Local Group Events and Activities: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 05:09, 3 June 2026

Purpose

Provide an overview of how Local Groups use events and activities to support member engagement, connection, and community.

The Role of Events

Events are one of the primary ways members connect, participate, and build community.

Events help Local Groups:

Welcome new members
Build relationships
Provide intellectual and social engagement
Encourage ongoing participation

Events are important, but they are only one part of a broader member engagement strategy.

Activity Variety

Members have different interests, schedules, and comfort levels. A strong activity program offers a variety of ways to participate.

This may include:

Social activities
Intellectual activities
Active or experiential activities
Virtual activities
Casual and recurring gatherings

See Ideas for Local Group Activities.

Engagement Levels

Not all activities require the same level of commitment.

Some members prefer low-pressure opportunities to connect, while others seek deeper involvement and leadership opportunities.

See Engagement Levels Overview.

In-Person and Virtual Activities

Not all engagement happens in person.

Virtual activities:

Increase accessibility
Support remote and homebound members
Provide flexible participation options

Virtual and in-person activities should complement one another rather than compete.

See Supporting Virtual Engagement.

Planning a Balanced Calendar

A strong event calendar:

Offers a variety of activity types
Includes different engagement levels
Provides regular opportunities to connect
Communicates events clearly and consistently

See Designing Your Event Mix and Event Calendar Best Practices.

Creating Welcoming Experiences

Events are most effective when they are welcoming and accessible.

Provide clear expectations
Reduce barriers to participation
Support first-time attendees
Foster connection among participants

See Welcoming New Members and New Member Events.

Roles and Collaboration

Events are often a shared responsibility.

Common contributors include:

ExComm and event hosts
Membership Officer
Communications volunteers and editors
Area Coordinators

Local Groups may divide responsibilities differently based on their size and structure.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-= Local Group Events and Activities =
 == Purpose ==
-Provide an overview of how Local Groups design, organize, and support events as part of member engagement.
-Events are one of the primary ways members connect, participate, and build community.
+Provide an overview of how Local Groups use events and activities to support member engagement, connection, and community.
-== Guiding Principle ==
+== The Role of Events ==
-A strong event program offers variety, flexibility, and clear entry points for different types of members.
-No single type of event works for everyone.
+Events are one of the primary ways members connect, participate, and build community.
-== The Role of Events ==
 Events help Local Groups:
 * Welcome new members
-* Build relationships and community
+* Build relationships
 * Provide intellectual and social engagement
-* Support ongoing participation
+* Encourage ongoing participation
+Events are important, but they are only one part of a broader member engagement strategy.
-Events are one of many ways members engage — not the only way.
+== Activity Variety ==
-== Virtual Engagement ==
+Members have different interests, schedules, and comfort levels. A strong activity program offers a variety of ways to participate.
-Not all engagement happens in person.
-Virtual activities are an important part of a strong event ecosystem. They:
+This may include:
-* Provide access for remote or homebound members
+* Social activities
-* Offer lower-barrier ways to participate
+* Intellectual activities
-* Create flexible options for different schedules and comfort levels
+* Active or experiential activities
+* Virtual activities
+* Casual and recurring gatherings
-Virtual and in-person activities should be viewed as complementary, not competing.
+See [[Ideas for Local Group Activities]].
-See:
+== Engagement Levels ==
-* [[Get Involved Virtually]]
-== Types of Activities ==
+Not all activities require the same level of commitment.
-Local Groups benefit from offering a range of activities.
-See:
+Some members prefer low-pressure opportunities to connect, while others seek deeper involvement and leadership opportunities.
-* [[Ideas for Local Group Activities]]
-== Engagement Levels ==
+See [[Engagement Levels Overview]].
-Not all activities require the same level of involvement.
-See:
+== In-Person and Virtual Activities ==
-* [[Engagement Levels Overview]]
-== Planning and Calendar ==
+Not all engagement happens in person.
-A strong event calendar:
-* Offers a mix of activity types
+Virtual activities:
-* Includes different engagement levels
-* Provides clear and consistent information
-See:
+* Increase accessibility
-* [[Event Calendar Best Practices]]
+* Support remote and homebound members
+* Provide flexible participation options
-== Communication and Promotion ==
+Virtual and in-person activities should complement one another rather than compete.
-Events should be easy to find and understand.
-* Use multiple communication channels
+See [[Get Involved Virtually]].
-* Keep information consistent across platforms
-See:
+== Planning a Balanced Calendar ==
-* [[Event Channels and Platforms]]
-== Creating Welcoming Experiences ==
+A strong event calendar:
-Events are most effective when they are welcoming and accessible.
-* Provide clear expectations
+* Offers a variety of activity types
-* Reduce barriers to participation
+* Includes different engagement levels
-* Support first-time attendees
+* Provides regular opportunities to connect
+* Communicates events clearly and consistently
-See:
+See [[Designing Your Event Mix]] and [[Event Calendar Best Practices]].
-* [[Welcoming New Members]]
-* [[New Member Events]]
-* [[Designing Your Event Mix]]
-== Roles and Collaboration ==
+== Creating Welcoming Experiences ==
-Events are a shared responsibility across multiple roles.
-Common contributors include:
+Events are most effective when they are welcoming and accessible.
-* ExComm and individual hosts (planning and logistics)
+* Provide clear expectations
-* Membership Officer (member experience and outreach)
+* Reduce barriers to participation
-* Communications / Editor (promotion)
+* Support first-time attendees
-* Area Coordinators (local events)
+* Foster connection among participants
-Local Groups may divide responsibilities differently.
+See [[Welcoming New Members]] and [[New Member Events]].
-== What Success Looks Like ==
+== Roles and Collaboration ==
-* Members can easily find and understand events
+Events are often a shared responsibility.
-* A variety of activities are available
-* Both in-person and virtual options are available
-* New members feel comfortable participating
-* Participation reflects different engagement styles
-Success is not measured only by attendance, but by connection and accessibility.
+Common contributors include:
-== Key Takeaway ==
+* ExComm and event hosts
-A strong event program is not defined by a single event or format.
+* [[Membership Officer]]
+* Communications volunteers and editors
+* [[Area Coordinators]]
-It is defined by offering multiple ways for members to connect — in person or virtually, and on their own terms.
+Local Groups may divide responsibilities differently based on their size and structure.
 == Related ==
-=== Planning ===
+* [[Ideas for Local Group Activities]]
-* [[Event Calendar Best Practices]]
-* [[Event Channels and Platforms]]
 * [[Designing Your Event Mix]]
-=== Engagement ===
 * [[Engagement Levels Overview]]
-* [[Ideas for Local Group Activities]]
+* [[Event Calendar Best Practices]]
+* [[Local Group Event Channels and Platforms]]
 * [[Get Involved Virtually]]
-=== Execution ===
 * [[New Member Events]]
+* [[Planning Your First Activity]]
-=== Member Experience ===
-* [[Welcoming New Members]]
-* [[Member Engagement]]
-=== Roles ===
-* [[Membership Officer]]
-* [[Area Coordinators]]