How Do You Keep Members Engaged and Completing Needed Tasks Between Meetings?

compiled by Ardis Bazyn

How do you keep members engaged and completing needed tasks between meetings? Do you use email discussion lists, phone trees, committee meetings with solid timelines? ACB’s affiliates stay strong and connected by using the following methods.

Lerae Olesen, president of the South Dakota Association of the Blind, gave the following tips:

• They hold their convention in person and virtual to allow more people to enjoy it and have a say.
• They have an announce list and a chat list to allow more members to send ideas and thoughts. 
• They ask for birthdays and anniversaries on their membership form so they can send congratulations. 
• They keep in touch through a monthly peer support call. 
• When they have board meetings, they ask for participation from all members.
• They have a newsletter sent with timely information.

Lori Trujillo Roush, president of the Iowa Council of the United Blind, mentioned the following ways to keep members involved:

• Their sunshine committee contacts those without email but still need info.
• They have an email discussion list where they send reports, legislation, and other important information. 
• They have 8 committees and ad hoc committees but have different members on those committees. 
• Their members are friendly, connected, and welcoming. They feel people have to know you care before they join.
• They ask about people’s interests and connect them. 
• They text messages to particular groups. 
• They provide events people like: bowling, meal functions, described movies. 
• Their social committee sends birthday notes. 

Kenneth Semien Sr., first vice president of ACB of Texas, provided the following ways to keep connections flowing:

• Each committee has events sent to their announce list.
• They forward events to agencies and organizations to list them, including employment and health care fairs. 
• They hold a new member orientation and feature new members at their annual conference. 
• They send convention announcements widely. 
• They communicate about any change in assignments and are ready to support committee members during assignments. 
• They acknowledge birthdays for those known. 
• They use text, phone calls, and group committee list to share messages and concerns. The more communication, the more feedback they receive. 
• They make sure all are aware of what is going on and check in with those they haven’t heard from.
• They touch base on assignments asking for feedback, making messaging changes and upbeat subject lines.
• They have a monthly calendar of events more like a newsletter. 
• ACB of Texas connections connects occupations — authors, speakers, musicians, etc. 
• Texas has a newsletter it sends out in members’ preferred format. 
• If any chair is overcommitted and doesn’t have time to keep up, he talks with the person to see what assignments could be moved to someone else.

Ann M. Chiappetta, president of Friends in Art, provided the following:

• Friends in Art is a niche group. Members have a creative spirit of artists. 
• They have an email discussion list open to anyone with an art interest. 
• ACB info is forwarded to the list.
• The Artist Collective has connected new folks who are interested. 
• They have a Facebook page. 
• They try to have a personal connection with other members.
• They email or make a phone call to new members.
• They feature organizations that support their organization. 
• They are building on the creativity of people and finding where people are. 
• They have scholarship applicants and contact them even if they don’t win. 
• They are working on a scholarship support program. 
• They are participating in the virtual sessions of the national convention. 

Cassandra Jessie, Florida Council of the Blind’s president, highlighted some ways to stay connected:

• Their website lists many ways to connect with FCB. 
• They have an annual hybrid convention with lots of activities.
• Their activities committee connects members with a game night.
• They have a presidents’ list so presidents can talk to one another about activities, events, and issues. 
• They have a monthly presidents call as well.
• They get introduced to state liaison. 
• Chapters list different restaurants and get together with their group between meetings. 
• Chapters promote an inviting atmosphere at meetings to facilitate better attendance. 
• A phone tree reads minutes and reminds members about events.

After the speakers, participants could ask questions or make comments. Delaware has reorganized, but has different issues due to their small membership. They have fewer resources for offering a newsletter to members. A short email newsletter might be a solution. Bay State shares highlights each month in a short newsletter. One way to find additional members is to get to know local organizations in the community. Have a game night and mention your affiliate and how to join. Try some of the tips and ideas mentioned above to keep your members involved and eager to tackle ongoing tasks for your members.