CDCKI TutorialCDCKI Tutorial

Welcoming New Members Into Your Circle K Club

Why Do We Need New Why Do We Need New Members?Members?

New members are the lifeblood of our organization. Every year each club loses members that are graduating or

that leave for other reasons. It is imperative to the survival and growth of our

organization that we have new members each year. New members bring new ideas, new energy, and new

enthusiasm. Our new members today will become the leaders of our

organization in the year to come. By investing in our new members, we are investing in our organization.

Circle K as a businessCircle K as a business

Your club and your membership chair have spent a lot of time and energy in recruiting these new members.

Imagine your club is a business and new members are your customers. You have spent a lot of time and money on advertising your business.

You advertising has paid off by delivering a bunch of prospective new members to your latest event.

Now, like any business, you must close the deal by showing the all that Circle K has to offer.

How to Welcome a New How to Welcome a New MemberMember

RULE #1:

The first rule of welcoming new members is to never leave any new member alone. At no point during the entire meeting or event should a new member be by themselves.

How to Welcome a New How to Welcome a New MemberMember

RULE #2:Names are very important. Be sure to

introduce yourself and to catch their name. Make sure that you remember their name and call them by it throughout the event.

Introduce your new member to other old members as you see opportunities throughout the event.

How to Welcome a New How to Welcome a New MemberMember

RULE #3:Stay with your new member. Once you meet a new

member make them “your new member.” Sit next to them if you are at a meeting. Work alongside them at a project. If every old member invests time with one new member then every new member will feel welcomed. You will have chances to get to know all the new members at later times. But during that first encounter it is important to create a strong bond to make them more comfortable.

How to Welcome a New How to Welcome a New MemberMember

RULE #4:Start with small talk. Start by talking about

hometowns, majors, interests, etc. Ask questions about them and share information about yourself. Include information about you that doesn’t involve Circle K. Eventually bring up their interest in Circle K. Ask what brought them out to the event. Then tell them more about the organization. Answer their questions but don’t give them so much information that they get intimidated.

How to Welcome a New How to Welcome a New MemberMember

RULE #5:

No jargon. Do not use acronyms. Remember how you felt as a new member when people were talking about DCON, FTR, STR, ICON, LTG, etc, etc. In fact, don’t even try to explain all this to them yet. You want to give them information but you don’t want them to overload. Too much information at once could cause them to crash and burn.

How to Welcome a New How to Welcome a New MemberMember

RULE #6:

Check your baggage at the door. Don’t allow a bad day to ruin a new member’s experience. Also, as in every organization, Circle K has its share of “politics” and “drama”. Leave this aside. You are creating a first impression of our organization to this new member. Make it a positive one.

How to Welcome a New How to Welcome a New MemberMember

RULE #7:

Sell the organization. They might be wondering why they should join Circle K. This question can easily be answered by your own personal experience. Why did YOU join Circle K? Why are YOU still involved?

How to Welcome a New How to Welcome a New MemberMember

Membership Benefits (just to name a few) Circle K pin, membership card, magazine. Leadership training at Fall and Spring Training Rally and at District

Convention. Leadership opportunities. Club socials and intramural sports. Kiwanis Career Contacts helps Circle K’ers network with Kiwanians

that are looking for college graduates, co-ops, and interns. Opportunity to work alongside fellow Circle K’ers that are committed

to service. Being part of an International organization offers members the

opportunity to meet diverse people with diverse perspectives. Scholarships

How to Welcome a New How to Welcome a New MemberMember

RULE #8:

Close the deal. Ask them if they are interested in getting more involved. People can’t join if they aren’t asked. So ask! Show them how they can get more information. Tell them ways they can get involved today. Give them your contact information and the contact information of the Membership Chair/Vice President.

How to Welcome a New How to Welcome a New MemberMember

Never leave a new member alone. Remember and use their name. Stay with your new member. Start with small talk. Don’t use jargon. Leave your baggage at the door. Sell the organization. Close the deal.