Overview:

To provide the warm welcome essential to all new members, clubs are encouraged to develop structured new member orientation programs. Your club’s orientation program can be as elaborate or as simple as you choose. An effective orientation program should include the following key categories of information:

• Benefits of membership
• Responsibilities of membership
• Opportunities for service

Another important aspect of orientation is to quickly engage new members in both the orientation program and the activities of your club.

Mentoring can be an effective way to promote new members’ involvement in your club. Choose mentors who are committed to their role as an ongoing club resource and source of support for new members. Consider the following when selecting individuals to be mentors:

• Does the person have a high level of knowledge and interest about the club and the organization?
• Is the person willing and able to devote the time and energy necessary to help the new member fully participating in the club?
• What might the person have in common with the new member (hobbies, interests, profession)?

Mentors can be assigned before or after induction. Your club should determine at what point mentoring should begin and how long it should continue.

Who can create and manage the New Member Orientation Program?

A member must have minimum access rights of Club Executive (level 50) or better. This will allow you to:

• Add, edit, and delete either members from a program or list of activities
• Edit who will be assigned to which member