The Constitution of Mensa China 1
The Constitution of Mensa China
THE CONSTITUTION OF MENSA [Constitution of Mensa China adopted August 2015.]
I. THE NATURE OF MENSA CHINA
A. Mensa China is a recognized affiliate of Mensa International. Mensa China's purposes are:
1. to identify and foster human intelligence for the benefit of humanity;
2. to encourage research into the nature, characteristics, and uses of intelligence; and
3. to provide a stimulating intellectual and social environment for its members.
B. Mensa China provides a forum for intellectual exchange among members. Its activities include the exchange of ideas by lectures,
discussions, journals, special-interest groups, and local, regional, national, and international gatherings; the investigations of
members' opinions and attitudes; and assistance to researchers inside and outside Mensa in projects dealing with intelligence or Mensa.
II. THE POLICY OF MENSA CHINA
A. Intelligence should be used for the benefit of humanity. Therefore, Mensa China shall have no aim which is to the disadvantage
of the community.
B. Mensa encompasses members representing many points of view. Consequently, Mensa China as an organization shall not express
an opinion as being that of Mensa China, take any political action other than the publication of the results of its investigations, or
have any ideological, philosophical, political, or religious affiliations.
C. Members or groups of members may express opinions as members of Mensa, provided their opinions or actions are not expressed
as being those of Mensa as an organization.
D. Mensa China is a not-for-profit society.
III. INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP
A. ELIGIBILITY
Persons who have attained a score within the upper two percent of the general population on an intelligence test that has been
approved by the International Supervisory Psychologist and that has been properly administered and supervised shall be eligible
for membership. There shall be no other qualification or disqualification for initial membership eligibility.
B. PLACE OF MEMBERSHIP
1. Persons eligible for membership shall, upon proof of residency in China and provided that they are not currently subject to
any sanction imposed by Mensa China or the International Board of Directors or otherwise suspended, be offered membership
of Mensa China. No Member shall, at the same time, be a Member of Mensa China and either a Direct International Member
or a member of another National Mensa.
2. Persons eligible for membership who do not wish membership assigned by residence, may apply direct to International Mensa
and subject to International Mensa's approval, may be offered membership as Direct International Members or as members of
a National Mensa in the country or area of which they are citizens, subjects or residents.
3. Members may apply for transfer of membership to another National Mensa subject to the rules and regulations of International
Mensa.
C. CONDITIONS OF MEMBERSHIP
1. As conditions of membership, members must:
a. abide by the Constitution of Mensa to the extent permitted by law;
b. abide by the resolutions of Mensa to the extent permitted by law;
c. abide by the constitution and the resolutions of Mensa China to the extent permitted by law;
d. pay the dues as set or modified from time to time by Mensa China, and
e. permit their names and contact information to be published in listings of Mensa China as authorized by a Mensa China
Committee or the National Board.
2. A member's failure to pay dues as provided in 1.d. shall, without further notice, constitute resignation of membership.
Failure to comply with 1a, 1b, 1c or 1e may be considered an act inimical to Mensa.
D. DISPUTES WITHIN MENSA CHINA
Members having a dispute with Mensa, Mensa China or with another member arising out of Mensa-related activities shall
exhaust all avenues of settlement and redress within Mensa China and the International Organization Mensa before taking
the dispute to external authorities. Failure to do so may be considered an act inimical to Mensa.
E. DISCIPLINARY ACTION
1. Mensa China may suspend the membership of a Member or expel a Member if the Member acts contrary to the interests
of Mensa China or is guilty of conduct unbecoming of a Member or is in breach of the Mensa China's rules and regulations.
Whilst suspended the Member shall have none of the rights, benefits or privileges of membership but he or she shall remain
liable to pay subscriptions or other dues.
2. Sanctions may be imposed by Mensa China on any of its members who commits an act inimical to Mensa, provided that a
fair and impartial hearing has been made available. Such sanctions may include censure, suspension or removal from office
for a specified time, suspension of membership for a specified time, or expulsion from membership.
F. MEMBER IN GOOD STANDING
A "member in good standing" shall be a person who has accepted an offer of membership, has paid all dues owed, and is not
currently subject to any sanction imposed by Mensa China or by the International Board of Directors.
IV. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
A. COMPOSITION OF THE BOARD
There shall be a National Board of Directors (the "Board") composed of 5 Nationally Elected Officers, 1 or more Regional
Representatives, and up to 2 Honorary Chairman from past Boards
B. FUNCTION AND DUTIES
1. The Board shall be responsible for the management and development of Mensa China.
2. The Board shall formulate general Mensa China policy; rule on matters on which this Constitution is silent; provide assistance
to regional Mensa if requested to do so, prepare national publications and handbooks; authorize national Mensa China gatherings;
conduct and encourage research in accordance with Mensa China's aims; maintain national offices and records, and manage
Mensa China's other national affairs.
3. The members of the Board are accountable to the membership for the conduct of Mensa China's national affairs. The officers
shall issue, at least annually, a report to the membership on the conduct of their respective offices.
4. The Board shall meet at least once a year and shall adopt its own standing orders.
C. NATIONAL ELECTED OFFICERS
1. There will be 5 Nationally Elected Officers.
2. Once elected, the officers will vote amongst themselves who shall hold the offices for the term. The officers shall be the
Chairman, the Deputy Chairman, the Membership Officer, the Honorary Secretary, and the Honorary Treasurer.
3. Any member shall be eligible to serve as a National Elected Officer as long as they fulfil the minimum candidacy
requirement of (as of the date of election):
a. is a full adult of being 18 years old in China,
b. completed one continuous full year as a member in good standing,
c. attended at least one Annual Gathering of Mensa China, and
d. successfully attended and passed all Training Classes required of the Nationally Elected Officers, and
e. holding or have held a position at the regional organizing committee, regionally elected board, national organizing
committee, or national elected board..
4. In the event that there are not enough qualified candidates for vacant positions, then candidates may come from the
general membership at large.
5. Up to 2 Honorary Chairmen position are filled from past elected or appointed national chairmen with the most days served
on the Board. In the event, there are more than 2 available past Chairmen with equal time then the more recent chairman
shall hold the position. If no Chairmen are available, then the position will remain vacant.
6. The National Chairman shall act as Chief Officer of Mensa China, preside at meetings of the Board, and administer
Mensa China affairs in accordance with this Constitution.
7. The Honorary Secretary shall have overall responsibility for Mensa China’s national office; national publications;
responses to membership requests and inquiries; procurement of national membership lists; maintenance of international
membership lists; distribution of agendas and minutes of Board meetings; and such other duties as may be assigned.
8. The Membership Officer shall have overall responsibility for organizing all monthly gatherings, all national and international
annual gatherings, SIGHT visits, international special-interest groups; and such other duties as may be assigned.
9. The Honorary Treasurer shall act as Chief Financial Officer of Mensa China; cause proper financial records to be made
and kept; have responsibility for the preparation and submission to the Board of a detailed annual budget; and perform
such other duties as may be assigned.
10. The Honorary Chairmen shall act as consultants to the Board interpreting the Constitution where needed and providing
continuation of leadership to the Board.
11. The Nationally Elected Officers shall not, while holding such office, hold any other elected Mensa China regional office or
serve as Chair of any national sub-committees.
12. The Board may further define the duties of the National Elected Officers.
13. The National Elected Officers, the two Honorary Chairmen, plus the Chair of each Mensa China Region shall comprise the
Executive Committee of the Board. The Executive Committee reports to the Board, and is primarily responsible for the conduct
of Mensa’s business between meetings of the Board. Actions of the Executive Committee are