|
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| Line 83: |
Line 83: |
| |- | | |- |
| | Asking About Nearby Members | | | Asking About Nearby Members |
| | Facilitate connections while protecting privacy. Do not share contact information without permission. You can direct members to the Membership Directory on the National website. | | | Facilitate connections while protecting privacy. You can direct members to the Membership Directory on the National website. |
| | There are a few members in your area. If you're interested, I can help coordinate a connection or small meetup. | | | There are a few members in your area. If you're interested, I can help coordinate a connection or small meetup. |
| |- | | |- |
| Line 93: |
Line 93: |
| | Make it easy to say yes. | | | Make it easy to say yes. |
| | I'll be at [location] on [day/time]. If you'd like, we could meet there and attend together. | | | I'll be at [location] on [day/time]. If you'd like, we could meet there and attend together. |
| | }
| |
|
| |
| == x ==
| |
| {| class="wikitable"
| |
| ! Situation
| |
| ! Response
| |
| |-
| |
| | No Response
| |
| | Just checking in in case my previous message got buried. No need to respond—just wanted to make sure you knew there's someone local if you ever want to connect.
| |
| |-
| |
| | They say “Thanks” or give a short reply
| |
| Keep it light.
| |
| | Glad to hear from you! If you ever feel like connecting locally or coming to something, just let me know — always happy to help.
| |
| |-
| |
| | They express interest in meeting people
| |
| Move gently toward a next step.
| |
| | That’s great — there are a few members in your area. We sometimes do casual meetups (coffee, lunch, etc.). Would something like that interest you?
| |
|
| |
| Optionally:
| |
| * Suggest a specific event
| |
| * Offer to help coordinate
| |
| |-
| |
| | They ask about events
| |
| Keep it simple and clear. Avoid sending too much information at once
| |
| | We have a few upcoming events — here's a link to our website's calendar. [Event] is often a good first event, and I'll be attending [Event] and would love to meet you there.
| |
| |-
| |
| | They’re nervous about attending
| |
| Normalize the feeling and reduce uncertainty.
| |
| | Totally understandable — a lot of people feel that way at first. If you decide to come to something, I’d be happy to meet you outside and introduce you around.
| |
| |-
| |
| | They say they're too busy
| |
| Respect that and keep the door open.
| |
| | ''That makes sense — schedules can get busy. If things ever open up, or if you just want to connect locally, feel free to reach out anytime.''
| |
| |-
| |
| | They say they're not interested in events
| |
| Acknowledge and pivot.
| |
| | That’s completely fine — not everyone is looking for events. If you want to stay connected in other ways (newsletter, online groups, webinars, etc.), I’m happy to help.
| |
| |-
| |
| | They ask about other members nearby
| |
| Facilitate connection carefully.
| |
|
| |
| Note: Respect privacy. Do not share contact information without permission. You can direct members to the Membership Directory on the National website.
| |
| | There are a few members in your area. If you’re open to it, I can help connect you or coordinate a small meetup.
| |
| <br>
| |
| |-
| |
| | When you don't know the answer
| |
| It’s okay to say so and then follow up.
| |
| |
| |
| That’s a good question — I’m not sure, but I can find out and get back to you.
| |
| |-
| |
| | Offering a first meetup
| |
| Being specific about time, place, and expectations can make it easier for someone to say yes.
| |
| | I'll be at [location] on [day/time]. If you'd like, we could meet there and attend together.
| |
|
| |
| I'm happy to meet you outside and walk in with you if that would make things more comfortable.
| |
| |}
| |
|
| |
| == x ==
| |
| {| class="wikitable"
| |
| ! Situation
| |
| ! Response
| |
| |-
| |
| | No Response
| |
| | Just checking in in case my previous message got buried. No need to respond—just wanted to make sure you knew there's someone local if you ever want to connect.
| |
| |-
| |
| | They say “Thanks” or give a short reply
| |
| Keep it light.
| |
| | Glad to hear from you! If you ever feel like connecting locally or coming to something, just let me know — always happy to help.
| |
| |-
| |
| | They express interest in meeting people
| |
| Move gently toward a next step.
| |
| | That’s great — there are a few members in your area. We sometimes do casual meetups (coffee, lunch, etc.). Would something like that interest you?
| |
|
| |
| Optionally:
| |
| * Suggest a specific event
| |
| * Offer to help coordinate
| |
| |-
| |
| | They ask about events
| |
| Keep it simple and clear. Avoid sending too much information at once
| |
| | We have a few upcoming events — here's a link to our website's calendar. [Event] is often a good first event, and I'll be attending [Event] and would love to meet you there.
| |
| |-
| |
| | They’re nervous about attending
| |
| Normalize the feeling and reduce uncertainty.
| |
| | Totally understandable — a lot of people feel that way at first. If you decide to come to something, I’d be happy to meet you outside and introduce you around.
| |
| |-
| |
| | They say they're too busy
| |
| Respect that and keep the door open.
| |
| | ''That makes sense — schedules can get busy. If things ever open up, or if you just want to connect locally, feel free to reach out anytime.''
| |
| |-
| |
| | They say they're not interested in events
| |
| Acknowledge and pivot.
| |
| | That’s completely fine — not everyone is looking for events. If you want to stay connected in other ways (newsletter, online groups, webinars, etc.), I’m happy to help.
| |
| |-
| |
| | They ask about other members nearby
| |
| Facilitate connection carefully.
| |
|
| |
| Note: Respect privacy. Do not share contact information without permission. You can direct members to the Membership Directory on the National website.
| |
| | There are a few members in your area. If you’re open to it, I can help connect you or coordinate a small meetup.
| |
| <br>
| |
| |-
| |
| | When you don't know the answer
| |
| It’s okay to say so and then follow up.
| |
| |
| |
| That’s a good question — I’m not sure, but I can find out and get back to you.
| |
| |-
| |
| | Offering a first meetup
| |
| Being specific about time, place, and expectations can make it easier for someone to say yes.
| |
| | I'll be at [location] on [day/time]. If you'd like, we could meet there and attend together.
| |
|
| |
| I'm happy to meet you outside and walk in with you if that would make things more comfortable.
| |
| |} | | |} |
|
| |
| == When to Escalate == | | == When to Escalate == |
| Most member questions can be handled by the Membership Officer. | | Most member questions can be handled by the Membership Officer. |
Words of Wisdom
You don’t need the perfect response.
You just need to make members feel welcome be being
- Members receive timely responses
- Conversations feel welcoming
- Questions are answered or routed appropriately
- Members feel heard and respected
- Members know their next step
- Respond promptly when practical
- Match the member's tone and level of engagement
- Answer the question asked
- Keep next steps simple
- Be warm and concise
- Sending long, information-heavy messages
- Too many links or options
- Pressuring attendance
- Taking silence personally
Purpose
Provide guidance for responding to member questions, comments, and outreach in a welcoming and helpful way.
The goal is to make responses feel natural, conversational, and supportive—not scripted or overwhelming.
The Basic Structure
A good response usually includes:
- Acknowledge what they said
- Respond or answer their question
- Offer a simple next step (optional)
Not every message needs all three.
Tone Tips
- Write like you speak
- Use complete but simple sentences
- Avoid overly formal language
- Be warm, but not intense
Common Outreach Scenarios
Use these examples as starting points. Adapt them to your own voice and the specific situation.
| Situation
|
Goal
|
Example Response
|
| No Response
|
One follow-up, then stop
|
Just checking in in case my previous message got buried. No need to respond—just wanted to make sure you knew there's someone local if you ever want to connect.
|
| Short Reply ("Thanks")
|
Keep the conversation open without pressure.
|
Glad to hear from you! If you ever feel like connecting locally or coming to something, just let me know.
|
| Interested in Meeting People
|
Offer a simple next step.
|
That's great — there are a few members in your area. We sometimes do casual meetups. Would something like that interest you?
|
| Asking About Events
|
Keep it simple and clear. Avoid sending too much information at once.
|
We have a few upcoming events. [Event] is often a good first event, and I'd be happy to meet you there.
|
| Nervous About Attending
|
Reduce uncertainty.
|
Totally understandable — a lot of people feel that way at first. I'd be happy to meet you outside and introduce you around.
|
| Too Busy
|
Respect their situation and leave the door open
|
That makes sense — schedules can get busy. If things ever open up, feel free to reach out anytime.
|
| Not Interested in Events
|
Explore other ways to connect.
|
That's completely fine. If you'd like information about newsletters, online groups, or webinars, I'm happy to help.
|
| Asking About Nearby Members
|
Facilitate connections while protecting privacy. You can direct members to the Membership Directory on the National website.
|
There are a few members in your area. If you're interested, I can help coordinate a connection or small meetup.
|
| You Don't Know the Answer
|
Be honest and follow up.
|
That's a good question. I'm not sure, but I'll find out and get back to you.
|
| Offering a First Meetup
|
Make it easy to say yes.
|
I'll be at [location] on [day/time]. If you'd like, we could meet there and attend together.
|
When to Escalate
Most member questions can be handled by the Membership Officer.
However, some situations are better handled by another volunteer or officer.
Learn more: Membership Officer - When to Escalate or Hand Off Communication
