Ideas for Local Group Activities

  See Local Group Events and Activities for how activities fit into overall event planning.

Words of Wisdom

A strong activity calendar offers multiple ways to connect.

Variety increases participation by meeting members where they are — in interest, time, and comfort level.

What Success Looks Like

• The calendar has enough variety that every member can find something that fits.

Best Practices

Common Pitfalls

Purpose

Describe a variety of activity options that support different levels and styles of member engagement.

Why Variety Matters

Many Local Group activities center around food — and for good reason. Food is universal, accessible, and works across a wide range of ages and interests.

However, a strong calendar goes beyond this foundation.

Offering a wider range of activities:

• Reaches more members
• Encourages broader participation
• Creates multiple entry points for engagement

Types of Activities

A balanced calendar may include:

Category	Examples
Social	dinners, lunches, brunches
Active	mini-golf, bowling, sports, outdoor activities
Experiential	theme parks, go-karts, performances
Creative	crafts, art, writing, workshops
Intellectual	book clubs, discussion groups, speakers, museums
Casual	movies, concerts, informal meetups

Almost any activity can be successful — what matters is creating opportunities for members to connect.

Levels of Commitment

Members engage at different levels. A strong calendar includes options across that spectrum.

• Low-Commitment Activities — easy to join, low pressure
• Medium-Engagement Activities — some structure, moderate involvement
• High-Engagement Activities — deeper involvement or leadership

Designing Inclusive & Accessible Activities

Every activity should consider different needs and comfort levels.

• Offer both in-person and virtual options when possible
• Choose accessible locations (mobility, transportation)
• Vary times and days
• Clearly communicate:
  • Physical activity level
  • Cost (if any)
  • Social expectations

Clear expectations reduce barriers to participation.

Mixing Activity Types Over Time

Variety matters across time, not just within a single event.

Example monthly mix:

• 1 social event
• 1 intellectual or discussion-based event
• 1 low-key or virtual option

This helps engage different members without overloading any one group.

Member-Led Activities

Members are more engaged when they help create the experience.

• Invite ideas regularly
• Make hosting easy (low barriers, clear expectations)
• Support first-time organizers with simple guidance

Recognition & Follow-Up

Activities continue after the event.

• Thank organizers and participants
• Share highlights or photos (when appropriate)
• Invite quick feedback
• Suggest related or next-step activities

Simple Planning Framework

When planning an activity, ask:

• Who is this for?
• What level of commitment does it require?
• Is it accessible and clearly described?
• Does it add variety to the calendar?

Related

• Events and Activities

• Member Engagement
• Membership Segmentation

• Supporting Remote Members