Involve & Welcome People

GUESTS

Ask guest prior to meeting: prefer to be introduced or comfortable telling about themselves and their business?
Offer to drive guest to and from meeting(s)
If guest is arriving alone offer to meet in parking lot or just inside venue and escort in to meeting
Ensure each new guest is warmly greeted and asked to sit with/talk to seasoned member
Pay for guest’s meal
Ensure each guest is thanked for coming (by two or three members)
Ensure each guest is asked to return (by different members)
Ensure each guest receives current copy of the local newsletter (and state or a printed copy of web address)
Ensure each guest receives a telephone call or email thanking them for attending the meeting
Local president follow-up with formal written invitation to join (form letter ok if it's personalized)

NEW MEMBERS - first twelve months should be considered “new”

Seasoned members – paid dues for second year, have attended at least twelve meetings

Use new member’s first name in greeting (people like to hear their name used)
Ensure each new member is greeted at every meeting for the first year
Ensure new members are being engaged by seasoned members at every meeting
If you are sitting by or with a new member always reintroduce yourself
Engage new members by getting to know them, their profession/business, family, other groups, etc
Ask members about their interests, talents, and skills
Require standing self introductions at every meeting – allows new members to learn others names
Make time for networking - member promotes business and practices group speaking skills (elevator speech)
Ask new members specifically for input and ideas
Phone call or email reminding member of next meeting date, time, venue (ask if they need ride or directions)

Reintroduce yourself frequently to new members:

welcome to our local Jane, I’m Mary
good evening Jane, I’m Mary – did you have any trouble with traffic tonight
hello Jane, I’m Mary – please come sit with me
hi Jane, I’m Mary and we sat together a few meetings ago
I’m Mary, we talked about our dogs at the last meeting, did your dog like the new food Jane

Meeting attendance incentives for new members:

Induction: member pin and welcome letter from state president
1^st meeting: guidebook and laminated schedule of events
2^nd meeting: laminated or framed collect and local roster (names and pictures of current members)
3^rd meeting: laminated assignment list, ask them to consider volunteering (if they do – pay for meal)
4^th meeting: state roster
5^th meeting: new journal and BPW pen
6^th meeting: new member survey (what do they like best/least, suggestions, etc.) & bottle of wine