Jessie de Peffer
Four ways to connect members with each other
Impact
Innovate & digitalize
Aug 29, 2025
As an interest group, you bring people and businesses together with a shared interest. But how often does genuine mutual contact occur? Not just between you and your members, but also among the members themselves? Your members face shared challenges, such as high workloads, and that's precisely where an opportunity lies: strengthen the connection and interaction within that group to tackle challenges together.
Members are part of an association for a reason. They want to share knowledge or are looking for answers. Yet they often struggle to find each other or don’t feel that openness. Not even at the gatherings you organize. And that’s a shame, because there is so much strength in the network itself. We share four ways to optimally harness that strength.
1. Give a theme or focus to your gatherings
Not everyone wants to or can be active in the big picture. By organizing smaller gatherings around themes, regions, or interests, you lower the threshold to participate. Think of knowledge circles, WhatsApp groups, or periodic (online) meetups where members can get to know each other in an accessible way and expand their circle.
2. Involve members in the organization
Don’t just let members participate in your activities, but let them organize as well. By appointing leaders, you give ownership to the group itself. When members mean something to each other, not only does the sense of collective responsibility grow, but also the connectedness.
3. Provide a 24/7 accessible meeting place
A community platform offers members an accessible environment to ask questions, share ideas, and find each other at their own convenience. They are not dependent on gatherings, but can reach each other essentially 24/7. The platform functions as a continuous meeting place, where the exchange of knowledge and interaction becomes natural.
4. Take an active role in information sharing
Members feel more connected when they see what others are experiencing and what challenges they encounter. By sharing personal stories or interviews, for example through a newsletter or platform, people will recognize themselves and engage in conversation sooner. Members see what is happening among them and will feel invited to contribute themselves.
At Freshheads, we create digital platforms that facilitate connection. Always together with your association, based on the needs of your members. So it works and truly fits who you are. Read more about how TBI successfully tackled its own challenges.