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* Members feel included regardless of location or activity level   
* Members feel included regardless of location or activity level   
| best    =  
| best    =  
* Keep options simple and accessible
* Keep options simple and accessible
* Offer a mix of synchronous and asynchronous opportunities
* Offer both live and asynchronous opportunities
* Focus on consistency rather than volume
* Focus on consistency rather than volume
* Make it easy for members to participate at their comfort level 
* Use communication channels members already know
* Make participation easy at different comfort levels
| pitfalls =
| pitfalls =
* Treating virtual engagement as secondary to in-person events   
* Treating virtual engagement as secondary to in-person events   
Line 25: Line 26:


== What This Means in Practice ==
== What This Means in Practice ==
A strong virtual presence helps ensure that all members—not just event attendees—feel included.
A strong virtual presence helps ensure that all members—not just event attendees—feel included.


Virtual engagement works best when it:
Virtual engagement works best when it:


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


Successful virtual engagement is:
Successful virtual engagement is:


* '''Consistent''' — Regular posts or events build familiarity
* '''Consistent''' — Members know what to expect
* '''Welcoming''' — New voices are acknowledged and encouraged
* '''Accessible''' — Participation is easy and straightforward
* '''Accessible''' — Clear instructions and minimal barriers
* '''Welcoming''' — New voices are encouraged
* '''Varied''' — Different formats appeal to different members
* '''Varied''' — Different options appeal to different members


It doesn’t have to be complex. A small number of well-run options is more effective than many underused ones.
A small number of well-run opportunities is often more effective than many underused ones.


== Providing Virtual Engagement ==
== Providing Virtual Engagement ==
== Virtual Engagement Options ==
{| class="wikitable"
! 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
|}


=== Offer Multiple Ways to Participate ===
=== Offer Multiple Ways to Participate ===
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* Use names and acknowledge contributions   
* Use names and acknowledge contributions   
* Allow space for informal interaction   
* Allow space for informal interaction   
== Tips for Leaders ==
* Start with one or two virtual options
* Use communication channels members already know
* Focus on participation and interaction
* Build consistency before expanding


== Related ==
== Related ==

Revision as of 06:06, 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

Offer Multiple Ways to Participate

Participation Style Examples
Stay Informed
  • Read newsletters
  • Follow announcements
  • Review shared resources
Light Interaction
  • Respond to polls
  • Participate in discussion prompts
  • Comment on posts
Join Virtual Activities
  • Attend online meetups
  • Join webinars or discussions
  • Participate in virtual social events
Contribute
  • Share resources or ideas
  • Help organize activities
  • Volunteer for remote-friendly roles

Options

Communication & Community

  • Local group email lists
  • Social media groups (Facebook, Discord, etc.)
  • Online discussion forums
  • Newsletters and digital publications

Events & Activities

  • Virtual game nights
  • Book clubs or discussion groups
  • Speaker presentations or panels
  • Trivia or themed gatherings

Volunteering & Leadership

  • Writing for newsletters
  • Helping manage social platforms
  • Contributing to websites or toolkits
  • Serving on committees or task forces

Support Effective Virtual Events

Virtual events are most effective when they are:

  • Easy to join
  • Welcoming and low-pressure
  • Structured but flexible
  • Respectful of participants' time

Provide clear information about:

  • Platform
  • Access instructions
  • Time zone
  • Participation expectations

Use Multiple Communication Channels

Virtual engagement often happens across multiple spaces:

  • Email or newsletter
  • Online discussion platforms (e.g., Slack, Discord)
  • Social media groups
  • Shared documents or forums

Not all members will use every channel—and that is expected.

Make Participation Inclusive

  • Offer asynchronous options to allow members to participate on their own schedule.
    • Reading newsletters
    • Participating in discussion threads
    • Viewing recordings
    • Responding to polls or surveys
  • Support different comfort levels (active or quiet participation)
  • Keep technology requirements simple

Encourage Connection

Connection can happen even in low-key or asynchronous settings.

  • Welcome new participants in chats or discussions
  • Use names and acknowledge contributions
  • Allow space for informal interaction
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