Southeast Michigan Mensa

7:00 pm (ET) Saturday, October 17, 2026, Live and via Zoom

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a large group of man-made synthetic chemicals known as “forever chemicals” because they do not break down easily in the environment or the human body. They can resist water, heat, and grease. PFAS were invented in the 1950s, and since then have been used for a wide range of applications. They show up as a non-stick coating for cooking pans, textiles, paper products, and fire-fighting foams, to name but a few. They fulfill the needs of industries ranging from aerospace to semiconductors to automotive.  PFAS have been found in our water, our food, our clothes, our homes, and in the blood of nearly every human on the planet. Come and hear the full story from attorney Tony Spaniola, a leading national PFAS expert and community advocate. 

Tony Spaniola became active in PFAS issues in 2016, when he learned that his property was contaminated by PFAS from the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base, the first PFAS site in Michigan and the first U.S. military PFAS site in the world. Since then, Tony has worked to catalyze action on the local, state, and federal levels to address these harmful “forever chemicals.”He’s played a critical role in the adoption of numerous key PFAS policies, including the first-ever national PFAS drinking water standards in 2024. He co-founded and co-chairs the Great Lakes PFAS Action Network; and he serves on the Leadership Team of the National PFAS Contamination Coalition. He has presented at the White House Water Summit; the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine; and in testimony before the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. He has been featured in various media outlets, including ABC News, PBS News, CNBC and USA Today – and in the critically acclaimed PFAS film documentary, “No Defence: The U.S. Military’s War On Water.” 

Tony is a graduate of Harvard University and the University of Michigan Law School. He is a member of the American and Michigan Bar Associations and also served as a Special Assistant to the Attorney General of the State of Michigan.

Virtual Presentation (Zoom)

The Zoom room opens at 6:30 P.M. (ET) for mingling. 

There is no charge for the Zoom presentation, but, due to rising costs (Meetup charges alone were up 70% during the past year!), your donation via PayPal is greatly appreciated.

• Click PayPal.com
• Log in (or sign up)
• Click the “Send/Request” button
• Enter the e-mail address: treasurer@nullmensadetroit.com
• Click the “Next” button
• Enter payment amount ($5 is recommended, but feel free to send any amount)
• Fill “What’s this for” with “SEMM Zoom Presentations”
• Click the “Next” button
• Select your payment method
• Click “Send”

NEW!! If you prefer to donate using a credit or debit card, scan this QR code to make your donation: 

Please remember that all Zoom attendees need to pre-register:

• Click tinyurl.com/SEMM-Gathering
• Choose “October 17, 2026 6:30 pm” from the drop-down box
• Fill in your name and email address
• Click the “Register” button

7:00 pm (ET) Saturday, September 19, 2026, Live and via Zoom

More than two centuries ago, the Founding Fathers drafted the Constitution to safeguard the fledgling republic against tyranny. Grounded in Enlightenment philosophy—specifically natural rights, the social contract, and especially the separation of powers—this foundational document and its amendments established one of history’s most enduring republics. In this program, Ryan Mondalek explores the Constitution, the philosophies that shaped it, and how its provisions have been interpreted (or ignored), leading to the balance (Some say imbalance) of power between the three branches of government that we see today. 

Ryan Mondalek is a graduate of Michigan State University with a bachelor’s degree in World Politics and a Master’s of Public Policy. Through these programs, Ryan has studied extensively in areas including political philosophy, international relations, history, economics, and political science. He possesses expertise in international policy (East Asia focus), open-source intelligence, AI prompt engineering, and has developed strong analytical skills for complex geopolitical issues. Ryan is the Chief Operating Officer of Huron ARC, based in Ann Arbor, MI. 

Virtual Presentation (Zoom)

The Zoom room opens at 6:30 P.M. (ET) for mingling. 

There is no charge for the Zoom presentation, but, due to rising costs (Meetup charges alone were up 70% during the past year!), your donation via PayPal is greatly appreciated.

• Click PayPal.com
• Log in (or sign up)
• Click the “Send/Request” button
• Enter the e-mail address: treasurer@nullmensadetroit.com
• Click the “Next” button
• Enter payment amount ($5 is recommended, but feel free to send any amount)
• Fill “What’s this for” with “SEMM Zoom Presentations”
• Click the “Next” button
• Select your payment method
• Click “Send”

NEW!! If you prefer to donate using a credit or debit card, scan this QR code to make your donation: 

Please remember that all Zoom attendees need to pre-register:

• Click tinyurl.com/SEMM-Gathering
• Choose “September 19, 2026 6:30 pm” from the drop-down box
• Fill in your name and email address
• Click the “Register” button

7:00 pm (ET) Saturday, August 15, 2026, Live and via Zoom

You have probably heard about the growing controversy surrounding data centers, which have increased in both size and prevalence across the world. With the growth of artificial intelligence, data center construction has exploded, along with potentially devastating environmental and financial consequences. As communities and environmental organizations fight to keep these centers from being built, will AI development be slowed? Will we all have to pay more for utilities, and by doing so, subsidize giant tech companies? Come and learn about data centers and how they impact all of us. The discussion will be led by John Richter, who serves on the Board of Directors and as Policy Analyst of The Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association (GLREA).

Virtual Presentation (Zoom)

The Zoom room opens at 6:30 P.M. (ET) for mingling. 

There is no charge for the Zoom presentation, but, due to rising costs (Meetup charges alone were up 70% during the past year!), your donation via PayPal is greatly appreciated.

• Click PayPal.com
• Log in (or sign up)
• Click the “Send/Request” button
• Enter the e-mail address: treasurer@nullmensadetroit.com
• Click the “Next” button
• Enter payment amount ($5 is recommended, but feel free to send any amount)
• Fill “What’s this for” with “SEMM Zoom Presentations”
• Click the “Next” button
• Select your payment method
• Click “Send”

NEW!! If you prefer to donate using a credit or debit card, scan this QR code to make your donation: 

Please remember that all Zoom attendees need to pre-register:

• Click tinyurl.com/SEMM-Gathering
• Choose “August 15, 2026 6:30 pm” from the drop-down box
• Fill in your name and email address
• Click the “Register” button

7:00 pm (ET) Saturday, June 20, 2026, now via Zoom only

Tracking the developmental milestones toward Artificial General Intelligence, this presentation introduces AI as computer intelligence that learns, makes decisions, and solves problems, emphasizing its rapid advancement due to the abundance of data, powerful computers (GPUs), and smarter algorithms like deep learning. It highlights AI’s presence in daily life through smartphones, social media, online shopping, healthcare, and self-driving cars. We will discuss “the Singularity”: the point where AI surpasses human intelligence and can rapidly improve itself, leading to unpredictable changes. 

Gus J. Mondalek is a Chief Information Officer & Chief Technology Officer at OmniResponse. Descended from a family of secular religious scholars, our speaker’s personal history is a conduit between East and West. Born in Kuwait to an expatriate family, he spent his formative years in Lebanon during that country’s civil war. He is a graduate of the American University in Beirut, and holds multiple advanced degrees from Lawrence Technological University. 

Mondalek has been instrumental in establishing and leading technology initiatives across diverse industries, focusing on the strategic application of software development, artificial intelligence, and IT management for government agencies and Fortune 500 enterprises.

Virtual Presentation (Zoom)

The Zoom room opens at 6:30 P.M. (ET) for mingling. 

There is no charge for the Zoom presentation, but, due to rising costs (Meetup charges alone were up 70% during the past year!), your donation via PayPal is greatly appreciated.

• Click PayPal.com
• Log in (or sign up)
• Click the “Send/Request” button
• Enter the e-mail address: treasurer@nullmensadetroit.com
• Click the “Next” button
• Enter payment amount ($5 is recommended, but feel free to send any amount)
• Fill “What’s this for” with “SEMM Zoom Presentations”
• Click the “Next” button
• Select your payment method
• Click “Send”

NEW!! If you prefer to donate using a credit or debit card, scan this QR code to make your donation: 

Please remember that all Zoom attendees need to pre-register:

• Click tinyurl.com/SEMM-Gathering
• Choose “June 20, 2026 6:30 pm” from the drop-down box
• Fill in your name and email address
• Click the “Register” button