RG News
Many hands make light work.
Aug. 14, 2026
The North Texas Mensa Regional Gathering, “A Feast of Pleasures and Delights,” held over Thanksgiving weekend, is coming up faster than you think! Let’s hit the ground running.
It takes a lot of people to pull off a great RG, and maybe you’re not sure where you’d fit in. Below is a list of ways you can get involved. We’ve broken down some of the positions into multiple jobs to lessen the load on everyone involved. Also, many of these jobs can be handled by more than one person, making it even easier.
There will be help and advice available from previous and current RG committee members.
Also, I don’t call meetings when emails would suffice. Short meetings, long parties. That’s what I say.
If you are new to NTM or RGs, a great way to get into the groove is to volunteer. In answer to a FAQ, non members are welcome at the RG as the guests of Mensans. So, grab your favorite cousin, partner, best friend, or whomever and volunteer together. Be sure to read to the last opening on the list. There may be a surprise in there.
Please contact me to volunteer, ask questions, etc. I’m looking forward to hearing from you. -Karen
Karen Brack
North Texas Mensa RG Chair
214.477.1151
WAYS TO HELP MAKE NTM RG XLV OUR BEST PARTY OF THE YEAR
Snack Tsar: Before the RG - Shop (Costco or Sam's membership is needed) for individually wrapped, non-perishable snack foods (candy, crackers, cookies, etc.) and other items, such as fruit, and store until the RG. During the RG - Periodically check what's available in hospitality and refresh supplies as needed. Help take down hospitality on Sunday. After the RG - Turn in all receipts for reimbursement. Prepare report of what was purchased and what was left over. Best for people who like shopping, are good at catching sales and have room to store and transport supplies to the RG hotel.
Beverage Wrangler: Before the RG - Purchase and store non-alcoholic beverages for hospitality, including sodas, water, etc. (Costco or Sam's membership is very helpful here). Bring bags of ice to the hotel on Thursday for soda and water ice chests. During the RG - Periodically check ice chests to be sure there is still a good supply of drinks available and cold. Help take down hospitality on Sunday. After the RG - Turn in all receipts for reimbursement. Prepare report of what was purchased and what was left over. Best for people who like shopping, are good at catching sales and have room to store and transport supplies to the RG hotel.
Booze Boss: Before - Purchase beer and wine. Store until RG and bring to hotel. During - Make sure there is a steady supply of cold drinks. Help take down hospitality on Sunday. After - Hand in receipts for reimbursement. Prepare report of what was purchased and what was left over. Best for people who like shopping, are good at catching sales and have room to store and transport supplies to the RG hotel.
Games Warden: Before - Find people who want to run any games and tournaments. You don't have to run them all yourself. Put the games on the schedule and get write-ups on each one for the program book and pass them to the program book editor. A small budget for prizes and additional games may be available. During - Keep an eye on things to make sure the game space is clean and available, and that everything is moving smoothly. Keep a list of games winners and award prizes at final RG wrap up. After - Pack up our games for moving back into storage, toss or arrange for donating any games not worth keeping. Create a list of the games NTM owns for future reference. Recommend games for future RGs.
Meal Maestro: Before - Choose vendors and menus for meals (3 dinners, 3 lunches) and arrange for delivery or pickup as needed. During - Be available to receive and check deliveries, set out food and tableware for serving. After - Turn in any receipts for reimbursement. Best for people who like planning meals.
Speaker Seekers: Before - Find speakers! It's fun, but you have to be comfortable contacting people you don't know. There are a great many resources to use in the search in North Texas. Put together thank you gifts and notes. During - Get volunteer Speaker Shepherds, welcome speakers without Shepherds assigned and show them their rooms. Make sure programs end on time if there is another program in that room after the speaker. After - Bask in the glow of a job well done. Best for curious, resourceful, outgoing people who are okay with contacting utter strangers.
A/V Squad: Before – Arrange for A/V equipment to be brought to the RG on Wednesday. During - Set up A/V equipment each morning. Be available to troubleshoot any A/V difficulties that may arise. Pack up equipment at night, unless we can arrange to keep doors locked overnight. Pack up equipment for transfer to storage locker. Help take down hospitality on Sunday. After - Your job is done. Best for techies who know A/V equipment and computers.
Treasurer: FILLED
Registrar: FILLED
Registrar Assistants/Apprentices: Before – Learn how the RG registration system works. During – Help man the Registration Desk handing out packets to pre-registered attendees and process on site registrations. After – Enjoy the afterglow of a job well done.
Program Book Editor: FILLED
Tasting Leaders: Traditionally, the NTM RG hosts several tastings over the weekend. The line-up usually includes tastings for beer, wine, a spirit, and various non-alcohol tastings. In the past, these have included apples, olives, cheese, olive oils, coffee and more. Before – purchase all supplies needed for tasting, including necessary tableware, palate cleansers (if using), etc. Store and transport all needed items. Prepare tasting information sheets for distribution. During – Set up, lead and clean up after tasting. After – Turn in receipts for reimbursement. Best for foodies who are comfortable with public speaking.
Evening Entertainment: Before - Plan evening activities. Past events include jam session/sing-alongs, a pool party (the hotel has an indoor pool), murder mysteries, plays, large group games, etc. During - Carry out those plans. After - Rest. You've earned it. Best for creative, fun people.
Idea people: Have a great idea for the RG that doesn’t fit the categories above? Lay it on us! Also:
Casting call: Are you familiar with the classic TV game show Match Game? Or maybe you’ve seen “Snatch Game” on RuPaul’s Drag Race? We need a panel of 6 to 8 people to play this fill-in-the-blanks game. As a panelist, you can dress up and be anybody else you want: a famous actor or a singer, a politician, a puritan or Native American (it is Thanksgiving after all), or anything else that comes to mind.
Please contact me to volunteer, ask questions, make suggestions, etc. I’m looking forward to hearing from you.
-Karen
Karen Brack
North Texas Mensa RG Chair
214.477.1151
