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Graham Ellis sharing years of experience as a thought on each day
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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 ...
      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 go round the room and have everyone say who they are
• 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

Contact details

These pages are written by Graham Ellis of Melksham, Wiltshire. Overlapping a life in IT and IT training, with running a hotel and campaigning for improved public transport, Graham has never been quiet - though he's starting to wind down gently now. He no longer takes overnight guests and has stepped doen from the "Community Rail Officer" role which he accidentally aquired. So he now has more time to write pages such as these and to travel in the UK. He'll be delighted to speak with your group or take a look through your case or camapaign, but be alerted that his time is not limitless even now, and he still has to keep the wolf from the door.

Postal: 48, Spa Road, Melksham, Wiltshire, SN12 7NY
Phonal: 01225 708225
Emailal: graham -at- wellho.net
Or reach me on the Coffee Shop Forum (User Grahame) facilities


What a difference a campaign makes!

It probably wouldn't have happened without a strong community campaign with which I have been involved. Most days through 2019 I'll be sharing a thought, an idea, a way of working or an experience. Come back here for the links. Discussions via the Coffee Shop Forum - Graham Ellis, 31st December 2018


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