Good member onboarding is crucial to ongoing member retention. New SLS members will be more likely to continue their engagement with the SLSC if they feel welcomed and instantly part of your SLSC’s community. The SLSC onboarding process should be a formalised and planned activity and ideally last for the members entire first season or year with the SLSC.
Ideally, the SLSC will have an allocated person or committee who is responsible for member onboarding. As soon as a new membership application is received, they should contact the new member to welcome them, thank them for joining the SLSC and make a time to have an initial induction meeting with them (See the Club Induction section of this Club Guide).
First Season
Throughout the new members first season, the person responsible for their onboarding should keep in regular contact with them via a variety of communication methods and tools to:
- Allow them to express any concerns or raise questions
- Invite them to participate in activities or further training or development
- Provide them with information about further pathways in SLS.