gathering, Find the Emerald Lining in a virtual (online) format

The 2023 Emerald City Regional Gathering, at the Rainbow’s End will be @ the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Seattle Airport. Visit the RG page for more information.

We hope to see you there!

Member Support Fund

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Mensa of Western Washington’s Member Support Fund Subcommittee, composed of the Treasurer and two other members appointed by the Steering Committee, accepts written applications confidentially from MWW members seeking assistance with payment of their annual American Mensa membership dues in whole or in part. Members are actively encouraged to donate to the Member Support Fund, and are informed that any contributions are not tax-deductible.

Applications are due annually by January 31, and applicants will be informed of the decision of the Member Support Fund Subcommittee by February 28. If awarded, applicant’s dues will be paid directly to American Mensa by the annual renewal deadline of March 31. Applicants should indicate in a short personal statement the reason for their need and their specific interest in volunteering for MWW (proctor, RG, etc.), and send by email to treasurer@mensaww.org. Decisions will be based on available budget for the Fund, applicant’s willingness to volunteer with MWW, and the applicant’s essay. Applicants are limited to three years of support from the Member Support Fund over their lifetime.

Opportunities for Volunteers

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Mensa of Western Washington is run by volunteers. If you like what you see, please help us keep it running. If you don’t like what you see, please give us your ideas on what you’d do differently and involve yourself in the process.

Have a look at the masthead in the current ToteMs newsletter. There are several vacant positions, and some of us are doing multiple jobs. Please see if any of the positions interest you, and let MWW President, Brent Lawson, know where you’d like to be involved.

2022 Steering Committee Election

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Every two years, the MWW bylaws require that we elect new officers to the Steering Committee, and now is the time. On page 4 of the January edition of the ToteMs, you will find a ballot with the name of the candidates for the five offices, and the PO Box address to which you may mail your ballot.

It is vital, imperative, crucial and exciting to return your ballot with your choice of candidates. Please read the candidate statements, and VOTE! All votes must be received in our PO Box by February 1st, 2022.