The Engagement Ladder: Moving Members Up.

The Missing Step in Membership Engagement 

Most associations celebrate when someone joins. They welcome the new members, send them a newsletter, and maybe see them at an event or two. And then… nothing. 

The member stalls. They stay at the surface level. They show up occasionally but never volunteer, never serve, and never step into leadership. 

It is not because they lack interest. It is because they cannot see the next step. 

Engagement is not a single leap. It is a ladder. Without clear rungs to climb, members stop moving, and associations lose the chance to grow future leaders. 

The Problem: Members Get Stuck at the Bottom 

Think about the average new member. They are excited. They want to connect, learn, and maybe even contribute. But once they join, the path is vague. 

They hear “get involved” but are not sure what that means. They see a committee list but are unsure how to join. They admire leaders but cannot imagine themselves in those roles. 

So, they stay where they started. Attending events. Reading newsletters. Watching from the sidelines. 

This creates a dangerous imbalance. A handful of people carry the weight of leadership, while the majority never move beyond participation. 

The Cost of Stalled Engagement 

When members do not climb the ladder, the association pays the price. 

• Leadership pipeline dries up. Few members are ready to step into bigger roles. 

• Committees struggle. Open seats remain empty, and initiatives stall. 

• Burnout increases. The same small group shoulders the load year after year. 

• Retention drops. Members who never connect deeply eventually drift away. 

The saddest part is that most of this is preventable. Members are not disengaged because they do not care. They are disengaged because the pathway is invisible. 

The Engagement Ladder: A Framework That Works 

Here is the good news: engagement is not random. It can be designed. The Engagement Ladder is a simple tool that helps associations guide members from entry-level participation to meaningful leadership. 

Here is what it looks like in practice: 

Step 1: Show Up 

The first rung is about visibility and participation. Members need easy, no-pressure ways to feel included. 

• Attend one event. 

• Read the newsletter. 

• Share an association post online. 

Step 2: Contribute

Once they feel comfortable, members want to do something small but meaningful. Give them options. 

• Volunteer at a single event. 

• Submit a short article or resource. 

• Serve on a project or ad hoc committee. 

Step 3: Commit

At this stage, members are ready to take on consistent responsibility. This deepens loyalty and builds skill. 

• Join a standing committee. 

• Take a recurring volunteer role. 

• Support ongoing initiatives. 

Step 4: Lead

Finally, members reach the top rung: leadership. This is where the association benefits most, and where members experience the deepest connection. 

• Chair a committee or task force. 

• Mentor newer members or students. 

• Serve on the board or in an elected role. 

The key is progression. Each rung prepares the member for the next. 

Why the Ladder Matters 

Associations that embrace the Engagement Ladder create healthier cultures. Members know what is expected. Leaders do not burn out. The pipeline stays full. 

And perhaps most importantly, members can see themselves growing. They realize leadership is not reserved for a select few. It is something they can achieve one step at a time. 

A Story to Illustrate 

I worked with a bar association where members used to get stuck at step one. New members joined, showed up once or twice, and then vanished. Leaders could not figure out why. 

When we introduced the Engagement Ladder, everything changed. At orientations, every new member received the ladder as a handout. Leaders explained how involvement worked: “Here are the quick steps. Here is how you can contribute more. Here is what leadership looks like when you are ready.” 

Within a year, the bar saw measurable changes. 

• Event volunteers doubled. 

• Committees filled seats that had been empty for years. 

• Younger members began asking about leadership programs. 

It was not magic. It was clarity. 

How to Implement Your Engagement Ladder 

Ready to build your own? Start here: 

1. Map Your Rungs. List every opportunity for members, from smallest to largest. 

2. Group Them. Organize them into levels: Show Up, Contribute, Commit, Lead. 

3. Communicate Often. Share the ladder at events, in newsletters, and online. 

4. Invite Intentionally. Do not wait for members to ask. Personally invite them to take the next step. 

5. Track Movement. Watch how members move up. Use that data to strengthen your pipeline. 

The Bigger Picture 

The Engagement Ladder is not just a tool. It is a culture shift. It says to members: you belong here, and there is always a next step for you. 

It also sends a message to leaders: you do not have to carry it all. New leaders are being built. The future is secure. 

Final Word 

If your members are stalling at the bottom, it is not their fault. It is a leadership challenge. Build the ladder. Show them the next step. Invite them up. 

Engagement is not about getting people to do everything all at once. It is about moving them one rung at a time. 

Want a tool to get started? Download the Engagement Ladder Guide and use it at your next event or orientation.