Supporting Virtual Engagement: Difference between revisions

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Latest revision as of 06:11, 3 June 2026

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.

Providing Virtual Engagement

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

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-For broader context on member engagement, see [[Engagement Strategy and Philosophy]].
+{{Words of Wisdom
+| wisdom  =
+Virtual engagement is not a substitute for engagement—it is engagement.
+It expands how members connect—making participation more flexible, accessible, and sustainable.
+| success =
+* 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    =
+* 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
+| 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 ==
-Provide meaningful ways for members to connect and participate without attending in-person events.
+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.
-== Guiding Principle ==
-Virtual engagement is a valid and valuable way to be part of the community—not a secondary option.
-Members engage at different levels, and all forms of participation are valid.
 == What This Means in Practice ==
-* Offer engagement options that do not require physical attendance
+A strong virtual presence helps ensure that all members—not just event attendees—feel included.
-* Support different levels of participation
-* Make participation accessible across time, location, and comfort level
-* Treat virtual engagement as part of the core member experience
-== Key Actions ==
-=== Offer Multiple Ways to Participate ===
-Members can engage virtually in different ways, depending on time, interest, and preference:
-'''Stay Informed (Low Commitment)'''
-* Read the newsletter
-* Follow announcements and updates
-* Review shared resources or recordings
-'''Light Interaction'''
-* Respond to polls or surveys
-* Participate in discussion prompts (e.g., “question of the week”)
-* React or comment on posts
-'''Join Virtual Events'''
+Virtual engagement works best when it:
-* Attend online meetups or discussions
-* Join webinars, workshops, or guest speaker sessions
-* Participate in virtual social events (e.g., coffee chats, game nights)
-'''Contribute and Collaborate'''
+* Provides flexible ways to connect
-* Share resources, ideas, or opportunities
+* Supports different levels of engagement
-* Help plan or host virtual activities
+* Creates opportunities for interaction and community
-* Volunteer for small, remote-friendly roles
+* Reduces barriers to participation
-A strong Local Group supports a range of participation levels.
+Successful virtual engagement is:
-=== Support Effective Virtual Events ===
+* '''Consistent''' — Members know what to expect
+* '''Accessible''' — Participation is easy and straightforward
+* '''Welcoming''' — New voices are encouraged
+* '''Varied''' — Different options appeal to different members
-Virtual events are more effective when they are:
+A small number of well-run opportunities is often more effective than many underused ones.
-* Accessible — easy to join, with clear instructions
+== Providing Virtual Engagement ==
-* Welcoming — no pressure to speak or use video
+== Virtual Engagement Options ==
-* Structured but flexible — guided, but not rigid
-* Time-conscious — start and end as expected
-Include in event listings:
+{| class="wikitable"
+! Type !! Examples
-* Platform (Zoom, etc.)
+|-
-* Access instructions
+| Communication
-* Time zone
+|
-* Participation expectations (camera, chat, etc.)
+* Email lists
+* Newsletters
-=== Use Multiple Communication Channels ===
+* Social media groups
+* Online discussion spaces
-Virtual engagement often happens across multiple spaces:
+|-
+| Activities
-* Email or newsletter
+|
-* Online discussion platforms (e.g., Slack, Discord)
+* Virtual game nights
-* Social media groups
+* Book clubs
-* Shared documents or forums
+* Speaker presentations
+* Discussion groups
-Not all members will use every channel—and that is expected.
+* Trivia events
+|-
-=== Make Participation Inclusive ===
+| Volunteer Opportunities
+|
-* Offer asynchronous options (recordings, discussion threads, email follow-up)
+* Newsletter contributions
-* Be mindful of time zones and schedules
+* Social media support
-* Support different comfort levels (active or quiet participation)
+* Website updates
-* Keep technology requirements simple
+* Committee participation
+|-
-=== Encourage Connection ===
+| Asynchronous Engagement
+|
-* Welcome new participants in chats or discussions
+* Discussion threads
-* Use names and acknowledge contributions
+* Polls and surveys
-* Allow space for informal interaction
+* Shared resources
+* Recorded presentations
-Connection can happen even in low-key or asynchronous settings.
+|}
-=== Support Low-Engagement Participation ===
-Not all members will actively participate—and that is a valid form of engagement.
-* Reading updates is participation
-* Occasional attendance is participation
-* Taking breaks and returning later is part of normal engagement
-== How This Connects to Other Areas ==
-Virtual engagement supports:
-* [[Member Engagement]]
-* [[Member Communication]]
-* [[Welcoming New Members]]
-* [[Events and Activities]]
-These areas work together to create a flexible and inclusive member experience.
-== Best Practices ==
-* Keep options simple and accessible
-* Offer a mix of synchronous and asynchronous opportunities
-* Focus on consistency rather than volume
-* Make it easy for members to participate at their comfort level
-== 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
-== 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
-== Key Takeaway ==
-Virtual engagement expands how members connect—making participation more flexible, accessible, and sustainable.
 == Related ==
+* [[Member Engagement]]
-* [[Engagement Strategy and Philosophy]]
+* [[Local Group Events and Activities]]
-* [[Serving Remote Members]]
+* [[Supporting Remote Members]]
-* [[Events and Activities]]
+* [[Local Group Event Channels and Platforms]]
-* [[Member Communication]]