Supporting Remote Members: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 00:45, 4 June 2026

Words of Wisdom

Remote members are not less engaged—they are differently situated. A member who never attends an event can still be a successful, connected, and valuable part of the Local Group.

What Success Looks Like

Remote members renew at rates comparable to other members
Members report feeling informed and included
Members engage through communication, online participation, volunteering, or local connections
Remote members know how to connect with the group when they choose to do so

Best Practices

Focus on inclusion rather than attendance
Reach out proactively
Provide multiple ways to participate
Connect members with nearby Mensans and opportunities
Recognize that engagement looks different for different members

Common Pitfalls

Measuring engagement only by event attendance
Assuming remote members are uninterested
Communicating only about in-person activities
Forgetting to include outlying areas in newsletters and outreach
Treating remote members as secondary to local attendees

Purpose

This page provides guidance on how to support, engage, and retain members who are not able or choose not to participate in person, recognizing that serving them well is essential to long-term success.

What Is a Remote Member?

A “remote” member is anyone who feels they are too far from the Local Group’s population center(s) to participate in person.

This may include:

Members living long distances away
Members separated by geography (lakes, mountains, etc.)
Members in areas without other Mensans
Members who are homebound

Remote status is defined by experience, not distance.

Why This Matters

Remote members often:

Receive fewer opportunities for connection
Feel overlooked or disconnected
May leave if they do not feel included

At the same time, they join for the same reasons as any member:

Intellectual connection
Community
Personal or professional growth

Core Strategies

Membership Officers are often the primary point of contact for remote members and can play an important role in helping them feel connected and supported.

Stay in Contact

Reach out proactively — don’t wait for them to engage
Periodically check in (email or phone)
Reach out during major events or disruptions (e.g., disasters)
Let them know they are part of the group

Make It Personal

Inform new members if others live nearby
Introduce remote members to each other
Invite input on local opportunities (marketing, testing, events)
Consider creating a small outreach team

Provide Ways to Engage

Newsletters
Email updates
Online communities
Supporting Virtual Engagement
Intellectual or written content
Volunteer opportunities that can be done remotely
Newsletter contributions
Committee or task force participation
Website or social media support

Not all engagement needs to be in person.

Supporting Remote Connections

Building Local Connections

Remote members often benefit from connecting with other Mensans who live nearby. Even a small number of members can form a meaningful local community.

Ways to support these connections include:

Identifying members in the same geographic area
Introducing nearby members to one another
Encouraging small, informal gatherings
Supporting local meetups and activities
Providing a local point of contact when possible

Area Coordinators can be particularly helpful in regions with multiple members by:

Serving as a local contact
Organizing occasional gatherings
Sharing information about Local Group activities
Helping build momentum for future activities

Events and Accessibility

Make Events More Accessible

Schedule some events on weekends
Avoid late-night end times for long-distance travelers
Announce events well in advance (at least 1–2 months)

Bring Events to Them

Host occasional events in remote areas
Encourage officers or members to host while traveling
Consider rotating or “traveling” events

Even occasional effort has a strong impact.

Communication and Visibility

Newsletter Inclusion

Include content from different geographic areas
Feature remote members or communities
Include Area Coordinator contact information
Consider maps of your service area

Online Engagement

Keep your website current
Help members find online communities:
- Mensa Connect (See National Tools and Resources)
- Facebook groups
- Special Interest Groups (SIGs) (See National Tools and Resources)
- Virtual events and programs

Personally invite new members to join

Supporting Members Near Other Groups

If a member is closer to another Local Group:

Share that group’s newsletter and website
Connect them with nearby contacts
Inform them about preferencing options

The goal is member experience — not ownership.

Long-Term Strategy

Supporting remote members benefits both the members and the Local Group. Today's remote area can become tomorrow's active cluster, Area Coordinator region, or event location.

Build local density over time
Encourage testing in remote areas
Support local outreach
Retain existing remote members

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-<nowiki>##</nowiki>bw Some/many/all of these could be their own page ##
+{{Words of Wisdom
-* Who counts as "remote" and why it matters
+| wisdom  =
-** Geographically remote
+Remote members are not less engaged—they are differently situated. A member who never attends an event can still be a successful, connected, and valuable part of the Local Group.
-** Unable to travel
+| success =
-* Why remote members join (and why they leave)
+* Remote members renew at rates comparable to other members
-* Staying in contact - proactive outreach, disaster check-ins, enlisting remote members as local advocates
+* Members report feeling informed and included
-* '''[[Area Coordinators]]''' - what they do, when to appoint one, how to support them, pointing to the Area Coordinator Handbook (note: this handbook is under revision)
+* Members engage through communication, online participation, volunteering, or local connections
-* Event scheduling to accommodate remote attendance (timing, traveling events, carpooling)
+* Remote members know how to connect with the group when they choose to do so
-* Newsletter design for remote inclusion (area columns, maps, coordinator contact in every issue)
+| best =
-* Online engagement - keeping the website current, helping remote members find Mensa Connect, Facebook, etc.
+* Focus on inclusion rather than attendance
-* National/International/Other LG virtual events
+* Reach out proactively
-* Boundary cases - members near another local group's territory, preferencing into another LG (FAQ content)
+* Provide multiple ways to participate
+* Connect members with nearby Mensans and opportunities
+* Recognize that engagement looks different for different members
+| pitfalls =
+* Measuring engagement only by event attendance
+* Assuming remote members are uninterested
+* Communicating only about in-person activities
+* Forgetting to include outlying areas in newsletters and outreach
+* Treating remote members as secondary to local attendees
+}}
+== Purpose ==
+This page provides guidance on how to support, engage, and retain members who are not able or choose not to participate in person, recognizing that serving them well is essential to long-term success.
-== Characteristics of Remote Members ==
+== What Is a Remote Member? ==
-“Remote” members are those who feel that they are too far away from the population center(s) of a local group to participate in person at events, meetings, and activities. There is no magic mile indicator that makes a member remote, it is based on whether they feel that their geographical location is a detriment to their local group participation. A remote member could be someone who lives hundreds of miles from the nearest Mensa member, or someone who is separated from the population center of the local group by a large geographical element, like a lake or a mountain. A remote member may also be one who lives in a good-sized city that doesn’t happen to have any other current Mensa members living there. It’s the feeling of remoteness that creates the issues associated with these members. They often feel disenfranchised by a lack of opportunities to connect in person with other Mensans, or by reading about other members having fun together. They may consider leaving the organization because they don’t feel they are getting the same amount of attention as members closer to the local group’s population center.
+A “remote” member is anyone who feels they are too far from the Local Group’s population center(s) to participate in person.
-== Why Remote Members Join Mensa ==
+This may include:
-Remote members join for the same reason that many other members do. They want to be a part of an organization that celebrates intelligence. They want intellectual stimulation, camaraderie, improved career opportunities, or perhaps to meet a life partner. Many join while they live in a geographically dense location, but move to a more rural area. Some members believe that with 1 in 50 people qualifying for Mensa, there is a good chance that even though they live in a remote area, there will be many Mensa members living around them. Just because they live far away from a concentration of your members, and they do not attend events, do not assume that they are not socially inclined. They may just be waiting and wishing for the opportunity to meet local members in person. Show Remote Members They are Important It’s important to make consistent contact with remote members, even more important than it is to keep in touch with members who live nearby but do not attend anything. While members who live close to events feel like they can choose to attend any time, remote members often feel that they do not have a choice. When new members join your local group, contact them and let them know up front if any Mensa members live in their immediate area, even if it is just a couple. In addition, contact those other remote members and let them know that a new Mensa member is in their area. If there is an Area Coordinator or another active member that is close, encourage them to schedule an event to get those members to meet each other. Contact them by phone or email periodically, even to just ask how they are all doing. Let them know that the local group is thinking about them. Ask them where they think the good marketing opportunities are in their town, and enlist them to help with marketing and testing in those areas. If you hear of a flood, tornado, fire or other disaster in those areas, reach out and make sure they are doing well. Appoint a committee to keep in touch with remote members.
+* Members living long distances away
+* Members separated by geography (lakes, mountains, etc.)
+* Members in areas without other Mensans
+* Members who are homebound
-== Scheduling Local Events to Encourage Remote Member Attendance ==
+Remote status is defined by experience, not distance.
-There are many remote members who would love to attend local events, but find it prohibitive by distance or time. Local events held on weeknights or late on weekends often discourage remote members who work or don’t want to drive long distances late at night. In order to encourage event participation by people who have to drive long distances, schedule them on weekends, starting later in the day and ending early in the evening. While this is not practical for all events, it would be quite easy for a local group picnic or games day to be scheduled in this way. Also, consider remote member travel time when scheduling meetings. Many times, remote members need to plan ahead to be able to travel and attend an event that may take an entire day out of their schedule. Be cognizant and respectful of their time, and schedule main events at least two months in advance. Another obvious idea is to schedule events in their area, and encourage carpooling and local officer attendance. Even one event a year where several people travel to remote areas is often appreciated by the members who live there. Some local groups have a travelling SIG that schedules an event in a different remote area every month. Do not feel that one member alone needs to coordinate this kind of traveling event, as it might also be difficult for any one person to travel around that much. Ask your local active members and officers to consider scheduling local events in remote areas when they travel that direction on business or for pleasure. If you are passing through an area at mealtime, contact those local members and ask them to meet you – even if you don’t have the lead time to schedule an official event.
-== Design Your Newsletter to Include Remote Members ==
+== Why This Matters ==
-If you have one or more Area Coordinators, encourage them to write a regular column about events in their area. If they don’t hold events every month, ask them to interview an area member, or feature local community events that may attract all members. Be sure to have your Area Coordinator’s contact information in every issue. For areas that do not have official coordinators, officers or members can take turns writing about various areas. If you do a travelling or remote event, be sure to write it up in your newsletter and print lots of photos. Print a map of your local group’s service area in the newsletter or put it on the website. Keep those outlying areas in the minds of all officers and non-remote members, and let the remote members know that they are always part of the group.
+Remote members often:
-== Engaging Remote Members Online ==
+* Receive fewer opportunities for connection
-First and foremost, keep your website updated. It’s easy to disenfranchise a remote member if their only regular contact outside of the monthly newsletter is out-of-date. Mention all areas, and show your full-service area map. You’d like your remote members to see that if they suddenly have a reason to travel close to your geographic center, that they can check the calendar and attend an event if there is one. Let remote members know that if they do happen to be in town sometime, that you will help them schedule an event or round up local members at the last minute. There are many venues where Mensa members congregate online. Currently, main services include Mensa Connect (<nowiki>http://connect.us.mensa.org</nowiki>), Facebook, and X. Help your remote members, especially new ones, find a Mensa home online to keep them involved on a regular basis. Visit these locations yourself, then recommend your favorites to your remote members. Set up a Facebook page, online group, or another congregation venue online for your local group, send them a personal invitation, and help them introduce themselves to the group. If your group has a Facebook page, look the new member up in the Facebook directory and invite them directly.
+* Feel overlooked or disconnected
+* May leave if they do not feel included
-== What About Remote Members on the Boundaries of Other Groups? ==
+At the same time, they join for the same reasons as any member:
-If your remote member is near the boundary of another local group, show them how to look up the newsletter of that local group, as well as find their web page. If there is an Area Coordinator for the other group that is near them, contact that Area Coordinator to let them know about the new member. Also, let the remote member know that they can preference into another local group if they are closer to an active area. Our primary purpose is service to the member, even if it means transferring a member out of our own local group.
+* Intellectual connection
+* Community
+* Personal or professional growth
-== Are There Other Ways to Get Remote Members Involved? ==
+== Core Strategies ==
-The best way to serve remote members is to market and test in that area, and help build a healthy member list in what was formerly a “remote” area. This can be done a number of ways outlined in the membership manual, but member retention in remote areas is the best way to start that core of growth.
+[[Membership Officer|Membership Officers]] are often the primary point of contact for remote members and can play an important role in helping them feel connected and supported.
+=== Stay in Contact ===
+* Reach out proactively — don’t wait for them to engage
+* Periodically check in (email or phone)
+* Reach out during major events or disruptions (e.g., disasters)
+* Let them know they are part of the group
+=== Make It Personal ===
+* Inform new members if others live nearby
+* Introduce remote members to each other
+* Invite input on local opportunities (marketing, testing, events)
+* Consider creating a small outreach team
+=== Provide Ways to Engage ===
+* Newsletters
+* Email updates
+* Online communities
+* [[Supporting Virtual Engagement]]
+* Intellectual or written content
+* Volunteer opportunities that can be done remotely
+* Newsletter contributions
+* Committee or task force participation
+* Website or social media support
+Not all engagement needs to be in person.
+== Supporting Remote Connections ==
+=== Building Local Connections ===
+Remote members often benefit from connecting with other Mensans who live nearby.  Even a small number of members can form a meaningful local community.
+Ways to support these connections include:
+* Identifying members in the same geographic area
+* Introducing nearby members to one another
+* Encouraging small, informal gatherings
+* Supporting local meetups and activities
+* Providing a local point of contact when possible
+[[Area Coordinators]] can be particularly helpful in regions with multiple members by:
+* Serving as a local contact
+* Organizing occasional gatherings
+* Sharing information about Local Group activities
+* Helping build momentum for future activities
+== Events and Accessibility ==
+=== Make Events More Accessible ===
+* Schedule some events on weekends
+* Avoid late-night end times for long-distance travelers
+* Announce events well in advance (at least 1–2 months)
+=== Bring Events to Them ===
+* Host occasional events in remote areas
+* Encourage officers or members to host while traveling
+* Consider rotating or “traveling” events
+Even occasional effort has a strong impact.
+== Communication and Visibility ==
+=== Newsletter Inclusion ===
+* Include content from different geographic areas
+* Feature remote members or communities
+* Include Area Coordinator contact information
+* Consider maps of your service area
+=== Online Engagement ===
+* Keep your website current
+* Help members find online communities:
+** Mensa Connect (See [[National Tools and Resources]])
+** Facebook groups
+** Special Interest Groups (SIGs) (See [[National Tools and Resources]])
+** Virtual events and programs
+* Personally invite new members to join
+== Supporting Members Near Other Groups ==
+If a member is closer to another Local Group:
+* Share that group’s newsletter and website
+* Connect them with nearby contacts
+* Inform them about preferencing options
+The goal is member experience — not ownership.
+== Long-Term Strategy ==
+Supporting remote members benefits both the members and the Local Group. Today's remote area can become tomorrow's active cluster, [[Area Coordinators|Area Coordinator]] region, or event location.
+* Build local density over time
+* Encourage testing in remote areas
+* Support local outreach
+* Retain existing remote members
+== Related Topics ==
+* [[Welcoming New Members]]
+* [[Member Engagement]]
+* [[Area Coordinators]]
+* [[Local Group Events and Activities]]
+* [[Supporting Virtual Engagement]]