Thanking members who RSVPed with a 'No' or a 'Maybe'.

Organizer Renee Alper offers the following hints on encouraging members who show interest by RSVPing 'No' or 'Maybe':

This template is EXTREMELY useful to the Organizer. We all want our members to RSVP, even if they can't make the event, as it lets us know who's really still interested in the group...If you tell somebody that an action they have done is good, they're more likely to do it again!

Remind these potential future attendees that you are an active (or are working on being an active) Meetup. If they like the direction the group is going, they will eventually make time in their lives for an in-person appearance (or so we all hope)!

How can you reach these RSVP'ers directly, in order to thank them? There are two ways:

1. Buy Meetup+, which allows you to email any individual member who has not turned off their e-mail in their preferences (denoted by a red diagonal line through the envelope icon next to their name); or
2. Send an e-mail in the Contact Group section of your Organizer tools (located on the left side of your group's welcome page). Select the current Meetup date, and click on the 'Maybe' and/or 'No' RSVP's for that particular Meetup. Since the message applies to ALL members who RSVP'ed 'No' or 'Maybe', this works even if there is more than one person in a RSVP catagory. You can also edit this message to work for 'Yes' RSVPs.

Sample email to members who RSVP 'No' or 'Maybe'

Thank you for your '____' RSVP for the YourCity _________ Meetup. Believe it or not, this really helps, because it lets me know you are visiting the website and/or reading the e-mail I send.

If enough other members are unable to attend the ThisMonth Meetup, I would be delighted to move the event to a better day of the members' choosing (provided I am available). We could also change the venue, if that is the problem. If there is sometime (or someplace) better for you, please e-mail or call me, and I will change it.

[In this section, you can give a brief description of your group's goals, reminding members that you value their input in the group's future course.]

Thanks again for your RSVP, and I look forward to seeing you at a future YourCity _______ Meetup.

Your Name
Organizer -- YourCity _______ Meetup
(E-mail Address)
(Phone Number)

This sample email, which Walter uses, focuses more on getting 'Maybe' RSVPs to confirm one way or the other:

Folks—

Thanks for RSVPing 'Maybe' to the Boggle Meetup that's this Thursday at 8pm. If your plans are more definite now, may I ask that you update your RSVP?

No worries if you're still not sure, but every solid RSVP, 'yes' or 'no', helps me better plan the night (you wouldn't want me to run out of prizes, would you?!?).

You can RSVP (and get more details) here:
[Insert your Meetup event URL]

Hope to see you Thursday!

Walter
Volunteer Boggle Group Organizer

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