CORNERSTONE 1:
WELCOME
When someone enters your choir, they arrive with all the baggage of their workplace or family life, all their social anxiety and feelings of inadequacy, and with all the uncertainty of what lies ahead.
Our role is to create a framework that immediately makes people feel: WELCOME, VALUED and SUPPORTED for their journey ahead.
There are many amazing ways that our choirs achieve this, and we value all the efforts everyone puts in. The following items are imperative to achieve our goals, and minimise your workload going forwards.
- Prior to members arriving, you should have your registration table set up near the entrance to your rehearsal space.
- Ideally it should be somewhere where everyone passes through on their way in to rehearsal.
- Your table should be dressed with your With One Voice table runner, and have all the necessary paperwork on display (Welcome Letter, Registration Form, Code Of Conduct, Personal Care Assistant Policy, etc)
WHAT IT FEELS LIKE:
- I have a document to refer to if I have questions
- I know what to do if I want to join
WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE:
ACCESSIBILITY:
Take the time to imagine what arriving at your choir would feel like for others:
- Is there a clear, wide path for wheelchairs and other mobility aids?
- Are the aisles wide enough to allow access for everyone?
- Have you got gaps in the seating where people with wheelchairs could fit?
- Is there anything you could do to make your venue more accessible?
- The first thing anyone should see when entering into your choir space is a big smiling face!
- Try and arrive with plenty of time so you’re not scrambling to get things done as the first people arrive.
- That welcoming smile can be the make-or-break of someone’s journey, so make it a friendly, calm, sincere one!
WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE:
“Hello. My name is XXXXXX. Welcome to the With One Voice Choir. How are you today?”
“This is XXXXX. They’ll sit with you tonight, so please don’t be shy if you have any questions.”
WHAT IT FEELS LIKE:
- I feel welcomed and included.
- I feel less anxious because someone is there to guide me.
- I know who to go to if I need help.
- Name tags are highly recommended, as they can help alleviate barriers to social connection, particularly to new members trying to find their way.
- Collect them at the end of each session to re-use.
- You’ll be surprised at how quickly you’ll learn everyone’s name when you’re handing them out each week.
WHAT IT FEELS LIKE:
- I can easily and confidently engage with other members socially.
- I am actively learning the names of people in my community.
- I am not avoiding anyone because I feel rude I that have forgotten their name.
WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE:
- Please use the supplied EXCEL Spreadsheets (or a weekly / monthly printout) to take attendance as people arrive to your choir.
- Correct attendance records are imperative for insurance reasons, as well as effective reporting requirements.
WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE:
- Your attendance sheets contain columns for both Membership and Payment status – use this moment to check in with members about their membership status, and point them in the direction of proper membership information if required.
- It’s much easier to stay on top of memberships and payments week by week, rather than waiting until it’s a big job!
WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE:
“Hi XXXXX. I see here your membership is not yet finalised. Do you need help with the registration process?”
“I notice you’re a member but your payments haven’t been going through. Do you need some help with your member portal?”
WHAT IT FEELS LIKE:
- I am confident that I know what is expected of me.
- I feel supported through the membership and contribution process.
- I am delighted to know that my choir community is reliable and sustainable.
