Supporting Virtual Engagement

Words of Wisdom

Virtual engagement is not a substitute for engagement—it is engagement.

It expands how members connect—making participation more flexible, accessible, and sustainable.

What Success Looks Like

• Members can engage without attending in-person events
• Participation happens at multiple levels
• Virtual options are used consistently over time
• Members feel included regardless of location or activity level

Best Practices

• Keep options simple and accessible
• Offer both live and asynchronous opportunities
• Focus on consistency rather than volume
• Use communication channels members already know
• Make participation easy at different comfort levels

Common Pitfalls

• Treating virtual engagement as secondary to in-person events
• Requiring high levels of participation or visibility
• Overcomplicating tools or platforms
• Expecting all members to use the same channels
• Ignoring quieter or less-visible participants

Purpose

Help Local Groups provide meaningful opportunities for members to connect, participate, and engage virtually so that virtual engagement is considered part of the core member experience.

What This Means in Practice

A strong virtual presence helps ensure that all members—not just event attendees—feel included.

Virtual engagement works best when it:

• Provides flexible ways to connect
• Supports different levels of engagement
• Creates opportunities for interaction and community
• Reduces barriers to participation

Successful virtual engagement is:

• Consistent — Members know what to expect
• Accessible — Participation is easy and straightforward
• Welcoming — New voices are encouraged
• Varied — Different options appeal to different members

A small number of well-run opportunities is often more effective than many underused ones.

Virtual Engagement Options

Type	Examples
Communication	Email lists Newsletters Social media groups Online discussion spaces
Activities	Virtual game nights Book clubs Speaker presentations Discussion groups Trivia events
Volunteer Opportunities	Newsletter contributions Social media support Website updates Committee participation
Asynchronous Engagement	Discussion threads Polls and surveys Shared resources Recorded presentations

Related

• Member Engagement
• Local Group Events and Activities
• Supporting Remote Members
• Local Group Event Channels and Platforms