Engagement Levels Overview

Words of Wisdom

Members engage in different ways — and all forms of participation are valid.

A strong Local Group offers multiple ways for members to feel connected, without requiring members to engage in a specific way.

Purpose

Provide a simple framework for understanding and designing member engagement across different levels of participation.

The Engagement Spectrum

Engagement is not a binary (active vs inactive). It is a spectrum:

Level	Primary Goal	Typical Experience	Examples
Low Commitment	Easy entry	Flexible, optional, low-pressure	Coffee meetups, newsletters, virtual chats
Medium Engagement	Build connection	Some structure, repeat participation	Book clubs, workshops, group outings
High Engagement	Create ownership	Responsibility, leadership, contribution	Hosting events, committees, leadership roles

How the Levels Work Together

These levels are not steps that members must follow.

• Members may stay at one level indefinitely
• Members may move between levels over time
• Different levels meet different needs

The goal is not to “move everyone up” — it is to provide options.

Why This Framework Matters

Using engagement levels helps Local Groups:

• Reach more members
• Reduce barriers to participation
• Support different interests and availability
• Build sustainable volunteer pipelines

A group that only offers one level will unintentionally exclude members.

Designing a Balanced Activity Mix

A healthy Local Group offers opportunities across multiple engagement levels.

Engagement Level	Typical Focus	Examples
Low	Easy entry	Casual or drop-in activities
Medium	Connection and consistency	Recurring groups or structured activities
High	Ownership and contribution	Organizing, hosting, or leadership opportunities

Balance matters more than any single activity.

Using This Framework in Practice

When planning activities, ask:

• What level of engagement does this activity support?
• Who is this designed for?
• Are we offering enough variety across levels?

This helps ensure your calendar serves a broad range of members.

Common Misconceptions

• High engagement is better.
  • All engagement levels are valuable.

• Members should be encouraged to participate more.
  • Engagement should be invited, not pressured.

• “Non-attending members are disengaged.”
  • Many members engage through communication, identity, or passive participation.

Related

• Member Engagement
• Local Group Events and Activities
• Low-Commitment Activities
• Medium-Engagement Activities
• High-Engagement Activities