Member engagement

**Subject:** Help us make [Organization Name] worth your time Dear [Member Name], We've noticed that participation in [Organization Name] events and programs has dipped this year, and we'd rather ask you directly than guess at the reasons. Your membership should be valuable to you, whether that means earning CE credits efficiently, building your professional network, staying current in the field, or all of the above. If we're falling short, we want to know. Would you take 3 minutes to answer a few quick questions? You can reply directly to this email or use our short survey: [link] 1. **What do you value most about your membership?** (e.g., CE credits, networking, industry updates, advocacy, resources) 2. **What has made it harder to participate this year?** (e.g., scheduling, cost, format, location, relevance of topics) 3. **Which format works best for you?** (in-person, live virtual, on-demand, hybrid) 4. **What topics or speakers would make you prioritize attending?** 5. **Is there anything we should start, stop, or change?** All feedback is welcome, including the blunt kind. Responses will directly shape our programming for [next year/season]. Thank you for being part of [Organization Name]. We're committed to making your membership work for you. Best regards, [Your Name] [Title] [Organization Name] [Contact Information] --- **A couple of suggestions, given your point about CE credits:** - **Lean into it rather than fight it.** If CE is the main draw, make it easier: on-demand courses, credit tracking, bundled sessions. Then add networking or community elements *around* the CE offerings instead of separately. - **Keep the survey short and anonymous** if you want honest answers. People are more candid when they won't be identified. - **Consider a small incentive**, like a free CE credit or entry into a drawing, to boost response rates. - **Follow up with results.** Sharing "Here's what you told us and what we're changing" builds trust and tends to increase engagement on its own.

**Subject: We'd like your honest feedback (5 minutes)** Dear [Member Name], We've noticed that participation in [Organization Name] events and programs has dipped this year, and we want to understand why. Rather than guess, we're asking you directly. Whether you attend every event or haven't been in a while, your perspective matters. We'd be grateful if you could take five minutes to answer a few questions: 1. **What's the main reason you maintain your membership?** (CE credits, networking, industry updates, professional reputation, something else?) 2. **What has kept you from participating more this year?** (Schedule, format, cost, topics, location, or something we haven't considered?) 3. **Which formats work best for you?** (In-person, virtual, on-demand, short sessions, full-day programs?) 4. **What would make attending worth your time, beyond earning credits?** 5. **Is there anything we should stop doing, start doing, or do differently?** You can reply directly to this email or complete the short survey here: [Survey Link] All responses will be kept confidential, and candid feedback is welcome. We know your time is valuable, and we want every program we offer to be worth it, whether you're there for CE requirements, connections, or something else entirely. We'll share a summary of what we learn and the changes we plan to make by [date]. Thank you for being part of [Organization Name]. Best regards, [Your Name] [Title] [Organization Name] [Contact Information] --- **A few notes on approach:** - **I didn't mention the CE-credit observation directly.** Saying "we know most of you only come for credits" can come across as accusatory. Instead, question 1 lets members tell you their reason, and question 4 invites them to say what would bring them in beyond credits. - **Lean into it if it's true.** If CE is the main draw, that's useful information. You could make CE sessions more convenient (on-demand, bundled) and pair them with optional networking or discussion time, rather than fighting the motivation. - **Consider a small incentive,** such as a raffle entry or a discount on a future CE course, to boost response rates. I can make a shorter or more casual version, or draft a follow-up reminder if you'd like.

**Subject: Help us shape next year (5-minute survey)** Dear [First Name], We'd like your help understanding why fewer members took part in [Association Name] events and programs this year. Please take our short survey by [date]: [survey link] Your answers will help us plan a year that fits your work and schedule. We'd especially like to know: 1. **What you value most.** CE credits, networking, peer learning, advocacy, or something else? 2. **What got in the way this year.** Timing, cost, location, format, workload, or other reasons? 3. **What would make it worth your time.** More virtual options, shorter sessions, different topics, or new ways to earn CE credits? There are no wrong answers. If you mainly come for CE credits, tell us. That helps us make those offerings easier to reach and more useful. The survey takes about 5 minutes. All responses are confidential. If you'd rather talk, reply to this email or contact [Name] at [email] or [phone]. Thank you for being part of [Association Name]. Warm regards, [Your Name] [Title] [Association Name] [email] | [phone]

**Subject:** Help us plan next year: a 5-minute survey Dear [Member Name], Fewer members have joined our events and programs this year, and we want to understand why. Please take a 5-minute survey by **[date]** and tell us what would make your membership more useful to you. **[Survey link]** We want to hear what's working and what isn't, including: - Which events, programs, or resources you've used this year, and why - How much continuing education credits factor into what you attend - What has made it harder to take part (timing, cost, format, location, topics) - What you'd like us to offer that we don't now Short answers are fine. Your responses are confidential, and we'll share a summary of what we learn, along with the changes we plan to make, by **[month]**. If you'd rather talk it through, reply to this email or reach me at **[phone]**. Thank you for your time and for being part of [Organization Name]. Best, [Your Name] [Title] [Organization Name] [Email] | [Phone] --- The survey asks about CE credits directly. If that's the main draw for most members, this will confirm it and show you what else would bring them back.

**Subject:** Help us understand what you need from [Organization] Dear [First name], Fewer members took part in [Organization] this year than last, and we want to understand why. Would you take five minutes to tell us what's working for you and what isn't? **[Take the 5-minute survey]** We'd like to know: - What brings you to [Organization] events, whether it's CE credits, networking, learning, or something else - What has made it harder to take part this year (timing, cost, format, location, workload) - What would make your membership more useful to you Every reason is a good reason. If CE credits are the main thing you come for, that's important for us to know. It helps us make those sessions as strong and easy to access as possible. The survey closes on [date]. If you'd rather talk than type, reply to this email or call me at [phone number]. Your answers are confidential and will shape our plans for [next year]. Thank you for being part of [Organization]. Warmly, [Name] [Title] [Email] | [Phone number]

**Subject:** What would make membership more useful to you? Dear [Member first name], We're asking members to tell us what's working, what isn't, and what would make [Organization] worth more of your time. Fewer members have joined events, committees, and online discussions this year, and we want to understand why before we plan next year. The survey takes about five minutes: [survey link] Please reply by [date]. All responses are confidential. **A few things we're curious about:** - What brings you to [Organization] events now? - What gets in the way of taking part more often (time, cost, location, format, topics)? - If continuing education credits are your main reason for coming, that helps us know too. We'd like to know what would make those sessions more valuable. - What would you want from membership that you aren't getting now? **Other ways to share:** - Reply to this email. - Call or text [name] at [phone number]. - Join a 30-minute virtual listening session on [date] at [time]: [link] There are no wrong answers. Honest feedback, including "I just don't have time right now," helps us build something that fits your work and your schedule. We'll share what we learn and what we plan to change by [month]. Thank you, [Name] [Title], [Organization] [Email] | [Phone]

**Subject: Help us understand how to make this membership more valuable** Hi [First Name], Thank you for being part of [Organization Name]. We've noticed that attendance and participation are down this year, and rather than guess why, we'd like to hear from you directly. Your time is valuable, and we know there are plenty of demands on it. Whether you attend every event, come mainly for CE credits, or have been less involved than you'd like, your perspective helps us. There are no wrong answers, and we won't take any feedback personally. **We'd love to know:** - What has made it harder to participate this year (timing, format, cost, relevance, something else)? - What do you value most about your membership? - What would make you more likely to attend or get involved? - Are there topics, speakers, or formats you'd like to see that we aren't offering? **Two ways to respond:** 1. **Quick survey (about 5 minutes):** [Survey link] 2. **Short call or reply to this email:** If you'd rather talk it through, reach me at [email/phone]. We'd appreciate your response by [date]. We'll share what we learn and the changes we plan to make by [date or event]. Thank you for helping us build something worth your time. Best regards, [Name] [Title, Organization] [Contact information] --- **Tips:** - **Don't assume the CE motive in the email.** Naming it as a legitimate reason ("come mainly for CE credits") invites honest answers without making people defensive. - **Add a CE-specific survey question,** such as "If CE credits weren't offered, what would still draw you to our events?" It will tell you whether the CE-only pattern is real and what else has value. - **Offer a small incentive** (a gift card drawing or a free event registration) to boost response rates. - **Close the loop.** Reporting back what you heard makes members more likely to respond next time. I can also draft a short survey, a follow-up reminder, or a more casual version of this email if you'd like.

**Subject:** Help us make [Organization Name] more valuable to you Hi [First Name], We've noticed that attendance and participation in our events and programs are down this year, and we'd like to understand why. We'd rather hear it from you than guess. Your time is limited, and you have plenty of options for professional development. We want to know: - **What has kept you from participating this year?** (Timing, format, topics, cost, something else?) - **What would make our programs worth your time,** beyond CE credits? - **What are you not getting from your membership** that you wish you were? Honest feedback is welcome, including the critical kind. You can share it in either of these ways: 1. **Take our 3-minute survey:** [link] 2. **Reply directly to this email** or schedule a quick call with me: [scheduling link] We'll share what we learn and what we plan to change by [date]. As a thank-you, everyone who completes the survey by [deadline] will be entered to win [incentive, e.g., a gift card or free registration to the next event]. Thank you for being part of [Organization Name]. We want to earn your participation, and your input will help us do that. Best regards, [Your Name] [Title] [Contact Information] --- **A few notes:** - **I kept the CE credits point out of the email on purpose.** Saying "you only show up for credits" can come across as accusatory and may make people defensive. The question "what would make our programs worth your time beyond CE credits?" gets at the same issue and invites useful answers. - **CE is a legitimate reason to attend.** If it's the main draw, you could build on it by pairing credit-bearing sessions with networking, peer discussion, or practical takeaways, so people stay for more than the credit. - **Consider adding a multiple-choice question to the survey** such as "What is your primary reason for attending events?" That will give you real data on how many people come for CE versus community, networking, or content. I can also draft the survey questions or a shorter version for a quick-response email.

**Subject:** Help us understand what would make membership worth your time Dear [Name], We want to hear from you. Fewer members have been attending events and taking part in [association name] this year, and we want to understand why. Please take 5 minutes to answer a short survey by [date]: [survey link] We know many of you count on us for continuing education (CE) credits. That is a real need, and we plan to keep meeting it. We also want to know what else would make your time with us worthwhile. For example: - Which events or resources have been most useful to you? - What gets in the way of taking part (timing, cost, location, format)? - What would you like to see us offer that we don't now? Your answers are [anonymous / confidential]. We will share what we learn and what we plan to change by [date]. If you would rather talk, reply to this email or call [name] at [phone number]. Thank you for your time and your honesty. [Name] [Title, organization] [Email | Phone]

**Subject:** We want to hear from you: how can we make membership more useful? Hi [First name], Fewer members have been joining our events and activities this year, and we want to understand why. Can you take 5 minutes to tell us what's working and what isn't? Your answers will shape our plans for next year. **Share your thoughts by [date]:** [survey link] Prefer to talk it through? Reply to this email or call [name] at [phone]. A short call works too. Here are a few things we'd like to know: 1. What has gotten in the way of attending this year? Schedule, cost, location, format, or something else? 2. Which events or resources have been most useful to you? 3. What would you like to see that we don't offer now? 4. What would make it easier to take part, such as different times, online options, or shorter sessions? Continuing education credits are one good reason to take part, and we plan to keep offering them. We also want every event to be worth your time beyond the credit, so please be honest, including about what we could do better. We will share what we learn and what we plan to change by [date]. Thank you for being part of [organization name]. [Name] [Title], [Organization] [Email] | [Phone]

**Subject:** Help us understand how to make membership more useful Hi [First name], We want to hear from you. Fewer members have been joining events and activities this year, and we'd like to understand why. Could you take 5 minutes to share your thoughts? [Link to survey] The survey is open until [date]. Many members come for continuing education credits, and that is a good reason to be here. We want to make sure the CE offerings fit your needs. We also want to know what else would make your time with us worth it. Here are a few things we're curious about: - What got in the way of attending this year? (Timing, cost, location, topics, something else?) - Which events or resources were most useful to you? - What would you like to see more of, or less of? - How would you like to take part: in person, online, on demand? If you'd rather talk than fill out a form, reply to this email or call [name] at [phone number]. We're glad to set up a short call at a time that works for you. Your answers will help shape next year's plans. We'll share what we learn and what we change by [date]. Thank you for being part of [Organization name]. [Name] [Title] [Email] | [Phone number]

**Subject:** Help us understand how to make this year's events worth your time Hi [First name], Fewer members have joined our events and activities this year, and we want to know why. You are the best people to tell us. Would you share your thoughts in a short survey? It takes about 5 minutes: [survey link]. Please respond by [date]. You can also reply to this email or call me at [phone number] if you would rather talk it through. Here are a few things we would like to hear about: - What has made it hard to take part this year (timing, cost, format, topics, something else)? - What would make an event worth your time? - Which events or resources have been most useful to you? Many of you come for continuing education credits, and that is a good reason to be here. We want to know if we are offering the credits you need, in formats that fit your schedule. If you prefer to take part in other ways, we want to hear that too. Your answers will shape next year's plans. We will share what we learn and what we are changing by [month]. Thank you for your time and your honesty. [Name] [Title], [Organization] [Email] | [Phone number]

Here are a few options, ranging from direct and honest to a bit more diplomatic. ### Option 1: Direct and Honest (Best if you have a close, candid relationship with the members) **Subject:** Quick question: Why aren't we seeing you? Hi [Name], I’m writing to you because we’ve noticed a significant drop in engagement this year, and I want to be frank about it. I know that for many of you, the primary—if not only—reason you show up is to get your CE credits. We value that you trust us to provide those, but we also want to make sure we aren’t just a "credit mill." We want to create a community and programming that you actually *want* to attend, not just something you have to sit through. Could you reply to this email and let me know: 1. Is there anything specific that turned you off this year? 2. What would make our events worth attending *beyond* the credits? I’m asking for brutal honesty here. Your feedback is the only way we can fix this. Thanks, [Your Name] --- ### Option 2: Diplomatic and Professional (Best for a broader audience) **Subject:** We want to hear from you: Improving your membership experience Hi [Name], We are currently reviewing our programming for the upcoming year and have noticed that engagement has dipped recently. We know how busy you are, and we realize that for many members, the main draw is the ability to earn CE credits. However, we want to ensure that we are providing value that goes beyond just checking a box. We want to make our events more relevant and engaging for you. Please take a moment to reply to this email with your thoughts: - What is the main reason you attend our events? (Be honest—if it's just the credits, let us know!) - What is one thing we could add or change to make you want to attend more often? We are committed to making this organization better for you, and we can’t do it without your input. Best regards, [Your Name] --- ### Option 3: Short and Data-Driven (Best for a quick survey) **Subject:** 2-minute survey: What do you actually want from us? Hi [Name], We’ve seen a decline in engagement this year, and we’re trying to figure out why. To be completely honest, we suspect that many members are only attending to get their CE credits. While we are happy to provide those, we want to make sure we aren't wasting your time with the rest of the programming. Help us fix this by answering two quick questions: 1. **The Elephant in the Room:** Is earning CE credits the *only* reason you currently attend our events? (Yes/No) 2. **The Wishlist:** What is one topic or format that would make you excited to attend a meeting? Click here to reply with your answers. Thanks for helping us improve. [Your Name]

**Subject:** Quick question: why is engagement down this year? Hi everyone, We’ve noticed that member engagement has dropped this year—fewer people participating in discussions, events, and other activities beyond the basics. To be frank, we suspect many of you are primarily here for the CE credits, and that’s completely understandable. But we’d like to know what’s really going on so we can improve. Could you take a moment to reply honestly? A few questions: - What’s the main reason you’re not engaging more? (Time, relevance, format, something else?) - Is there anything we could offer that would make you want to participate beyond CE? - If CE credits are your only draw, that’s useful to know too—no judgment. Just hit reply with your thoughts. Short answers are fine. We’re not looking for polished feedback—just the truth. Thanks, [Your Name] [Your Title/Organization]

**Subject:** A quick question about what you want from [Organization] this year Hi [Name], Fewer members have been joining our events and committee calls this year, and we'd like to understand why. Could you take two minutes to tell us? A few questions: - Which of our programs and events are useful to you, and which aren't? - Is continuing education credit the main reason you attend? If so, what would make the rest of our programming worth your time? - What gets in the way — timing, format, cost, travel, or something else? - Is there anything you'd like us to stop doing? You can reply to this email with a sentence or two, or use this short form: [link]. If you'd rather talk it through, [name] can set up a 10-minute call — [contact info]. We'd rather hear a blunt answer than a polite one. "I only come for the credits" is useful information, and it tells us what to fix. Thank you, [Name] [Title] [Organization]

**Subject:** A short question: what do you want from your membership this year? Hi [First name], I'm writing to ask for five minutes of your time. Attendance at our events is down this year, and I'd rather hear from you directly than guess at why. You'll get a short survey — five questions, no long answers needed. We want to know what's working, what isn't, and what would make your membership worth renewing. One thing I want to say plainly: continuing education credits are a real and legitimate reason to attend, and we're glad to provide them. But we don't want that to be the only reason. If there's something else you'd want from us — a peer group, a policy briefing, a hand with a specific problem — tell us. We'll build what members actually use. **[Take the survey]** — open until [date]. If a survey isn't your thing, reply to this email or call me at [phone]. I read everything that comes in. Thank you for being a member. I know your time is limited, and I'm asking for a little of it because your answer will shape what we do next. [Name] [Title] [Organization] --- *I left out the observation that most members only come for CE credits — stated to members, it reads as an accusation. The email asks the same question openly instead, and names CE credits as legitimate.*

**Subject:** A direct question: what would make your membership more useful this year? Hi [Name], I'm writing to ask you something directly: what would make your membership more useful to you this year? Engagement is down from last year. Fewer people came to events, fewer signed up for committees, and fewer responded to our member calls. We have guesses about why, but guesses aren't good enough to plan around. We'd rather ask. We've also heard from many members that CE credits are the main reason they attend. We want to keep offering strong CE programming, and we want to understand what else would bring you in — or what's currently keeping you away. Four questions, if you have a few minutes: 1. Which of our offerings did you use this year, and which did you skip? 2. If you skipped something, what got in the way? Timing, format, cost, travel, something else? 3. What is one thing we could offer that you would attend? 4. Is there anything that would make you more likely to join a committee, an event, or our advocacy work? Three ways to answer, whichever is easiest: - Reply to this email with a sentence or two. - Take the five-minute survey: [link]. It closes on [date]. - Call me at [phone]. Fifteen minutes is enough. If CE credits are what you want from your membership, that's a fair way to use it. We'll keep providing them. We're asking because we'd like the rest of what we offer to be worth your time too. Here's what we'll do with what we hear: we'll summarize the responses in the [month] newsletter and bring two or three concrete changes to the board. If there's something we can't act on, we'll say so and explain why. Thank you for reading, and for any time you can give this. [Name] [Title] [Email] | [Phone]

**Subject:** We'd rather ask than guess — what's changed for you this year? Hi [Name], Event and committee participation is lower this year than last year, and we don't want to guess at why. We'd like to hear it from you. If you have five minutes, three questions: - What do you want from your membership right now? - What gets in the way of attending or joining in? - What should we stop doing? There's no wrong answer here. If continuing education credits are the main reason you come, say so — that's a real answer and a useful one. It tells us what to protect and what to build on, and it's better information than a guess. The survey doesn't ask for your name. Three ways to answer, whichever is easiest: 1. Take the three-question survey: [link] 2. Reply to this email. 3. Book a 15-minute call: [link] We'll close the survey on [date] and share what we heard — including what we're changing — by [date]. Thank you, [Name] [Title] [Email] · [Phone] --- *I left the CE-credits point in as a legitimate answer rather than a criticism, since naming it outright tends to get you more honest responses than members would give if they felt accused.*

It is very common for professional associations to struggle with the "CE-only" trap. Members are busy, and if they only *have* to show up for compliance, that is often all they will do. To get honest, constructive feedback without sounding accusatory or passive-aggressive, you need to acknowledge that their time is valuable and validate the importance of CE, while asking what would actually make the rest of the community worth their time. Here are three options, ranging from candid to quick: --- ### Option 1: Candid, direct, and collaborative (Recommended) *Use this to address the elephant in the room politely and invite genuine dialogue.* **Subject:** We need your honesty: How can [Organization Name] serve you better? Hi [First Name], First, thank you for being a part of [Organization Name]. We know that maintaining your credentials and earning your CE credits is a top priority, and we’re glad to be a trusted resource for your professional development. However, we want [Organization Name] to be more than just a place where you log hours. Our mission has always been to build a community that actively supports your day-to-day career, offers meaningful connections, and provides real value outside of compliance requirements. Over the past year, we’ve noticed that member participation outside of our CE-accredited sessions has slowed down. We want to understand why so we can fix it. **Could you take 2 minutes to reply directly to this email with your thoughts on any of the following?** 1. **What’s your biggest hurdle?** (Is it a lack of time, event timing, format, or topics that don't feel relevant?) 2. **What would make an event a "must-attend"?** (What problem can we help you solve right now in your day-to-day role?) 3. **What can we stop doing?** (Are there offerings you simply don’t care about?) Your honest feedback—good, bad, or blunt—is the only way we can build programming that actually respects your schedule and serves your needs. Thank you for your time and candid thoughts. Best regards, [Your Name] [Your Title] [Organization Name] --- ### Option 2: Short, busy-professional approach (Survey link) *Use this if your members are notoriously non-responsive to text emails and prefer clicking multiple-choice options.* **Subject:** Quick question about your [Organization Name] membership Hi [First Name], We know your time is limited, and right now, many of our members only have the bandwidth to attend our CE credit sessions. We completely understand—staying licensed and certified is essential. That said, we want to make sure your membership dues are delivering value beyond just checking a box. We are currently redesigning our calendar for the coming year, and we want to build it around what you *actually* care about. Could you take **60 seconds** to answer this 3-question survey? 👉 **[Link to 3-Question Survey]** *(Questions to include in the survey:)* 1. *What is the #1 reason you don't attend non-CE events? [Options: Time/Workload, Irrelevant Topics, Poor Timing, Prefer Asynchronous Resources, Only need CEs]* 2. *What is the biggest challenge in your job right now that we could help you solve?* 3. *What format do you prefer? [Options: Quick 30-min virtual lunch-and-learns, local in-person meetups, written resources/templates, on-demand replays]* Thank you for helping us make this organization worth your time. Best, [Your Name] [Organization Name] --- ### Option 3: Conversational / Community-focused *Best for smaller, tight-knit organizations or local chapters.* **Subject:** Are we giving you what you actually need? Hi [First Name], I’m reaching out because the leadership team at [Organization Name] is taking a hard look at our engagement numbers from this past year. While our CE sessions remain well-attended, our other events, networking meetups, and community initiatives haven't seen the energy we hoped for. We don't want to waste your time planning events you don't want or need. So, we’d love your unfiltered take: * **Are we offering the wrong things?** * **Are you simply overloaded at work?** * **Or is CE the only thing you truly need from us right now?** (If that's the truth, that's okay to say, too!) Feel free to hit "Reply" and send a quick sentence or two. We read every response and will use your input to plan the year ahead. Appreciate you, [Your Name] [Your Title]

Here are three options, ranging from candid and conversational to formal. The key strategy here is to **validate that CE credits are important**, while gently pointing out that membership is meant to be more than a transactional checkbox. --- ### Option 1: Direct, conversational, and best for honest replies *Use this if you want members to simply hit “Reply” and talk to you like a human.* **Subject:** A quick, honest question about your [Organization Name] membership Hi [First Name], I’m reaching out because I want to make sure you are getting real value out of your membership with [Organization Name]. We know that earning your CE credits is essential—and we’re glad to provide them. But we also built this community to offer networking, advocacy, and professional growth beyond just license renewals. Lately, we’ve noticed that while our CE sessions are full, attendance and engagement across our other programs have dropped significantly. I’d love your candid feedback: **What would make our non-CE events or resources worth your time?** * Are the formats not working (too long, wrong time of day)? * Are the topics missing the mark? * Or are you simply stretched too thin right now to take on anything extra? No need for a formal response—just hit **Reply** to this email with a sentence or two. Your honest thoughts will help us decide what to keep, what to cut, and what to build for the rest of the year. Thanks for your time, [Your Name] [Your Title] [Organization Name] --- ### Option 2: Short and focused on a 2-minute survey *Use this if your members are busy professionals who prefer clicking a link over writing out an email.* **Subject:** Help us shape the future of [Organization Name] (2-minute check-in) Hi [First Name], As we plan our programming for the coming months, we want to make sure we’re investing in the things that actually matter to you. We know that Continuing Education is a top priority for most of our members. However, we want to ensure your membership provides value year-round, not just when it’s time to renew your license. To help us serve you better, could you take two minutes to answer three quick questions? **[Link: Take the 2-Minute Member Survey]** We want the brutal truth—if an event or initiative isn't useful, tell us so we can pivot to things that actually support your day-to-day career. Thank you for helping us make [Organization Name] better for everyone. Best regards, [Your Name] [Your Title] [Organization Name] --- ### Option 3: Polite and association-standard *Use this if your organization has a more formal, corporate, or academic tone.* **Subject:** We want your feedback: Maximizing the value of your membership Dear [First Name], At [Organization Name], our mission is to support your professional journey. While providing high-quality Continuing Education (CE) is a core pillar of what we do, our goal is to offer a well-rounded suite of benefits that support your broader career development and network. Over the past year, we have noticed lower participation in our non-CE offerings, including [mention 1–2 things: e.g., roundtables, mentorship programs, networking mixers]. To ensure our future offerings align with your schedule and priorities, we would greatly appreciate your perspective: 1. What is the biggest barrier preventing you from participating in non-CE events (e.g., time constraints, relevance of topics, delivery format)? 2. What is one thing [Organization Name] could offer that you would make time to attend? Please feel free to reply directly to this email with your thoughts, or reach out to me at [Phone Number] if you would prefer a quick conversation. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to our community. Sincerely, [Your Name] [Your Title] [Organization Name] --- ### A tip for the follow-up: If you find out that people truly **only** want CE credits and nothing else, consider shifting your engagement strategy: turn your CE credits into interactive discussions or networking events (e.g., a 45-minute CE lecture followed immediately by a 15-minute open peer discussion). That way, you're building engagement *around* the thing they already care about.

Subject: Help us shape your membership experience: Quick feedback request Dear [Member Name], We want to hear about what you need from your membership this year, and where our programming can better support your work. Over the past year, we noticed that while attendance at continuing education (CE) sessions remains steady, participation across our other events, committees, and working groups has declined. We want to understand what is behind that shift so we can adjust our offerings to match your actual priorities and schedule. Could you take three minutes to complete our short member survey? [Link: Take the 3-minute member survey] We are looking for candid feedback on: - Which programs or resources offer the most value for your time - What scheduling, workload, or format barriers keep you from participating in non-CE events - What new topics, tools, or networking formats would be worth your attention this coming year If you prefer to share your thoughts directly, you can reply to this email or contact our membership team at [email/phone number]. Thank you for your time, your insight, and your continued membership. Sincerely, [Name/Title] [Organization Name]

Subject: Help shape our programs: a brief member survey Dear [Name], We are writing to ask for your input on how [Organization Name] can better support your work. Please take three minutes to complete our brief member survey: [Link to Survey]. We know that earning continuing education credits is a priority for many of our members, and we want to keep those offerings strong and relevant. At the same time, we have seen attendance drop at other events this year, and we want to understand what would make our broader programming worth your time. In the survey, we ask about: * Topics and skills you want to learn more about * Event formats and times that fit your schedule * What other resources or connections would be most valuable to you Please share your thoughts by [Date]: [Link to Survey]. Thank you for your time and for helping us improve what we offer. Sincerely, [Your Name / Title] [Organization Name] [Contact Information]

Subject: Help us plan our upcoming programming: A brief member survey Dear [Name], We are reviewing our member programming for the upcoming year, and we want to hear directly from you about what is working and what would make your membership more valuable. Many of our members primarily connect with us through continuing education courses to fulfill professional requirements. We want to ensure our CE offerings remain strong and relevant, while also understanding how we can better support you outside of the classroom. Please take five minutes to share your thoughts through our brief survey: [Link to Survey] In the survey, you can let us know: - Which continuing education topics and formats work best for your schedule. - What types of networking, resources, or events would be genuinely useful to you. - What gets in the way of attending other member gatherings (such as timing, workload, or format). If you prefer to share your thoughts directly, you can reply to this email or contact our member services team at [Email/Phone]. Thank you for your time and for being a part of our community. Sincerely, [Name/Title] [Organization Name]

Subject: Quick question: How can we make membership more valuable to you this year? Dear [Name], We are checking in to ask for your feedback on how our programs and resources can better support your work this year. We know schedules are demanding and that continuing education (CE) credits are often the most practical reason people attend our sessions. At the same time, we want to make sure the rest of what we offer—from networking and discussion groups to committee work—is actually worth your time. If you have three minutes, please let us know your thoughts by replying directly to this email or completing our short survey [Link]: 1. What topics or skills would be most useful to your day-to-day practice right now? 2. What format works best for your schedule (for example: self-paced webinars, lunchtime discussions, or resource guides)? 3. What is one thing we could change or add to make your membership more helpful? Your input directly guides what we plan for the coming months. Thank you for your time and for being part of our community. Sincerely, [Your Name / Organization] [Contact Information]

Here are two options you can use, depending on how direct you want to be. Both acknowledge the reality of the CE credits without scolding the members, which will make them much more likely to actually reply. ### Option 1: Warm and constructive (Recommended) *This option frames the lack of engagement around how busy your members are, making it safe for them to give honest feedback.* **Subject:** Quick question about your [Organization Name] membership / How can we make this worth your time? Hi [First Name], As we plan for the upcoming months at [Organization Name], we are taking a hard look at the value we provide to you. Looking at our events this year, we’ve noticed a clear trend: attendance is great when Continuing Education (CE) credits are on the line, and pretty quiet when they aren’t. We totally get it. You are busy, and knocking out your required credits is a top priority. We’re glad we can help you do that! However, we want [Organization Name] to be more than just a place you visit to check a box—we want it to be a community you actually look forward to engaging with. Because we want to respect your time, we’d love your honest feedback. **What is the main reason you haven't been able to engage as much this year?** If you have two minutes, please take this anonymous 3-question survey: **[Link to Survey]** *(Or, if it’s easier, just hit "reply" to this email and let me know your thoughts).* Specifically, we’d love to know: * Are the non-CE topics just not relevant to your current work? * Do the times/formats of our networking events not fit your schedule? * What is *one* thing we could offer that would make you want to show up, even without CE credits attached? You won’t hurt our feelings—we just want to build programming that you actually want and need. Thank you for your time and for being a part of [Organization Name]. Best regards, [Your Name] [Your Title] [Organization Name] *** ### Option 2: Short, punchy, and direct *This option is great if your organization has a more casual culture. Sometimes calling out the "elephant in the room" directly gets the best response rate.* **Subject:** Be honest with us: Is it just about the CE credits? 😉 Hi [First Name], I’ll keep this short. We’ve noticed that member engagement is down a bit this year—except, of course, when CE credits are involved! We know how busy you are, and we are thrilled to be your go-to source for credits. But we also want to make sure the rest of your membership is actually useful to you, and right now, it feels like we might be missing the mark. I’d love to get your honest take so we can course-correct for the rest of the year. **Just hit "reply" and let me know which of these sounds most like you right now:** **A)** I literally only have time for CE credits right now. Work/life is just too busy for anything else. **B)** I’d come to more events, but the recent topics/speakers haven’t interested me. **C)** The event times/locations don't work for my schedule. **D)** Something else (tell us!). Don’t worry about hurting our feelings! Your blunt feedback is the only way we can make [Organization Name] better and more relevant to your career. Thanks in advance for your honesty, [Your Name] [Your Title] [Organization Name] ### Tips for sending this out: * **Use the "A, B, C, D" trick (from Option 2):** People hate typing out long responses. Giving them multiple-choice options in the body of the email drastically increases the number of replies you will get. * **Rethink your strategy:** If everyone replies saying they *only* have time for CE credits, you might not have an engagement problem—you might have a formatting problem. Consider baking 15–20 minutes of structured networking or roundtable discussions *into* the CE credit events, rather than hosting separate social/networking events that no one attends.

Here are a few options, ranging from a polite, diplomatic approach to a slightly more direct one. Since you want honest feedback, the key is to validate their need for Continuing Education (CE) credits while gently nudging them to tell you what *else* would make their membership valuable. ### Option 1: Diplomatic and Constructive (Recommended) *This option acknowledges the elephant in the room (CE credits) positively, making members feel less defensive and more likely to give you an honest answer.* **Subject:** Quick question about your [Organization Name] membership **Alternative Subject:** More than just CE credits? We want your honest feedback. Hi [First Name], As we plan for the upcoming months at [Organization Name], we are taking a hard look at how we can bring more value to your membership. We know how busy you are, and we’re glad that our Continuing Education (CE) programs remain a popular and useful resource for getting your credits. However, we’ve noticed that overall engagement in our other events, networking opportunities, and discussions has dipped this year. We want to make sure [Organization Name] is more than just a place to check off CE requirements—we want it to be a community that actively supports your career. Could you take 2 minutes to click the link below and let us know what’s missing? **[Link to 3-question anonymous survey]** Alternatively, feel free to just hit "reply" to this email and let me know: **What is one thing we could offer this year that would make you excited to participate beyond CE events?** We can handle the truth! Whether our timing is bad, the topics aren’t hitting the mark, or you’re simply zoomed-out, your feedback will directly shape what we do next. Thank you for your time and for being a part of [Organization Name]. Best regards, [Your Name] [Your Title] *** ### Option 2: Short, Direct, and Casual ("The 1-Click Survey") *If your members aren't engaging, they probably aren't reading long emails either. This gets straight to the point.* **Subject:** Be honest with us, [First Name]... Hi [First Name], We’ve noticed that engagement across [Organization Name] is down this year. While we love seeing so many of you logging in to get your CE credits (which is great!), we miss seeing you at our other events and community discussions. We want to make sure we are respecting your time and offering things you actually care about. If you haven’t been as active lately, what’s the main reason? *(Just reply with the number that fits best)* 1. **Too busy:** I only have bandwidth for mandatory CE credits right now. 2. **Wrong topics:** The non-CE events/resources haven't been relevant to me. 3. **Format/Timing:** The schedule or platform doesn't work for my routine. 4. **Networking:** I don't feel connected to the other members. 5. **Other:** (Feel free to let us know!) We want to build a better experience for you this year, and your honesty helps us do that. Best, [Your Name] [Your Title] *** ### Option 3: Focus on Community/Networking *Use this if your organization's main goal is to get people talking to each other, rather than just passively listening to speakers.* **Subject:** How can we make [Organization Name] work better for you? Dear [First Name], Thank you for being a member of [Organization Name]. Lately, our board has been looking at our participation numbers for the year. The good news is that our CE credit sessions are still going strong. The bad news is that participation in almost everything else has slowed down. We know CE credits are essential, and we will always provide them. But the real magic of [Organization Name] happens when our members connect, share challenges, and help each other grow. Right now, we aren’t facilitating that as well as we should be. We’d love to know how we can earn back your time and attention. Please take our brief, anonymous survey **[Link]** to tell us what you need from this community right now. What kind of networking, resources, or events would actually make you want to clear your calendar? Thank you for helping us improve. Warmly, [Your Name] [Your Title] ### Tips for success: * **Make it anonymous:** If you use a survey link, make sure it’s anonymous. People are much more likely to say "Your networking events are boring" or "I literally only care about the CE credits" if their name isn't attached. * **Accept the reality:** You may find out that 80% of your members truly *only* want the CE credits due to burnout or busy schedules. If that's the case, you can stop wasting energy on other events and instead focus on building networking *into* the CE events (e.g., 15 minutes of breakout rooms during a CE webinar to discuss the topic).

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 people attending events outside of our continuing education (CE) sessions, and we want to find out what would make our other offerings worth your time. We know your schedule is packed and that earning CE credits is a top priority. We are glad those sessions are useful to you. At the same time, we want to make sure the rest of your membership gives you what you actually need—whether that is different event topics, better scheduling, or new ways to connect with peers. Could you reply to this email and let us know: 1. What is the main reason you have skipped non-CE events this year? (Timing, topics, format, or just too busy?) 2. What is one topic or resource that would be genuinely helpful to your work right now? You can also share your thoughts anonymously in this two-question survey: [Link] Thank you for being part of this community and for helping us plan the rest of the year. Best regards, [Your Name] [Title] [Organization] [Contact Information]

Subject: Quick question: How can we make your membership more useful this year? Hi [Name], I am writing to ask for your quick feedback on our programming this year. We have noticed fewer members joining our events outside of our continuing education (CE) sessions, and we want to understand what is getting in the way. We know our CE credits are an essential part of your membership. We also want to make sure our other events, committees, and resources are worth your time. If you have two minutes, please reply to this email or click below to take a three-question survey: [Link to Survey] You can also just hit reply and let us know: 1. What is the main reason you haven't attended non-CE events this year? (Timing, topics, workload, or something else?) 2. Besides CE credits, what is one topic or resource that would help you in your work right now? 3. What is the best time of day or format for you to attend events? Thank you for being part of our association and for helping us plan the rest of the year. Best regards, [Your Name] [Your Title] [Organization Name] [Contact Information]

Subject: Quick question: How can we make your membership work better for you? We are looking at how members used our programs this year and want to hear directly from you. Continuing education credits are one of the most used parts of membership, and we have noticed fewer people joining our other events and discussions. We know your schedule is full, and we want to make sure the time you spend with us is worth it. If you have two minutes, please reply to this email or take our three-question survey [link] to let us know: 1. What was the most useful part of your membership this year? 2. What stopped you from joining other events or discussions? (For example: timing, topics, format, or workload.) 3. What is one topic or resource that would help you in your work right now? Your feedback will shape what we offer next year—whether that means more focused CE sessions, different event times, or new resources you can use on your own schedule. Thank you for being part of this community and for sharing what works for you. Best, [Name/Organization] [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 make sure our offerings are worth your time. If you mainly attend for the CE credits, that is completely fine—we are glad those sessions are useful to you. We also want to learn what else would support your work, or what might be getting in the way of joining other events. If you have two minutes, please reply to this email or click a link below to let us know what is on your mind: - **Schedules are too full right now:** [Link to 1-click response] - **Topics haven't matched my current work:** [Link to 1-click response] - **I mainly need CE credits right now:** [Link to 1-click response] - **Something else (tell us in a quick 2-question survey):** [Link to survey] Your answers will help us plan the rest of the year around what you actually need, rather than adding more meetings to your calendar. Thank you for being part of this community and for sharing your perspective. Best regards, [Your Name] [Your Title] [Organization Name] [Contact Email / Phone Number]

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]

Here's a draft you can adapt: **Subject: Your Feedback Wanted: How Can We Make Membership More Valuable?** Dear Members, I'm reaching out because we've noticed a decline in engagement across our programs and events this year, and before we make any changes, we want to hear from you. Whether it's been lower attendance at meetings, less participation in discussions, or fewer folks responding to our communications, we'd like to understand what's behind it—and, honestly, we know many of you primarily attend for the CE credits. That's a fair use of your membership, but we believe we can offer more, and we'd like to know what would make participation worth your time beyond those credits. A few questions to guide your response: 1. What originally drew you to the organization, and has that changed? 2. What barriers are getting in the way of your participation (time, relevance, format, cost)? 3. What topics, formats, or offerings would genuinely interest you? 4. Are the CE credit sessions meeting your needs, or could those be improved too? Even a two-line reply is helpful. If you'd rather talk one-on-one, I'm happy to set up a quick call. Your candid feedback—positive or negative—will directly shape what we do next year. We'd rather build something you'll actually use than keep offering what you're quietly ignoring. Thank you in advance, [Your Name] [Title] [Contact Information] --- A quick note on tone: I kept it candid about the CE credits since you mentioned that openly, but framed it non-judgmentally—if members feel criticized, you'll get fewer honest replies. Want me to make it more formal, shorter, or send it as a survey request instead?

Subject: Let's Talk — Why Has Engagement Dropped This Year? Hi everyone, I'll be honest with you: I've noticed a real decline in engagement this year, and I'd like to understand why before we start planning for next year. Let me be candid — I know that for many members, the CE credits are the main draw, and honestly, that's fine. You need those credits, and providing them is part of what we do. But I believe this organization can offer more than a checklist item, and I'd like to figure out what that looks like. So I'm asking you directly: 1. What would make you want to participate beyond just earning credits? 2. Is there something we're currently doing that isn't working for you? 3. Is there something we've stopped doing (or never started) that you'd like to see? Whether it's better programming, more convenient scheduling, different formats, or topics that actually matter to your day-to-day work — I want to hear it. Negative feedback is especially welcome. "The meetings are boring and I only come for the credits" is useful information. Silence isn't. If you'd rather share anonymously, I'll set up a quick survey — just reply and let me know that's your preference, and I'll get one out this week. Thanks in advance for being straight with me. The more honest you are, the better we can make this for everyone. Best regards, [Your Name] [Title] [Organization] --- Want me to adjust the tone? I can make it more formal, shorter, or lean even harder into the honesty if you'd like.

**Subject: Tell us what would bring you back** Hi [First name], Fewer members are taking part this year, and before we plan next year, we want to know why — from you, not from our guesses. Three questions: - If you come mainly for the CE credits, that's a fair reason, and we're glad to provide them. What else would be worth your time? - If you used to attend more and have stopped, what changed? Timing, topics, format, cost — the real answer helps. - Is there something you need that we don't offer at all? Reply to this email or take our two-minute survey: [link]. Either works. What you tell us shapes next year's calendar. Thanks for being straight with us. [Name] [Title] --- One choice to flag: I kept your CE-credit observation in, but framed it as a fair reason rather than a complaint — you'll get more honest replies if members don't feel accused of phoning it in.

Subject: Attendance is down this year. Tell us why. Hi [First name], We've seen fewer members at [Organization] events this year, and we'd rather ask you directly than guess. Will you take two minutes to tell us what's going on? You can take the survey here: [link]. It closes [date]. Or just reply to this email — a sentence or two is plenty. Here's what we're wondering: - Do our event times, locations, and formats fit your schedule? - Is there something you need from your membership that we're not providing? - If you come mainly for the CE credits, we're glad you do — and we'd like to know what else would be worth an hour of your time. Be blunt. Honest answers help us more than polite ones. Thanks, [Name] [Title] [Phone / email]

Subject: Attendance is down this year — help us understand why Hi [First name], We're writing because attendance and participation are down this year. Rather than guess at the reasons, we're asking you directly. Will you take two minutes to answer three questions? You can [take the survey] — it's anonymous — or just reply to this email with a sentence or two. Either works. 1. What keeps you from attending more events? 2. What would make participation worth your time? 3. If you come mostly for the CE credits, tell us. That's genuinely useful to know, and there's no wrong answer. We know your time is limited. If the credits are the main draw, that tells us what to keep offering. If something else is in the way — timing, cost, topics, format — we want to hear that too. The survey closes [date]. We'll share what we heard in the [month] newsletter, along with what we plan to change. Thanks for being a member. [Name] [Title] [Organization]

**Subject: Participation is down this year. We'd like to know why.** Hi [First name], Participation is down this year, and we'd rather hear the reason from you than guess at it. Answer in whatever way is easiest: - Take the three-minute survey: [link] — anonymous if you prefer - Reply to this email — a sentence or two is plenty - Call me at [phone] if you'd rather talk it through We want honest answers, including these: - "I come for the CE credits." That's a fair reason, and we're glad you do. It also tells us the rest of what we offer isn't earning your time yet. - "The timing, cost, or topics don't work for me." Tell us what would. - "I stopped coming because ___." Fill in the blank. If you can respond by [date], we'll use what we hear to plan [next season's calendar]. Thank you for being a member. Honest answers are the useful ones. [Name] [Title] [Organization] *Note: I named the CE-credit pattern openly, framed as a fair reason to attend rather than a shortcoming — members give more honest answers when the question doesn't assume they should care more than they do.*

**Subject: How can we make membership more valuable to you?** Hi everyone, 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 you want to participate more. 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? - What should we do more of, less of, or differently? A brief, candid reply is welcome. This isn’t a request to do more—it’s an opportunity to help us focus on what matters most to you. Thank you for your membership and feedback. Best, [Name] [Title / Organization]

**Subject: What would make membership more valuable to you?** Hi everyone, 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 whether our other offerings meet your needs, or whether it’s time to rethink them. 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 meeting times working for you? - Beyond CE credits, what would make membership more worthwhile? - What should we do more of, less of, or differently? Whether you participate regularly or mainly attend for CE, your perspective matters. A brief, candid reply is welcome—we’re looking to listen, not to ask you to justify your level of involvement. Thank you for helping us build a more useful and relevant organization. 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. 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 participating, and we’d like to know that too. Please reply with your thoughts on any of these questions: - What do you value most about your membership? - What has kept you from participating this year—timing, cost, topics, format, or something else? - Beyond CE credits, is there anything you’d like us to offer? A brief reply is welcome. Your feedback will help us plan activities that better fit members’ needs and interests. Thank you for 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. 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 taking part, and we’d like to know that, too. Your feedback will help us plan around what members value. - What do you most want from your membership? - What makes it hard to participate—for example, timing, cost, topics, or format? - Are you mainly looking for CE credits, or are there other opportunities you’d use? A brief reply is welcome. Please send your thoughts by [date]. Thank you for helping us understand what would make membership more useful to you. [Name] [Title / Organization]

**Subject:** What would make membership more useful to you? Hi [First name], Member participation is lower 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 participating—and that’s useful for us to know. We also want to hear whether our other offerings match your needs. If you’re open to sharing, reply to any of these questions: - What do you value most about your membership? - Have timing, cost, format, or other barriers affected your participation? - What topics, activities, or opportunities would you like us to offer? A brief reply is welcome. We’ll use your feedback to help plan next year’s programs and share what we learn with members. Thank you for helping us understand what matters to you. [Name] [Title / Organization]

**Subject:** What would make membership more useful to you? Hi [First name], Member participation is lower this year, and we’d like to understand why. What is working for you, and what could we do differently? Continuing education credits may be your main reason for participating, and we’d like to know whether those offerings meet your needs. We’d also welcome your thoughts on other parts of membership. Reply to this email with feedback on any of these questions: - What do you value most about your membership? - What makes it harder to participate—for example, timing, cost, format, or topic choices? - What would you like us to offer or change? A brief reply is welcome. We’ll use your feedback to guide our planning and share what we learn with members. Thank you for helping shape [Organization name]. [Name] [Title]

**Subject: Help us make membership more valuable** Hi everyone, We’ve noticed that participation in some of our activities has dipped this year, and we’d like to understand why. Your time is valuable, so we want to make sure our events and other member benefits are relevant and worth taking part in. Continuing education is an important benefit, but we’d also love to hear what would make membership more useful to you beyond earning CE credits. Are there topics, formats, or opportunities you’d like to see more of? Is anything making it harder to participate? Please reply with any thoughts, or share your feedback here: [survey link]. Honest feedback—including what isn’t working—is welcome. Thanks for being a member and helping us improve. Best, [Name] [Organization]

**Subject: Help us make our member programs more valuable** Hi everyone, We’ve noticed that participation in our programs has dipped this year, and we’d like to understand why. Your feedback will help us shape events and activities that better meet your needs. Continuing education credits are an important benefit, but we’d also like our programs to offer value beyond the credits. What would make you more interested in taking part? Are there topics, formats, schedules, or other barriers we should consider? Please reply with any thoughts—honest feedback is welcome. Thanks for helping us make the most of your membership. Best, [Name]

**Subject: Help us understand member engagement this year** Hi members, We’ve seen engagement decline this year and would like to understand why. Continuing education (CE) credits are an important reason many members attend, and we’d also like to learn what else would make our events and activities worthwhile for you. Could you take a few minutes to share what’s working, what isn’t, and what would encourage you to take part more often? Your feedback will help us plan future programs. Thank you, [Name]

**Subject: Help us understand member engagement** Hi everyone, We’ve noticed that member engagement is down this year, and we’d like to understand why. We know CE credits are the main reason many members attend. What else would make you want to take part in events or activities? Are there barriers or changes you’d like us to know about? Please reply to this email with your thoughts. Your feedback will help us plan activities that are useful and relevant to members. Thank you, [Name]

**Subject: Help us understand what members need** Hello, We’ve seen lower participation in member activities beyond continuing education sessions this year. We’d like to understand what’s behind the change and how we can make those activities more useful to you. Could you reply and let us know what’s working, what isn’t, or what would make it easier for you to take part? For example, are timing, format, topics, or other commitments affecting your participation? We value your perspective, whether you usually join us for CE credits or other activities. Your feedback will help us plan future offerings. Thank you, [Name] [Organization]

**Subject: What would make it easier to get involved?** Hi [Name], We’ve noticed that member engagement beyond continuing education (CE) events is down this year. We’d like to understand what’s behind that and how we can make membership more useful to you. CE credits are an important part of what we offer. We’d also love to hear what else you’d like from your membership, or what may be making it harder to take part. For example: - What kinds of events or activities would interest you? - Are there barriers that make it difficult to participate? - What should we keep, change, or add? You can reply to this email with your thoughts. A few sentences are helpful, and you’re welcome to share only what you’re comfortable sharing. Thanks for being a member and helping us shape what comes next. Best, [Name] [Organization]

**Subject: What would make membership more valuable to you?** Dear Members, We’ve noticed lower participation in our programs and activities this year, and we’d like to better understand why—and what we can do differently. We know continuing education credits are an important membership benefit. We’d also like to know what, beyond CE, would make participating more worthwhile for you. Would you take a moment to reply with your thoughts? - What has made it harder to participate this year? - Which programs or benefits do you find most valuable? - What topics, formats, or opportunities would encourage you to get more involved? Whether you participate regularly or haven’t joined us in a while, your honest feedback will help us focus on what matters most to members. Thank you for your time and perspective. Best, [Name] [Title / Organization]

**Subject: What would make your membership more valuable?** Hi everyone, We’ve noticed lower participation in our programs and activities this year, and we’d like to understand why—and what we can do better. Continuing education credits are an important membership benefit, but we also want to offer opportunities that are worth your time beyond CE requirements. Your honest feedback will help us focus on what matters most to 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 make membership more valuable to you? - What should we start, stop, or do differently? Whether you participate regularly or haven’t joined us recently, we’d appreciate hearing from you. Candid feedback is welcome. Thank you for helping us build a more useful and engaging member experience. 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 like to learn whether other offerings meet your needs, too. Please reply with your thoughts on any of these questions: - What brings you to our events or programs? - What gets in the way of participating? - What topics, formats, or opportunities would you value most? Whether you join us mainly for CE credits or take part in other ways, your feedback matters. A brief reply is welcome. Thank you for helping us focus on what members need. [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 your feedback on why—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 whether our other offerings match your interests, needs, and schedule. Please reply with your thoughts: - What has made it harder or less appealing to participate this year? - Beyond CE credits, what would you like to get from your membership? - What should we keep, change, or stop offering? A brief reply is welcome. Your feedback will help us plan around what members value most. Thank you for 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 is 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, needs, and schedule. If you’re willing, reply to this email with your thoughts on any of these questions: - Which membership benefits do you use most? - What makes it harder to participate—for example, timing, cost, format, or topics? - What would you like us to offer or change? A brief reply is welcome. Whether you attend often, join for CE opportunities, or haven’t participated this year, your feedback matters. Thank you for helping us understand what members need. [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 fit your schedule. If you’re willing, reply with your thoughts on any of these questions: - Which membership benefits do you use most? - What makes it harder to join events or activities? - What topics, formats, or opportunities would you like us to offer? Whether you participate often or mainly join us for CE credits, your feedback matters. A brief reply is welcome. Thank you for helping us understand what you need from your membership. Best, [Name] [Organization]

**Subject: We’d value your feedback on member engagement** Hi everyone, We’ve noticed that engagement has been lower this year, and we’d like to understand what’s behind the change. Your feedback will help us make our programs and activities more useful to you. What could we do differently? Are there topics, formats, or times that would make it easier or more worthwhile to participate? We’d also love to hear how important continuing education credits are to you and what else you’d like to get from your membership. Please reply to this email with any thoughts or suggestions. Honest feedback is welcome and appreciated. Thank you for helping us improve. Best, [Your Name]

**Subject: We’d like your feedback on member engagement** Hi everyone, We’ve noticed that engagement has been lower this year, and we’d like to understand how we can better meet your needs. We know continuing education credits are an important reason many members participate. We’d also love to hear what else you value, what might be making it harder to get involved, and what we could do differently. Please feel free to reply with any feedback or suggestions. We appreciate your honesty and want to make membership as useful and rewarding as possible. Thank you, [Your name]

**Subject: We’d like your feedback on member engagement** Hi members, We’ve noticed that engagement is down this year, and we’d like to understand why. Your feedback will help us plan activities that are useful to you. If you have a few minutes, please reply to this email and let us know: - What has made it harder to participate this year? - How important are continuing education (CE) credits in your decision to attend? - What other topics, events, or benefits would make membership more valuable to you? Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Best, [Name] [Organization]

**Subject: We’d like your input on member engagement** Hi members, Member engagement is down this year, and we’d like to understand why. What has made it harder or less worthwhile to take part? We know continuing education (CE) credits are important to many members. We’d also like to hear what other programs, resources, or opportunities would be useful to you. Please reply to this email with your thoughts. Your feedback will help us plan for the year ahead. Thank you, [Your name]

**Subject: We’d like your input on member engagement** Hi members, We’ve seen a decrease in engagement this year and would like to understand why. Your feedback can help us make membership more useful to you. We know continuing education (CE) credits are an important reason many members participate. We’d also like to hear what else you value and what might make it easier or more worthwhile to get involved. You can reply to this email with any thoughts, including: - What keeps you connected to the organization? - Have you faced any barriers to participating? - What programs, events, or other opportunities would you find useful? Thank you for sharing your perspective. [Name] [Organization]

**Subject: Help us understand your experience this year** Hi members, Engagement has been lower this year, and we’d like to understand why. Your feedback will help us plan activities that meet your needs. If you have a few minutes, please reply to this email and tell us: - What makes it easier or harder for you to take part? - What do you value most, including continuing education (CE) credits? - What topics, formats, or schedules would work better for you? You’re welcome to answer any or all of these questions. Thank you for sharing your perspective. Best, [Name]

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. We know continuing education credits are an important reason many of you attend, and we want those offerings to stay valuable. At the same time, we’d like the group to be more than a place people stop by only for credits. Your perspective will help us see what’s working, what isn’t, and what would make it worth being more involved. If you have a few minutes, please reply with your thoughts on: - What’s kept you from participating more this year - Whether the topics, format, or timing aren’t a good fit - What would make meetings and activities more useful beyond CE credit - Anything else we should know Honest feedback is welcome, including critical feedback. You can reply to this email or reach out to me directly. We’ll use what we hear to shape how we run things going forward. Thank you, [Your name] [Your role] [Organization]

Subject: We’d like your input on engagement this year Hi everyone, We’ve noticed that participation in meetings, discussions, and events has been lower this year than in the past, and we’d like to understand why. If you’ve been less involved, we’d appreciate hearing what’s getting in the way—or what would make it worth showing up beyond collecting CE credits. Scheduling, format, topics, workload, or something else: all of it is useful. A short reply, or a few minutes on this anonymous form [link], would help us plan the rest of the year. Thanks for being honest with us. Best, [Your name] [Your role]

Subject: Why participation is down this year — we want your view Hello, Member participation is lower this year, and we want to know why. Continuing education credits are a real reason many of you take part. If that is the main reason you join us, please say so. If something else is getting in the way — timing, format, topics, cost, or how we run meetings — we want to hear that too. Reply to this email with a few sentences on: - What brought you in this year - What kept you from taking part more often - What we should change Your answers will shape what we offer next. Thank you, [Name] [Title] Note: The email asks about CE credits as one reason people participate, rather than saying members only show up for them.

Subject: We’d like your take on this year’s programs I’m writing to ask why you’ve been less involved with us this year, and what would make it worth showing up for more than continuing education credits. Many members still come for CE. We want to know whether the rest of our programs, meetings, and events are useful, or whether timing, format, cost, or topics are getting in the way. Reply to this email, or use this short form: [link]. It takes about five minutes. You can answer without your name. A few questions we’re asking: - What brought you to us this year? - What did you skip, and why? - What would you actually use: topics, times, online or in person, or something else? - Is CE the main reason you stay a member? If so, what else would matter? We’ll read every response and use it to plan next year’s calendar. If you’d rather talk, email [name] at [email] or call [phone]. Thank you for telling us what isn’t working.

Subject: We want to know why participation is down this year Hello, I’m writing because member participation in our programs is lower this year, and we want to understand why. Continuing education credit is one reason people come. We also want to know what else would make a program worth your time, and what has gotten in the way. Please reply to this email with whatever you can share. Short answers are fine. 1. What has kept you from taking part this year? 2. What would make a program useful for you, besides CE credit? 3. What should we stop, start, or change? You can also reply and ask for a short call. We’ll use what you tell us to plan what comes next. Thank you, [Name] [Role] [Organization]

Subject: Your input on programs this year Hello, Fewer members have joined programs and events this year. We want to know why, and what would make it worth your time to take part. Please tell us what is working, what is not, and what you need from us. That includes topics, timing, format, cost, and continuing education credits. Credits will stay clear and easy to earn. We also want to hear what else would be useful. Reply to this email, or take the short survey here: [survey link]. It takes about five minutes. Please respond by [date]. We will share what we hear and what we change. [Name] [Role] [Phone] [Email] Note: The email does not say members only attend for CE credits. It asks what they need and treats credits as one reason people take part.

**Subject:** A quick favor: tell us how we're doing Dear [First Name], At [Organization], we've noticed participation in our events and programs has dipped this year — and rather than guess at the reasons, we'd like to hear directly from you. Could you take three minutes to answer a few questions? Your honest answers will shape how we plan programming and invest your membership dollars in the year ahead. 1. What originally brought you to [Organization]? Is that still what keeps you here? 2. Which of our offerings do you find most valuable — and which could you do without? 3. What's the biggest thing keeping you from participating more? (Time, cost, scheduling, relevance, something else?) 4. If you could change one thing about your membership experience, what would it be? **[Take the 3-minute survey]** — or simply hit reply to this email. We read every response, and we'll report back on what we heard and what we're changing as a result. Thank you for being a member. Whether you join us at every event or only occasionally, your perspective helps us build something worth your time. Best regards, [Name] [Title], [Organization] --- A couple of notes on the approach: I framed this as "help us improve" rather than "why aren't you showing up," since the latter tends to get defensive or empty answers. Questions 2 and 3 are designed to surface the CE-credit reality without putting anyone on the spot — if credits are the main draw, those answers will confirm it. And honestly, that's useful data, not bad news: if CE is your anchor, you can lean into it and build other engagement opportunities around the events people already attend.

**Subject:** A quick, honest question about this year Hi [First Name], I'll keep this short. We've noticed attendance and participation have dipped this year, and rather than guess at the reasons, we'd like to hear them directly from you. If you have two minutes, we'd genuinely appreciate your answers to any of these: - **What's kept you from attending or participating?** Scheduling, format, topics, cost, workload — anything is fair game. - **What would make our programming more useful or interesting to you?** - **If CE credits are the main reason you attend, that's useful for us to know too.** What would make membership valuable to you beyond the credits? You can simply reply to this email, or share your thoughts anonymously here: [survey link] We read every response, and what you tell us will directly shape next year's calendar. We know your time is limited, and we're grateful for any feedback you're willing to share. Thanks for being a member — and for your honesty. [Name] [Title] [Organization] --- I framed the CE credit point as an open question rather than an assumption — calling it out directly would likely put members on the defensive and skew responses. Happy to make it more pointed, shorter, or adjust the tone if you'd like.

**Subject:** Two minutes of your time: how can we serve you better? Hi [First name], I'm writing to ask for your honest feedback. Participation in [Association] programs is down this year, and before we plan next year's calendar, we want to understand why. Three quick questions — your answers will shape what we offer: 1. What's kept you from attending or taking part this year? Time, cost, location, topics, something else? 2. We know CE credits matter, and we'll keep offering them. What else would make our programs worth your time? 3. Is there something you wish we offered that we don't? You can reply directly to this email, or answer in our two-minute survey: [link]. Please respond by [date]. Thank you. We read every reply. [Name] [Title] [Phone / email] --- Happy to turn this into a short survey with multiple-choice options if that would get more responses.

**Subject:** Three quick questions — help us plan next year Hi [First name], We're planning next year's programs, and we want to hear from you first. Participation has been lower this year, and before we change anything, we'd like to understand what's working and what isn't. Three questions — reply to this email or use the survey link below. It takes about two minutes. 1. What brings you to our events? (CE credits, the topics, the people, something else?) 2. What gets in the way of attending more often? (Timing, cost, location, format?) 3. What's one thing we could do to make your membership more useful? [Survey link] Every response goes directly into our planning. Even a one-line answer helps. Thanks for being a member, [Name] [Title] [Email] | [Phone] --- One note: I listed CE credits as one option among several rather than naming it as the suspected reason — members tend to answer more honestly when the question is neutral, and you'll get better data. Happy to make it more direct if you'd prefer.

**Subject:** Tell us what would make your membership more useful Hi [First name], I'm writing to ask for your honest input. Participation in [Association] events and programs is down this year, and before we plan next year's calendar, we want to understand what's working and what isn't. You can answer right in a reply to this email — any or all of these: 1. What brings you to [Association]? (CE credits, networking, advocacy, something else?) 2. What's gotten in the way of participating more? (Timing, cost, format, location, relevance?) 3. What's one change that would make our events worth your time? Two minutes is enough, and short answers are fine. If you'd rather talk it through, reply and we'll set up a quick call. Everything you share will shape what we plan. We'll send a summary of what we heard — and what we're changing in response — by [date]. Thank you for being a member. Your time is valuable, and we want to use it well. [Name] [Title] [Email] | [Phone] --- One note: question 1 lists CE credits as a plain answer option on purpose. When members can say that without it feeling like the "wrong" answer, you get honest data about what's actually driving attendance — which is what you need to plan around.

**Subject:** Help us plan next year — 3 quick questions Hi [First name], We're planning next year's programs, and we'd like your honest input. Fewer members have taken part in events and activities this year, and before we plan around guesses, we'd rather ask you directly. Three questions, about five minutes: 1. Which programs or events did you take part in this year? Which did you skip? 2. What got in the way of participating — timing, cost, topics, format, or something else? 3. What would make your membership more useful to you next year? [Take the short survey] by [date]. Or just reply to this email — we read every response. We know CE credits are a big reason many members join, and they'll stay part of what we offer. We'd also like to know what else would make your membership worth your time. Thanks for helping us get this right. [Name] [Title] [Organization] | [Phone] | [Email] --- *One note: the email asks open questions rather than assuming members only show up for CE credits — that framing tends to get more candid, useful answers, and the survey results will tell you whether that assumption holds.*

**Subject: Help Us Improve Member Engagement** Dear [Member Name], We’ve noticed a decline in member participation this year, and we’d like to understand why. Your candid feedback will help us make our programs and events more relevant, accessible, and worthwhile. We recognize that continuing education credits are an important benefit and a major reason many members attend our programs. At the same time, we want to ensure we’re offering value beyond CE credit and creating opportunities that encourage broader participation. We’d appreciate hearing your thoughts on a few questions: - What has influenced your level of participation this year? - Have scheduling, cost, workload, program topics, or event formats been barriers? - What would make you more likely to attend events, volunteer, or participate in other member activities? - What changes would make membership more valuable to you? Please reply directly to this email or share your feedback through our brief, anonymous survey: [Survey Link]. We ask that you respond by [Date]. Honest feedback—including whether you currently participate primarily for CE credit—is welcome. Our goal is to understand what members actually need, not to make assumptions. Thank you for helping us strengthen the [Organization Name] community. Sincerely, [Your Name] [Your Title] [Organization Name] [Contact Information]

**Subject: We’d value your honest feedback on this year’s engagement** Dear [First Name], We’ve noticed a decline in member engagement this year, and rather than make assumptions about why, we’d like to hear directly from you. We know CE credits are an important benefit and, for some members, the primary reason for attending our programs. That’s useful for us to understand—but we also want to know whether our offerings are meeting your broader professional needs and what would make participation more valuable to you. If you have a few minutes, please consider these questions: - What has kept you from attending or participating more this year? - How useful have our programs been beyond the CE credits they provide? - What topics, formats, schedules, or member opportunities would make you more likely to engage? - Is there anything we’re currently doing that isn’t working well? You can share your thoughts through [survey link] or simply reply to this email. Candid feedback is genuinely welcome, including if CE credits are the main reason you participate. Your input will help us set priorities and improve our offerings for the coming year. Thank you for your time and honesty. Best regards, [Your Name] [Title] [Organization]

**Subject: Help us improve this year’s member programs** Hi [First Name], Fewer members have taken part in [Organization] programs this year, and we’d like to understand why. Your honest feedback will help us plan programs that better fit your needs, interests, and schedule. We know CE credits are an important reason many members attend. We’d also like to know how well the programs themselves are serving you: - What has kept you from participating more this year? - How well do the current topics, formats, and schedules work for you? - What would make our programs more valuable, beyond CE credits? Please reply to this email or share your feedback through our short survey: [Survey link]. If possible, please respond by [Date]. Thank you for helping us shape future programs. We look forward to hearing what would make participation more worthwhile for you. Best, [Name] [Title] [Organization] [Contact information]

**Subject: Help us understand this year’s drop in participation** Hi [First Name], Participation in [Organization] events and member activities is down this year. We want to understand what has changed for you and where we may be missing the mark. We know CE credit is an important reason many members attend. If it is your main reason, please say so. We also want to know what would make our programs and membership benefits more useful to you. A few questions: - What has affected how often you take part this year? - Have cost, scheduling, topics, event formats, or other demands on your time played a role? - Which programs or benefits do you value most? - What one change would make participation more worthwhile? You can reply directly to this email or share your feedback through our short survey: [Survey Link]. Brief, candid answers are welcome. Thank you for telling us what you need. Best, [Name] [Title] [Organization] [Contact Information]

**Subject: What would make participation more worthwhile?** Hello [First Name], Participation in [Organization]’s events and programs has been lower this year. Rather than guess why, we’d like to hear directly from you. We know CE credits are an important reason many members attend. If they are the main reason you participate, please tell us—that is useful feedback. We also want to understand what would make our programs, resources, and member community more valuable beyond the credits. Please share your thoughts through this short survey: [Survey link]. You can also reply to this email with answers to any of these questions: 1. What has made participation harder or less worthwhile this year? 2. Which programs or benefits have been most useful to you? 3. What would you like us to start, stop, or change? 4. What topics, formats, or schedules would better fit your needs? Your candid feedback will help us decide where to focus next year. Thank you, [Name] [Title] [Organization] [Contact information]

**Subject: Help us understand this year’s participation** Hi [First Name], Participation in [Organization] programs has been lower this year, and we’d like to understand why. Whether you attend often, join mainly for CE credits, or have taken part less this year, your feedback will help us plan better. Please take a few minutes to tell us: - What has made participation easier or harder for you? - Which topics, formats, and schedules work best? - How well do our CE opportunities and other member benefits meet your needs? - What would make taking part more worthwhile for you? **[Share your feedback]** You can also reply directly to this email. Your responses will guide how we shape future programs and member benefits. Thank you, [Name] [Title] [Organization]

Here's a draft that addresses the CE issue without calling them out for it: --- **Subject:** Quick question: How can we make [Association Name] more worth your time? Dear [First Name], I'll be honest — we've noticed something this year. While our CE courses are still filling up, participation almost everywhere else is down: fewer people at networking events, fewer committee volunteers, and less turnout for our non-CE programs. We don't want to guess why, we'd rather hear it directly from you. **Will you take 2 minutes to tell us what's going on?** [Take the Short Survey] Is it timing? Topics that aren't relevant to your work? A preference for virtual over in-person? Too many emails and you just missed it? Or honestly, are the CE credits the main thing you need from us right now? That last answer is completely okay, too. It helps us plan better and stop building programs nobody actually wants. Your feedback is anonymous, and it will directly shape our calendar for next year. Thank you for being a member, and for being candid with us. Best regards, [Your Name] [Your Title] [Association Name] P.S. Don't want to take a survey? Just hit reply and tell me in one sentence what would make you show up to something non-CE.

Here's a polished, honest version you can send that calls out the CE issue without sounding accusatory: --- **Subject options:** 1. We’ve noticed something — and we’d love your honest take 2. Quick question: How can we make membership more valuable for you? 3. Is it just the CE credits? **Email:** Hi [First Name], We want to be candid with you. This year, we’ve seen a real drop in engagement — fewer members at networking events, mixers, committee meetings, and non-CE programs. At the same time, our CE courses are still filling up. And we get it. We know CE credits are one of the biggest reasons many of you show up, and we’re proud to offer them. But we also hope [Association Name] can be more than just a place to check a box for your license. So we’re asking: **What’s missing?** Is it timing? Topics that don’t feel relevant? Events that are too hard to get to? Zoom fatigue? Or are you just too busy right now for anything extra? There are no wrong answers, and this isn’t a guilt trip — we genuinely want to build programs you actually *want* to attend, not just ones you *have* to. Would you take 2 minutes to tell us what would make membership more worthwhile for you? **[Take the Short Survey]** Or, just hit reply to this email and tell us in your own words. I read every response personally. Thanks for being a member, and thanks in advance for your honesty. Best regards, [Your Name] [Your Title] [Association Name]

Subject: We want your feedback on member engagement Dear members, We are writing to ask for your feedback. This year, attendance has been strong at continuing education sessions, but lower at our other events and programs. We want to understand why, and what would be more useful to you. Could you take a few minutes to share your thoughts? - Which events or programs have been most useful to you this year? - What has made it hard to attend others? For example, timing, location, cost, or topic. - What would you like to see more of in the coming year? You can reply to this email or complete our short survey here: [survey link] Your answers will help us plan programs that fit your schedule and your interests. Thank you for sharing your perspective. Best regards, [Your name] [Your title] [Organization name] [Phone or email]

Subject: Tell us what would make membership more useful this year Dear members, We are writing to ask for your feedback. Attendance at member events is down this year, and we want to understand what is getting in the way and what you would find more useful. Please take 2 minutes to complete this short survey: [survey link] We are asking about: - Event times and formats - Topics you want to learn about - How important continuing education credits are in your decision to attend - Anything else that affects whether you can take part Please respond by [date]. Your answers will help us plan the rest of the year. If you prefer to reply by email, you can reach us at [email address]. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. [Name] [Title] [Organization]

Subject: Tell us what would make membership more useful to you Hi everyone, We're writing to ask for your feedback. Participation in our programs is down this year, and we want to understand what would work better for you. Is continuing education the main reason you attend? Are there other topics, times, or formats that would be a better fit? Is something getting in the way of taking part? Please take 3 minutes to share your thoughts here: [survey link] You can also reply to this email. We will use what we hear to plan next year's schedule. Thank you for letting us know. [Name] [Title / Organization] [Phone]

Subject: Tell us what would make membership more useful to you Hi everyone, We're writing because fewer members are taking part in events and discussions this year, and we want to understand why. Is it timing, topics, format, cost, or something else? Are continuing education credits the main thing you need from us right now, or are there other kinds of support that would be more helpful? Please reply to this email with a sentence or two, or take our 3-question survey here: [link] You can also contact us at [email] or [phone]. Your answers will help us plan what to offer next, and what to stop offering. Thank you, [Name] [Organization]

Since you want to be honest about the "CE credit" motivation without sounding accusatory or insulting to your members, the key is to frame it as a **value gap**. Depending on your relationship with the members, here are three options: a direct/honest version, a softer/professional version, and a short survey version. ### Option 1: Direct & Candid *Best if you have a close, informal relationship with your members and want to cut through the corporate speak.* **Subject:** Let’s be honest: Why has engagement dropped? Hi [Member Name/Team], I’ve noticed that participation in our events and community discussions has been lower this year compared to previous years. To be frank, I suspect that for many of you, the primary draw of membership is the CE credits. While we’re glad to provide those, we want this organization to be more than just a checkbox for your licensing requirements. We’d love to hear your perspective: What is missing? What would make you want to show up even if the credits weren't attached? If you have 5 minutes, please reply to this email or [link to a short survey]. Your honesty won't offend us—it will actually help us build a community that provides real value beyond the credits. Thanks for being straight with us, [Your Name] --- ### Option 2: Professional & Diplomatic *Best for a formal membership base where you want to maintain a high level of professionalism while still addressing the issue.* **Subject:** Seeking your feedback on member engagement Dear [Member Name], As we review our programming for the year, we’ve observed a decline in overall member engagement and attendance at our events. We recognize that many of our members join primarily to access continuing education (CE) credits. While we are committed to providing those essential credentials, we want to ensure we are offering a broader range of value that encourages active participation in the community. To help us understand how we can better serve you, we would appreciate your feedback on the following: * What types of content or events would motivate you to attend beyond CE requirements? * What barriers are currently preventing you from engaging more with the organization? * How can we make our community more valuable to your daily practice? Please share your thoughts by [Date] via [link/survey]. Best regards, [Your Name] --- ### Option 3: The "Quick Pulse" Survey *Best if you don't want to write a long email and just want data. Use this as a cover email for a Google Form or SurveyMonkey.* **Subject:** 3 questions to help us improve [Organization Name] Hi everyone, We’ve noticed that engagement is down this year, and we want to fix that. We know that for many of you, the CE credits are the main reason you're here—and that's okay! But we want to know if there's anything else we could be doing to make your membership more worthwhile. Could you take 2 minutes to tell us what would get you more involved? [Link to Survey] Thanks, [Your Name] --- ### A few tips for sending this: * **Make it easy to respond:** If you ask for a reply to the email, you'll get a few long, thoughtful emails. If you use a survey, you'll get a lot of data. * **Avoid the word "lazy":** Even if you feel they are just "checking the box," framing it as a "value gap" or "primary draw" keeps the conversation productive. * **Act on the feedback:** If you ask them why they aren't engaging and then do nothing with the answers, your engagement will drop even further next year.

Since you want to be honest about the "CE credit" motivation without sounding accusatory or insulting to your members, the key is to frame it as a **value gap**. Depending on your relationship with the members, here are three options: a direct/honest approach, a softer/curious approach, and a short survey-style approach. ### Option 1: Direct & Honest *Best if you have a close-knit community and a culture of candid feedback.* **Subject:** Let’s talk about engagement this year Hi [Member Name/Team], I’m reaching out because I’ve noticed a decline in overall engagement with [Organization/Association Name] over the past year. To be frank, we suspect that for many of you, the primary draw of membership is the CE credits. While we are glad to provide those, we want [Organization] to be more than just a checkbox for your continuing education. We’d love to understand why the other aspects of membership—[mention a few, e.g., networking, forums, events, resources]—aren't resonating as much as they used to. What would make you want to show up even when you aren't hunting for credits? Feel free to reply to this email or schedule a quick 15-minute chat with me here: [Calendar Link]. Best, [Your Name] *** ### Option 2: Softer & Curious *Best if you want to avoid sounding like you're "calling them out" and instead want to position the organization as evolving.* **Subject:** How can we make [Organization] more valuable for you? Hi [Member Name], We’re currently reviewing our engagement for this year and have noticed that participation in [specific activities/events] has dropped. We know everyone’s schedules are packed, and we recognize that for many members, the CE credits are the main reason for staying involved. However, we want to ensure we’re providing value beyond the credits. We’d appreciate your honest feedback: what is missing? What would make our events, newsletters, or community more worth your time outside of the CE requirements? Thank you for helping us shape the future of [Organization]. Best, [Your Name] *** ### Option 3: The "Quick Survey" Approach *Best if you want quantitative data rather than long email threads.* **Subject:** 2-minute survey: Help us improve [Organization] Hi [Member Name], We’ve noticed a dip in member engagement this year, and we want to fix that. We suspect that many of you are primarily here for the CE credits, but we want [Organization] to be a place where you actually want to participate—not just a place you visit for a certificate. Could you take 2 minutes to tell us what would make you more engaged? [Link to Survey] **Sample survey questions:** * What is your primary reason for membership? (CE credits, Networking, Industry news, etc.) * What is the biggest barrier to your participation in our events/community? * What type of content or event would make you attend even if no CE credits were offered? Thanks for your time, [Your Name] *** ### A few tips for sending this: * **Avoid the word "lazy" or "disinterested":** Use words like "value gap," "resonating," or "priorities." * **Segment your list:** If you have "power users" who are highly engaged, send them a different email asking *why* they stay, so you can replicate that value for others. * **Be prepared for the answer:** If they say "the events are boring" or "the website is hard to use," be ready to act on that feedback, or they will feel ignored.

Subject: Help us understand why engagement is down this year Dear members, I’m writing to ask for your help. Member engagement is down this year, and we want to understand why. Your time is valuable. We want our events, resources, and community to be worth that time. Could you share: - What would make you attend more events this year? - What gets in the way of participating? - What kind of content or connection would be most useful to you? You can reply to this email or complete the short survey linked below. We read every response. Thank you for being part of this community. [Your name] [Your title] [Organization] [Phone or email]

Subject: Help us understand what would bring you back Hi [Name], Member engagement is down this year, and we want to understand why. We know many of you come primarily for continuing education credits. That matters. But we’d like to know what else would make our events, meetings, and resources worth your time. Could you take a few minutes to tell us: - What brought you to our events in the past? - What has kept you away this year? - What kind of programming or connection would make you attend again? You can reply to this email, or [link to survey]. We’ll read every response. Thanks for helping us do better. [Name] [Title] [Organization]

Subject: We want to hear from you: what would make your membership more valuable? Hi [Name], We’ve noticed that fewer members have been attending events and using member resources this year. We want to understand why, and we’d like your help. Many of you tell us that continuing education credits are a main reason you belong. We value that, and we want to make sure the rest of your membership works for you too. Could you take a few minutes to tell us: - What brought you to the organization this year? - What would make you attend more events or use more resources? - Is anything getting in the way? You can reply to this email, complete the short survey linked below, or call [Name] at [number] by [date]. There is no wrong answer. Your feedback will help us shape what we offer next year. Thank you for being a member. [Signature]

Subject: We want to hear from you: what would make our events worth your time? Hi [Name], Attendance at our member events is down this year, and we want to understand why. We know many of you come primarily for continuing education credits. That’s a good reason to show up, and we’re glad the credits are useful to you. We’d also like to know what else would bring you in—whether that’s different topics, formats, times, or something else entirely. Could you take five minutes to tell us what would make our programming more valuable to you? [Link to survey or reply to this email] Thank you for helping us shape what comes next. [Your name] [Organization]