News From The Front
The tenth in a series of twenty-four

I am waiting back stage at the auditorium at the Academy of Natural History in Philadelphia on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. I am waiting my turn to present the Delaware Valley Mensa Science Award, a $100 United States Savings Bond, to Michael Goodwin-Schwartz. He attends the Philadelphia Academy Charter School and is in Mr. Tim Beaver's sixth grade class. Young Michael entered a science project titled "Does Aromatherapy Affect Memory?" in the George Washington Carver Science Fair and won top honors in the Life Sciences Category. The Delaware Valley Mensa Science Award is to reward [the] "Efforts to Identify and Foster Human Intelligence for the Benefit of Humanity Involving Research into the Characteristics and Uses of Intelligence". After reviewing numerous entries, our judge, Mr. Michael Fisher, concluded that Michael Goodwin-Schwartz's entry best represented this ideal.

According to Mrs. Jayne W. Scott, Chairperson, Program and Special Awards, the Science Fair is based on the idea of "providing opportunities for students to gain enriched learning experiences through scientific inquiry and discovery. Therefore, all awards address one or more of these accomplishments. The criteria for the selection of a winning project are that the student must be compatible with the mission of the George Washington Carver Science Fair".

DVM provides two awards in the George Washington Carver Science Fair. Michael Goodwin-Schwartz is our winner in the Elementary Category. This is made up of students in the fourth, fifth and sixth grades. The Secondary Category is made up of students in the seventh through the twelfth grades. This portion of the fair takes place next week so I am not able to report on that result at this time.

Congratulations Michael Goodwin-Schultz and thank you, Michael Fisher for donating your time and energy, making it possible for our participation in this worth while competition.

In other news, the Ex-Comm has decided to fund/reimburse/seed a limited numbers of activities each month. In a nut-shell, each Location Subgroup (see page 2 of Proteus for the group and coordinator) can host two activities, such as an open house or pot luck and the host will be reimbursed for normal and usual receipted expenses up to $30 dollars. As with many promotions, there are limitations and restrictions so contact your subgroup coordinator for details. So lets begin planning activities that will give our members opportunities and excuses to get together.

On another breaking news front, Ms. Jessica Weingarten has volunteered to chair "Liberty Bell XII", Delaware Valley Mensa's Regional Gathering (RG), our XXV consecutive RG, and not to mention two Annual Gatherings (AG). With her, John Heiple (Financial Chairperson) and Yvonne Brownlee (Hospitality Chairperson) have volunteered to head these necessary committees. Steve Slepner, in between health crises, is securing the hotel contract and Dan Farrow has volunteered games from his extensive inventory, for our game room use. This is a wonderful beginning to an on going tradition. More people are necessary; the more hands the lighter the work. However, things could not have begun on a better footing. This promises to be a wonderful, unforgettable RG. Ms. Weingarten has voiced several ideas that are new in concept and exciting in execution. It promises to be memorable, and to quote Ms. Weingarten: "I've never thrown a bad party". Make your plans now for this October and encourage your Mensa friends to be a part of this weekend adventure. I know I will be there; would not miss it for the world. Thank you Jessica, John, Yvonne, Steve Dan and all those behind the scenes, for stepping forward.

There are still a couple of positions needed to fill the ranks of the Ex-Comm. The Program Chairperson position is still open. Pete Stevens, the Acting Program Chairman, is doing a wonderful job meeting the General Membership Meetings needs, but he needs to be replaced. This is a board position and as such, you can influence the direction of YOUR chapter.

In addition, we are in need of someone to take over the recently vacated position of Public Relations Chairperson. Ms. Masterfano has a detailed paragraph concerning this so I will just encourage you to read her thoughts about this position. Again, this is a board position and as such, you can influence the direction of YOUR chapter.

The chapter is moving forward. Things are happening. The Ex-Comm is working hard to bring the chapter to you. Hope to see you at the up and coming activities that are happening through out DVMland.