ROI Redefined: Return on Your Membership Involvement

Last time, I wrote about Voluncheering — how being nudged into volunteering shaped my career and community experience.

This time, I thought I’d flip the perspective: what if you’re not ready (or don’t have the capacity) to volunteer? That’s where ROI — Return on Involvement — comes in.

Involvement isn’t just volunteering. Volunteering is powerful, yes, but it’s not the only way to maximize your membership.

Transparent truth? It’s about how you show up. Here are a few ways to boost your ROI with MPI Toronto Chapter:

• Attend events – From education sessions to signature gatherings, showing up is the simplest way to connect. But really show up:
  • Challenge yourself to meet 3 new people.
  • Finally talk to that person you’ve always wanted to. Feeling a bit shy? Ask someone you already know for an intro, either through LinkedIn or right there on the spot!
  • Grab the mic during a Q&A education session and share your thoughts.
• Follow us on socials – Celebrate member achievements, join conversations, and stay in the loop. But really follow us: like, comment, share. Your engagement helps grow the community.
• Share your ideas – Got a topic you’d love covered at an education event? Speak up. Fresh perspectives keep us relevant.
• Exchange what works (and what doesn’t) – Learning from each other strengthens everyone.
• Micro-Volunteer your time – Yup, that’s a thing. Do you have time to help on-site at an event? Or a month where things are less hectic and can help with some brainstorming for future newsletter content? Let us know. Micro-volunteering has benefits too. (I know, I know – I said I’d flip the perspective, and here I am, sneaking in volunteering again....)
• Reach out to long-time members – A coffee chat or introduction can spark mentorship, collaboration, or just great insights into ways you can benefit from membership like they have over the years.
• Chapter Leadership – I feel I can safely speak on behalf of our entire Chapter leadership team in that we all welcome conversations on how we can better serve our members and share knowledge. This is your action: reach out to us!

Each of these touchpoints builds ROI. The more you put in, the more you’ll get out. Sometimes it’s as simple as being present, curious, and engaged.

MPI Toronto Chapter’s "Return on Involvement" campaign emphasizes that involvement goes beyond just attending events. It’s about creating meaningful connections and being part of a dynamic, thriving community of people who understand what your day job entails, when no one else does. You have the power to strengthen that community through your engagement, and for that strength to be returned to you tenfold.

So - here’s my ask: the next time you see me at an MPI Toronto Chapter event, come say hi. Let’s really chat, about how things are going (work, life, balance, fun), what you’re reading or binging on Netflix, your hobbies AND about MPI – what you’d like to see more (or less) of at our events, what’s working for you, what’s not – and how we can make your membership experience even better.

Here’s to more connections, more conversations, and a little extra spark in every chat. See you soon!