What is the main difference between member retention and member engagement?

The main difference between member retention and member engagement lies in their core focus and objectives. Retention is fundamentally concerned with maintaining existing members within an organization or community. It emphasizes strategies aimed at preventing members from leaving and ensuring they continue their membership over time. In contrast, engagement focuses on the active participation and involvement of members. While retention is about keeping members, engagement involves stimulating members to interact meaningfully, participate in activities, and contribute to the community.

This distinction highlights that retention can be seen as a more passive or maintenance-oriented goal, while engagement requires proactive strategies to foster relationships and deepen the connection members have with the organization. Engaged members are often more likely to stay and renew their membership, but engagement specifically prioritizes participation and activity rather than merely preventing attrition.