Answers to 4 questions formulated by the International Board of Directors 

1. What do you see as the most important aspect of the role for which you are standing?

·         To continue to work on a positive team spirit within ExComm and the IBD. This is a necessity to initiate new projects that will meet the demands of the individual countries and the individual members. There are many ideas in all the national Mensa’s, they need encouragement to express themselves in the International Mensa environment and to overcome the existing language barrier.

·         To ensure there is a 2 year action plan for ExComm. There should be a common goal setting activity to create a comprehensive plan for ExComm as a whole that incorporates the goals of the individual elected ExComm members.

·         To refine the strategic plan for Mensa International.

·         To encourage trans national activities between the individual national Mensas 

2. Why have you volunteered for this role, and what in particular qualifies you for it?

·         There is a strong demand from the countries to cooperate in many areas, and after a stabilizing period it is time to move faster.

·         I am used to work in a multi-language and multi-cultural environment. The understanding of the concept of (cultural) diversity is an important factor in this role. See also my contribution to Mensa: national and international experience is a key element in this role.

·         I am used to set targets with a team and monitor the activities of team members to ensure we meet the objectives. The style of monitoring to be adapted to the level of experience of the team members.

·         The format of the IBD meeting needs to be changed. I have experience in structuring meetings in larger groups with people with a different background.

 3. What do you see as the most important issues facing international Mensa at the present time and in the next few years?

·         The international organization can only function in an atmosphere of trust and faith, in the management, and in the people. Only then we can bring Mensa International to a higher level. This is an area of permanent attention for the management.

·         The protection of the Mensa name and logo will require more attention.

·         We will have to find new ways to secure licensing income for Mensa International and the national Mensas.

·         Improve the operating structure of Mensa International. There is a need to increase information sharing within ExComm. A significant improvement is necessary in an era where we have no physical office and the ExComm and IBD want to share experience, relevant material and documentation in the coming years.

·         To stimulate ENMs and PNMs to grow to the level of FNM. The step to an FNM seems to be steep.

4. What do you wish to achieve during your term of office?

·         To continue to have the cooperative and positive working climate within ExComm and IBD. This is key for all future developments.

·         An increase in the number of ideas and proposals that the national Mensas bring forward to the International level.

·         Increasing traffic in the international communication infrastructure by the individual members, in chatrooms, forums, etctera.

·         To create an infrastructure that meets the demands of the national Mensas to share information.

·         A facility to share governing documents between the national Mensas.

·         An increased International visibility in the area of gifted children. There are a handful of national Mensa’s with great national programs and the approach and successes should be shared. To support the International Gifted Children Committee in all possible manners. 

 Campaign Statement : Cooperation, fun, and creating more dynamics !

 The key elements are:

I was nominated by : American Mensa Ltd., Austria, British Mensa Ltd., Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Serbia and Spain.

 Biography

 Born: Amsterdam 1954 Animation Amsterdam (English)   Animation Amsterdam (German)

My contribution to Mensa:

Hobbies: Mensa; other hobbies include riding my motorbike, genealogy, art (painting).

 What I do in real life:

My business card reads Management Consultant which entails going to companies, sorting out problem areas and starting up projects to improve their business. It usually boils down to initiating new projects to improve the business