Do Your Members Know How to Get Involved?
- Association GC
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
The Silent Problem in Membership
At almost every bar association meeting, there’s at least one member who says it: “I’d love to get more involved… but I’m not sure how.”
That sentence is more than just a casual comment. It’s a warning sign. It tells you that there are people in your association who want to contribute, who are willing to show up, who are ready to help, but they don’t see the path forward.
And when people can’t see the path, they don’t take it.
This is one of the most overlooked reasons associations struggles with membership engagement. Leaders assume members automatically know what to do next. They assume the invitation “get involved” is clear enough. But it isn’t.
The truth? Vague invitations kill momentum.
Why “Get Involved” Isn’t Working
Think about it. If you walked into a restaurant and the waiter just said, “Eat something,” you’d be confused. You’d want to see a menu. You’d want options. You’d want clarity.
Membership is no different. When members are told, “You should get involved,” they’re left wondering:
Does that mean attend every event?
Join a committee?
Run for office?
Volunteer at the next fundraiser?
Or all of the above?
Without clarity, even motivated members hesitate. And hesitation is the enemy of engagement.
The Real Cost of Confusion
Let’s play this out.
A new member joins. They’re enthusiastic, hopeful, maybe even inspired. They show up to one or two events, enjoy the connections, and decide they’d like to contribute more. But when they ask how, the only response is “get involved.”
That lack of specificity leaves them guessing. And while they’re guessing, they’re also stepping back.
Fast forward six months. Their attendance drops. Their renewal is shaky. The excitement they felt has turned into disengagement.
Now multiply that scenario by a dozen members. Or two dozen. Over time, you’re looking at declining event participation, empty committee seats, and a shrinking pool of future leaders.
This isn’t just a numbers problem. It’s a culture problem. Members don’t disengage because they don’t care. They disengaged because the next step was never clear.
Why Clarity Wins Every Time
Here’s the good news: the fix is simple. The best associations don’t ask members to guess. They spell out the options.
When you give people a clear “menu” of involvement, three things happen:
Members feel invited. They know exactly where they fit.
Leaders feel supported. More people raise their hands, spreading the workload.
Engagement grows naturally. Quick wins lead to deeper commitments, which eventually grow into leadership.
It’s not about pushing people harder. It’s about showing them the way.
The Engagement Menu: A Practical Tool
Think of the Engagement Menu like an actual restaurant menu. It offers choices at different levels, depending on appetite and availability.
Level 1: Quick Wins
Perfect for new members or those who can only give a little time. These actions are easy, accessible, and help members feel connected immediately.
Share the association’s posts on social media.
Attend a single event.
Invite a friend or colleague to join.
Level 2: Mid-Level Roles
For members ready to do more, mid-level roles provide opportunities to build relationships and showcase their skills.
Volunteer at an upcoming program.
Submit an article or resource to the newsletter.
Join a committee that matches their interests.
Level 3: Leadership Tracks
Reserved for members who want to shape the future of the association. These roles require more commitment but also deliver the greatest impact.
Chair a committee or task force.
Mentor newer members or students.
Step into elected board service.
This tiered system removes the guesswork. Members don’t have to wonder what “involvement” looks like they can see it right in front of them.
The Engagement Menu: A Practical Tool
Think of the Engagement Menu like an actual restaurant menu. It offers choices at different levels, depending on appetite and availability.
Level 1: Quick Wins
Perfect for new members or those who can only give a little time. These actions are easy, accessible, and help members feel connected immediately.
Share the association’s posts on social media.
Attend a single event.
Invite a friend or colleague to join.
Level 2: Mid-Level Roles
For members ready to do more, mid-level roles provide opportunities to build relationships and showcase their skills.
Volunteer at an upcoming program.
Submit an article or resource to the newsletter.
Join a committee that matches their interests.
Level 3: Leadership Tracks
Reserved for members who want to shape the future of the association. These roles require more commitment but also deliver the greatest impact.
Chair a committee or task force.
Mentor newer members or students.
Step into elected board service.
This tiered system removes the guesswork. Members don’t have to wonder what “involvement” looks like they can see it right in front of them.
Real-World Example
I worked with an association that introduced its first Engagement Menu last year. At the annual meeting, they placed copies on every table and walked through the three levels of involvement.
The result? Within a week, the committee chair had a list of new volunteers. A handful of members signed up to contribute articles. And one young lawyer, who had only been a member for six months, put their name in for a leadership program.
None of those outcomes was random. They happened because the options were clear, visible, and easy to act on.
Why Leaders Benefit Too
It’s tempting to think of engagement strategies only in terms of member benefit. But clarity is just as important for leaders.
When involvement is vague, leaders spend their energy chasing volunteers, filling empty seats, and carrying the weight themselves. Burnout becomes inevitable.
When involvement is clear, leaders gain breathing room. Members step forward on their own. The pool of engaged professionals widens. And leadership succession stops being a scramble and starts being a process.
Clarity doesn’t just help members. It protects leaders.
Making It Stick
Of course, one menu won’t solve everything. The real power of the Engagement Menu is in repetition. Don’t share it once and forget it. Make it a regular part of your culture.
Post it online for easy access.
Hand it out at every new member orientation.
Share it at events and committee meetings.
Reference it in newsletters and emails.
The more often members see it, the more normal it becomes. Eventually, the phrase “get involved” won’t just be an empty invitation. It will point to a clear, concrete set of choices.
The Big Picture
Engagement is the lifeblood of every association. Without it, membership feels transactional. With it, membership becomes transformational.
But engagement doesn’t grow by accident. It grows when leaders are intentional about showing the way. It grows when members can see exactly how to take the next step.
Clarity builds confidence. Confidence builds commitment. Commitment builds community.
Final Word
If you want to see your members engage more deeply, don’t assume they’ll figure it out. Don’t let “get involved” be the only invitation. Show them the menu. Give them options. Repeat the message often.
Engagement doesn’t start with energy. It starts with clarity.
👉 Ready to put this into action? Download the Engagement Menu and share it at your next event. Then watch what happens when people finally see exactly where they belong.
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