Recruitment | Orientation | Activation | Retention

Orientation

A new member orientation is a training program for making members feel informed, part of the group and valuable. If we take the time to explain the organization to them, new members will become activated faster and will feel a sense of belonging. A new member orientation should be held within the first month of joining. Since we cover a lot of material in an orientation, it is also a good idea to review the orientation in three to six months. It also is helpful to stop during meetings to explain things to your new members. Having a seasoned member sit by a new member can also be helpful to the new member.

Who should do the orientation? Any member can do an orientation. It is helpful if the Membership Vice President and Chapter President are involved.

How to do an orientation - Using the Orientation Outline, the job is made easy. This gives you a detailed outline with which to explain Women of Today to the new members. Orientations can be done one-on-one or in a small group setting. Your chapter should have many resources on hand to aid in orientations, including your chapter Plan of Action, chapter newsletters and orientations skits, which are found in the Skits and Stuff manuals.

Orientations can also be helpful for your general membership. These orientations can include board training, LPM training, running a project, reporting at meetings and the history of the Women of Today organization. The Membership Management Committee is working on developing mini-orientations for your chapter to use. Look for these orientations on this website.

Tools

For templates on the following tools, click on the key word:

• New Member Orientation Outline
• New Member Information Sheet
• New Member Installation Ceremony
• Acronym List
• Mini-orientations