How to orient new coalition members

Community coalitions are always looking for new people to join the effort, bringing fresh ideas and energy. Sometimes it can be a challenge to bring new people up to speed without having to back track at each meeting.

Having a process in place for bringing in new members will help ensure meetings run smoothly. You may want to designate a few people who will be in charge of organizing information packets and assigning mentors for new members.

When you bring new members into a coalition, you want to make them feel welcome and appreciated, and also make sure they understand the project and their role in it. Here are some things you can do to make their transition a little easier:

Create an information packet that includes:

• Your mission statement
• A brief description of the project
• The role members are expected to play, including any specific tasks they may be asked to take on
• The amount of time s/he is expected to devote to the project
• The meeting schedule
• A list of names and contact information for coalition members

Assign a mentor to each new member. The mentor should be the point-person for any questions or concerns a new member may have. He or she could also be the person in charge of bringing the new member up to speed.

Hold an orientation before new members attend a regularly scheduled meeting to review materials and answer questions.

Set aside time for new members to experience a sample dialogue. This helps to ground them in the process and the initial content matter of the issue.

Provide time for introductions at the beginning of the meeting whenever you bring in a new member. Give everyone two minutes to introduce themselves and say why they are part of this project. Make sure everyone has a nametag.