I've now circulated all 14, and replies are staring to come in. As they do, I'll post them here so we can evaluate them and decide on any steps we should be taking to better serve our members.

Here's what I wrote:

"Dear ....

We were sorry to see you're no longer a member of LEGION, and wonder if you could spare a moment to tell us the reason. We try very hard to provide a happy environment and continuing opportunities for exciting chess encounters, but maybe we're doing something wrong? Or have we neglected to do something which is important to you?

I'm really looking forward to hearing from you when convenient, and meantime I wish good luck in all your chess! And of course we'd be delighted if you would consider rejoining!" And here are the first two replies:

"Thanks for calling but both groups "Learning with fun" an "Team Germany" are enough for me.

Best wishes

treefrog"

AND:

" I appreciate the follow-up message! Basically, if I join too many groups, I find myself unable to devote the necessary time to each one, as well as my other non-chess activities. In order to help temper my time and involvement on Chess.com with my job, family, etc., I belong to very few groups. A few days ago, I had to decide which group to "quit," and I chose LEGION because I felt somewhat less involved with the group activities.

I wouldn't go so far as to say LEGION is doing anything wrong. The other groups to which I belong much more diligently foster a team spirit that instills the fire and tenacity to play better and learn more about chess. I do not fault LEGION for being nondiligent, because such an undertaking can be very time-consuming. I make no demands on anyone's schedule, because time is precious.

I did not leave LEGION acrimoniously, so please don't worry about anything like that. And I would be happy to consider rejoining LEGION sometime in the future! We'll just see how things go from here.

-whirlwind2011"

(And I thought, if anything. I an often a little too tenacious!)

LEGIONNAIRES

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