Local Group Events and Activities
Purpose
Provide an overview of how Local Groups design, organize, and support events as part of member engagement.
The Role of Events
Events are one of the primary ways members connect, participate, and build community. Events help Local Groups:
- Welcome new members
- Build relationships and community
- Provide intellectual and social engagement
- Support ongoing participation
Events are one of many ways members engage — not the only way.
Virtual Engagement
Not all engagement happens in person.
Virtual activities are an important part of a strong event ecosystem. They:
- Provide access for remote or homebound members
- Offer lower-barrier ways to participate
- Create flexible options for different schedules and comfort levels
Virtual and in-person activities should be viewed as complementary, not competing.
See: Supporting Virtual Engagement
Types of Activities
Local Groups benefit from offering a range of activities.
See:
Engagement Levels
Not all activities require the same level of involvement.
See:
Planning and Calendar
A strong event calendar:
- Offers a mix of activity types
- Includes different engagement levels
- Provides clear and consistent information
To design a balanced and sustainable mix of activities, see Designing Your Event Mix
Communication and Promotion
Events should be easy to find and understand.
- Use multiple communication channels
- Keep information consistent across platforms
See Local Group Event Channels and Platforms
Creating Welcoming Experiences
Events are most effective when they are welcoming and accessible.
- Provide clear expectations
- Reduce barriers to participation
- Support first-time attendees
Roles and Collaboration
Events are a shared responsibility across multiple roles.
Common contributors include:
- ExComm and individual hosts (planning and logistics)
- Membership Officer (member experience and outreach)
- Communications / Editor (promotion)
- Area Coordinators (local events)
Local Groups may divide responsibilities differently.