Responding to Invitations

I can't help but notice that, whenever invitations are sent to group mailing lists /WhatsApp group lists, usually, the only people who respond are those who cannot attend due to a "valid" excuse/strong justification.

In some rare cases, we receive positive response from those who are really determined to come. These are the awesome people... Props to them.

But most of the time, the vast majority who CAN come, will just remain silent and won't respond because
1) they are actually coming, but they take for granted the importance of communicating with the host / organiser - "no worries, I'll just come, doesn't matter if he knows or not, no big deal".
2) they are unsure, "need to check schedule first" - but "forget" to update organiser.
3) they actually don't want to come / not interested.
But they don't want to offend/ make organiser feel bad.
Or, they don't want to bother listening the organizers trying to convince them to come.

Lack of communication on our presence/absence will cause major inconveniences and difficulties to the organizers/hosts. 
Consequently, we have shortage/wastage in resources (especially extra wasted food), ineffective/unfulfilling sessions, or negative morale effect/disappointment to the group, especially to the hosts.

A reminder to myself and to you, let's make an effort to communicate our attendance and availability - be honest and transparent in our dealings.
But more importantly, remember the rights of our brothers and sisters - to fulfill and respond to their invitations.
There are consequences to our actions, so let's have the empathy to understand them.

The Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said :
"You do not have (complete) faith until you love for others what you love for yourselves" (Narrated in Sahih al-Bukhari)

"Six are the rights of a Muslim over another Muslim:
(1) When you meet him, offer him greetings (of salam)
(2) when he invites you (e.g to a feast, gathering) ACCEPT it.
(3) when he seeks your advice, advise him,
(4) and when he sneezes and says:" All praise is due to Allah," you say Yarhamuk Allah (may Allah show mercy to you) ;
(5) and when he fails ill, (go to) visit him; and
(6) when he dies follow his bier (the funeral procession)"
(narrated in Sahih Muslim)