Who We Are

Who We Are

Mensa is a social club for those who score in the top 2% of a standardized test of intelligence. Richmond Area Mensa is the name of the local group covering the geographical area of central Virginia (slightly north of Fredericksburg to just south of Williamsburg). We average about 298 members (depending on the month). RAM is staffed entirely by volunteers.

Our commonalities are that we score high in tests of intelligence and live in central Virginia. Members come from all faiths (or none) and from all ethnic backgrounds. Our members include CEOs, artists, writers, teachers, computer programmers, lawyers, doctors, accountants and religious leaders. We are uncommon, opinionated, curious, have very short learning curves and long attention spans. Could you be one of us?

Where We Gather

Our geographical area encompasses the middle of Virginia, from north of Fredericksburg, through Richmond to the southern limits of Williamsburg. Gatherings take place mostly in the city of Richmond but have also happened in Fredericksburg and Williamsburg. Every other year there is a Regional Gathering in Williamsburg or Virginia Beach. Annual Gatherings occur in geographically varied locations in the United States of America.

Get the Map

View the Richmond Area Mensa area map.

Scholarship Program

Each year American Mensa sponsors a Scholarship Program that awards money to winners of an essay contest. Richmond Area Mensa participates by judging essays which makes residents of central Virginia eligible to enter the contest. This program is administered by the Mensa Education and Research Foundation. To find out more, or to apply, visit the Scholarships page.

Gifted Children Program

As individuals who have experienced personally the unique challenges and opportunities associated with growing up as "exceptional" children, the members of Richmond Area Mensa can provide a valuable resource for gifted children in Richmond and surrounding areas. Working in conjunction with the dedicated teachers, school administrators, and community service professionals who play an important role in a child's development, our local group is establishing a variety of educational and personal enrichment programs. The goal of these programs is to allow selected participants to stretch their imaginations, to engage in a world of possibilities beyond those afforded by traditional teaching methods and to interact socially with other gifted children. For more information contact our Gifted Children's Program Coordinator or go to the American Mensa Gifted Children resource page.

Project Inkslinger

It may be hard to imagine the difficulty encountered on a daily basis by those who cannot comprehend the written word, or are functionally illiterate. According to the Richmond Times-Dispatch (May 8, 2005), there are 2 million functionally illiterate youngsters in Virginia, about half of whom do not have high school diplomas.

Functional illiteracy is passed on to the next generation by parents who cannot read well enough to help their children with homework. The definition for functional illiteracy has changed since the '30s, when not being able to sign your name was enough to qualify. Today, a person needs at least an 8th grade education to be functionally literate, and a high school diploma for most jobs.

Project Inkslinger collects and donates books to local libraries and schools, and supports tutoring programs. Find out more by contacting our chapter President.

Questions and Answers (aka FAQ)