Intertel

Intertel is an international high-IQ society founded in 1966 that admits members based solely on achieving a score at or above the 99th percentile on a qualifying, supervised intelligence test, such as the WAIS (IQ 135 or higher) or the Miller Analogies Test (99th percentile).^[1] With over 1,700 members spanning more than 40 countries, the organization unites individuals of diverse cultural and professional backgrounds who demonstrate exceptional intellectual ability.^[2] The society's core purposes are to foster meaningful intellectual fellowship among members, encourage the open exchange of ideas on a wide array of subjects, and support research initiatives related to high intelligence.^[2] Organized into eight geographic regions—including areas across the United States, Canada, and international territories—Intertel facilitates communication and engagement through its journal Integra (published ten times a year), regional newsletters, online forums, email lists, and social events.^[2] Members participate in an annual general assembly, typically held in varying global locations, as well as local gatherings that promote intellectual discourse and networking.^[2] Unlike more selective high-IQ groups, Intertel emphasizes accessibility within the top 1% of intelligence while maintaining a non-competitive, collaborative environment.^[1]

Overview

Founding and Mission

Intertel, originally known as the International Legion of Intelligence (with members called Ilians), was founded in 1966 in the United States.^[3] From its inception, the society adopted an international scope, with English as its official language, aiming to unite intellectually gifted individuals across borders.^[2] The core mission of Intertel is to encourage meaningful intellectual fellowship among its members, foster the exchange of ideas on any and all subjects that interest them, and assist in research relating to the study of high intelligence.^[2] Unlike the broader Mensa, Intertel was designed as a more selective alternative, targeting the top 1% of the population intellectually.^[1] Intertel's foundational principles emphasize open intellectual engagement and support for gifted individuals, positioning the society as a global forum for advanced discourse and collaborative inquiry from the outset.^[2]

Membership Requirements

Intertel maintains highly selective membership criteria, requiring applicants to demonstrate exceptional intellectual ability through a score at or above the 99th percentile on a standardized, supervised intelligence test.^[1] This threshold ensures that members represent the top 1% of the population in cognitive capacity, aligning with the society's mission to foster intellectual discourse among highly gifted individuals.^[2] The society accepts results from a variety of recognized tests, including the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) with a full-scale IQ of 135 or higher, the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scales (various forms) requiring an IQ of 135 to 137, the Miller Analogies Test at the 99th percentile, and other assessments such as the GRE (specific versions and scores) or the Cognitive Abilities Test at the 99th percentile.^[1] Tests must be proctored under standardized conditions; self-administered or unsupervised results are not valid, and percentile scores are not rounded upward.^[1] There is no minimum age requirement, enabling participation by child prodigies who meet the cognitive standard, nor are there restrictions based on nationality, professional status, or other demographic factors—eligibility is solely determined by the qualifying test score.^[1] This selectivity distinguishes Intertel from other high-IQ societies; for instance, Mensa International admits members scoring at or above the 98th percentile (top 2%), while the Triple Nine Society requires scores in the 99.9th percentile (three standard deviations above the mean).^[4]^[5] As of 2025, Intertel's membership exceeds 1,700 individuals residing in more than 40 countries worldwide.^[2]

History

Establishment in 1966

Intertel was founded in 1966 by Ralph B. Haines, who established the organization initially under the name International Legion of Intelligence. Haines aimed to create a selective group for individuals in the top 1% of intelligence, drawing brief inspiration from Mensa's organizational model to ensure structured intellectual engagement. This founding laid the groundwork for the society's operations, with members still referred to as "Ilians" in honor of its original designation.^[3]^[2] Early activities revolved around recruiting high-IQ individuals primarily through established networks like Mensa, where Haines and initial supporters identified potential members dissatisfied with less stringent criteria elsewhere. This targeted approach helped build a foundational community of intellectually gifted people seeking deeper discourse. The initial headquarters and administrative setup were located in the United States, providing a central base for coordinating membership verification, correspondence, and organizational logistics during the startup phase.^[3]^[6] The society's first publications and internal communications formalized its bylaws, outlining governance, membership standards, and operational protocols, while designating English as the official language to facilitate international participation. These documents emphasized intellectual fellowship and research support as core principles. However, early recruitment faced significant challenges stemming from limited public awareness of high-IQ societies, restricting outreach mainly to academic and professional circles familiar with Mensa and similar groups.^[2]

Expansion and Milestones

Following its founding in the United States, Intertel expanded its reach to become a truly international organization, attracting members from over 40 countries as of 2025.^[2] A key milestone came in 1978 with the establishment of the Hollingworth Award by Intertel, named in honor of psychologist Leta Stetter Hollingworth for her foundational contributions to the study and education of gifted individuals.^[7] The award supported innovative research proposals in the psychology and education of gifted children and was granted annually, with competitions documented through at least 1997; its status after that year remains unclear.^[8] Intertel's membership has grown steadily, surpassing 1,700 by 2025.^[2] In the 2000s, the society adapted to emerging digital technologies, incorporating online forums, email networks, and multilingual discussion groups to enhance global connectivity among members.^[2] A recent highlight occurred in 2025 when four-year-old Zorien Royce from Vernon Hills, Illinois, was accepted as one of the youngest members ever, having scored in the profoundly gifted range on a standardized intelligence test.^[9]

Organization and Governance

Executive Structure

Intertel is governed by an Executive Board that functions as the central decision-making body, comprising key officers and regional directors drawn exclusively from the volunteer membership. The primary officers include the President, who leads the board and oversees overall operations; the Shadow President, serving in a supportive executive capacity; and the Treasurer, responsible for financial management. Regional directors, one for each of the eight defined regions, represent international membership interests and contribute to board deliberations. All positions emphasize volunteer service, with members elected based on their qualifications and commitment to the society's goals.^[10]^[2] The election process for Executive Board members is managed by a dedicated Nominating & Elections committee, which identifies and proposes candidates from the membership for voting by eligible members, ensuring democratic and merit-based selection. The board collectively handles core responsibilities, including the oversight of organizational bylaws, financial stewardship through budgeting and audits, and the formulation of international policies to promote global intellectual exchange and research support. Administrative operations, including membership processing and correspondence, are coordinated from the society's headquarters at PO Box 2404, South Portland, ME 04116, as of 2025.^[10]^[2] This structure maintains centralized leadership while briefly supporting regional autonomy under board oversight to facilitate localized activities.^[2]

Regional Divisions

Intertel maintains a decentralized structure divided into eight geographic regions to support local and international engagement among its members. Region 1 covers Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Eastern Canada (Ontario east of Ontario); Region 2 includes Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas; Region 3 encompasses Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.; Region 4 comprises Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah; Region 5 consists of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, the territory of Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands; Region 6 serves international members outside the Americas; Region 7 includes Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, Wyoming, and Western Canada (from Manitoba westward); and Region 8 is dedicated to South America.^[2] Regional directors, one for each division, play a central role in coordinating local groups and activities, including distributing member contact lists to facilitate outreach and event planning.^[2]^[11] These directors operate under the oversight of the Executive Board, ensuring alignment with the society's broader governance.^[2] Local group meetings vary by region based on member density and preferences, often taking the form of social gatherings such as dinners or discussions; for example, in active areas like Central Florida within Region 5, monthly dinner meetings are organized to foster connections.^[12] In regions with higher concentrations, such as those including California in Region 4, regular meetups similarly emphasize informal networking among members.^[2] To support its diverse, global membership, Intertel provides multilingual forums in English, German, French, and Swedish, allowing discussions and coordination across linguistic boundaries.^[2] Adaptations for international reach include robust online regional coordination through email lists, discussion forums, and periodic newsletters, which help bridge distances in less populated or remote areas.^[2]

Activities and Engagement

Events and Gatherings

Intertel organizes an annual international gathering known as the Annual Gathering of Alphas (AGA), which serves as a central event for members to engage in intellectual discussions, lectures, workshops, and networking opportunities. These gatherings emphasize the exchange of ideas and fellowship among intellectually gifted individuals, aligning with the society's mission. Past AGAs have been hosted in diverse locations to accommodate the international membership, including Montreal, Canada, on July 9–12, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, in July 2024; Prague, Czech Republic, in July 2023; and San Diego, California, in July 2022.^[13]^[12] In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Intertel adapted its events to include virtual formats, such as the 2021 AGA, which was originally planned for Prague but held online to ensure accessibility for members worldwide. This shift facilitated participation from the society's over 1,700 members across more than 40 countries, demonstrating a commitment to inclusive engagement.^[14]^[2] Complementing the annual gathering, regional divisions host regular social activities to foster local interactions, including monthly meetings, dinners, and online forums focused on intellectual discourse and idea sharing. These events, organized by regions such as Region 1 (covering the Midwest and Eastern Canada) and Region 6 (international areas outside the Americas), encourage member-initiated gatherings like discussion groups or casual meetups. For instance, members in various regions can propose and lead activities through contact with regional coordinators, promoting ongoing fellowship without the scale of the international event.^[2]^[11]

Publications and Research Initiatives

Intertel's primary publication is Integra, the official journal issued ten times per year, which features articles, essays, and member contributions on diverse intellectual topics, alongside society news and updates.^[2] This newsletter serves as a key platform for fostering intellectual exchange among members, encouraging submissions on any subject to promote dialogue and original thought.^[2] In addition to Integra, Intertel supports regional newsletters published periodically to provide localized updates, member spotlights, and region-specific discussions tailored to the needs of chapters in areas such as North America, Europe, and beyond.^[2] The society actively assists in research relating to high intelligence by facilitating member-led studies and collaborations, enabling participants to contribute to investigations on cognitive abilities and their implications.^[2] Online forums hosted by Intertel further support these efforts, offering discussion spaces in English, German, French, and Swedish for ongoing exchanges on research topics and intellectual pursuits.^[2] Research findings from these initiatives are occasionally integrated into society events to enhance knowledge sharing.^[2]

Membership and Community

Admission Process

To join Intertel, prospective members must demonstrate qualification through submission of proof of an IQ score at or above the 99th percentile from an approved, supervised intelligence test administered by a qualified professional.^[1] This evidence, such as a legible photocopy or electronic copy of the official test results, must be provided to verify eligibility; self-administered tests, online quizzes, or unofficial screenshots are not accepted.^[1] Individuals with prior Mensa membership may use the Mensa score release form for verification.^[1] The application process begins with completing an online form available on the official website at intertel-iq.org/join-us, which includes payment of a $10 processing fee.^[1] Upon submission, applicants receive instructions via email for sending the required proof of qualification to the society's office at PO Box 2404, South Portland, ME 04116.^[1] The membership committee then reviews the materials to determine eligibility.^[1] If approved, new members are billed for annual dues prorated from the acceptance date through January 1 of the following year.^[1] No interviews, essays, or additional assessments beyond the IQ evidence are required.^[1] Former members seeking reinstatement do not need to reapply but can contact the society's office directly via the website's contact form to update their information and resume membership upon payment of prorated dues.^[1]

Notable Members

Ronald K. Hoeflin (born February 23, 1944), an American philosopher, is a long-time member of Intertel known for his contributions to intelligence assessment through the creation of ultra-high-range IQ tests, including the Mega Test and Titan Test.^[15] These tests, which set ceilings above 190 IQ points, have influenced methodologies for evaluating exceptional intelligence within high-IQ communities.^[16] Zorien Royce, accepted into Intertel at age 3 in 2025 (now 4 years old as of November 2025), represents one of the youngest members in the society's history, achieving a score of 156 out of 160 on the WPPSI-IV (Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence, Fourth Edition).^[9]^[17] This exceptional early admission highlights Intertel's role in recognizing profound giftedness from a young age, with Royce demonstrating advanced multilingual abilities and mathematical proficiency beyond his years. Due to privacy considerations, Intertel maintains limited public records on its membership, but notable past members include academics and professionals in gifted education and related fields, such as biological anthropologist Grover Krantz (1931–2002), who joined after high scores on the Miller Analogies Test and contributed to discussions on human evolution and intelligence.^[18]^[19] Members like these have emphasized the society's intellectual impact by fostering environments for high-IQ individuals to advance research in cognition and education.^[2]