New Member Orientation

Boyd Abbott
New Member Orientation Chair
(916) 990-3004
babb332@yahoo.com

 NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION MESSAGE

 

The end of the year is upon us.  We do hope that all the Lodges have completed their required six (6) New Member Orientations.  It takes a little planning by the President and the Membership Chair to have a successful program.  Organize the event from start to finish.  Include snacks or a meal.  Be sure to have your Administrator or Membership Chair check in all new members and after the event give your new members a Moose pin.  (If available, see the Moose International (MI) merchandise catalog).  Use an outline for your notes to stay on task.  Definitely use the New Member Orientation video (FYI this is a clickable link to the video) from MI.  Try to keep the Orientation engaging and concise.  Always ask the new members if they have any questions.

 

Invite your entire Board of Officers and introduce them so the new members can put a face to someone that can answer future questions.  Explain what your Lodge does for the local community and how it is involved with Mooseheart and Moosehaven.  Briefly explain the private policy and that The Moose is a members only organization.  Include a Moose Legion and Women of the Moose representative or at least explain what they are all about.  Stress the Social Quarters rules and regulations.  Discuss activities that your Lodge is involved in.  Try to recruit some volunteers and explain that a successful Lodge is one where the members are involved.  As many of you know, every Lodge has different days, hours, activities, member involvement and interests so every Lodge should have a different New Member Orientation program that targets the specific lodge.

 

A good Orientation program is planned, organized, engaging and concise.  Put the Orientation on the calendar as early as possible and contact the new members for an RSVP.  Provide a meal if possible.  Create an outline and follow it so the presentation will flow smoothly.  Keeping your audience involved will help keep them interested and maybe even excited about being a member.  And, just as a reminder, keep the Orientation as brief as possible while conveying the information that you are providing.