BETTER
PRACTICES
New Member
Orientations
That Work
If you get new members involved and
experiencing value within 60 days of joining your
chapter, you dramatically increase the odds of them
renewing at the end of their first year of membership.
An effective new member orientation helps
speed this process.
The bottom line goal of an orientation
event is to inspire new members to become active,
long-term members.
Additional goals include:
-
Giving new
members a better picture of your chapter and how they
can fit in - and find value.
-
Meeting key
players in your chapter.
-
Meeting other
new members.
-
Making them
aware of opportunities for their involvement.
-
And, reselling
them on what a great idea it was to join your chapter!
Five tips for a dynamite orientation
-
Keep the "official talk" short and to
the point.
Too often chapter orientations are
boring and long-winded. You need to leave for new
members to meet others.
In a one-hour orientation, presentations
should be kept to 20 minutes or less. Give specific time
limits to anyone who is going to talk.
You want new members to be excited about
joining your group - not dreading the next boring
meeting.
-
Have key members such as your board,
officers, and committee chairs attend and mingle with
the new members.
New members are very excited to get a
moment of an officer's time. This short interaction
helps them feel like they are an important addition to
your chapter.
It's also a great time for one on one
recruiting for committee work. The personal interaction
is a powerful way to get new members involved.
-
Help new members meet others your
orientations.
You can use "ice breaker" activities to
get the conversation flowing. Another idea is to have an
older member host and introduce each new member around.
It's also a great time for a short, interactive program
on how to build their network in your chapter.
Remember your goal is to help new
members to find buddies in your group - it makes it
easier for them to get involved.
-
Provide new members with a sign up
sheet for committee and special project work.
As your new members meet different
chairs and hear about various projects, they'll get a
feel for what's a good fit for them.
Some may hand in their sheet that night.
Most new members will be overwhelmed and need to turn it
in later.
-
Have someone follow up with new
members within two weeks of attending your orientation.
Check to see if they have any more
questions. If they have not filled in the committee work
sheets, the follow up person can do it over the phone.
Follow up callers should encourage the
new members to attend the next event and share any
details that will make the new member feel more
confident -- like they are "in the know."
A well-planned orientation helps your new
members confidently take their first steps in building a
long-term relationship with your chapter.
 Cynthia
D'Amour is a growth strategist and leadership coach
who works with associations that want to get more members
involved in their association.
www.chapterleaders.com ©2004 Cynthia
D'Amour
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