New to Mensa?

Step 1: Register at the US Mensa Website

First, log in at the US Mensa website: https://www.us.mensa.org/

You should already have an account for whatever email you gave Mensa when you signed up. If not, it probably hasn’t been set up yet. You will have to wait a week or so.

Step 2: Find Your Chapter

After you have signed in, you need to find what chapter you belong to. Mensa chapters are divided according to geography.

American Mensa puts every member in the local group (chapter) that covers the ZIP code of their address on file.

Log into US Mensa and go to your profile: https://members.us.mensa.org/eweb/StartPage.aspx

Check to see if everything is correct, including your address. At the bottom, under “My Local Groups,” is the chapter you’ve been assigned.

If you update your address, you will automatically be assigned to the chapter for your new ZIP code.

If you want to switch chapters without moving, contact American Mensa’s Membership Department at Membership@americanmensa.org. Give your member number and ask to be a “member by preference” of the chapter you want.

There is also a special group for members who aren’t tied to one place, called Isolated M. It’s a Special Interest Group with its own newsletter, for members such as people in the military or living overseas for a while. Members like these start out in Isolated M and can switch to a local chapter if they want. Members who live in remote parts of the US can choose Isolated M instead of a local chapter, too.

Step 3: Read Your Chapter’s Newsletter and Website

Once you have your chapter squared away, you should look at its newsletter and website.

Not all chapters have a website, but most do. Every chapter must put out a newsletter or calendar of events at least quarterly. You get it by email or by mail, depending on your communication preferences. If you’ve given Mensa your email address and allowed it to be shared, the default is email. You can switch to email or to print here: https://members.us.mensa.org/eweb/DynamicPage.aspx?webcode=CommPref

If you do nothing else, after joining you should get a newsletter from your chapter at least quarterly.

All chapters are required to send US Mensa a copy of their newsletter. You can find an archive of your chapter’s newsletters on the US Mensa website: https://www.us.mensa.org/read/group-newsletters/

In the newsletter, you will find a calendar of your chapter’s events. It may also be on the website. Events are usually open to you, other members, and anyone you want to bring along. If guests (nonmembers) aren’t invited, it should say so. Mensa is primarily a social club, and attending these events is a primary reason to join. The newsletter or website should also tell you how to submit your own events.

Regional Gatherings

Each chapter (or chapters working together) may throw one big party every year called a “Regional Gathering,” or RG.

Greater Los Angeles Area Mensa’s Regional Gathering website (that’s this site) is here: glaamrg.org

Party is perhaps not the best description. It usually takes place at a hotel over the span of a couple of days or longer. Lectures from notable speakers are popular, along with activities for kids, games, and whatever else the chapter can come up with. The best description is maybe a fun convention, like Comic-Con.

If your chapter is having a Regional Gathering, you are strongly encouraged to go. Your guests are usually welcome as well. Regional Gatherings are a good way to get people interested in joining Mensa: if they go to an RG and like it, they may want to join.

You may go to any Regional Gathering anywhere in the US. There are about 40 a year. We keep a list of upcoming ones here: glaamrg.org/territory#mensa-gatherings

US Mensa’s events calendar lists some of them too: US Mensa events calendar: Regional Gatherings

Annual Gathering

Each year, US Mensa itself hosts an Annual Gathering (AG), in a different city each time, usually around the Fourth of July. It’s a highlight for many members. The 2027 AG is in Atlanta, June 30 to July 4. Information here: https://ag.us.mensa.org/

Mind Games

Every spring, American Mensa holds Mind Games, a four-day board game event where members play brand-new games, rate them, and help choose the year’s best (the Mensa Select winners). Mind Games 2027 is April 15 to 18, near Cincinnati. Information here: https://www.mensamindgames.com/

Special Interest Groups (SIGs)

Mensa has about 140 Special Interest Groups, or SIGs, for members who share an interest, from astronomy and genealogy to board games and writing. Joining one is a good way to meet members who like what you like, wherever they live. Browse them here: https://www.us.mensa.org/connect/sigs/

The Mensa Bulletin

The Mensa Bulletin is American Mensa’s magazine for members, with articles by members, puzzles and brain games, and a calendar of events. Members can read the latest issue online: https://www.us.mensa.org/read/bulletin/

Mensa Connect

Within the US Mensa website, there is a members-only, Facebook-style social network called Mensa Connect. Once you have logged into the US Mensa website, you should have access: https://connect.us.mensa.org/home/memberhome

If You’re in GLAAM

If your chapter is Greater Los Angeles Area Mensa (GLAAM), our website is https://www.glaam.org/. The events calendar is at https://www.glaam.org/events/, and you can reach the chapter at https://www.glaam.org/contact/.

And come to StaRGazing 2027, our Regional Gathering, February 19 to 21, 2027, in Culver City: glaamrg.org

US Mensa Primer for New Members

US Mensa’s own guide for new members: https://www.us.mensa.org/learn/primer/