Providing a meaningful and engaging orientation is critical for starting your members out right. Here are some methods to consider:

• Incorporate the wisdom of former members
• Brainstorms, discussion and negotiation with your member or with a larger team (e.g., with other project staff).
• Arrange interviews/discussions for your member with key community leaders, program board members, or some residents/beneficiaries.
• Organize field trips with strategically assigned tasks to complete.
• Have your member shadow others doing similar work.
• Have your member attend staff, advisory board, and community meetings.
• Ask other staff, colleagues with other organizations and other experts to share knowledge and best practices
• Secure free or low cost skill training from various community resources:
  • Community Colleges
  • Libraries
  • Community Resource and Technology Centers
  • Trade Associations
  • Community Adult Education Programs

Get more details by downloading this resource: Get the Most out of Your On-site Orientation and Training (OSOT).

For more information on Designing Effective Trainings based on the principles of adult learning, click here.

Go on to Fundamentals of an Orientation