Local Activities
Some may find it surprising, but Mensa is a very social organization. Each local group has a number of social events, and Western New York Mensa is no exception. There are a wide variety of activities to choose from, not just intellectual or "highbrow" activities. Each issue of our newsletter, the Mensana, includes a calendar of upcoming events.
Here are a few socials we have featured on our calendar of events:
Games Night (Saturdays) Meet at a member's home to play games, eat snacks, and just chat. Participants are asked to bring a snack as well as any favorite games that they would like to play, which can include board games, card games, or just about anything else. |
Movie Night (Fridays or Sundays) Get together at a member's home to view a DVD, or enjoy a classic movie presentation with a brief history and background before the film. |
First Friday Art Film (First Friday of each month) On the first Friday of each month, a group of Mensans meet to see an art film and then go out to eat afterwards. |
Ice Cream Social (Saturdays) Meet fellow Mensans for ice cream. Past locations have included Anderson's and Antoinette's. In the summer months, this event is often combined with a walk at a nearby park or bike path, and/or dinner at a restaurant. |
Dinner Meeting
(Saturdays) This is either a potluck dinner at a member's home, or a dinner meeting at an area restaurant. |
Coffee Shop Meeting (Saturdays) Join fellow Mensans for drinks and/or dessert at a local coffee shop such as Spot Coffee, Caffe Aroma, or Starbucks. |
Bar Meetup Meet at a bar or restaurant (usually during happy hour) for drinks and/or food. |
Billiards Night (Saturdays during winter) Meet at a member's home to play a few games of pool and enjoy some snacks. |
Gifted Youth Program Various events for Mensa families, for example board games events, indoor rock-climbing, Science Museum visits, theater visits, movies, picnic, parents' discussion, etc. |
We also have some annual events:
Pancake Brunch and Games Afternoon (Saturday in April or May) This is an all-day event at a member's home, including a potluck brunch, game playing and socializing. |
Fireworks Viewing (Saturday in July) On the Saturday closest to the 4th of July, view a fireworks display at a park. |
Summer Picnic (Saturday in July or August) Classic family-friendly picnic with BBQ and games at a local park. |
Bowling (Labor Day weekend) Join fellow Mensans for a few games of bowling at Airport Lanes. |
October Games Night (Saturday in mid/late October) Games night with a Halloween theme. Costumes and treats with a spooky theme are welcome. |
Thanksgiving Potluck (Thanksgiving weekend) Enjoy a delicious potluck dinner and pleasant conversation at a member's home. |
Holiday Party (Saturday or Sunday, mid-December) Enjoy dinner at a banquet hall and participate in a gift swap. |
Jewish Christmas (December 25th) For those who don't want to celebrate Christmas the traditional way, or who don't celebrate it at all. Join fellow Mensans for Chinese food and a movie. |
But we aren't limited to the events you see listed here. Other events that we have held include lunch meetings, antiquing, and a viewing of Shakespeare in the Park. Keep in mind that all the events you see on the calendar were put there by individual members - so as a member, if there's an activity you'd like to see on the calendar, feel free to suggest it.