New Member Orientation

Purpose

Help new members feel welcomed, informed, and comfortable engaging in a way that works for them.

Guiding principle: There is no “right” way to participate. Orientation should reduce pressure, not create it.

Effective new member orientation:

Is welcoming and low-pressure
Provides clear, simple guidance
Supports multiple ways to engage
Builds a sense of belonging from the start

1. Goals of Orientation

A successful orientation should:

Help members understand what the group is and how it works
Show multiple ways to engage (not just events)
Make it easy to ask questions and connect
Reinforce that all levels of participation are valid

2. What to Cover in Orientation

Keep it simple, welcoming, and practical.

About the Group

Mission and purpose
What makes the local group unique
Connection to the broader organization (if applicable)

Ways to Participate

Emphasize flexibility and choice:

Attend events (optional)
Join online discussions or email threads
Volunteer or help organize
Simply stay informed via newsletter

👉 Be explicit: “You can engage as much or as little as you like.”

What to Expect

Types of activities offered
Typical event format (casual, structured, etc.)
Communication channels (newsletter, social, website)

Key Contacts

Local leaders or organizers
General contact email
Who to reach out to with questions

Getting Started (Simple Next Steps)

Offer 2–3 easy options:

Attend an upcoming event
Reply to introduce themselves
Join an online space

👉 Avoid overwhelming with too many actions

3. Format Options

Orientation can take different forms depending on capacity:

Live Orientation

Short (20–30 minutes)
Includes Q&A
Can be recurring (monthly/quarterly)

Written / Self-Guided

Email welcome series
PDF or webpage
Recorded video walkthrough

👉 Best practice: offer a self-guided option even if live sessions exist

4. Local New Member Handbook

A local handbook provides a consistent, reusable resource.

Communications guide, MC, SIG, profile, email choices, definitions: national new member handbook, encouragement to attend events, guest policy, how to meet people, Jargon Decoder

What to Include

Welcome message
Overview of the group
How to participate
Event expectations
Communication channels
FAQs
Contact information

Format Recommendation

Use a local website whenever possible

Benefits:

Easy to update
Shareable link
Accessible anytime
Can link to events, forms, and resources

Alternative formats:

PDF (good for quick distribution)
Shared document (easy to edit internally)

Keep It:

Clear and concise
Friendly in tone
Easy to scan (headings, bullets)

👉 Think “quick start guide,” not a long manual

Greeting New Members

Personal connection early on makes a big difference.

Best Practices

Send a welcome message soon after joining
Use a friendly, human tone (not overly formal)
Reinforce that there’s no pressure to participate
Include:
- Link to the handbook or website
- Upcoming events (optional, not overwhelming)
- Contact info for questions

Optional: Personal Outreach

Assign a point person for new members
Offer a low-pressure 1:1 conversation
Invite—but don’t require—introductions

👉 The goal is to open the door, not push them through it

Ongoing Onboarding (Beyond Day One)

Orientation is not a one-time moment.

Check in after the first few weeks
Highlight different ways to engage over time
Continue reinforcing that all participation styles are valid

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Overloading with too much information
Implying that event attendance = “real” participation
Using guilt-based language (“we hope to see you soon”)
Making orientation feel mandatory or high-pressure

Simple Orientation Checklist

Welcome message sent
Handbook or website shared
Ways to participate clearly explained
Key contacts provided
Low-pressure next steps offered
Tone is inclusive and flexible