As a member, the work you are doing is awesome. You are turning these sites around. I know for a fact that I don't always have the time to read emails (got 5K) in TE mail alone.

Suggestion: if the members are in chat talking, then go to where they are. I've seen owners/admins place chat messages there letting members know about certain things happening at the site. Next direct them to go check out whatever you want them to know. I've responded to a lot of messages like that while surfing a site. If you got a new splash or banner or updated something, then see if you can post a mini version there and direct them to go see the full size item.

In the alternative, ask for comments to the item you post in chat. Give an incentive, i.e. small number of credits to whoever respond with a thumbs up/down or give feedback on the item within a certain time frame. That way, members will have something else to see and think about other than another member's menu for dinner, lol.