When a member joins an association, the first thing they wonder is, “what now?” New members also wonder:
What should I do next?
I wonder if I made the right decision?
Will this be worth my time and money?
Is this organization really for people like me?
A few associations answer these questions very quickly. They connect with each new member nearly immediately. They find out what that new member needs, and they provide solutions. They create great experiences for new members and acclimatize them to the culture. They create easy to navigate ways for new members to connect, learn, and grow. These associations are so good at answering each new member question; new members engage quickly and stay very engaged far into the future.
Most associations do not answer these questions. Instead, each new member is left to find their way. Perhaps the new member will be lucky, and they’ll connect with a helpful chapter leader, or be mentored by a colleague who is an active member. Most new members are not as fortunate. And those unfortunate members will not take the time to get the answers they need to allow themselves to engage.
New member onboarding programs answer the unspoken critical questions your new members have. If you want to build or maximize a new member onboarding program, The New Member Engagement Study can help. Please participate in this 10-minute survey at DynamicBenchmarking.com, and you will get the report for free.