Member engagement

**Subject: We want your honest feedback (5 minutes, we promise)** Dear [Association Name] Members, We've noticed that participation in meetings, events, and committees has dropped this year, and rather than guess at the reasons, we'd like to hear directly from you. We know many of you rely on us for CE credits, and we're glad to provide them. That's an important part of what we do. But we'd also like to know whether there's more we could offer that would make your membership more valuable, and what's getting in the way of the things we currently offer. We'd appreciate your candid answers to a few questions: 1. **What's the main reason you maintain your membership?** 2. **What has kept you from attending events or getting involved this year?** (Timing, format, cost, topics, lack of time, or something else?) 3. **Would you prefer more virtual, in-person, or on-demand options?** 4. **What topics, speakers, or opportunities would make an event worth your time?** 5. **Is there anything we're doing that you'd like us to stop or change?** You can reply directly to this email or complete our short survey here: [link]. Responses can be anonymous if you prefer. No answer is the wrong answer. If the honest response is "I just need my credits and want the easiest way to get them," that's useful to know too. It helps us make sure we're delivering that well. Thank you for being part of [Association Name]. We'll share what we learn and what we plan to do about it. Best regards, [Your Name] [Title] [Association Name] [Contact Information] --- **A few tips:** - **The CE acknowledgment is intentional.** It shows members you understand their priorities without sounding resentful, which tends to get more honest responses. - **Set a deadline** (e.g., "by March 15") to boost response rates. - **Follow up with results.** Members are more likely to engage next time if they see their feedback led to changes. I can make it shorter, more formal, or more casual if that would suit your members better.

**Subject: We'd value your input: 3 minutes to help shape what's next** Dear [Member Name], As we plan for the coming year, we want to make sure [Organization Name] is delivering real value to you, and we can't do that without hearing from you directly. We've noticed that participation in our events, meetings, and programs has dipped this year. We're not writing to assign blame. We're writing because we want to understand what's working, what isn't, and what would make your membership more worthwhile. Would you take a few minutes to share your thoughts? You can reply to this email or use our short survey here: [Survey Link] A few questions we're especially curious about: 1. **What's the main reason you maintain your membership?** (CE credits, networking, industry updates, career development, something else?) 2. **What has made it harder to participate this year?** (Scheduling, format, cost, relevance of topics, time constraints?) 3. **Do you prefer in-person, virtual, or on-demand options?** 4. **What topics or speakers would make you want to attend?** 5. **Is there anything we could do to make earning CE credits easier or more convenient?** 6. **What's one change that would make your membership more valuable to you?** All responses are confidential, and honest feedback, including criticism, is exactly what we need. [Optional: As a thank-you, everyone who completes the survey by [Date] will be entered to win [incentive, e.g., a free CE course or registration to our next event].] Thank you for being part of [Organization Name]. We look forward to hearing from you. Best regards, [Your Name] [Title] [Organization Name] [Contact Information] --- **A few notes based on your CE comment:** - **Treat CE as a strength, not a problem.** If credits are what bring people in, the email asks how to make them easier to earn. This gets you useful answers without making members feel judged for their reasons. - **Question 1 will tell you a lot.** If most people say "CE credits," you'll know where to focus, and you might build engagement around CE sessions (networking before or after, discussion-based formats) rather than competing with them. - **Consider a CE-related incentive** for completing the survey. It's likely to boost your response rate more than a generic prize. Want a shorter version, or one tailored to a specific type of organization?

**Subject:** Help us understand what's working for you (5-minute survey) Dear [First Name], Fewer members have attended events and programs this year, and we want to know why. Please take five minutes to tell us what would make your membership more useful to you. **[Take the survey]** (open until [date]) Your answers will shape next year's programs. We want to hear from you whether you attend every event or haven't joined one in a while. The survey asks a few questions: 1. **What brings you to our events?** Continuing education credits, networking, new skills, or something else? Every reason counts. If CE credits are your main reason, tell us how we can make them easier to earn. 2. **What gets in the way?** Timing, location, cost, format, or workload. 3. **What would you like more of?** Topics, formats (in person, virtual, on demand), or ways to connect with other members. 4. **What should we stop doing?** You don't have to answer every question. Short answers help just as much as long ones. If you'd rather talk, reply to this email or call [Name] at [phone]. We're glad to set up a quick conversation. We'll share what we learn by [month] and tell you what we plan to change. Thank you for being part of [Association Name]. [Your Name] [Title] [Association Name] [Email] | [Phone]

**Subject:** Help us understand what you need from [Association Name] Dear [First Name], Fewer members have taken part in [Association Name] events and programs this year, and we want to understand why. Would you take 5 minutes to tell us what's working for you and what isn't? **[Take the short survey]** (open until [date]) We know your time is limited. Many members tell us continuing education credits are the main reason they stay involved, and that's useful to know. We want to make sure every part of your membership is worth the time you give it. The survey asks: 1. Which parts of your membership do you use most? (CE courses, conferences, networking, publications, committees, other) 2. What has made it harder to take part this year? (schedule, cost, format, location, topics, other) 3. Which formats work best for you? (online, in person, on demand, short sessions) 4. What topics or services would make your membership more useful? 5. Is there anything else you'd like us to know? Your answers will shape next year's programs. We'll share a summary of what we heard by [date]. If you'd rather talk, reply to this email or reach me at [phone] or [email]. Thank you, [Name] [Title], [Association Name] [Phone] | [Email]

**Subject:** Help us understand what you need from [Association Name] Dear [First Name], We've noticed fewer members taking part in events and programs this year, and we'd like to hear from you about why. Your answers will help us decide what to keep, what to change, and what to stop. You can reply to this email, or take a 5-minute survey here: [link]. Any of these questions is a good place to start: 1. What do you value most about your membership right now? 2. Continuing education is a big reason many members stay with us. How well are our CE offerings working for you? Think about topics, format, cost, and scheduling. 3. What has made it harder to take part this year? For example: time, cost, location, format, or topics that don't fit your work. 4. Is there something we don't offer that would make membership more useful to you? 5. Would you like to talk with someone on our team directly? If so, tell us the best way to reach you. Answer as many or as few as you like. Your responses will be [anonymous / kept confidential], unless you ask us to follow up. We'll share what we learn, and what we plan to do about it, by [date]. Thank you for helping us get this right. [Name] [Title] [Association Name] [Email] | [Phone] --- Note: I treated CE credits as a real need to ask about rather than a problem with members. That way the survey can show what would make other programs worth people's time.

**Subject:** Help us shape next year: 5 quick questions Hi [First name], We're asking members what they want from [Organization] so we can plan next year around it. Fewer members have joined our events and programs this year, and we'd rather ask you directly than guess why. It takes about 5 minutes. You can reply to this email or use the short form here: [link] **1. What do you value most about your membership right now?** For example: CE credits, networking, resources, advocacy, something else. **2. Which of these have you used this year, if any?** CE courses, webinars, the annual conference, local chapter events, the newsletter, the online community. **3. What has made it harder to take part?** For example: timing, cost, format, topics, workload, or not knowing what's available. **4. What would make membership more useful for you?** Anything from small changes to new ideas. **5. How would you like to hear from us?** Email, text, social media, your local chapter, or less often overall. Every answer is useful, including "CE credits are why I'm here." That helps us make those courses easier to find and fit into your schedule. Responses are [anonymous / confidential], and you can skip any question. We'll share what we learn and what we plan to change by [month]. If you'd rather talk it through, contact me at [email] or [phone]. Thank you for being part of [Organization]. [Name] [Title] [Organization] [email] | [phone]

**Subject: Help us understand how to make this worthwhile for you** Hi [First Name], Thank you for being part of [Organization Name]. We've noticed that attendance and participation have dipped this year, and rather than guess at the reasons, we'd like to hear from you directly. Your time is valuable, and we want to make sure we're offering something worth showing up for. Could you take 3-5 minutes to answer a few questions? [Link to survey] We'd especially like to know: - **What brings you to our events and programs?** CE credits, networking, learning, something else? - **What's getting in the way?** Timing, format, cost, topics, or competing demands? - **What would make you want to participate more?** New formats, different topics, more peer connection, more flexibility? Whether CE credits are your main reason for attending or just one of several, that's useful for us to know. We want to build programming that meets your professional needs and is worth your time beyond the credit. All responses are anonymous, and we'll share what we learn and the changes we plan to make by [date]. If you'd rather talk it through, reply to this email or call me at [phone number]. I'd welcome the conversation. Thank you for helping us improve. Best regards, [Your Name] [Title] [Organization Name] --- **A few notes:** - I kept the CE credits point in, but framed it neutrally. If members feel judged for being there for the credits, you'll get defensive or guarded answers. Treating credits as a legitimate reason gives you more honest data, and it may show you how to turn credit-seekers into more engaged members. - A short anonymous survey will likely get more candid responses than replies to an email. - If you'd like a different tone (more formal, more casual, shorter), I can adjust it. I can also draft the survey questions.

**Subject:** Help us make [Organization Name] more valuable to you Dear [Members / First Name], Thank you for being part of [Organization Name]. We've noticed that participation in our events and programs has dipped this year, and rather than guess at the reasons, we'd like to hear from you directly. We know your time is limited and you have plenty of options for professional development. Whether you join us for CE credits, networking, industry updates, or something else entirely, we want to understand what's working and what isn't. **A few questions we'd love your input on:** 1. What is the main reason you attend our events or participate in our programs? 2. What, if anything, has made it harder to participate this year (timing, format, cost, topics, location)? 3. What would make you more likely to attend or get involved? 4. Is there anything we offer that you'd like to see more of, or less of? **Two easy ways to respond:** - Reply directly to this email with your thoughts - Take our short anonymous survey (about 3 minutes): [Survey Link] If you'd rather talk it through, I'm happy to set up a quick call. Just let me know. Your feedback will directly shape our planning for [next quarter/next year], and we'll share what we learn and the changes we make as a result. Thank you for your time and honesty. Best regards, [Your Name] [Title] [Organization Name] [Contact Information] --- **A few notes:** - **I didn't mention CE credits as the main draw.** Saying so up front could put members on the defensive or discourage candid answers. Question 1 lets them tell you themselves, and if CE credits are the main reason, you'll get data to act on. - **If CE credits are the main draw, that isn't necessarily bad.** It gives you a hook to build on, such as pairing credit-bearing sessions with networking time or discussion-based formats. - **Consider adding an incentive** for completing the survey, like a raffle entry or a discount on the next event, to boost response rates. I can also write a shorter version, a more casual tone, or the survey itself if that would help.

**Subject:** Help us understand what you need from your membership Hi [First name], Participation in our events and programs is down this year, and we want to know why. Your answers will help us plan next year. Please take our short survey by [date]. It takes about [X] minutes: [link] If you'd rather talk, reply to this email or call [name] at [phone]. We'd be glad to hear from you either way. **What we're asking** - What has made it harder to take part this year? (Time, cost, schedule, format, or something else.) - What do you want most from your membership? Many members tell us continuing education (CE) credits matter most, and that's a good reason to be here. - What would make our programs more useful to you? - Is there anything we should stop doing, or do differently? Your answers are [anonymous / confidential, confirm before sending]. We will share what we learn and what we plan to change by [date]. Thank you for your time and for being part of [organization name]. [Name] [Title] [Email] | [Phone]

**Subject:** Help us understand what would make [Association] more useful to you Dear [First name], Member participation in our events and programs is down this year, and we want to understand why. Will you take 5 minutes to tell us? [Survey link] (please respond by [date]) We're asking about: - What has made it harder to take part this year (time, cost, schedule, format, or something else) - Which programs, events, or resources you've found worthwhile - What you'd like to see more of, or something different - What brings you to our offerings. If CE credits are the main reason, please say so. That helps us plan. Your answers are [anonymous / confidential]. We will share what we learn and what we plan to change by [month]. If you'd rather talk it through, reply to this email or call [name] at [phone]. We'd be glad to hear from you. Thank you for being part of [Association]. [Name] [Title], [Association] [Email] | [Phone]

**Subject:** Help us understand what would make [Association Name] more useful to you Hi [First name], Participation in our events and programs is down this year, and we want to understand why. You can help by telling us what is working, what is not, and what you need from us. **Option 1:** Take our short survey (about 5 minutes): [link] **Option 2:** Book a 15-minute call with me: [scheduling link] **Option 3:** Reply to this email with your thoughts. Any of these works. Please respond by [date] if you can, so we can use your input in planning for next year. Here are some things we are wondering about: - Do our event times and formats fit your schedule? - Are the topics useful to your work? - Is there something you want that we don't offer? - What brings you to an event, and what keeps you from coming? Honest answers are the most helpful, including "I mostly come for CE credits" or "I stopped coming." Nothing you say will affect your membership. We will share what we learn and what we plan to change by [date]. Thank you for being part of [Association Name]. [Name] [Title] [Email] | [Phone] --- Note: I left the CE credit comment out of the email's framing and instead made it an open answer members can give, so you'll still get that information without it reading as a judgment.

**Subject:** Help us understand what would make membership more useful Hi [First name], We want to hear from you about how you use [Organization name]. Fewer members have taken part in our events and programs this year, and we'd like to understand why. Your answers will help us decide what to offer next year. Here are three ways to share them: 1. **Take a short survey** (about 5 minutes): [survey link] 2. **Reply to this email** with a few thoughts. 3. **Talk with us by phone** for 15 minutes: [scheduling link or phone number] Here are some things we'd like to know: - What do you value most about your membership? - What gets in the way of attending or taking part? Timing, cost, format, topics, or something else? - Which offerings, including continuing education, are most useful to you, and what's missing? All feedback is welcome, including criticism. We'll share what we learn and what we plan to change by [month]. Please respond by [date]. If that date doesn't work, send your thoughts whenever you can. Thank you for being part of this community. [Name] [Title, Organization] [Email] | [Phone]

Subject: Quick question: Why has engagement dropped this year? Hi [Name], I’m reaching out because we’ve noticed a significant drop in engagement across our events and communications this year, and I want to understand why. To be completely candid, we know that a large portion of our members primarily attend for the CE credits. While we are glad to provide that value, we want to make sure we aren't missing the mark on everything else. We want to know if there is a barrier we aren't seeing or if there are ways we can make participation more worthwhile for you. Could you reply to this email with a quick thought on the following? - **Is the value proposition clear?** Aside from credits, is there anything you feel you aren't getting from us? - **Are we overloading your inbox?** Do you ignore our emails because of volume or relevance? - **What is missing?** Is there a specific topic, format, or benefit that would make you want to engage more? We are doing a "reset" on our strategy for next year, and your honest feedback is the only way we can fix this. Even a one-sentence reply would be incredibly helpful. Thanks for your time, [Your Name] [Your Title]

**Subject:** We noticed engagement is down – can you tell us why? Hi [Member Name], I’m reaching out because we’ve seen a noticeable drop in member engagement this year—fewer event registrations, lower participation in discussions, and less overall involvement. We want to understand what’s really going on so we can fix it. To be frank, we know a lot of members primarily show up for the CE credits. That’s fine—we’re glad those are valuable. But we’d like to offer more than just a credit checkbox, and we can’t do that without hearing from you. So, a few honest questions: - Besides CE credits, what (if anything) would make you more likely to engage with us? - Are there barriers—time, format, relevance, cost, something else—that keep you from participating more? - What topics, formats, or benefits would actually be worth your while? No long survey, no fluff—just hit reply and tell us what you think. Even a one-line answer helps. We’re not looking to guilt anyone into showing up. We just want to build something you’d actually want to be part of. Thanks for your honesty. Best, [Your Name] [Your Title] [Organization]

**Subject: A straight question about your membership this year** I'm writing to ask you something directly: what would make your membership worth more of your time? Engagement is down this year. Fewer members are joining committees, attending events beyond the credit-bearing sessions, or responding to calls for input. We have our guesses about why, but guesses aren't useful. We'd rather hear it from you. We also know something honest about our own programming: for many members, continuing education credits are the main reason they show up. That's a legitimate reason. CE is part of what a professional association is for, and we're glad it's useful to you. But if credits are the only thing drawing you in, we want to understand that too — whether that's fine with you, or whether something is missing that would make you want to be here for other reasons. So, three questions. Answer any or all, in as much or as little detail as you like: 1. What do you get from your membership that you value most? 2. What have you stopped participating in, or never started, and why? 3. If you could change one thing about how the association works, what would it be? Reply to this email and it comes straight to me. You can also call me at [phone] during [hours]. If you'd rather not be identified, say so and I'll keep your comments anonymous when I share them with the board. We're not looking for reassurance. We're looking for the real answer, including the parts that are uncomfortable to say. Thank you for your time. [Name] [Title] [Organization] [Email] | [Phone]

**Subject: A short question: what would make your membership more useful? Hi [Name], I'm writing to ask for five minutes of your time. Engagement in [organization] has dropped this year — fewer people at events, fewer responses on surveys, lighter turnout in committees. We have guesses about why, but guesses aren't good enough. We'd rather hear it from you. Continuing education is one clear reason members join, and that's a legitimate one. We want to know what else would make your membership worth the dues and the time. So: - What do you want from [organization] that you aren't getting? - What have we added that you don't use? - If you've stepped back this year, what would bring you back? Reply to this email, or use this two-minute form: [link]. Either works. If you'd rather talk, I'm at [phone] through [date]. We'll share what we hear — including the parts that are hard to read — at [meeting/date]. If the answer is that we should focus on CE and do it well, that's useful too. We'd rather build around what members actually need than keep guessing. Thank you for being a member. [Name] [Title] [Organization] [Phone] | [Email]

**Subject:** What would make this worth your time? Hi [Name], I'm writing to ask for your help with something. Attendance is down this year, and I'd rather ask you directly than guess at the reason. If you've been coming less often — or stopped coming — I'd like to know why. One thing I'll say plainly: I know many of you come mainly for the CE credits. That's a fair reason, and credits are part of what we're here to provide. But I suspect there's more to it than that for most members, and I'd like to understand what else would make these gatherings worth your time. If you have five minutes, I'd be grateful for your answers to any of these: - What made you join in the first place? - What's changed — in your work, or in our schedule, topics, or format? - What would bring you back? - Is there anything we're doing that gets in the way? Just reply to this email, or call me at [phone] during [hours] if you'd rather talk it through. I'll read every response myself. A reply by [date] would help me plan the [spring] calendar, but there's no rush if that's tight. Thank you. An honest answer is more useful to me than a polite one. [Name] [Title] [Organization]

**Subject:** A short question about your membership this year Hi [Name], I'm writing to ask for a few minutes of your time. Engagement has dropped this year, and we want to understand why before we plan next year's programs. If you've come to fewer events than usual, we'd like to hear what got in the way. Three questions: 1. What shaped your decision to attend or skip this year — time, cost, topic, format, travel, something else? 2. Which parts of membership are actually useful to you? CE credits, networking, the newsletter, advocacy updates, or something we haven't thought of. 3. What would make a program worth your evening? Reply to this email with a sentence or two, or [call / text / use this form]. Plain answers help more than polite ones. If you're already getting what you need from us, that's useful to know too. Just say so. We'll share what we hear, including the parts that are hard to read, in the [month] update. Thank you, [Name] [Title] [Phone / email] --- *One line: I turned the CE-credit observation into a question about what members find useful, so the email invites an answer instead of implying a verdict about their motives.*

Here are two approaches. The first is **candid and direct**—it addresses the "elephant in the room" (that CEs are the main driver) without sounding bitter. The second is **short and survey-driven**, which usually yields the highest response rate from busy professionals. --- ### Option 1: Direct & Candid (Best for starting a genuine conversation) **Subject:** Quick question about your [Organization Name] membership Hi [First Name], I’m reaching out because we’re planning our programming for the coming months, and we want to make sure we’re delivering real value to you. We know that Continuing Education (CE) credits are one of the primary reasons members stay involved—and we’re glad we can provide those. But our goal is to offer more than just a compliance checkbox. Frankly, we’ve noticed that engagement outside of our CE sessions has dropped this year, and we want to understand why. Could you hit "reply" and let me know: 1. **What is the biggest barrier to attending our non-CE events?** (e.g., lack of time, inconvenient timing, topics aren't relevant, digital fatigue?) 2. **Is there anything we could offer that you would genuinely make time for?** Even a one-sentence reply is incredibly helpful. We want to respect your time and only build programs that actually serve your day-to-day work. Thanks for your honesty, [Your Name] [Your Title] [Organization Name] --- ### Option 2: Short & Structured (Best for busy members) **Subject:** We need your honest feedback (takes 60 seconds) Hi [First Name], We want to make sure your membership with [Organization Name] is actually worth your time. While our CE sessions remain popular, overall engagement with our other resources and events has slowed down. We don’t want to guess why—we’d rather just ask. If you have 60 seconds, **which of these sounds most like you?** (Just reply with the letter): * **A)** I’m overwhelmed with work; I only have time to do the mandatory CE credits right now. * **B)** The other events/resources aren't covering topics that matter to me. * **C)** The timing/format of events doesn’t fit my schedule. * **D)** I’m just not sure what else is available or how to get involved. If you have specific thoughts or suggestions on what would make membership more valuable to you, please let us know. Thank you for being part of our community. Best, [Your Name] [Your Title] [Organization Name] --- ### Tips for handling this: * **Don't fight the CE reality:** If members only care about CEs, that’s your baseline value. Consider "piggybacking" engagement onto CE credits (e.g., a 15-minute networking discussion or working group immediately following a popular CE lecture). * **Don't sound resentful:** Frame the drop in attendance as *your* desire to deliver better value, rather than *their* failure to show up. * **If using a survey tool:** If you put this into Google Forms or SurveyMonkey instead of an email reply, keep it to a maximum of 3 questions.

Here are three options, ranging from collaborative to short and direct. When dealing with a membership base that only shows up for compliance (CE credits), the trick is to **validate their time constraints** rather than guilt-trip them. If you accuse them of only wanting credits, they will disengage further. --- ### Option 1: Professional & Collaborative (Best all-rounder) *Use this to frame the lack of engagement as a problem with your programming, not their lack of effort.* **Subject:** Help us serve you better in [Year] (2-minute check-in) Hi [First Name], As we plan our programming for the upcoming year, our primary goal is to make sure your membership provides genuine value—not just another email in your inbox. We know that earning your CE credits is a top priority (and often non-negotiable for your license). However, we’ve noticed that attendance at our networking sessions, committees, and non-CE events has slowed down this year. We completely understand that your time is limited, so we want to ask directly: **How can we make your membership more worthwhile?** Could you take 2 minutes to reply to this email (or fill out this [link: quick 3-question survey]) with your thoughts? Specifically: 1. Are you getting the specific CE topics you actually need? 2. What is the #1 thing preventing you from attending our other events (e.g., timing, relevance, bandwidth)? 3. If we could change one thing about our offerings this year, what would it be? Even if your honest answer is, *"I truly only have time for CE credits right now,"* that is helpful for us to know. It helps us stop hosting events you don't need and double down on the education you do. Thank you for your time and for being a part of [Organization Name]. Best regards, [Your Name] [Your Title] [Organization Name] --- ### Option 2: Short, Direct, and Low-Friction *Best if your members typically ignore long emails.* **Subject:** Quick question about your [Organization Name] membership Hi [First Name], We want to make sure we aren’t wasting your time. We’ve noticed that while our CE courses remain popular, engagement with our other programs has dropped this year. We want to understand why so we can adjust our strategy. Could you hit **"Reply"** and let me know which of these sounds most like you? * **A)** I’m swamped—right now, CE credits are the only thing I have capacity for. * **B)** I want to participate in other events, but the timing/topics haven't worked for me. * **C)** I'm not seeing enough value in the non-CE offerings to justify the time. * **D)** Other (feel free to explain). Your honest feedback will directly shape what we offer next year. Thanks for your input, [Your Name] [Your Title] --- ### Option 3: Candid & Value-Focused *Best if you have a closer relationship with the members and want to address the elephant in the room tactfully.* **Subject:** How can we give you more value this year? Hi [First Name], Our mission at [Organization Name] is to support your career, but we also know the reality of the profession: you are busy, and maintaining your credentials has to come first. While we’re glad to provide the CE credits you need, we also want to be more than just a compliance check-box. Because engagement across our other programs has dipped this year, we want to know what you actually need from us. * Do you want different types of events? * Better formats (e.g., 15-minute virtual drop-ins instead of dinners)? * Or would you prefer we focus strictly on high-quality, specialized CE and scale back the rest? Please let us know by taking our [60-second survey here] or replying directly to this email. We appreciate your honesty—it helps us build an organization that actually fits your schedule. Warmly, [Your Name] [Your Title] --- ### A Strategic Tip: If the responses come back confirming that they *only* want CE credits, that isn't necessarily a failure—it's market research. You can stop wasting budget and staff hours on under-attended mixers and instead monetize/expand your CE library, package it into on-demand bundles, or create "lunch-and-learn" CEs that subtly incorporate networking into the required credit time.

Subject: We’d like your feedback on your membership experience Dear [First Name], We are reaching out to ask for your input on how we can make your membership more useful to you this year. We know that continuing education (CE) credits are a primary reason many members join and attend our sessions. Outside of those credit-bearing courses, attendance at our networking events, committee meetings, and workshops has decreased. We want to understand what is working, what is not, and how we can better respect your time. Please take three minutes to complete our short feedback survey: [Link to Survey] The survey asks: - What types of programs or resources are most relevant to your current work - Whether our current event formats and schedules fit your availability - What changes would make non-CE events worth your time to attend If you prefer, you can also reply directly to this email with your thoughts. Thank you for sharing your perspective and helping us improve our offerings. Sincerely, [Name / Title] [Organization Name] [Contact Information]

Subject: We want your feedback: Helping us shape this year’s programming Dear [Member Name], I am writing to ask for your input on how our programs and resources can better serve you this year. We know many of you rely on us primarily for continuing education (CE) credits and professional development. At the same time, we have noticed lower participation in our other meetings, committees, and events. We want to understand what you need most from your membership so we can focus our time and resources effectively. Please take three minutes to share your thoughts by replying directly to this email or completing our short survey here: [Link]. A few questions we are considering: - What types of CE topics or formats are most valuable to your work right now? - What schedules or formats make it easiest for you to attend? - Are there specific resources, working groups, or events you would find useful that we are not currently offering? Your feedback directly shapes our calendar and offerings for the rest of the year. Thank you for your time and for being part of our community. Sincerely, [Your Name] [Your Title] [Organization Name] [Contact Information]

Subject: Help us plan for next year: A quick question about your membership Dear [Name], We are writing to ask for your feedback on how our programs can better support you this year. We have noticed lower attendance across several of our events and meetings, and we want to understand what you need most from your membership. We know your time is limited, whether you primarily look to us for continuing education credits, professional resources, or connecting with peers. To help us plan programs that fit your schedule and priorities, could you share your thoughts with us? Please take three minutes to answer our brief survey here: [Link] You can also reply directly to this email with any feedback or ideas. Thank you for your time and for being part of our community. Sincerely, [Your Name / Title] [Organization Name] [Contact Information]

Subject: A quick question about your experience with [Organization Name] Dear [First Name], I am writing to ask for your feedback on how [Organization Name] can better support your work this year. We have noticed that attendance is down across our committees, working groups, and community events, even while our continuing education (CE) sessions remain well-attended. We know that earning CE credits is a primary reason many members join, and your time is limited. We want to ensure that our other programs and resources are actually useful to you, rather than just adding another obligation to your calendar. Could you take three minutes to answer three short questions? You can reply directly to this email or share your thoughts through this brief form: [Link]. 1. What is the most valuable part of your membership right now? 2. What programs or events have you decided to skip recently, and why (e.g., timing, relevance, workload)? 3. What is one thing we could offer or change that would make participating worth your time? Your honest perspective helps us decide where to focus our effort and what we should stop doing. Thank you for your time and for being part of [Organization Name]. Sincerely, [Your Name] [Your Title] [Organization Name] [Contact Information]

Here are two ways to write this email. Both acknowledge the elephant in the room (that people are just there for the CE credits) without scolding the members, which usually yields much better responses. ### Option 1: Direct, honest, and respectful of their time (Best for a professional/busy audience) *This option validates that coming for CE credits is completely fine, which lowers their defenses and makes them more likely to give you honest feedback.* **Subject:** Quick question about your [Organization Name] membership (2 mins) Hi [First Name], Our goal at [Organization Name] is to make sure your membership is actually worth your time. Noticeably, overall participation in our [events/forums/committees] has dipped a bit this year. At the same time, our Continuing Education (CE) sessions remain as popular as ever. We know how busy you are, and frankly, if the primary value you get from us right now is knocking out your CE credits, we are glad we can provide that! However, we want to make sure we aren't missing the mark on other things you might need. Could you take 2 minutes to let us know where your head is at? **[Link to 3-Question Survey]** *(Or, if you prefer, just hit "reply" to this email and let me know your thoughts).* Specifically, we’d love to know: 1. Are the CE credits really all you have bandwidth for right now? (Be honest—we won't be offended!) 2. Have the topics or formats of our non-CE events missed the mark this year? 3. What is one thing we could offer that would make you want to show up, even without CE attached? Thank you for helping us shape the rest of the year. We appreciate your time and your honesty. Best regards, [Your Name] [Your Title] *** ### Option 2: Ultra-short "One-Click" Email (Best for getting a high response rate) *If your members are too disengaged to even take a survey, this approach removes all friction. They just have to hit reply and type a single letter.* **Subject:** Can I get your honest feedback on [Organization Name]? Hi [First Name], We are planning our calendar for the rest of the year and noticed that while our CE credit sessions are well-attended, participation in our other [events/initiatives] is down. We want to respect your time and build programming you actually want. **If you have 10 seconds, could you hit "reply" and let me know which letter best describes where you're at this year?** * **A.** I’m honestly just here for the CE credits right now, and I’m happy with that. * **B.** I'd like to be more involved, work/life is just too busy right now. * **C.** The networking/non-CE events haven't seemed relevant to me lately. * **D.** The times/locations/formats of the events don't work for my schedule. * **E.** Other (feel free to elaborate!) No need to write an essay—just the letter is great (though we always welcome extra thoughts if you want to share them). Thanks for helping us make [Organization Name] better for you. Best, [Your Name] [Your Title] ### Tips for success: * **Embrace the "A" answers:** If you use Option 2 and get a flood of "A"s, that is actually great data. It tells you that you can stop wasting energy on social/networking events and instead focus on making your CE events the best they can possibly be (perhaps by building 15 minutes of structured networking *into* the CE sessions). * **Blind Copy (BCC) or Mail Merge:** Make sure this looks like a personal email coming from a real person, rather than a flashy newsletter with lots of graphics. People reply to people, not logos.

Here are a few options, ranging from a constructive "value-add" approach to a slightly more direct tone. **A quick tip:** Instead of calling them out on the CE (Continuing Education) credits—which might make them defensive—it’s best to acknowledge that you *know* the credits are valuable, and simply ask what *else* would make their time worthwhile. ### Option 1: Constructive & Direct (Best all-around) *This option acknowledges the elephant in the room (the CE credits) in a positive way while asking how to improve the rest of the experience.* **Subject:** Quick question about your [Organization Name] membership / How can we make [Organization Name] better for you? Hi [First Name], As we plan for the upcoming months, we are taking a close look at our recent events and member engagement. We’ve noticed that overall participation has been a bit quieter this year, and we want to make sure we are actually delivering what you need. We know that earning CE credits is one of the biggest benefits of being a member—and we are glad to provide them! However, our goal is to make sure our community is valuable to you *beyond* just checking the box for credits. We’d love your honest feedback. Could you take 2 minutes to reply to this email (or click this [Link to Survey]) and let us know: 1. **Aside from CE credits, what would make our events worth your time?** (e.g., more networking, different topics, social hours, mentorship?) 2. **What is the biggest barrier keeping you from engaging more this year?** (e.g., too busy, event times/locations don't work, topics aren't relevant?) Don't hold back—if our current format isn't working for you, we want to know so we can fix it. Thanks for your time and for being a part of [Organization Name]. Best regards, [Your Name] [Your Title] *** ### Option 2: Short & Punchy (Best for busy professionals) *If your members are too busy to engage, they are too busy to read a long email. This gets straight to the point.* **Subject:** Be honest with us, [First Name]... Hi [First Name], We know your schedule is packed. Lately, we’ve noticed that member engagement is down, and while we see many of you logging in to grab your CE credits, we haven't seen as much of you at our other events or discussions. We want to make sure [Organization Name] is worth your time. If you have 30 seconds, hit **Reply** and let me know which of the following is most true for you right now: * **A)** I’m honestly just here for the CE credits (and that's okay!). * **B)** I’d love to engage more, but I simply don't have the time. * **C)** The current event formats/topics just aren't grabbing my interest. * **D)** Other (Tell us what we’re missing!). We are shaping our calendar for the rest of the year right now, and your reply will directly impact what we do next. Thanks for your honesty! Best, [Your Name] [Your Title] *** ### Option 3: Community-Focused (Softer tone) *Use this if your organization relies heavily on networking and peer-to-peer connection.* **Subject:** We miss seeing you! (Quick feedback request) Hi [First Name], When you joined [Organization Name], our hope was to give you two things: great continuing education and a strong network of peers. Looking at this year’s numbers, we are doing great on the CE front, but we are missing the mark on community engagement. Simply put, we miss seeing you connect with one another! We know that the industry is busy and time is your most valuable asset. To help us respect your time and build better programming, could you take our anonymous 3-question survey here? [Link to Survey] We want to know what it takes to turn a "CE credit run" into an event you genuinely look forward to attending. Thank you for helping us build a better [Organization Name]. Warmly, [Your Name] [Your Title] ### Pro-Tip for sending this: If you use **Option 2** (the A, B, C, D reply method), you will likely get a *much* higher response rate than if you ask them to click a link to an external survey. People love a low-effort multiple-choice question, and it often sparks a real conversation.

Subject: Quick question: How can we make your membership more useful this year? Hi [Name], I am writing to ask for your feedback on our programs this year. We have noticed fewer members at our recent events, and we want to make sure our offerings actually fit your schedule and your work. Right now, our continuing education (CE) sessions are our best-attended events. We are glad those credits are useful, and we want to learn what else would be worth your time. Could you reply to this email or take our 2-minute survey [link] to let us know: 1. What is the main reason you haven't attended as many events this year? (Timing, topics, format, workload, or something else?) 2. Outside of CE credits, what is one topic, resource, or connection that would be genuinely helpful to you right now? 3. What is the best day or time for you to join a session? You can click the survey link above or just hit reply with a sentence or two. Your answers will directly shape what we put on the calendar for the rest of the year. Thank you for your time and for being part of this community. Best, [Your Name] [Your Title] [Organization Name] [Contact Information]

Subject: Quick question: How can we make your membership more useful this year? Hi [Name], I am writing to ask for your feedback on our programs this year. We have noticed fewer members attending events outside of our continuing education (CE) sessions, and we want to understand how we can better support your work. We know your schedule is packed and that earning CE credits is a top priority. As we plan the rest of the year, we want to make sure our other events, resources, and networking opportunities are actually worth your time. Could you take two minutes to reply to this email or fill out this three-question survey [link]? We would love to know: 1. What is the main thing keeping you from attending non-CE events right now (timing, topic, format, or workload)? 2. Apart from CE credits, what is one resource or topic that would make your job easier this year? 3. What is the best time and format for you to connect with other members? Thank you for being part of this community and for telling us what you need. If you prefer to share your thoughts directly, you can reply to this email or call me at [Phone Number]. Best regards, [Your Name] [Your Title] [Organization Name] [Contact Information]

**Subject:** Quick question: How can we make your membership work better for you? I am writing to ask for your feedback on our programs and events this year. We have noticed fewer people taking part in member discussions and events outside of our continuing education (CE) courses, and we want to understand how to better support your work and schedule. If you have two minutes, please reply to this email or take our short survey at [Link] to share your thoughts: 1. **Continuing education:** Our CE sessions continue to be the most useful part of membership for many of you. What topics or formats would you like to see more of? 2. **Time and scheduling:** Are our other events and committees happening at times that work with your workload? 3. **What to keep or drop:** What is one thing we could offer that would be worth your time right now, and what is one thing you are happy to skip? You do not need to answer every question—even a one-sentence reply helps us plan the rest of the year around what you actually need. Thank you for being part of this community and for the work you do every day. Please share your thoughts by [Date], or reach out to me directly at [Email/Phone] if you prefer to chat. Best regards, [Your Name] [Your Title] [Organization Name] [Contact Information]

Subject: Quick question: How can we make your membership work better for you? Hi [Name], I am writing to ask for your feedback on our programs this year. We have noticed fewer members attending events outside of our continuing education (CE) sessions, and we want to make sure our offerings match what you actually need. We know your time is limited, and earning CE credits is an important part of why many of you are here. As we plan the rest of the year, we would like to hear from you so we can put our energy into the right places. If you have two minutes, you can help us by doing one of the following: 1. **Reply directly to this email** with one thing that would make our events or resources more useful to you. 2. **Take our 3-question survey here:** [Link to Survey] You are welcome to let us know if your schedule is simply too full right now, if the topics haven't been relevant to your work, or if the CE sessions are the main resource you want from us. Every answer helps us plan better. Thank you for being part of our community and for sharing your perspective. Warmly, [Your Name] [Your Title] [Contact Information]

Depending on the culture of your organization, you may want to take a "soft" approach (curiosity-based) or a "direct" approach (addressing the CE credit issue head-on). Here are three options ranging from diplomatic to direct. ### Option 1: The Diplomatic Approach *Use this if you want to gather honest feedback without making members feel defensive. It frames the lack of engagement as a "desire to provide more value."* **Subject:** We want to hear from you: Shaping the future of [Organization Name] Dear Members, As we look back at the first half of the year, we’ve noticed that participation in our [meetings/events/forums] has shifted. While we are glad to see many of you attending our educational sessions, we’ve noticed a decline in engagement in other areas of our community. Our goal is to ensure that [Organization Name] provides value beyond just the requirements. We want this to be a space where you feel connected, supported, and inspired. To help us improve, could you take 2 minutes to answer these three questions? 1. What is the primary reason you attend our events? 2. What is one thing we could change to make our meetings more engaging for you? 3. Are there specific topics or networking opportunities you feel are missing? We value your time and your expertise, and we want to make sure this organization is serving you well. Best regards, [Your Name] *** ### Option 2: The "Direct but Professional" Approach *Use this if you want to subtly acknowledge that you know they are there for the credits, but you want to challenge them to engage more.* **Subject:** More than just credits: Your feedback needed Dear Members, We are proud to provide high-quality CE credits that help you maintain your professional standing. However, the true strength of [Organization Name] lies in the collaboration, mentorship, and community engagement of its members. Recently, we’ve noticed that while attendance for credit-bearing sessions remains steady, engagement in [mention specific areas, e.g., committee work, discussions, volunteering] has declined. We want to move from a "checklist" culture to a "community" culture. To do that, we need to know: **What would make you want to engage with us outside of the requirement for credits?** Please hit reply and let us know your thoughts, or fill out this brief survey [Link]. Thank you for your honesty and your membership. Best, [Your Name] *** ### Option 3: The Short & Casual Approach *Use this for a smaller, tighter-knit group where a formal email would feel stiff.* **Subject:** Quick question about [Organization Name] Hi everyone, I’ve noticed that engagement has been a bit lower than usual this year outside of our CE sessions. I want to make sure we aren't just a "box to check" for your credits, but a resource you actually enjoy using. If you have a moment, could you let me know if there's something we're missing or something we could do differently to make these meetings more valuable for you? I'm open to all feedback—the more honest, the better! Thanks, [Your Name] *** ### A few tips for getting a response: * **Use a Survey:** People are more likely to be honest about "just being there for the credits" in an anonymous Google Form or SurveyMonkey than in a reply email. * **Offer an Incentive:** If engagement is really low, offer a small incentive (e.g., "Everyone who fills out the survey will be entered to win a gift card") to get the data you need. * **The "Why":** If you find out they truly *only* care about credits, you may need to pivot your strategy to integrate "engagement" into the credit-earning process (e.g., making credits dependent on participation/discussion).

Depending on the culture of your organization, you may want to take a "soft" approach (curiosity-based) or a "direct" approach (addressing the CE credit issue head-on). Here are three options ranging from diplomatic to direct. ### Option 1: The Diplomatic Approach *Use this if you want to gather honest feedback without making members feel defensive. It frames the lack of engagement as a "desire to provide more value."* **Subject:** We want to hear from you: Shaping the future of [Organization Name] Dear Members, As we look back at the first half of the year, we’ve noticed that participation in our [meetings/events/forums] has shifted. While we are glad to see many of you attending our educational sessions, we’ve noticed a decline in engagement in other areas of our community. Our goal is to ensure that [Organization Name] provides value beyond just the requirements. We want this to be a space where you feel connected, supported, and inspired. To help us improve, could you take 2 minutes to answer these three questions? 1. What is the primary reason you attend our events? 2. What is one thing we could change to make our meetings more engaging for you? 3. Are there specific topics or networking opportunities you feel are missing? We value your time and your expertise, and we want to make sure this organization is serving you well. Best regards, [Your Name] *** ### Option 2: The "Direct but Professional" Approach *Use this if you want to subtly acknowledge that you know they are there for the credits, but you want to challenge them to engage more.* **Subject:** More than just credits: Your feedback needed Dear Members, We are proud to provide high-quality CE credits that help you maintain your professional standing. However, the true strength of [Organization Name] lies in the collaboration, mentorship, and community engagement of its members. Recently, we’ve noticed that while attendance for credit-bearing sessions remains steady, engagement in [mention specific areas, e.g., committee work, discussions, volunteering] has declined. We want to move from a "checklist" culture to a "community" culture. To do that, we need to know: **What would make you want to engage with us outside of the requirement for credits?** Please hit reply and let us know your thoughts, or fill out this brief survey [Link]. Thank you for your honesty and your membership. Best, [Your Name] *** ### Option 3: The Short & Casual Approach *Use this for a smaller, tighter-knit group where a formal email would feel stiff.* **Subject:** Quick question about [Organization Name] Hi everyone, I’ve noticed that engagement has been a bit lower than usual this year outside of our CE sessions. I want to make sure we aren't just a "box to check" for your credits, but a resource you actually enjoy using. If you have a moment, could you let me know if there's something we're missing or something we could do differently to make these meetings more valuable for you? I'm open to all feedback—the more honest, the better! Thanks, [Your Name] *** ### A few tips for getting a response: * **Use a Survey:** People are more likely to be honest about "just being there for the credits" in an anonymous Google Form or SurveyMonkey than in a reply email. * **Offer an Incentive:** If engagement is really low, offer a small incentive (e.g., "Everyone who fills out the survey will be entered to win a gift card") to get the data you need. * **The "Why":** If you find out they truly *only* care about credits, you may need to pivot your strategy to integrate "engagement" into the credit-earning process (e.g., making credits dependent on participation/discussion).

Subject: We want your feedback on our member programming Dear Members, We are reaching out to learn more about your experience with our organization this year. We have noticed a decrease in engagement across our programs and want to understand how we can better support you. Our goal is to ensure our offerings provide genuine value to your professional and personal growth. We would appreciate your honest feedback on what is working and what we could improve. Please let us know your thoughts by replying to this email or filling out this brief survey [Link]. Thank you for your time and for being part of our community. Best regards, [Your Name] [Your Title]

Subject: We want your feedback on our member programming Dear Members, We are reaching out to learn more about your experience with our organization this year. We have noticed a decrease in engagement across our programs and want to understand how we can better support you. Our goal is to ensure our offerings provide genuine value to your professional and personal growth. We would appreciate your honest feedback on what is working and what we could improve. Please let us know your thoughts by replying to this email or filling out this brief survey [Link]. Thank you for your time and for being part of our community. Best regards, [Your Name] [Your Title]

Subject: Your feedback on our member programming Dear [Member Name], We are looking for your help to make our member programming more valuable to you. As we plan for the coming year, we want to understand how our current offerings are meeting your needs and where we can improve. We have noticed a decrease in engagement across our events and committees, and we want to know what changes would make you more likely to participate. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts in this brief survey: [Link] We are specifically interested in: * Which types of programming you find most useful. * What barriers make it difficult for you to attend events. * What new topics or formats would encourage you to get more involved. Your feedback will directly shape our calendar for next year. Thank you for your time and for being a part of our community. Best regards, [Name] [Title]

Subject: Your feedback on our member programming Dear [Member Name], We are looking for your help to make our member programming more valuable to you. As we plan for the coming year, we want to understand how our current offerings are meeting your needs and where we can improve. We have noticed a decrease in engagement across our events and committees, and we want to know what changes would make you more likely to participate. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts in this brief survey: [Link] We are specifically interested in: * Which types of programming you find most useful. * What barriers make it difficult for you to attend events. * What new topics or formats would encourage you to get more involved. Your feedback will directly shape our calendar for next year. Thank you for your time and for being a part of our community. Best regards, [Name] [Title]

**Subject:** Tell us why you're not engaging — we can take it Hi [First name], I'll be upfront: participation in [Organization] is down this year across the board — events, committees, volunteer sign-ups. We have our theories, but I'd rather hear it from you. So, honestly: what would make this organization worth your time? A few prompts if it helps: - What's getting in the way — time, cost, format, relevance? - Is our programming connected to the work you're actually doing day to day? - If you're mainly here for the CE credits, that's a legitimate answer. Tell us that too — it's useful information, not a criticism. You can hit reply, or if you'd rather be candid anonymously, use this two-minute form: [link]. Either way, I'm reading every response myself. We'll share what we heard — and what we plan to change — by [date]. Thanks for being straight with us. [Name] [Title] --- A note on the approach: I named the CE credit issue directly rather than dancing around it. Giving people permission to admit it tends to produce more honest feedback than pretending you don't know — and it reframes the question from "why aren't you engaged?" to "given that reality, what else would you want?" If that feels too bold for your membership culture, I can soften it or cut it entirely.

**Subject: We want your honest feedback — even the blunt kind** Hi everyone, I'll be direct: participation in [Organization] events and activities is down this year, and I'd rather understand why than guess. If you have five minutes, I'd genuinely appreciate honest answers to a few questions: 1. **What do you actually get out of your membership?** Be candid — if it's mainly the CE credits, say so. That's useful information, not a disappointment. 2. **What would make you more likely to participate?** Different formats, timing, topics, fewer commitments — anything is fair game. 3. **Is there anything we're doing that feels like a waste of your time?** We'd rather know. 4. **If you've disengaged this year, what changed?** You can reply to this email directly or use the anonymous form here: [link]. Anonymous is fine — honesty matters more to us than attribution. We know everyone's time is stretched, and we know that for some members, CE credits are the main draw. That's a legitimate reason to belong. But if there's more we could offer — or things we should stop doing — we want to hear it. Thanks for the five minutes. [Name] [Title] --- A note on the approach: since you suspect most members are there for the credits, I leaned into that rather than around it. Making it explicitly "safe to admit" tends to surface more honest, actionable feedback than a generic engagement survey — and it signals you're not going to guilt-trip anyone, which makes people more willing to respond at all. Want me to make it shorter, warmer, or more formal? Or rework it as a survey intro instead of a direct email?

**Subject:** What would make membership worth your time? Hi [First name], This year, fewer members are getting involved, and we'd rather ask you why than guess. Reply to this email with a sentence or two, or take our two-minute survey: [link]. If it helps, here's what we're wondering: - What would make our events worth your time? - Is something getting in the way — schedule, cost, format, topics? - If you come mainly for the CE credits, what would make the rest worth it? That last question is a real one. Earning credits is a fair reason to show up, and we're glad to be a place where you can get them. But we'd like membership to be worth more to you than the credits — and we're not sure it is right now. We'll share what we hear, and what we change because of it, in [month's newsletter]. Thanks for being a member, [Name] [Title] --- Happy to adjust — a more formal version, or one built around the survey link instead of a reply-to.

Subject: What would make our programs worth your time? Hi [First name], Participation is down this year across our events and programs. Rather than guess why, we're asking you directly. Three questions — short answers are fine: - What would make our events worth your time? - Does the format or timing work for you? If not, what would? - If CE credits are your main reason for attending, we're glad to provide them. What else, if anything, would be valuable? Reply to this email or take our two-minute survey: [link]. Please respond by [date]. We'll share what we hear and what we change as a result. Thank you, [Name] [Title, Organization]

Subject: Attendance is down this year. Help us understand why. Hi [First name], Fewer members are joining our events and programs this year. We'd rather ask you why than guess. If you're here mainly for the CE credits, tell us that. It's honest, it's useful, and it won't hurt our feelings. Knowing what actually brings you in — credits, topics, connections, or something else — helps us build a membership worth your time. Two ways to answer: - Reply to this email with a sentence or two. - Take our two-minute survey: [link] If it helps, here's what we're wondering: - What would make our programs worth your time? - What's getting in the way — timing, cost, format, topics? - If credits are the main draw, what would make the rest worth it? We'll share what we hear, and what we plan to change, in the [month] member update. Thanks for being straight with us. [Name] [Title]

Subject: Attendance is down this year — tell us why Hi [First name], Attendance is down across our events this year, and we'd rather ask you directly than guess at the reason. Three questions: - What would make our programming worth your time? - Is the issue timing, format, cost, topics — or something we haven't thought of? - If you come mainly for the CE credits, say so. That's useful information, not a complaint. We're glad the credits are useful — we just want to know what else would be. Ways to answer: 1. Reply to this email. One line is plenty. 2. Take the two-minute survey: [link] 3. Skip this one. No reminders, no follow-up. Whatever your level of involvement, we're glad you're a member. If there's programming you'd show up for even without the credits, we'd like to build it. And if there isn't, we'd want to know that too. We'll share what we hear in [month], along with what we plan to change. Thanks, [Name] [Title]

**Subject:** Help Us Understand How to Increase Member Engagement Dear Members, We’ve noticed that participation in our programs and activities has declined this year, and we’d like to better understand why. Continuing education is an important benefit of membership, but we also want to ensure that our organization is providing meaningful opportunities to connect, learn, and contribute beyond earning CE credits. Your feedback will help us shape future events and services around what members value most. Would you take a few minutes to share your thoughts? - What would make you more likely to attend events or participate in activities? - Which topics, formats, or speakers would be most valuable to you? - Are scheduling, location, cost, or other factors affecting your participation? - What benefits or opportunities would you like to see more of? - How can we make membership more worthwhile for you? Please reply to this email or complete our brief survey [insert link] by [date]. Honest feedback is welcome, and responses may be submitted anonymously. Thank you for helping us strengthen the organization and create a more engaging member experience. Best, [Name] [Title/Organization]

**Subject:** Help Us Strengthen Member Engagement Dear Members, We’ve noticed that participation in our programs and activities has declined this year, and we’d like to better understand why. We recognize that continuing education is an important benefit of membership, and we appreciate everyone who joins us for CE opportunities. At the same time, we want to ensure that our organization is providing meaningful value beyond credits—including networking, professional development, advocacy, and opportunities to connect with colleagues. Would you take a few minutes to share your feedback? - What types of programs or activities would be most valuable to you? - What makes it difficult to participate more often? - Are there topics, formats, or meeting times you’d prefer? - What could we do to make membership more worthwhile? Your input will help us shape future programming and create opportunities that better meet members’ needs. Please reply to this email or complete our brief survey here: **[survey link]**. Thank you for your membership and for helping us strengthen the organization. Best, [Name] [Title] [Organization]

**Subject: Help us understand member engagement this year** Dear members, We’ve noticed that participation in our programs and activities is lower this year, and we’d like to understand why. Please take a few minutes to share your feedback: - What kinds of events or resources would be most useful to you? - Are there barriers that make it harder to participate? - How important are continuing education credits to your participation? - What would make you more likely to attend activities beyond CE opportunities? - Is there anything else you would like us to offer? Your feedback will help us plan programs that better reflect members’ needs and interests. Please reply to this email by **[date]** or complete our short survey here: **[link]**. Thank you for helping us improve. Best, **[Name]** **[Organization]**

**Subject:** Help us understand what would make membership more valuable Dear members, Member engagement is lower this year, and we would like to understand why. Your feedback will help us plan programs, events, and communications that better fit your needs. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts: - What member benefits are most valuable to you? - How could we make events and activities more useful or accessible? - Are continuing education credits a primary reason you attend? If so, what other offerings would interest you? - What makes it difficult to participate more often? - What would encourage you to become more involved? Please complete our short survey by **[date]**: **[survey link]** Thank you for helping us strengthen the member experience. We appreciate your time and feedback. Best, **[Name]** **[Organization]**

**Subject:** Help us understand what you need from your membership Hello [Member Name], We’ve noticed that member engagement is lower this year, and we’d like to understand why. Your feedback will help us plan programs and services that are useful to you. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts: - What brings you to our events or programs? - How valuable are the continuing education credits? - What other benefits or activities would you like to see? - What makes it difficult to participate more often? - What would make membership more useful to you this year? You can reply to this email or complete our short survey here: [survey link]. Thank you for helping us improve the member experience. Best, [Name] [Organization]

**Subject:** Help us understand what would make membership more valuable Hello [Member Name], We’ve noticed that member engagement is lower this year, and we’d like to understand why. Continuing education is an important benefit of membership. We also want to learn whether there are other programs, events, or resources that would better support your goals. Would you take a few minutes to share your feedback? [Complete the member survey] Please tell us: - What member benefits you use most - What makes it difficult to take part in other activities - Which topics, events, or formats interest you - What would make membership more useful to you - How we can improve communication Your feedback will help shape our programs and services. Thank you for taking the time to share your perspective. Best, [Name] [Organization]

**Subject: How can we make your membership more valuable?** Dear Members, We’ve noticed lower participation in our events and activities this year, and we’d like to better understand why—and what we can do to improve. Continuing education credits are an important membership benefit. We’d also like to know what else, if anything, would make participating worthwhile for you. Would you reply with your thoughts on a few questions? - What has made it harder or less appealing to participate this year? - Are our topics, formats, and meeting times meeting your needs? - Beyond CE credits, what would you most like to gain from your membership? Whether you participate regularly or haven’t joined us recently, your candid feedback is welcome. A brief reply is all it takes, and it will help us prioritize what matters most to members. Thank you for your time and membership. Best, [Name] [Title/Organization]

**Subject: What would make membership more valuable to you?** Dear Members, We’ve noticed lower participation in our activities this year, and we’d like to understand why—and what we could do better. We know continuing education credits are an important membership benefit. We also want to ensure our other programs, events, and opportunities to connect are worth your time. Would you reply with your thoughts on any of these questions? - What has made it harder or less appealing to participate this year? - Are our topics, formats, and event times meeting your needs? - Beyond CE credits, what would make membership more valuable to you? - Is there anything we should offer more of—or stop doing? Whether you participate regularly or primarily join us for CE opportunities, your perspective matters. We’re looking for honest feedback, not a particular answer. Please send your thoughts by [date]. We’ll share what we hear and how it will inform our plans. Thank you for helping us build a membership experience that better serves you. Best, [Name] [Title/Organization]

**Subject:** What would make membership more useful to you? Hi [First name], Member participation is down this year, and we’d like to understand why. Could you reply with a few thoughts on what’s working for you and what isn’t? - What do you value most about your membership—continuing education (CE) credits, connections with peers, advocacy, or something else? - What makes it harder to take part? Consider timing, cost, topics, or format. - What would make our programs more worth your time? If CE credits are your main reason for participating, we’d like to know that, too. Your feedback will help us plan around what members need and value. A brief reply is welcome. Thank you for sharing your perspective. Best, [Name] [Organization]

Subject: What would make membership more useful to you? Hi [First Name], Member participation is down this year, and we’d like to understand why. Would you reply with a few thoughts about what’s working for you and what isn’t? Continuing education (CE) credits may be your main reason for participating—and that’s useful for us to know. We’d also like to hear whether other parts of membership meet your needs. - What do you value most about your membership? - What makes it harder to participate this year? - What, if anything, would make you more likely to join an event or activity beyond CE? A brief reply is welcome. Your feedback will help us decide where to focus our time and resources. Thank you for being a member and sharing your perspective. [Name] [Title / Organization]

**Subject:** What would make membership more useful to you? Hi [First name], Member participation is down this year, and we’d like to understand why. What’s working for you, and what could we do differently? Continuing education (CE) credits are an important part of membership. We’d like to know whether they’re your main reason for participating, or whether other activities could better meet your needs. If you’re open to sharing, reply to any of these questions: - What parts of membership are most useful to you? - What has made it harder to participate this year—for example, timing, cost, format, or relevance? - Is there something you’d like us to offer, change, or stop doing? A brief reply is welcome. We’ll use your feedback to help guide our plans and share what we learn with members. Thank you for helping us understand what you need from [Organization]. Best, [Name] [Title]

**Subject:** What would make membership more useful to you? Hi [First name], Member participation is down this year, and we’d like to understand why. What’s working for you, and what would make it easier or more worthwhile to take part? Continuing education (CE) credits may be your main reason for joining—and we’d like to hear whether those offerings meet your needs, too. If you’re open to sharing, reply to this email with your thoughts on any of these questions: - What parts of your membership do you use or value most? - What gets in the way of participating—timing, cost, topics, format, or something else? - Is there something you’d like us to offer or do differently? A brief reply is welcome. Your feedback will help guide our plans, and we’ll share what we learn and what we can change. Thank you for being part of [Organization]. [Name] [Title]

**Subject: Help us make our programs more engaging** Hello members, We’ve noticed participation in some of our programs has dipped this year, and we’d appreciate your honest feedback. Continuing education credits are an important benefit, but we’d also like our events to feel worthwhile and engaging beyond the credits. What would make you more likely to take part? Are there topics, formats, times, or opportunities to connect that you’d like us to offer? And if something has made it harder to participate, we’d welcome hearing that too. You can reply directly to this email. Your input will help us shape programs that better meet your needs. Thank you for being part of our community, [Name] [Organization]

**Subject: Help us understand what would make membership more valuable** Hi everyone, We’ve noticed that participation in some of our activities has been lower this year, and we’d like to understand why. Your time is valuable, and your honest feedback can help us make the organization more useful and engaging for members. Continuing education is an important part of what we offer, but we’d also like to know what else you’d find worthwhile. For example: - What types of events or resources would you be more likely to take part in? - Are timing, format, location, or other commitments making it harder to participate? - What could we change—or stop doing—to better meet your needs? Please reply to this email with any thoughts, even just a sentence or two. We appreciate your perspective and want to make sure our offerings reflect what members actually value. Thank you, [Name] [Organization]

**Subject: Help us understand this year’s lower engagement** Hi members, Engagement with our programs is down this year, and we’d like to understand why. Continuing education credits may be a key reason some members take part, and we’d like to learn what else would make our events and activities useful to you. Could you reply and share what’s affecting your participation, what you value most, and what would encourage you to get more involved? Your feedback will help us shape future offerings. Thank you, [Name]

**Subject: Help us understand member engagement this year** Hi everyone, We’ve noticed that member engagement is down this year, and we’d like to understand why. We know continuing education credits are an important reason many members attend. What else would make our events and activities more useful or appealing to you? Please reply with what’s working, what isn’t, or what you’d like to see more of. Your feedback will help us plan for the year ahead. Thanks, [Name]

**Subject: Help us understand what members want** Hi everyone, Member engagement is down this year, and we’d like to understand why. Continuing education credits are an important reason to take part, and we’d also like to hear what else would make our events and activities useful to you. Could you reply and let us know what’s working, what isn’t, or what you’d like to see more of? Your feedback will help us plan for the year ahead. Thank you for sharing your perspective, [Name] [Organization]

**Subject: What would make membership more useful to you?** Hi [Name], We’ve seen lower member engagement this year and would like to understand what’s behind it. Continuing education credits are an important part of what we offer, and we’d also like to know what else would make our events and programs worthwhile for you. Would you reply with a few thoughts? - What has been useful to you this year? - What has made it harder to take part? - What topics, formats, or activities would you like to see? Your feedback will help us shape future offerings around members’ needs. Thank you for sharing your perspective. Best, [Name] [Organization]

**Subject: Help us understand what’s working—and what’s missing** Dear Members, We’ve noticed lower participation in our programs and activities this year, and we’d like to better understand why. Continuing education is an important part of membership, but we also want to offer meaningful opportunities to connect, learn, and contribute beyond earning CE credits. To do that, we need your candid feedback: - What has made it harder or less appealing to participate this year? - Which membership benefits do you find most valuable? - What topics, formats, or activities would make you more likely to get involved? Whether you participate regularly, attend primarily for CE credits, or haven’t joined us recently, your perspective matters. There’s no “right” level of involvement—we want to understand what fits your needs and where we can improve. Please reply to this email by [date]. Thank you for helping us make membership more useful and worthwhile. Best, [Name] [Title/Organization]

**Subject: How can we make your membership more valuable?** Dear Members, We’ve noticed lower participation in our events and activities this year, and we’d like to understand why—and what we could do better. We know continuing education credits are an important membership benefit. We’d also like to learn what else, if anything, would make participating worthwhile for you. Would you take a moment to reply to these questions? - What has made it harder to participate this year—timing, cost, topics, format, or something else? - Which membership benefits do you use and value most? - What would you like us to offer, change, or stop doing? Whether you participate regularly, attend primarily for CE credits, or haven’t joined us recently, your perspective matters. Candid feedback will help us focus our time and resources on what members actually need. Thank you for helping us improve. Best, [Name] [Title / Organization]

Subject: What would make membership more useful to you? Hi [First Name], Member engagement is down this year, and we’d like to understand why. What’s working for you, and what would make it easier or more worthwhile to take part? We know continuing education (CE) credits are an important part of membership. We’d also like to know whether our other offerings meet your needs. Please reply with your thoughts on any of these questions: - What has made it harder to participate this year? - Beyond CE credits, what would you most like from your membership? - Are there topics, activities, or ways to connect that you’d like us to offer? A brief reply is welcome. Your feedback will help us decide where to focus our time and resources. Thank you for being a member and sharing your perspective. [Name] [Organization]

**Subject: What would make membership more useful to you?** Hi [First name], Member engagement is down this year, and we’d like to understand why. Could you reply with what’s working for you and what would make taking part more worthwhile? Continuing education (CE) credits are an important part of membership. We’d like to know whether they’re your main reason for participating and whether our other offerings meet your needs. A few questions to consider: - What has made it harder to take part this year? - Which benefits or activities matter most to you? - What should we change, add, or stop offering? Even a brief reply would help us plan around what members value. Thank you for sharing your perspective. [Name] [Organization]

**Subject: What would make membership more useful to you?** Hi [First name], Member engagement is down this year, and we’d like your feedback on what’s working, what isn’t, and what would make participating more worthwhile. We know continuing education (CE) credits are an important part of membership. We’d also like to understand what else you value—and whether our current offerings fit your needs. You can reply to this email with your thoughts on any of these questions: - What has made it easier or harder to participate this year? - Which benefits or activities matter most to you? - What would you like us to offer, change, or stop doing? A brief reply is welcome. Your feedback will help us decide where to focus our time and resources. Thank you for being a member and considering these questions. [Name] [Title / Organization]

**Subject:** What would make membership more useful to you? Hi [First Name], Member participation is down this year, and we’d like to understand why. What’s working for you, and what would make it easier or more worthwhile to take part? Continuing education (CE) credits are an important membership benefit. We’d also like to know whether our other offerings match your interests and needs. If you’re willing, reply to this email with your thoughts on any of these questions: - What do you value most about your membership? - What gets in the way of participating—timing, cost, topics, format, or something else? - Beyond CE credits, what would you like your membership to offer? A brief reply is welcome. Your feedback will help us decide what to keep, change, or try next. Thank you for being a member and considering these questions. [Name] [Title / Organization]

Subject: We’d like your input on engagement this year Hi everyone, We’ve noticed that participation in meetings, discussions, and other activities has been lower this year than in the past, and we’d like to understand why. Your perspective would help us see what’s working, what isn’t, and how we can make involvement more worthwhile. A few questions to get you started: - What’s getting in the way of participating more regularly? - Which activities feel useful, and which feel like a poor use of your time? - Are continuing education credits the main reason you attend, or are there other benefits you’d like to see? - What would make you more likely to engage beyond showing up for credits? You can reply to this email, or send thoughts privately if you prefer. Honest feedback is welcome—short notes are fine. Thank you for helping us improve. Best regards, [Your name] [Your role] [Organization]

Subject: We’d like your input on this year’s engagement Hi everyone, We’ve noticed participation has been lower this year than in the past, and we’d like to understand why so we can make the experience more worthwhile. If you have a few minutes, please reply (or use the short survey linked below) and tell us: - What’s getting in the way of attending or participating? - What would make meetings, events, or communications more useful to you? - Are the topics, format, timing, or continuing-education offerings meeting your needs? - Is there anything we should start, stop, or change? Your feedback will stay confidential and will be used only to improve what we offer. Even a sentence or two is helpful. Thank you for being part of this group—we want your time here to be worth it. Best regards, [Your name] [Your role] [Organization] [Survey link, if applicable]

**Subject:** Why participation is down this year — we want your view Hello, I’m writing because member participation is lower this year, and we want to know why. Continuing education credit is a real reason to take part. We also want the rest of what we offer to be worth your time. If something is getting in the way — the topics, the schedule, the format, the cost, or how we communicate — please tell us. Reply to this email with whatever is true for you. A few sentences is enough. If it helps, you can answer these: - What kept you from joining programs or events this year? - What would make it easier to take part? - What should we keep, change, or stop? We will read every reply. Thank you for telling us straight. [Name] [Title] [Organization] Note: The email asks members for their reasons instead of stating that most people only come for CE credit.

Subject: Why participation is lower this year — we want your view Hello, I’m writing because member participation is lower this year, and we need to hear from you about why. A lot of attendance this year has been at sessions that offer continuing education (CE) credits. We want to know if that is the main reason you come, and what would make other programs worth your time. Please reply to this email or complete the short survey: [survey link]. It takes about five minutes. We need your response by [date]. 1. What brought you to programs this year? 2. What kept you from joining others? 3. What would make it easier to take part — time, format, topics, cost, or something else? 4. Are CE credits the main reason you attend? What else would you want from membership? You can also email [name] at [email] or call [phone]. Thank you. Your answers will shape what we offer next. [Name] [Title]

Subject: Your input on participation this year Hello, I’m writing because participation in events and discussions is lower this year, and we want to hear from you about why. Continuing education is one reason many members take part. We also want to know what else would make it worth your time, and what is getting in the way. If you have a few minutes, reply to this email or use this short form: [link]. Three questions: 1. What brought you to the association this year? 2. What has kept you from joining events or discussions? 3. What would make participation more useful for you? There is no wrong answer. Your reply will help us plan what we offer next. You can also tell us if email is not the best way to reach you. Thank you, [Name] [Title] [Phone] [Email] Note: The email asks about lower participation without saying members only show up for CE credits.

**Subject:** We’d like your take on this year’s programs I’m writing because fewer members have been joining programs, meetings, and events this year, and we want to understand why. Your answer will shape what we offer next. There is no wrong response, and you can be brief. A few questions: 1. What brought you to the association this year? 2. Continuing education credits matter to many members. Are they the main reason you attend, one reason among others, or not a factor for you? 3. What has gotten in the way of taking part — time, cost, format, topics, or something else? 4. What would make it worth showing up beyond the credits? 5. Is there a program, meeting, or way of participating you would actually use? Reply to this email by [date]. A few sentences is enough. If you’d rather talk, email [name] at [email] or call [phone], and we’ll set a time that works for you. Thank you for telling us what would be useful. We’ll share what we hear and what we change because of it.

Here's a draft: --- **Subject:** We'd like your honest take — 2 minutes Hi [First name], Participation at [Organization] events is down this year, and rather than guess at the reasons, we'd like to hear them from you directly. A few questions — and we mean it when we say honest answers are more useful than polite ones: 1. **What brings you to our events?** If the real answer is "the CE credits," please say so. That's a legitimate answer, and it helps us plan. 2. **What would make attending worth your time beyond the credits?** 3. **What's kept you from participating more this year?** Timing, topics, format, cost, something else? 4. **What do you wish we offered that we don't?** Reply directly to this email, or share anonymously here: [survey link] The more candid you are, the better we can make [Organization] worth your time. Thanks, [Name] [Title] --- A few notes on the approach: - **The CE credit line is doing the real work.** People won't volunteer a transactional motive unless you explicitly give them permission — and knowing how many members are credit-driven vs. community-driven is the actual answer to your question. If most people check that box, that's not a failed survey; that's your strategy answer. - **Reply-or-survey gives options.** Some people will dash off a blunt email reply; others will only be honest anonymously. You want both. - **Keep it short.** Four questions max. Long surveys about why people aren't engaged tend to get ignored by exactly the disengaged people you're trying to reach. Want me to turn this into a multiple-choice survey version (better response rates, easier to tally), or write a separate version for members who attended zero events this year?

**Subject:** We want to hear from you — help us shape the year ahead Dear [Member Name], At [Organization Name], we want your membership to be genuinely valuable — and to do that, we need your honest input. We've noticed that participation in our events and programs has been lower this year, and rather than guess at the reasons, we'd like to hear directly from you. Your feedback will shape how we plan programming, schedule events, and invest our resources going forward. Could you take five minutes to share your thoughts? 1. What's influenced your level of participation this year? (Time constraints, scheduling, topic relevance, format, cost, etc.) 2. Which programs or benefits do you find most valuable — and which fall short? 3. What topics, speakers, or formats would make you more likely to attend? 4. Beyond continuing education requirements, what would make this membership feel essential to your professional life? 5. Is there anything getting in the way of your involvement that we should know about? **[Take the 5-Minute Survey]** All responses are confidential and will be reviewed directly by our leadership team. [Optional: As a thank-you, respondents will be entered into a drawing for ____.] Thank you for being a member. We're committed to earning your time and participation — and your candor is the first step. Warm regards, [Name] [Title] [Organization Name] --- A note on your aside: I included question 4 to quietly probe whether members see value beyond the CE credits, without putting anyone on the defensive. If you want harder data on that, you could add a survey question asking members to rank their top reasons for attending (CE credits, networking, topic interest, professional obligation, etc.) — the results will tell you quickly how transactional the relationship really is.

**Subject:** Five minutes of your feedback will shape next year's programs Hi [First name], I'm writing to ask for your honest input. Fewer members have been able to take part in our events this year, and before we plan next year's calendar, we want to understand why. Our short survey takes about five minutes: [link] It asks things like: - Which programs are most useful to you right now? - What makes it hard to attend — timing, cost, location, or format? - How much do CE credits factor into which events you choose? - What would you like us to offer that we don't today? Prefer to talk instead? Reply to this email or call [name] at [phone number], and we'll set up a short call. Thank you. What you tell us will directly shape what we offer next year. [Name] [Title] [Association name] --- One note: I turned the CE credit point into a survey question rather than a statement — members are more likely to answer it honestly, and it keeps the email from reading as an accusation.

**Subject:** What would make next year worth your time? Hi [First name], We're planning next year's programs, and I'd like your honest input. Participation is down this year, and before we change anything, we want to hear what's actually going on for our members. Three quick questions — just reply to this email, or use the two-minute survey here: [link] 1. What brings you to our events? CE credits, networking, specific topics, something else? 2. What's gotten in the way of participating this year? 3. What's one thing we could offer that would be genuinely useful to you? Please reply by [date]. Every response goes straight to the team planning next year's calendar. Thanks for your time, [Name] [Title] [Phone / email] --- One note: I framed the CE credit question neutrally rather than as an assumption — members answer more honestly when they don't feel accused, and you'll get better data on whether credits really are the main draw. Happy to make it shorter or more formal if that fits your voice.

**Subject:** Two minutes of your time: help us plan next year Hi [First name], I'm writing to ask for your input. Participation is down this year, and before we plan next year's programs, we want to understand what's working for members and what isn't. Three questions, about two minutes: 1. What brings you to our events? (CE credits, specific topics, connecting with colleagues, something else?) 2. What's gotten in the way of joining in this year? (Timing, format, cost, workload, relevance?) 3. What's one thing we could offer that you'd actually use? You can reply directly to this email, or use this short anonymous form: [link] We'll be reading responses through [date] and will share what we learn with all members in [month]. Whatever you tell us is useful — including "the current schedule doesn't fit my life." And if there's a program you'd show up for tomorrow, we want to hear that too. Thank you for your time, and for being a member. [Name] [Title] [Phone / email] --- One note: question 1 asks directly what draws members, so you'll get a real read on the CE-credit question from the responses rather than assuming it going in.

**Subject: Help us plan what you actually want next year** Hi [First name], Attendance at our programs is down this year, and we'd rather ask you than guess. Your answers will shape what we offer next year — the topics, the formats, the schedule. Three quick questions: 1. What's the main reason you attend — or skip — our events? 2. What would make a program worth your time? 3. Is there a topic or format we're not offering that you'd use? You can reply directly to this email, or take our two-minute survey here: [link] We know CE credits are a real part of why you come, and we'll keep offering them. We'd like to make sure the rest of the experience is worth your time too. If you can, send your thoughts by [date] — that's when we start planning the spring calendar. Thanks for being a member. We read every response. [Name] [Title] [Organization] [Phone] | [Email] --- Happy to adjust the tone, tighten it further, or turn the three questions into a full survey draft.

Here's a tactful version that addresses the CE issue without calling them out for it: --- **Subject options:** 1. We’ve noticed — and we want to hear from you 2. Help us make [Association Name] worth more than the CE credits 3. Quick question: What would make you show up more? **Email:** Dear [First Name], We’ve noticed something this year: engagement is down. Registrations are lower, networking events are quieter, and outside of our CE programs, participation has dropped off. We don’t want to guess why — we’d rather hear it directly from you. We know CE credits are an important (and for many, the primary) benefit of membership, and those aren’t going anywhere. But we built [Association Name] to be more than that — a place to connect with peers, share ideas, and have a voice in our profession. So if you’ve been less involved lately, we want to understand what’s changed: Is it timing? Topics? Format (in-person vs. virtual)? Workload? Or are we simply not offering what you actually need right now? **Please take 2 minutes to complete this anonymous survey: [Insert Survey Link]** Your honest feedback — good or bad — will help us plan programs that are actually worth your time. Thank you for being a member, and for helping us do better. Warm regards, [Your Name] [Your Title] [Association Name] [Phone Number]

Here's a diplomatic version that gets at the CE issue without calling them out: --- **Subject options:** 1. Quick question: What are we missing this year? 2. We’ve noticed a change — can you help us understand? 3. Help us make [Association Name] worth more of your time **Email:** Hi [First Name], We’ve noticed something this year, and we wanted to ask you about it directly. Registration for our CE programs remains strong, but participation in almost everything else — networking events, committees, roundtables, and member discussions — is down. We miss that side of our community, and we’re wondering what’s changed for you. Is it time? Are the topics not relevant to where you are in your career right now? Do the formats or times not work? Or is CE simply the most valuable thing we offer at the moment? There are no wrong answers, and honest feedback is exactly what we need. We don’t want to keep programming things you don’t find useful. **Could you take 2 minutes to tell us?** [Link to short survey] You can also just hit reply to this email — I read every response personally. Your input will directly shape what we offer (and what we stop offering) in 2026. Thanks for being a member, and thanks for telling us how we can do better. Best, [Your Name] [Your Title] [Association Name]

Subject: We want to hear from you about this year's programs Hi everyone, I'm writing to ask for your feedback. Attendance at our events is lower this year, and we want to understand what would work better for you. What topics, times, or formats are most useful to you? Is continuing education credit a key factor in what you choose to attend? What gets in the way of joining other programs? Please reply to this email or take our 3-minute survey here: [survey link] Your answers will help us plan next year's schedule. Thank you, [Your Name] [Your Title] [Contact Email]

Subject: We'd like your feedback on member engagement this year Hi everyone, We're writing to ask for your feedback. Attendance at member events is down this year, and we want to understand why and what would be more useful to you. Continuing education credits are one reason many members attend. We'd like to know what else matters to you, and what might be getting in the way. Could you reply to this email and share: 1. What events or topics have been most useful to you? 2. What has made it hard to attend this year? 3. What would you like to see more of, or less of? A few sentences is enough. Your answers will help us plan the rest of the year. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. [Your Name] [Title / Organization] [Contact Information]

Subject: We want to hear why fewer members are coming to events Hello, Fewer members have attended our events this year, and we are writing to ask what is getting in the way. Continuing education sessions have stayed full. Other events have not. We want to understand the difference so we can plan programs that fit your schedule and your interests. Could you reply to this email and tell us: - Are event times or locations hard to make? - Are the topics useful to you? - Would online, shorter, or different-format options work better? - Is there something else we should change? A sentence or two is enough. You can also tell us what is working well and should stay the same. We will read every reply and share what we heard, and what we plan to change, next month. Thank you for telling us directly.

Subject: What would make your membership more useful this year? Hi [First Name], I'm writing to ask for your input. Fewer members have joined our events and programs this year, and we want to understand why so we can plan better. Continuing education credits may be the main reason you take part, or other things may matter more — timing, topics, format, or cost. Whatever your experience has been, it will help us to hear it directly from you. You can choose how to share: 1. Take this 3-minute survey: [link] 2. Reply to this email with a sentence or two You can answer anonymously in the survey. There are no right answers, and you do not need to explain more than you want to. Thank you for telling us what is and is not working. We will share what we learn and what we plan to change in next month's newsletter. Questions? Contact us at [email] or [phone]. [Name] [Title]

**Subject:** Help us understand: Why is engagement down this year? Hi [Member Name / Team], We’ve noticed that participation in our [events, meetings, programs, etc.] has dropped compared to previous years, and we want to get to the bottom of it. We know that for many of you, continuing education (CE) credits are a primary reason for showing up—and we respect that. But if CE credits are the main draw, we want to know what else is missing. Is it the timing? The format? The relevance of the content? Competing priorities at work? Your honest feedback will help us decide whether to adjust our offerings, try new formats, or focus our energy elsewhere. Please reply to this email or take our two-minute survey by [date]: [Survey link] Thank you for helping us make this worth your time. Best, [Your Name] [Your Title] [Organization] --- **Tip:** If you want to be more direct internally (e.g., to your board or staff), you can add a line like: *“We suspect CE credits are the main driver of attendance, but we need to confirm whether that’s still enough—or if members are checking the box and disengaging the rest of the year.”*

**Subject:** Help us understand what you need from [Organization] this year Hi [Member Name / Members], We’ve noticed that overall engagement with [Organization] has declined this year, and we want to understand why. We know that for many of you, continuing education (CE) credits are a primary reason for participating—and we’re glad to provide that value. But we’d like [Organization] to be more than just a place to log credits. We want it to be a community and resource that supports you throughout the year. To help us improve, we’d appreciate a few minutes of your feedback: - What would motivate you to engage more often between CE events? - What types of content, networking, or resources would be most valuable to you? - Is there anything getting in the way of your participation? You can reply directly to this email or take our short survey here: [insert link] Thank you for being a member and for helping us shape a more valuable experience for everyone. Best regards, [Your Name] [Your Title] [Organization]

Subject: Help us understand what matters to you this year Hi [Name], Member engagement is down this year, and we want to understand why. We know many of you count on our continuing education credits. We also want to know what else would make your membership valuable. Could you take a few minutes to tell us: - What brought you to the organization this year? - What events, resources, or connections would help you stay involved? - What is getting in the way of participating more? Your answers will shape our programs for the coming year. Reply to this email or click the link below to share your thoughts anonymously. [Link] Thank you for being part of our community. [Name] [Title] [Organization] [Phone] | [Email]

Subject: Help us understand why member engagement is down Hi [Name], We’ve noticed member engagement is lower this year, and we want to understand why. Your time is valuable, and we want this membership to be worth it. Whether you come for continuing education, events, or connections, we’d like to know what’s working and what isn’t. Could you take a few minutes to share your thoughts? [Link: Member engagement survey] You can also reply directly to this email. Thank you for helping us improve. Best, [Name] [Title] [Organization]

Subject: Why engagement is down, and what we can do about it Hi [Name], Event and program attendance is down this year, and we want to understand why. We know many of you count on us for continuing education credits. We also want to know what else would make your membership valuable. Could you share a few minutes with us? - What brings you to our events? - What would make you attend more often? - What gets in the way? Reply to this email, or fill out the short survey here: [link] We’ll use your answers to shape the coming year. Thank you, [Name] [Title] [Organization]

Subject: We’d like to hear from you about engagement this year Hi [Name], I’m writing because participation in our events and programs has dropped this year, and we want to understand why. We know many of you come for continuing education credits, and that’s a valuable reason to be here. We’re curious what else would make your membership worthwhile—whether that’s networking, advocacy, learning opportunities, or something else entirely. Could you take five minutes to tell us what’s working and what isn’t? [Link to survey] Or just reply to this email. There are no wrong answers. Your feedback will help us shape what we offer next year. Thank you, [Your name] [Your title] [Organization] [Phone] | [Email]