HERE’S WHY WE ASK YOU TO . . . Orient New Members Into our Fraternity . . .
New members need to know what our fraternity stands for, and where they fit in the scheme of things.
By MICHAEL W. REEMTS
Director, Fraternal Education
> Almost any organization today, in the private, public or social sectors of our society, uses some type of process to “sign-on” new employees, recruits, volunteers or members. Most organizations employ some type of event to initiate the relationship between the organization and the newcomer. These events range from the informal “orientation” to more formal ceremonies that may include a “swearing-in” or signing pledges or contracts.
The objectives in most cases are the same: the new member needs to know who the organization is, what they do, and his or her role in it. In addition, the organization needs and wants to take advantage of the newcomer’s motivation—which is usually at a peak nearest the point of their decision to join and their acceptance by the organization. The intent is to ensure the new “recruit” is delighted to become a part of the group, and to encourage the newcomer to become engaged actively in the organization early on in the relationship.
Members Voice Their Opinion on the Orientation Process
At the Membership Special Seminar held in November 2003, participants discussed and provided feedback on the Moose orientation process for new members. There was strong consensus agreement on the objectives for conducting orientations stated in the paragraph above. In addition, the focus groups made the following recommendations:
• Have a “joint” orientation; one for men and women. Include the family.
• The goal should be to get the new member in and active quickly.
• Simplify and expedite the process. Schedule orientations frequently (weekly, ideally).
• Combine the Orientation and Ritual into one. Use Orientation followed by an oath.
• Use an updated video for consistency. Include information on Mooseheart and Moosehaven, and member benefits.
• Provide a training module and easy-to-use materials for consistent orientations.
• Moose International should mail an orientation “welcome” packet to new members.
At the 116th International Convention in Charlotte, the membership approved an amendment to the General Laws now making it a requirement to participate “in an orientation” and to be “enrolled into the Lodge in the manner and form required by the Supreme Council” in order to legally become a new member. (section 28.7).
As a result of the foregoing, the Directors of Marketing, Membership Retention, and the Publications Department presented a conceptual model in a “mock” orientation to the more than 650 men and women attending the “Unleash the Power” seminar held last November in Las Vegas. Later the same day, participants provided feedback on the model during focus group breakout sessions. Further, they completed opinion surveys that included questions relating specifically to the model presented.
While the groups gave many suggestions on specific elements they liked and those they would change, a vast majority were very much in favor of the concept of a joint or family orientation. The written surveys confirmed that nearly 80 percent of both men and women “agreed” or “strongly agreed” that the concept would be beneficial to Lodges and Chapters in the long term.
Director General Ross Dispels Rumors Concerning Ritual Programs
One specific element of the mock orientation presented was an alternative closing that featured an optional swearing-in of the member candidates by reciting a pledge. Before we go on, read what Director General Donald Ross said in his keynote address the evening prior to the presentation:
“I have heard some pretty good stories or rumors about ritual programs, and usually I get e-mails and letters from Ritualists after one of these meetings, because the word seems to spread that we discuss the Ritual process, as it is today, and by the time we get home and tell the Ritualists that are not in attendance, they seem to hear that we are eliminating the Ritual. Please write this down . . .we are NOT planning on eliminating the Moose Ritual. We have discussed alternative methods of enrolling a new member into the Order—possibly as an option to the prescribed ritual. With all the other agenda items on our desks the last couple of years, we have have not had an opportunity to develop any new methods of enrolling members, and we have not made any presentation to the Supreme Council whatsoever. Ritualists should continue to conduct enrollments, should recruit and train new ritualists as needed, and should continue to compete. I have asked the Fraternal Operations Team to consider sending a survey or questionnaire to newly enrolled members to determine how many have actually been properly enrolled and what they think of the enrollment ceremonies of the Loyal Order of Moose and the Women of the Moose. In addition, tomorrow you will hear of an alternative closing to a joint new-member orientation. Bill Airey and Debbie Meyer will present it. Bill is going to tell you that what they are presenting has not been approved, or even recommended for approval. We are offering you a possible alternative, that you will be able to to discuss, critique and provide further input tomorrow afternoon at one of the breakout sessions. Do not go home and tell anyone the Ritual has been eliminated. Go home and tell our members an alternative is being discussed.”
As reported by breakout session facilitators, and summarized by Mr. Ross during the the closing session, the groups were about evenly divided in their opinion of the “pledge” option as a part of the new-member orientation process.
Written surveys completed by 477 participants of the seminar provided more specific information. Among all respondents, a slight majority of men and women combined (54 percent) favors an optional pledge or oath. Fifty-nine percent of non-ritualists agreed or strongly agreed with the pledge concept, with only 34 percent disagreeing. Among active ritualists (about 30 percent of the respondents) the issue was almost evenly divided; 44 percent of ritualists (men and women) were in favor, while 47 percent disagreed with the concept.
Why do we ask you to orient new members? Because we believe every member should know about the organization he or she is joining, and the benefits of belonging to this Family Fraternity called Moose.
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February/March/April 2005
