Member Engagement

Words of Wisdom

Engagement is not limited to in-person events.

Members connect in different ways, and all forms of participation are valid.

What Success Looks Like

• Members have multiple ways to engage with the Local Group.
• New members find opportunities to connect.
• Members participate at a variety of engagement levels.
• Members feel welcomed and included.
• Engagement is not dependent on a single activity or event.

Best Practices

• Keep engagement options simple and accessible
• Personal outreach is more effective than mass messaging
• Small, consistent efforts are more sustainable than large, infrequent ones
• Focus on helping members feel comfortable and included

Common Pitfalls

• Focusing only on event attendance
• Overloading members with too many options
• Using pressure or guilt to drive participation
• Ignoring less-visible or remote members
• Assuming one approach works for everyone

Purpose

Support ongoing connection by helping members engage in ways that work for them.

What This Means in Practice

Member engagement is the ongoing process of helping members connect with the organization, with activities, and with one another.

Principle	What It Means
Multiple ways to participate	Not all members engage through events.
Different levels of engagement	Participation can be active or passive.
Connection without pressure	Members should feel invited, not obligated.
Variety of interests	Different members seek different experiences.
Belonging	Engagement is about connection, not attendance.

Supporting Member Engagement

Focus Area	Examples
Offer multiple ways to engage	Events and activities Online communities Virtual engagement Passive participation
Encourage participation	Share opportunities clearly Use welcoming language Avoid pressure or guilt
Connect members to each other	Introduce members with shared interests Help new members meet people Encourage informal connections
Support different interests	Offer varied activities Support member-led initiatives Recognize different preferences
Include remote and less-active members	Communicate consistently Offer non-event engagement Value all participation styles

Measuring Engagement

Look beyond attendance. Consider:

• Email engagement
• Content interaction
• Renewal rates
• Member feedback
• Variety of participation styles

Feedback Loops

Make it easy for members to share input.

• Short surveys

• Informal check-ins

• Anonymous feedback options

Focus on understanding, not just increasing activity.

Related

• Local Group Events and Activities
• Planning Your First Activity
• Welcoming New Members
• Supporting Virtual Engagement