Overview
New members bring fresh energy and perspective to a cooperative—but only if they feel welcomed, informed, and integrated. Effective onboarding isn’t just about rules and benefits; it’s about introducing people to the co-op’s culture, values, and participatory model. This best practice outlines a structured onboarding process that helps new members quickly feel like part of the cooperative community.
Core Tactics:
- Design a multi-touch onboarding experience. Blend digital and in-person elements over the first 90 days.
Sample Onboarding Timeline:
| Week | Activity/Event | Purpose |
| 1 | Welcome email & introductory video | Introduce mission, history, and values |
| 2 | Live or recorded orientation session | Cover cooperative principles & structure |
| 3 | Peer welcome call or buddy system pairing | Build connection and trust |
| 4 | First-time member spotlight (newsletter/social) | Recognize new members publicly |
| 6–8 | Survey check-in or quick feedback form | Identify questions or concerns |
| 12 | Invitation to join a member committee | Encourage early involvement |
Download New Member Onboarding Timeline Worksheet (Google Sheet)
- Create a values-driven orientation module. Highlight cooperative identity and how members contribute to governance and direction. We’ve built a worksheet to help you craft your story more efficiently. The presentation includes four sections but download the full presentation and customize it with your own unique cooperative story.
Orientation Content Outline:
| Section | Content Highlights |
| Welcome to the Co-op | History, mission, sector relevance |
| Understanding Cooperative Values | 7 Cooperative Principles + how we bring them to life |
| Your Role as a Member | Rights, responsibilities, and opportunities for participation |
| How to Get Involved | Committees, events, governance, communications |
Download the New Member Orientation Content Worksheet (Google Doc)
- Gather and respond to early feedback. Use onboarding surveys to understand new members’ questions and tailor support accordingly. If you’re using Principle 6 to manage the relationship with your cooperators, you can use a prebuilt Onboarding Satisfaction Survey, but you can also build your own survey with the following questions:
New Member Feedback Questions:
| Question | Type |
| Did you feel welcomed when you joined? | Yes/No |
| What did you find most helpful in the onboarding process? | Open-ended |
| What was unclear or confusing? | Open-ended |
| Do you feel you understand your role as a member? | Scale (1–5) |
| What would improve the onboarding experience? | Open-ended |
- Celebrate new members. Publicly recognize and share welcome messages to reinforce a culture of belonging.