Supporting Remote Members

##bw Some/many/all of these could be their own page ##

Who counts as "remote" and why it matters
- Geographically remote
- Unable to travel
Why remote members join (and why they leave)
Staying in contact - proactive outreach, disaster check-ins, enlisting remote members as local advocates
Area Coordinators - what they do, when to appoint one, how to support them, pointing to the Area Coordinator Handbook (note: this handbook is under revision)
Event scheduling to accommodate remote attendance (timing, traveling events, carpooling)
Newsletter design for remote inclusion (area columns, maps, coordinator contact in every issue)
Online engagement - keeping the website current, helping remote members find Mensa Connect, Facebook, etc.
National/International/Other LG virtual events
Boundary cases - members near another local group's territory, preferencing into another LG (FAQ content)

Characteristics of Remote Members “Remote” members are those who feel that they are too far away from the population center(s) of a local group to participate in person at events, meetings, and activities. There is no magic mile indicator that makes a member remote, it is based on whether they feel that their geographical location is a detriment to their local group participation. A remote member could be someone who lives hundreds of miles from the nearest Mensa member, or someone who is separated from the population center of the local group by a large geographical element, like a lake or a mountain. A remote member may also be one who lives in a good-sized city that doesn’t happen to have any other current Mensa members living there. It’s the feeling of remoteness that creates the issues associated with these members. They often feel disenfranchised by a lack of opportunities to connect in person with other Mensans, or by reading about other members having fun together. They may consider leaving the organization because they don’t feel they are getting the same amount of attention as members closer to the local group’s population center. Why Remote Members Join Mensa Remote members join for the same reason that many other members do. They want to be a part of an organization that celebrates intelligence. They want intellectual stimulation, camaraderie, improved career opportunities, or perhaps to meet a life partner. Many join while they live in a geographically dense location, but move to a more rural area. Some members believe that with 1 in 50 people qualifying for Mensa, there is a good chance that even though they live in a remote area, there will be many Mensa members living around them. Just because they live far away from a concentration of your members, and they do not attend events, do not assume that they are not socially inclined. They may just be waiting and wishing for the opportunity to meet local members in person. Show Remote Members They are Important It’s important to make consistent contact with remote members, even more important than it is to keep in touch with members who live nearby but do not attend anything. While members who live close to events feel like they can choose to attend any time, remote members often feel that they do not have a choice. When new members join your local group, contact them and let them know up front if any Mensa members live in their immediate area, even if it is just a couple. In addition, contact those other remote members and let them know that a new Mensa member is in their area. If there is an Area Coordinator or another active member that is close, encourage them to schedule an event to get those members to meet each other. Contact them by phone or email periodically, even to just ask how they are all doing. Let them know that the local group is thinking about them. Ask them where they think the good marketing opportunities are in their town, and enlist them to help with marketing and testing in those areas. If you hear of a flood, tornado, fire or other disaster in those areas, reach out and make sure they are doing well. Appoint a committee to keep in touch with remote members.