Welcoming New Members

Words of Wisdom

Welcoming is about helping members feel seen, informed, and connected from the beginning. It is one of the highest-impact things a Local Group can do.

• Timely first impressions shape long-term engagement
• Personal contact is preferred over automated communication
• Welcoming is a shared responsibility

Success is measured by whether a member feels that Mensa is relevant, accessible, and worth exploring—not whether they immediately attend an event.

What Success Looks Like

• Members understand how to engage locally (if they choose)
• Members know where to find information and support
• Members feel acknowledged and included regardless of participation level
• 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.

• Involve officers and experienced members to greet new members
• Use name badges and clear identifiers
• Ensure new members are acknowledged at all events, not just New Member events
• Consider newsletter articles or other ways to acknowledge new members

Common Pitfalls

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

Purpose

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

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.

Step	What It Means	References
Make Initial Contact from Local Group	Reach out to new, reinstated, and transferred members Use personal, welcoming communication	Use Local Group Reports to identify new, reinstated, and transfer members Member Contact Methods Making It Personal
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	Making It Personal Supporting Remote Members Member Engagement
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	Share New Member Orientation information Provide New Member Welcome Packets Local Group Events and Activities Encouraging First Event Attendance New Member Events Supporting Remote Members

Related

• New Member Contact Methods
• Making It Personal
• Encouraging First Event Attendance
• Welcoming New Members: Local Group Approaches
• Welcoming New Members: Local Group Outreach Examples