How Welcoming is Your Club?

You only get one chance to make a first impression

by Jak Carroll, Strategic Sport Solutions

One of the key points highlighted by Katy Ritchie of England Netball in a recent webinar (hosted by Ian Sandbrook) was the importance of welcoming new people to your club.

She highlighted how organisations like Disney make a big deal about getting this right and how being welcoming is embedded in the DNA of their staff.

Two personal experiences of mine reinforce the value of a good first impression.

In my teens I was part of the jogging boom and decided to take things a bit further by joining the local Athletics Club. The first time I turned up to the Club it took me some time to work out who was in charge and who could help me. Once I found this person, they simply pointed me to a group running around the track and said to go join them. No further information, or even introduction, was offered.

I contrast this experience to the first time I attended a Toastmasters Club meeting. There I was welcomed by the Club’s designated “greeter” who stayed with me for the duration of the meeting, explained how everything worked and introduced me to other members.

Guess which of these two clubs I joined?

Does your organisation need some help with planning or governance? Jak Carroll has extensive experience in the sport industry including consulting to organisations and conducting training sessions. If you are interested in some quick advice or having Jak work with you on your next project, please click here.