Editing Supporting Remote Members

{{Words of Wisdom
| wisdom  =
Remote members are not less engaged—they are differently situated. A member who never attends an event can still be a successful, connected, and valuable part of the Local Group.
| success =
* Remote members renew at rates comparable to other members
* Members report feeling informed and included
* Members engage through communication, online participation, volunteering, or local connections
* Remote members know how to connect with the group when they choose to do so
| best =
* Focus on inclusion rather than attendance
* Reach out proactively
* Provide multiple ways to participate
* Connect members with nearby Mensans and opportunities
* Recognize that engagement looks different for different members
| pitfalls =
* Measuring engagement only by event attendance
* Assuming remote members are uninterested
* Communicating only about in-person activities
* Forgetting to include outlying areas in newsletters and outreach
* Treating remote members as secondary to local attendees
}}
== Purpose ==
This page provides guidance on how to support, engage, and retain members who are not able or choose not to participate in person, recognizing that serving them well is essential to long-term success.

== What Is a Remote Member? ==
A “remote” member is anyone who feels they are too far from the Local Group’s population center(s) to participate in person.

This may include:
* Members living long distances away  
* Members separated by geography (lakes, mountains, etc.)  
* Members in areas without other Mensans  
* Members who are homebound  

Remote status is defined by experience, not distance.

== Why This Matters ==
Remote members often:

* Receive fewer opportunities for connection  
* Feel overlooked or disconnected  
* May leave if they do not feel included  

At the same time, they join for the same reasons as any member:
* Intellectual connection  
* Community  
* Personal or professional growth  

== Core Strategies ==
[[Membership Officer|Membership Officers]] are often the primary point of contact for remote members and can play an important role in helping them feel connected and supported.

=== Stay in Contact ===
* Reach out proactively — don’t wait for them to engage  
* Periodically check in (email or phone)  
* Reach out during major events or disruptions (e.g., disasters)  
* Let them know they are part of the group  

=== Make It Personal ===
* Inform new members if others live nearby  
* Introduce remote members to each other  
* Invite input on local opportunities (marketing, testing, events)  
* Consider creating a small outreach team  

=== Provide Ways to Engage ===
* Newsletters  
* Email updates  
* Online communities  
* [[Supporting Virtual Engagement]]
* Intellectual or written content  
* Volunteer opportunities that can be done remotely
* Newsletter contributions
* Committee or task force participation
* Website or social media support

Not all engagement needs to be in person.

== Supporting Remote Connections ==

=== Building Local Connections ===
Remote members often benefit from connecting with other Mensans who live nearby.  Even a small number of members can form a meaningful local community.

Ways to support these connections include:

* Identifying members in the same geographic area
* Introducing nearby members to one another
* Encouraging small, informal gatherings
* Supporting local meetups and activities
* Providing a local point of contact when possible

[[Area Coordinators]] can be particularly helpful in regions with multiple members by:

* Serving as a local contact
* Organizing occasional gatherings
* Sharing information about Local Group activities
* Helping build momentum for future activities

== Events and Accessibility ==

=== Make Events More Accessible ===
* Schedule some events on weekends  
* Avoid late-night end times for long-distance travelers  
* Announce events well in advance (at least 1–2 months) 

=== Bring Events to Them ===
* Host occasional events in remote areas  
* Encourage officers or members to host while traveling  
* Consider rotating or “traveling” events  

Even occasional effort has a strong impact.

== Communication and Visibility ==

=== Newsletter Inclusion ===
* Include content from different geographic areas  
* Feature remote members or communities  
* Include Area Coordinator contact information  
* Consider maps of your service area  

=== Online Engagement ===
* Keep your website current  
* Help members find online communities:
** Mensa Connect (See [[National Tools and Resources]])
** Facebook groups
** Special Interest Groups (SIGs) (See [[National Tools and Resources]])
** Virtual events and programs

* Personally invite new members to join  

== Supporting Members Near Other Groups ==

If a member is closer to another Local Group:

* Share that group’s newsletter and website 
* Connect them with nearby contacts  
* Inform them about preferencing options  

The goal is member experience — not ownership.

== Long-Term Strategy ==

Supporting remote members benefits both the members and the Local Group. Today's remote area can become tomorrow's active cluster, [[Area Coordinators|Area Coordinator]] region, or event location.

* Build local density over time  
* Encourage testing in remote areas
* Support local outreach
* Retain existing remote members 
== Related Topics ==
* [[Welcoming New Members]]
* [[Member Engagement]]
* [[Area Coordinators]]
* [[Local Group Events and Activities]]
* [[Supporting Virtual Engagement]]