Area Coordinators

Purpose

Area Coordinators (ACs) help connect members in specific geographic areas, especially those who may be far from the Local Group’s main population center.

They serve as a local point of contact, helping members feel welcomed, informed, and included.

What Is an Area Coordinator?

An Area Coordinator is a volunteer who focuses on a defined geographic area within a Local Group.

They are often:

• A familiar local contact for members nearby
• An additional “welcomer” for new members
• A host or organizer of local activities

Why Area Coordinators Matter

Area Coordinators:

• Extend the reach of the Local Group
• Support remote and outlying members
• Create local opportunities for connection
• Help new members feel immediately included

Even a small amount of local activity can make a significant difference in member experience.

Core Responsibilities

Responsibility	What It Looks Like
Hosting Events	Regular local gatherings
Welcoming Members	Contacting new members in their area
Connecting Members	Helping nearby members meet

Host Local Activities

• Organize events on a regular cadence (monthly, quarterly, etc.)
• Keep events simple and sustainable
• Provide consistent opportunities for local connection

Welcome New Members

• Contact new members in their area
• Serve as a friendly, local point of contact
• Help connect new members with nearby Mensans

Support New Member Integration

• Assist with new member events (local or group-wide)
• Encourage first-time attendance
• Help reduce the “walking into a room of strangers” barrier

Working with the Membership Officer

Area Coordinators and Membership Officers should collaborate closely:

• Share information about new members
• Coordinate outreach efforts
• Align on communication and messaging
• Support each other’s efforts to engage members

Defining Areas

Area Coordinators are typically assigned based on geography.

Working with National Office

• Define areas using ZIP codes or geographic regions
• Request assistance in grouping members by location
• Adjust boundaries as membership changes

Getting Maps and Data

Through National Office, you can:

• Request maps of your Local Group’s service area
• Identify where members are concentrated
• Visualize remote or underserved areas

Member Lists by Area

• Request lists of members within a defined geographic area
• Use this to:

 * Identify potential Area Coordinators  
 * Connect nearby members  
 * Support targeted outreach  

Supporting Area Coordinators

To help Area Coordinators succeed:

• Keep expectations clear and manageable
• Provide contact information for members in their area
• Share communication templates and ideas
• Recognize and appreciate their contributions

Avoid overloading them — consistency matters more than volume.

When to Appoint an Area Coordinator

Consider appointing an Area Coordinator when:

• A geographic area has multiple members
• Members are far from existing events
• Someone is willing to host or connect locally
• There is an opportunity to build engagement in that area

Tips for Success

• Start small — even informal meetups are valuable
• Focus on consistency rather than scale
• Encourage personal connections between members
• Keep communication simple and direct

Common Pitfalls

• Expecting too much from one volunteer
• Assigning areas without clear boundaries
• Failing to provide member information or support
• Letting the role become inactive without follow-up

Key Takeaway

Area Coordinators do not need to run large or frequent events.

Their value comes from being a consistent, local point of connection.

Related Topics

• Supporting Remote Members
• Welcoming New Members
• Events and Activities
• Membership Officer
• Recruiting Area Coordinators
• Area Coordinator Quick Start
• Area Coordinator: Making First Contact: Samples and Templates
• Responding to Members