Photo courtesy of Joyce Clark © 2002
What is an RG, you say?
A Regional Gathering is an event sponsored by a Mensa local group. The RG is open to all Mensans, and usually spans a weekend, Friday to Sunday. Some are large and elaborate, some are small and informal, but all give you the opportunity to meet people, see new places, hear amazing speakers, play games, and otherwise stimulate your uncommon mind. For more information on what to expect at an RG, click here.
We are very excited to return to the newly renovated Red Lion at the Quay in Vancouver, WA, across the river from Portland, OR. This will be the fourth time the RG has been held at this popular location. This year all the action takes place on the main floor, so you can easily switch between the Game Room, Hospitality, speakers and other events. We are also offering a Teen Room this year, with games and activities for those 18 and under.
The RG committee is planning something for everyone, including Texas Hold 'em Poker, Teen Programming, a Friday tour, an expanded Hospitality overlooking the river, and programs that will get you out of your seat and moving! Of course, we will continue to provide thought-provoking speakers, the ever-popular Game Room, and the annual auction to benefit our scholarship programs. If you have a suggestion for a speaker or other program, please contact RG Program Chair Doug Parr.
Volunteers make the RG hum, so if you'd like to help, let us know. Even if you can only help out for an hour or two, we need you! This is a great way to get involved at whatever level you're comfortable with. To find out more about volunteer opportunities, contact RG Chair Michael Meagher.
Registration
Current registration and add-on rates:
| General Registration | $90 |
| Under 21 without a parent | $70 |
| Under 21 with a parent | $40 |
| Columbia Lunch Cruise | $65 |
| Saturday Dinner Buffet | $30 |
| Sunday Brunch Buffet | $20 |
| T-Shirts | $15 |
Send payment and registration form to:
Stephen Darnell
3011 NW 23rd Ave.
Camas, WA 98607-8094
Red Lion at the Quay
The hotel features 160 spacious guest rooms, including three suites, and all the amenities you'd expect of a first-class hotel: improved handicapped access, free Net4Guests high-speed wireless Internet, in-room coffee, room service, laundry and valet service, and refrigerators and microwaves in all guest rooms. Located on the beautiful Columbia River, you can take a scenic walk or jog on the 3K trail right outside the hotel, or hang out in the hospitality room overlooking the river. Free airport shuttle service is available every day between 9 am and 11 pm.
To reserve a room:
The Oregon Mensa RG room rate is $89.95 (single, double, triple, quad) plus tax. The package rate code is 080430or. Call 360-694-8341 or toll-free 800-RED-LION, or reserve online at redlion.com.
What to expect at the 2008 BeaveRG:
TOURS!
We are offering two tours on Friday, May 2nd. These both take place prior to the official start of the RG. If you wish to join either tour, please mark your registration form accordingly. If you've already registered, and wish to add a tour, please contact the registrar, Stephen Darnell.
Click here for Columbia River Lunch Cruise details
Click here for OMSI tour details
SPEAKERS!
We have scheduled a variety of programs and speakers, including several interactive presentations. Please check back here as we will update the site frequently.
Click here for program details
AUCTIONS!
There will be both a silent and a live auction, with hundreds of excellent books and many other wonderful items. Proceeds from the auction benefit the Oregon Mensa scholarship fund. This is always a fun event, for bidders and spectators alike. The silent auction will take place during the day on Saturday; the live auction follows dinner on Saturday night. If you'd like to make a donation, please contact Diana Maul.
GAMES!
No gathering would be complete without the Game Room! Join in a round of Quiddler, puzzle over a jigsaw puzzle, or amuse yourself watching the drama unfold as Scrabble dictionaries are consulted. Bring your favorite game, or play one of ours, including several past MindGames entries.
TEEN ROOM!
The teen room is a great place for those 18 and under to hang out. Video games, board games, puzzles, movies and more will be available. During scheduled RG programs, the room will be monitored. Teens can also attend RG programs, as well as teens-only activities.
POKER!
A Texas Hold 'Em Poker Tournament will be held on Friday evening, May 2nd. If you've never played before, don't worry! You'll still have fun. And for newbies, or anyone who wants to brush up on the rules (Mensa style) we'll have a tutorial before the tournament starts. Click here for details on how the tournament works.
FOOD!
We will have a great Hospitality Room, where you can eat, drink, or just relax. Located on the hotel's ground floor, close to all of our other meeting space, it's a good-sized room with numerous large windows overlooking the Columbia River. From 5 to 7 pm on Friday a dinner/icebreaker is scheduled in Hospitality, so everyone who has arrived by then can get together and see which of their old friends are present, and/or start making new friends. On Saturday you can expect to find substantial breakfast and lunch offerings in Hospitality, and snacks will be available whenever the room is open. Hospitality will be closed from approx. 2am-8am on Saturday and Sunday, also during the catered dinner on Saturday and the catered brunch on Sunday.
Saturday night's catered dinner is a buffet featuring Lobster/Crab Stuffed Halibut and London Broil. We will have a dinner speaker, Doug Rhoades, author of "Labels, Leadville, and Lore." His presentation is about his discovery of a cache of tin cans with original labels dating back to the 1870's. His talk combines history, some science, and northwest geography.
Sunday please join us for a farewell brunch buffet! This is a great way to wind down at the end of the RG, with a variety of breakfast and lunch choices. The brunch speaker will be The Oregonian pet columnist Deborah Wood, author of books such as "The Tao of Meow" and "Help For Your Shy Dog."
CYBER CAFÉ!
The Hospitality Room will include a 3-station Cyber Café, so you can e-mail all your friends about what a great time you're having at the RG!
T-SHIRTS!
You know you want one of these! The cost for each shirt is $15, in sizes from small through XXXL.
CONTACTS
RG Chair: Michael Meagher 503-244-1211
Registration: Stephen Darnell 360-834-6020
Program Chair Doug Parr (360) 636-1590
Hospitality: Laurie Yadon
Publicity Barbara Lance
Beer Master Jeff Fisher
Treasurer Mimi Wetteland
Auction Chair Diana Maul
Teen Room Barbara Lance