Member Engagement Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All: Offering Enough Variety?
Let’s talk about member engagement—because it’s one of the most misunderstood and mismanaged areas in the Chamber world.
Not every member wants to be engaged. And that’s okay.
Some members join simply to support the mission of the Chamber. Others want visibility. Some are there for advocacy. And yes, some just want to be listed on your website or hang the plaque on their wall. You know what? That’s still membership—and it still matters.
But here’s the challenge: for the members who *do* want to engage, are you giving them enough variety in *how* they can engage?
Because if your answer to engagement is “We host monthly networking events,” I’m going to gently tell you—that’s not enough.
Not All Members Are Networkers
Networking events are great—but only for the people who like that kind of thing. Extroverts and social butterflies? They’ll be there every month. But your quieter members? Your introverts? Your super-busy small business owners who can’t leave the shop during business hours? They’re skipping those events every time.
So if networking is your only offer for member connection, you’re unintentionally leaving out a big portion of your membership.
Not Everyone Loves a “State of” Event Either
On the flip side, some Chambers are heavy on large, formal “State of” events—State of the Community, State of the Schools, State of the County, and so on. These are valuable, no doubt. But they tend to attract a more specific audience: those who are civic-minded, tied to government or education, or big-picture thinkers.
That’s not everyone.
And if those events are long, expensive, and formal, they might even feel intimidating or inaccessible to some of your newer or smaller members.
So… What Do We Do?
We diversify.
Just like you need a well-rounded investment portfolio, you need a well-rounded *engagement portfolio*.
Here are some categories to consider:
1. **Educational Engagement**
- Workshops or webinars (marketing, HR, cybersecurity, hiring tips)
- Leadership programs
- Lunch & Learns
- New member orientations
2. **Social & Networking**
- Morning mingles or after-hours events
- Speed networking
- Industry-specific meetups (realtors, non-profits, etc.)
- Pop-up events in local businesses
3. **Advocacy & Civic Engagement**
- Public policy forums
- Legislative lunches
- Candidate meet-and-greets
- Town hall Q&As
4. **Volunteer or Service Opportunities**
- Ambassador programs
- Committees or task forces
- Community service days
- Event planning teams
5. **Behind-the-Scenes Access**
- “Chamber 101” for members to learn what you really do
- Behind-the-scenes business tours
- Roundtables with city or county leaders
6. **Digital-Only Options**
- Private member Facebook group
- Exclusive email updates or tools
- Recorded webinars or training
- Member highlight videos
One Member’s Engagement is Another’s Overwhelm
The key is to understand that engagement means *different things* to different members.
For some, attending one event a quarter is perfect.
For others, being on a committee is their thing.
For another, watching a replay of a webinar is how they “connect.”
So instead of defining engagement by how many events someone attends, try this:
“Are we offering *enough types of opportunities* so that any member—regardless of personality, schedule, or interest—can find something that feels like a good fit?”
That’s the real question.
Final Thought: It’s Okay If They Don’t Engage
Really. It is.
Some members won’t come to anything. And that doesn’t mean they don’t find value in their membership. It may mean they’re busy. Or shy. Or unsure. Or simply showing their support in their own way.
So don’t take it personally.
But for the ones who *do* want to plug in? Make sure your offerings aren’t just a one-note song.
Because the more ways people can find their place in the Chamber community, the stronger and more connected your membership will be.