Welcoming New Members

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

Purpose

Help new members feel welcomed and connected early.

Guiding Principle

First impressions shape long-term engagement.

Welcoming is about helping members feel seen, informed, and connected from the beginning.

Philosophy

• First impressions matter
• Personal contact is preferred over automated communication
• All members matter — including those who may never attend events
• Welcoming is a shared responsibility

Success is measured by whether members feel acknowledged and included — not by event attendance.

What This Means in Practice

A successful welcoming process means:

• New members receive timely contact
• Members understand how to engage locally (if they choose)
• Members feel included regardless of participation level
• Outreach is thoughtful and appropriately personal

Key Actions

Step	What It Means	See
Make Initial Contact	Reach out to new, reinstated, and transferred members Use personal, welcoming communication	New Member Contact Methods Accessing Reports (timing of contacts) Encouraging Attendance Making It Personal
Help Members Get Started	Help members understand how to engage Share relevant information and opportunities Provide guidance without overwhelming	New Member Orientation Welcome packets
Support First Connection	Reduce barriers to first participation	Encouraging First Event Attendance New Member Events
Build Early Connections	Introduce members to others Support mentor or buddy connections where appropriate	Mentor Programs

Best Practices

It Takes a Team

Welcoming is not the responsibility of one person.

• Involve officers and experienced members
• Use name badges and clear identifiers
• Ensure new members are acknowledged at events

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

Related

• Membership Officer
• New Member Contact Methods
• Welcoming Timing and Reports
• Making It Personal
• Encouraging First Event Attendance
• Mentor Programs
• New Member Events
• Templates and Samples