New Members - Welcome
Groups must always keep in mind the importance of recruiting new members. This is not only to replace departed members - and YHA local members are a floating population - but also to ensure that the Group does not get in a rut.
In addition to this it is, or should be, the object of the Group to serve as many YHA members as possible locally. It is not unknown for a Group to feel that it is already big enough. This can lead to the establishment of a clique. But an expanded programme can offer variety of choice, allowing more members to be accommodated.
The welcome is the most important thing to the new member. Some members new to the YHA are nervous about entering a youth hostel for the first time and Hostelling and Local Groups are a good way of introducing them to hostelling. If your Group has a Social Secretary then he or she can do much to welcome newcomers.
Many new members will come along to the Group having just moved into the area. This is where your name on local lists of organisations, often held at libraries or town halls, can be very helpful. Look out for places where you can leave permanent notices but do remember to keep them up to date!
New Members Evenings and Weekends
These are occasions when you make a special effort at recruitment. New Members evenings give an impetus to Groups to have a concentrated publicity drive. It is easier to whip up enthusiasm for a special event than to maintain continuously a high profile. New Members evenings encourage the general Group membership to be involved whereas ongoing publicity is usually handled by a few enthusiasts. Prospective new members are also more likely to turn up for a special event.
In organising a New Members Evening there are three things which are vital. Make sure that people can easily find your meeting place, make sure they are greeted and make sure you have your evening programme smoothly organised. Good first impressions are essential.
The programme need not be too formal but depending on the nature of the venue it may be possible for the chairman to welcome all newcomers and explain briefly what the Group is all about.
Try to have plenty of material for people to look at when they arrive; posters, leaflets the YHA Guide, Group scrapbooks, etc., etc. The Hostelling and Local Group Officer can provide you with YHA publicity posters and leaflets.
Do not expect your new members to take any initiative but do not treat the evening as a normal evening. It is specifically for new members so make them feel at home. There are activities such as a team quiz where they can take part without feeling conspicuous.
And at the end of the evening do not let them drift away. You will have told them about the Group’s hostelling and social programmes; make sure that they all have a printed copy to take away with them. When the meeting breaks up try to keep some with you if you are adjourning to a local pub but try not to make anyone feel left out.
A New Members’ Weekend should follow soon afterwards but not immediately, as there may be other commitments. Bear in mind that newcomers may not be as well equipped with boots, waterproofs, rucksacks, etc. as the established members and therefore you should make your plans accordingly. Self-catering may be a problem for some, so a meals provided weekend may be best.
With your new member’s evening and weekend behind you these new members should be integrated but try to accommodate their needs as they start to find their feet within the Group and contribute to its running.