Welcome newcomers at meetings - they are your future
This campaign tip (no. 9) was published on Wednesday, 9th January 2019
If someone new has taken the trouble to come along to your meeting, make sure they are very welcome - they have taken the trouble and so should you. And you need to refresh your membership as old members move to pastures new. The lifeblood of campaigns and the organisations that run them is their members - and you should have a forever open door. This is a far wider subject that just "at meetings" which I'm writing about here.
Welcome the newcomers and introduce them to some key, outgoing members. Ask how they found out about you, why they are interested and what they want to get from it. Make sure you have their contact details, and that they have details of following events and meetings. Remember that many newcomers will be nervous - for goodness sake don't ignore them but don't go over the top either. And don't judge your newcomer by age, gender, dress, manerisms, or ethnic background!
Today's tip might sound obvious. But you would be amazed by the number of meetings I have attended where ...
• Good idea to have an "official" greeter - assigned the task for each meeting
• Good idea to routinely have some welcome literature to hand for newcomers
Illustration - OK - I can name most of these people but a newcomer to the group probably could not, and would really appreciate a welcome and to learn who's who.
Discussion via Coffee Shop forum
Welcome the newcomers and introduce them to some key, outgoing members. Ask how they found out about you, why they are interested and what they want to get from it. Make sure you have their contact details, and that they have details of following events and meetings. Remember that many newcomers will be nervous - for goodness sake don't ignore them but don't go over the top either. And don't judge your newcomer by age, gender, dress, manerisms, or ethnic background!
Today's tip might sound obvious. But you would be amazed by the number of meetings I have attended where ...
-
No-one has said welcome of introduced themselves
No-one has asked how I found the group or what I'm interested in
No-one has asked if I have a program of future events or would like to be emailed details
• Good idea to have an "official" greeter - assigned the task for each meeting
• Good idea to routinely have some welcome literature to hand for newcomers
Illustration - OK - I can name most of these people but a newcomer to the group probably could not, and would really appreciate a welcome and to learn who's who.
Discussion via Coffee Shop forum
