Welcome to Central New Jersey Mensa. Your membership is more than a card — it’s a passport into a community of curious, thoughtful, and often delightfully unconventional people. Whether you just joined or are still figuring out what Mensa is all about, this guide will help you find your place in CNJM.

How Mensa Is Organized

American Mensa has about 130 local groups across 10 regions. CNJM is your home group, but you’re welcome at events anywhere. Your best first contact is our LocSec (Local Secretary) — email locsec@cnj.us.mensa.org.

Your First Month

  • Join the CNJM Facebook group
  • Explore cnj.us.mensa.org and us.mensa.org
  • Read the Forvm, our newsletter
  • Read the Mensa Bulletin
  • Join a SIG that interests you
  • Come to one event

What to Attend First

Start with a general social event. Our lunches, dinners, and game nights draw the broadest mix of members and are the friendliest entry point. If you’re not sure where to begin, that’s the one.

Getting Started

1. Join the CNJM Facebook Group

One of the easiest ways to meet local Mensans. It’s a friendly, welcoming place to introduce yourself, ask questions, and see what’s happening. Join at facebook.com/groups/CNJMensa. American Mensa also runs a national Hospitality group that’s intentionally welcoming and politics-free.

2. Explore the Websites

Our chapter site, cnj.us.mensa.org, has our calendar, newsletter, and local information. The national hub, us.mensa.org, is where you manage your member profile, join Special Interest Groups, and access publications and national programs.

3. Read the Forvm

The Forvm is CNJM’s chapter newsletter — the best place to see what’s happening near you: social events, game nights, outings, and community updates. Read it and choose how you’d like to receive each issue.

4. Read the Mensa Bulletin

The national magazine of American Mensa — member-written articles, puzzles and games, and national event announcements. Many members consider it one of the best perks of membership.

Find Your People

CNJM is a large and diverse community. Start local — your home group is where lasting friendships form — then expand through SIGs, regional gatherings, and national events as you get comfortable. There’s no single right way to participate; most members move between these paths over time.

The Social Path

Meet people, attend events, build friendships. Lunches, dinners, game nights, social outings, regional gatherings, and the Annual Gathering.

The Intellectual Path

Ideas, discussions, lectures, puzzles, and complex topics. Speaker events, SIG discussions, the Mensa Bulletin, trivia, and debates.

The Community Path

Help shape the chapter and build community. Volunteering, organizing events, the newsletter, social media, and leadership roles.

Don’t See the Event You Want? Create It.

CNJM is member-run. Want to start a book club, movie outing, hiking group, or gaming night? Contact our Program Chair or LocSec and we’ll help get it on the calendar.

Volunteer

Volunteering is one of the fastest ways to meet active members, learn how the chapter works, and build real connections. Even small roles make a big difference.

Try two or three different kinds of events, and you’ll likely discover the people and activities that feel right for you. Once that happens, Mensa starts to feel less like an organization and more like a community of friends.

Find Your SIG

With more than 150 national Special Interest Groups (SIGs), there’s almost certainly a group of Mensans who share your specific interests — whatever they are. Joining one is often the fastest way to feel connected. Groups cover everything from generational communities (Gen X, Y, and Z) to identity and community (QueerSIG, Hospitality), to ideas and beliefs, gaming, literature, science, and travel.

Browse the Full SIG Directory

Regional Gatherings & the Annual Gathering

Something special happens when hundreds — or thousands — of Mensans gather in one place. Online communities are great and local events are wonderful, but gatherings are on another level.

Regional Gatherings (RGs)

Weekend events hosted by local groups, typically Friday evening through Sunday. Each RG has its own personality and theme — many members travel to several every year.

  • Talks and lectures
  • Games and tournaments
  • Social events and themed parties
  • SIG meetups

Annual Gathering (AG)

Mensa’s largest national event, usually held around the July 4th holiday. For many members, the AG is the highlight of the Mensa year.

  • Dozens of lectures and panels
  • Large gaming rooms
  • Entertainment and performances
  • SIG meetups and social events

Gifted Youth & Giving Back

Gifted Youth Members

About 15% of CNJM members are gifted youth. If you or your child is a Gifted Youth member, visit our Gifted Youth & Families page, or contact our Gifted Youth Chair at cnjmensa@cnjm.org.

MERF & Scholarships

The Mensa Education & Research Foundation (MERF) is the charitable arm of American Mensa. Each year it awards scholarships to students across the U.S., funds research into giftedness and intelligence, and supports educational outreach — all funded by members like you.

Common Terms & Acronyms

You’ll see these in newsletters and conversations:

  • AML — American Mensa, Ltd.
  • AMC — American Mensa Committee (national board)
  • LocSec — Local Secretary, your local group leader
  • SIG — Special Interest Group
  • Forvm — CNJM’s chapter newsletter
  • M — a Mensa member
  • AG — Annual Gathering (national convention)
  • RG — Regional Gathering (weekend event)
  • MERF — Mensa Education & Research Foundation
  • GY — Gifted Youth
  • RVC — Regional Vice Chair (CNJM is in Region 2)
  • Bulletin — the national Mensa magazine

What Mensa Is (and Isn’t)

Mensa isn’t what many people assume. It’s not elitist — though members may occasionally enjoy being pleasantly pretentious about obscure topics. Members come from all walks of life: artists, engineers, teachers, tradespeople, entrepreneurs, students, and retirees. Many enjoy puzzles and discussion, but not everyone fits the stereotype, and you probably won’t be asked your IQ.

At its heart, Mensa is simply a social organization for the intellectually curious. Sometimes that curiosity leads to fascinating discussions; sometimes it leads to board games, trivia nights, and a beer with friends. Both are perfectly on brand.

If you’re tired of being the smartest person in the room, it may simply be that you’ve been in the wrong rooms. Your Mensa experience is entirely your own — the only way to do it wrong is not to explore.

See CNJM Events
Read the Forvm
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