I want to take a moment to thank those of you who have reached out this week. It has been quite the roller coaster.
I want to share and paraphrase some of the statement that Steve Welch made to his region as it reflects my feelings.
"One point: It wasn't just the 8 RVCs who were ousted; Our two appointed AMC officers, Kimberly Strickland and Lilly Noonan, were also put out, 10 of the 18 regular members of your Board of Directors."
I am still not allowed to give details of what happened, but I can tell you my opinion of why: The entrenched, establishment powers that be in Mensa, represented by Chair Lori Norris and two of the ex-chairs who make up the Hearings Committee, were concerned that this new wave of leadership wanted to eliminate the secrecy of the AMC and to also make the AMC actually do things for the membership, so they were willing to seize on any excuse to get rid of us. Again, in my opinion, They don't care that the membership is in an uproar; they believe they are above the membership and not accountable to them. I hope the membership proves them wrong.
My suggestion is that you demand accountability. Write an email to Lori Norris (chair of American Mensa), Deb Stone (chair of the National Hearings Committee), LaRae Bakerink (NHC member) and Timmy King (NHC member) and demand they release all the "evidence" presented against us 10 in the Jan. 11 hearing. Demand the opportunity to judge for yourselves whether the action of removing a majority of the AMC was warranted. Demand also to know why it's even possible that a majority of two out of three former chairs is allowed to make such a sweeping decision, with no accountability, no appeal. Then, also sign the online petition demanding the same thing.
I am quite willing to listen to the members of Region 9. If you think my actions warrant my removal, I'll accept that. But I believe you should be able to know what I was accused of, and what my defense was.
This is about more than the 10 of us pushed off the AMC and banned from holding any office at any level in Mensa. It's about your rights as members. Demand them. Don't let "Deep Mensa" deny them to you.
Again, thank you all.
Kelly
RVC9 in Exile