Minnesota Mensa Special Interest Groups (SIGs)

Camping SIG — The Camping SIG explores a Minnesota State Park one weekend a month, from May through October. We hike, check out local historic sites, enjoy interpretive programs (where available), and share evenings around the campfire. We bring our children and dog(s) (if applicable), and take advantage of the beautiful summers here!

Central Intelligents — For more information, contact Karen Cyson.

1st Friday — Not a SIG, but still a good time. First Friday is the most attended Mensa event in the world. Held the first Friday of every month, this unstructured gathering has wide appeal. Conversation, board games, hugs, chocolate...you never know what's going to happen.

Young Ms — See Mensagenda for current information.

Games SIG — Games SIG typically meets on Saturday evening the week after First Friday at Wanda Shelton's home. Six to twelve Mensans attend regularly. We play card games (such as UNO, Phase Ten, Fruit Salad, and Cancellation Hearts), various board games, dice games, dominoes, Scrabble, Go, Taboo, and trivia games. We play games the attendees want to play. Bring your favorites and plan to have fun — win or lose. Some gamers are serious while playing, others are strictly in it for the fun. We keep score so we know when to start another game. The hostess provides some snacks, but members often add treats to the spread. E-mail Wanda for directions and to verify the date and time. Roll those dice, spin that spinner, shuffle those cards and deal! Let's play!

Gay & Lesbian SIG — This SIG started in 1981. The group meets for brunch and conversation every six weeks or so.

GenX SIG — The MN GenX-M's SIG is the Minnesota chapter of the national GenX-M's SIG. In accordance with their guidelines, "GenXers" are considered to be anyone born between 1961 and 1981. Our local group got started in 2003, and has been going strong ever since. We hold a dinner night each month and usually at least one other event. In addition, we typically gather at the monthly First Friday meeting. Find out the specifics of our events on the MN Mensa calendar, in the Mensagenda, or by joining our YahooGroup, located at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mngenx/.

GenY SIG— See Mensagenda for current information.

Greeting Meeting — Minnesota Mensa's traditional way of introducing the new members to the current members of our group. It's easy to meet and get to know one another in this informal setting.

Irish Music SIG — This group meets every 1st, 3rd, and 5th Wednesday evening. Come drink Irish (or American) beer, listen to Irish Music, and tell lousy jokes and bad puns.

Johnny's Revisited — See Mensagenda for current information.

Lake Harriet Picnic SIG — Fun in the sun. Join us for this picnic, typically in August. Ride the Lake Harriet Trolley, see the rose garden, visit the nature sanctuary.

Let's Do Lunch! SIG — It's the downtown power chow! Meet in downtown Minneapolis for lunch and conversation the second Wednesday of each month at D. Brian's.

Lit-Wits SIG — Develop various interesting themes each month using media of your choice — prose, poems, graphics, experiences, etc.

Poker SIG — This non-serious treatment of Statistical Variation Probability, Statistics, and Stochastic Processes meets monthly to study the intricate statistical nuances...play poker.

Science Fiction SIG — See Mensagenda for current information.

Sharp Women SIG — Do you quilt, tat, needlepoint or cross-stitch? If you "just do it" with a needle (or a hook, or a shuttle... we're not that picky), please join us for our monthly meeting of Sharp Women. Contact Gail for information.

Topics SIG — This lively SIG has varying, interesting topics. Come join in the discussion.

Transgender SIG — The transgender SIG meets at a local restaurant and/or bookstore once a month. We discuss gender and happenings in the local transgender community with people from TGNorthland, a local listserve for transgendered folks. We welcome anyone who is transgendered or has an interest in learning more about the transgendered community. For more information contact Katrina Johnson.

Well-Read Women — See Mensagenda for current information.

Young Ms — See Mensagenda for current information.