06/07/2026
From Dan Companion:
It All Starts at the Beginning: Orientation & Member Engagement
One of the greatest challenges facing not-for-profit fraternal membership organizations today is time. In a world where everyone is balancing family, work, and personal commitments, finding volunteers can be difficult. Yet organizations like our Moose Lodges were designed to operate through the dedication and service of member volunteers.
Our Lodge relies on members who are willing to step forward—whether serving as officers, participating on committees, helping at events, supporting charities, or simply lending a hand when needed. The reality is that many new members don’t fully understand how a not-for-profit fraternal membership organization operates. They often see a building, activities, and familiar faces and assume it functions like a commercial business.
That’s why orientation matters.
A great orientation does more than welcome new members—it educates them about how the Lodge works, why member involvement is important, and how each person can contribute to our success.
One of the best tools a Lodge can implement is a Member Engagement Form. During orientation, ask new members:
✅ What charities or community causes interest you?
✅ Would you be willing to volunteer at Lodge events?
✅ How much time could you realistically contribute?
✅ What skills, talents, or professional experience could you bring to the Lodge?
✅ Are there committees or activities you’d like to learn more about?
Imagine a Board of Officers meeting where the President announces:
“We welcomed 25 new members this month, and 12 of them indicated they want to volunteer, serve on committees, help with events, or support our charitable efforts.”
Now the Lodge has information. Now the Lodge has opportunities. Now the Lodge can connect people with meaningful ways to participate.
Engagement doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because we ask. It happens because we communicate. It happens because we help members understand that this Lodge belongs to all of us.
If we want to grow our Lodges in today’s world, we must create processes that identify member interests, utilize member skills, respect people’s available time, and encourage collaboration.
Success starts with education.
Success starts with engagement.
Success starts with a great orientation.
— feeling motivated.
