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A positive first impression helps members feel connected, informed, and more likely to explore what Mensa has to offer.
A positive first impression helps members feel connected, informed, and more likely to explore what Mensa has to offer.
| success =  
| success =  
* Members understand how to engage locally (if they choose)
* Members feel acknowledged and welcome
* Members know where to find information and support
* Members know where to find information and support
* Members feel acknowledged and welcome
* Members can identify at least one path for future involvement
* Members can identify at least one path for future involvement
| best    =  
| best    =  
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Provides guidance for helping new, reinstated, and transferred members feel welcomed, informed, and connected to their Local Group. These efforts complement the communications provided by the National Office.
Provides guidance for helping new, reinstated, and transferred members feel welcomed, informed, and connected to their Local Group. These efforts complement the communications provided by the National Office.


== Key Actions ==
== Why This Matters ==
Not every member joins Mensa looking for the same experience. Some seek social activities, others intellectual engagement, volunteer opportunities, travel, online communities, or simply the satisfaction of belonging. Effective welcoming helps members discover the opportunities most relevant to them.
Not every member joins Mensa looking for the same experience. Some seek social activities, others intellectual engagement, volunteer opportunities, travel, online communities, or simply the satisfaction of belonging. Effective welcoming helps members discover the opportunities most relevant to them.
See also [[National Office New Member Communications]] for information about communications sent by American Mensa.
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Step !! What It Means
! Step !! What It Means
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* Use personal, welcoming communication
* Use personal, welcoming communication
|
|
*Use [[Local Group Reports]] to identify new, reinstated, and transfer members
*Use [[National Tools and Resources]] to identify new, reinstated, and transfer members
*[[New Member Contact Methods|Member Contact Methods]]
*[[Member Contact Methods]]
* [[Making It Personal]]
* [[Making It Personal]]
|-
|-
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|
|
*Share [[New Member Orientation]] information
*Share [[New Member Orientation]] information
*Provide [[New Member Welcome Packets]]
*Provide [[New Member Packet]]
*[[Local Group Events and Activities]]
*[[Local Group Events and Activities]]
*[[Encouraging First Event Attendance]]
*[[Encouraging First Event Attendance]]
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== Related ==
== Related ==
* [[New Member Contact Methods]]
* [[Member Contact Methods]]
* Making It Personal
* [[Making It Personal]]
* [[Making Personalization Sustainable]]
* [[Encouraging First Event Attendance]]
* [[Encouraging First Event Attendance]]
* [[How to find the Mensans!]]
* [[Welcoming New Members: Local Group Approaches]]
* [[Welcoming New Members: Local Group Approaches]]
* [[Welcoming New Members: Local Group Outreach Examples]]
* [[Welcoming New Members: Local Group Outreach Examples]]

Latest revision as of 02:07, 4 June 2026

Words of Wisdom

Welcoming new members is one of the highest-impact things a Local Group can do.

A positive first impression helps members feel connected, informed, and more likely to explore what Mensa has to offer.

What Success Looks Like

  • Members feel acknowledged and welcome
  • Members know where to find information and support
  • Members can identify at least one path for future involvement

Best Practices

Welcoming works best when it is part of the Local Group culture rather than the responsibility of a single officer.

  • Make contact promptly
  • Personalize communication when possible
  • Welcome members at all events
  • Treat welcoming as a shared responsibility

Common Pitfalls

  • Delayed or no initial contact
  • Overwhelming new members with too much information
  • Relying only on automated communication
  • Focusing only on event attendance
  • Leaving new members to navigate alone

Purpose

[edit | hide all | hide | edit source]

Provides guidance for helping new, reinstated, and transferred members feel welcomed, informed, and connected to their Local Group. These efforts complement the communications provided by the National Office.

Why This Matters

[edit | hide | edit source]

Not every member joins Mensa looking for the same experience. Some seek social activities, others intellectual engagement, volunteer opportunities, travel, online communities, or simply the satisfaction of belonging. Effective welcoming helps members discover the opportunities most relevant to them.

See also National Office New Member Communications for information about communications sent by American Mensa.

Step What It Means References
Make Initial Contact from Local Group
  • Reach out to new, reinstated, and transferred members
  • Use personal, welcoming communication
Learn About the Member
  • Understand interests, goals, location, and preferred engagement style
  • Identify potential barriers to participation
  • Connect members with opportunities that match their interests
Help Members Get Started
  • Help members understand how to engage
  • Share relevant information and opportunities
  • Provide guidance without overwhelming
  • Reduce barriers to first participation
  • Provide guidance for virtual involvement
[edit | hide | edit source]