Answer
So, someone's shown interest in joining your group? That's amazing! 🎉 And getting to know them is a fantastic use of your time! ⏰
🤗 Welcoming Someone Joining Your Chapter 🙋
Guide for Chapter Leads
Expressions of Interest 📝
Every so often, a new face will want to join your chapter. This interest might show up as:
- A direct sign-up through the ROCO website's form 🌐
- An email or Facebook Messenger message 📧
- A chat during a casual conversation 🗣️
What Should We Do With Them? 🤔
People who've registered to join us have already taken the first step, but they need to be invited, included, welcomed, and reassured they belong and have a role to play 🥰. The best approach? Making time for a one-on-one chat with them! 💭 This conversation brings several benefits, including:
- We get to know them, their interests, and what they offer 🕵️♀️
- They get to know us and ask questions about the chapter 🏢
- We can figure out where they can best contribute 💪
- We'll work better together if we know each other! 🤝
People really appreciate personal outreach 👥
Relationships are the heart of social movements 💖, and getting to know someone new increases the chance they'll feel welcome, appreciated, and remain involved longer. It's also energizing for us! 🌟
Tempting Shortcuts to Avoid ⛔️
We all love a shortcut, but here's why they may not work in this case:
- Can't I just email them? 📧 Sure, but one-on-one contact builds stronger relationships. 💪
- Can't I invite them to our next meeting? 🤝 Yes, but the one-on-one conversation often works better. 🙋♂️
- I don't have time! ⌛️ If you’re swamped, it might be time to share the load among several members. 🧑🤝🧑
Organizing a Conversation 📅
When setting up a conversation, consider these:
- Find a good time to talk, and if a face-to-face chat or a phone/video call works best ☕️📞
- Allow 30-40 minutes for the chat ⏰
- Figure out common ground and next steps 👥
How to Follow Up 🔄
Once the conversation's done, don’t forget to:
- Add them to our database 🗂️
- Invite them to things! 💌
- Introduce them to relevant people 👋
- Share meeting minutes and other relevant information with them 📄
Further Learning 🎓
There are many resources available for learning more about relationship building and community organizing.
- Handout: How to have a one-on-one relational meeting
- Videos
“Sometimes the welcome chat we have with a new person is their first real opportunity to express, and be heard, about a part of them that’s passionate about life and the wellbeing of our community. They can feel really affirmed to get to voice that passion, and sometimes even their despair for what they want, and be heard. And then we are offering them a way to channel that passion into a plan to win real change together.”
Remember, the first chat with a new person may be their first real chance to express their passion for our community. Let's make them feel heard! 💬👂
This guide was inspired and adapted from resources shared by the Australian Conservation Foundation and Stop Adani - big thanks to them! 🙌
