Membership Engagement Committee Charter

Purpose (Our Why)

The Membership Engagement Committee exists to ensure every member experiences the value of belonging to IBAW. We cultivate meaningful relationships, create welcoming experiences, encourage active participation, and help members discover opportunities to grow as leaders, strengthen their businesses, and contribute to stronger Wisconsin communities.

By serving as the steward of the member experience, the committee supports the Executive Director and Board of Directors by transforming membership into lasting engagement.

Vision

Every IBAW member feels welcomed, connected, valued, and inspired to actively participate in a thriving community of independent business leaders dedicated to strengthening businesses, developing leaders, and enriching Wisconsin communities.

Mission

To foster a welcoming, connected, and engaged membership by building relationships, creating meaningful member experiences, encouraging volunteer involvement, and connecting members with the people, programs, and opportunities that make IBAW indispensable throughout their leadership journey.

IBAW Value Proposition

The Independent Business Association of Wisconsin (IBAW) brings together leaders of Wisconsin’s family and other privately owned businesses in a trusted executive community to address current and emerging issues affecting independent businesses. Through timely, content-rich programming and candid peer relationships, members learn, exchange practical insights, support one another, and build stronger businesses and communities.

The Value We Provide

•      Welcoming and integrating new members into the IBAW community.
•      Helping prospective members experience the culture and value of IBAW through welcoming and relationship-building, in support of the Executive Director's membership development efforts.
•      Creating meaningful connections before, during, and after IBAW programs and events.
•      Encouraging participation in committees, educational programs, networking opportunities, and volunteer activities.
•      Helping members build trusted relationships that strengthen both their businesses and their leadership.
•      Listening to member feedback and communicating insights and opportunities to the Executive Director and Board.
•      Identifying and encouraging future committee members, volunteers, and Board leaders.
•      Recognizing and celebrating member contributions, milestones, and successes.
•      Building a culture where every member feels welcomed, valued, and connected.

Connecting members with IBAW relationships, knowledge, advocacy, and leadership resources that help them make better decisions and build stronger businesses.

Our Member Engagement Journey

•      Discover – Welcome prospective members and introduce them to IBAW's culture and values

•      Join – Ensure new members receive a warm welcome, meaningful introductions, and an easy path into the organization.

•      Engage – Connect members with programs, events, committees, and other members to foster meaningful relationships.

•      Belong – Encourage members to volunteer, contribute, share expertise, and become active participants in the IBAW community.

•      Lead – Identify and encourage emerging leaders to serve on committees, lead initiatives, and prepare for future Board leadership opportunities.

Guiding Principles

•      Put relationships before transactions.
•      Support the mission, vision, and strategic priorities established by the Board.
•      Complement and support the work of the Executive Director.
•      Foster servant leadership.
•      Encourage collaboration among committees.
•      Create opportunities for every member to engage.
•      Seek continuous member feedback.

Committee Responsibilities

•      Member welcoming and onboarding.
•      Relationship building and member connectivity.
•      Member engagement and participation.
•      Volunteer recruitment and encouragement.
•      Member recognition and appreciation.
•      Member feedback and retention initiatives.
•      Helping members find meaningful opportunities to participate.
•      Supporting the Executive Director in strengthening the member experience.

Committee Boundaries

The Membership Engagement Committee owns and actively advances member engagement through relationships, welcoming, participation, volunteer involvement, and member feedback. The Committee works collaboratively with the Executive Director to turn engagement priorities into action, within the strategic direction established by the Board.

At the Executive Director's request, the Committee may provide volunteer support for selected programs, networking activities, and special events. Organizational management and operational accountability remain with the Executive Director and IBAW's professional resources.

Measures of Success

•      Positive new member experiences.
•      Increased member participation.
•      Strong volunteer involvement.
•      Improved member retention.
•      Growth in committee participation and future leaders.
•      Meaningful member feedback.
•      A welcoming culture members enthusiastically recommend to others.

Alignment with IBAW's Mission

The Membership Engagement Committee advances IBAW's purpose by helping transform membership into meaningful relationships. Through personal connections, servant leadership, volunteer engagement, and a welcoming culture, the committee supports IBAW's mission to build stronger businesses and enrich Wisconsin communities.

The committee does not simply help members attend events—it helps members build lasting connections, become engaged leaders, and fully experience the value of belonging to IBAW.

In this framework, IBAW's value proposition defines what the organization promises its members; the communications framework explains that promise consistently; and the Membership Engagement Committee helps members experience that promise through relationships, participation, and engagement.