Taking On New Members

Guest Contributor: Anne-Marie-Faiola
Anne-Marie's Posts - Anne-Marie's Blog

Taking on new members for your Mastermind Group needs to happen in order to replace people who either aren't coming physically (they quit for whatever reason) or aren't coming mentally (not doing their homework, arriving late at meetings, not contributing). When you have a Mastermind Group, part of what makes it work is a close-knit environment where there is trust and mutual appreciation for eachothers' goals. It's difficult to bring new members into a fully formed, functioning group. It can upset the delicate balance that exists or bring up fears that normally stay hidden. For example, the last time we added members to one of my Mastermind Groups, one of the existing members started doubting their value ("But, I always liked being the youngest. If I'm not the youngest in the group any more, what's my shtick?"). Having a clearly defined process for adding new members eases both of these concerns.

I've been in one of my Mastermind Business Groups for seven years and have watched many members come and go. There are certain things that make the transition to adding new members easier:

1. Have clearly defined membership criteria - Every single group I am in has some sort of membership criteria. Not surprisingly, the group that has the squishiest, most vague criteria also has the hardest time admitting new members because well, almost everything goes! We've even invited people to join the group that didn't have a business when the Mastermind group's stated purpose revolved around business. Whoops! When you have clearly defined membership criteria, turning potential new members away doesn't need to be about them but about their qualifications to join the group. It's not personal - it's just that they don't fit your groups' desired membership demographics. And, if they do fit all the criteria, that's when you start working down the list below.
2. Have clearly defined expectations - One of my Mastermind business groups will literally kick you out if you miss two meetings in a year. Another one of them has fines for being late. Expectations don't need to be draconian attendance or late policies. I'm in one Mastermind Group that has no attendance or late fees but they do have required reading every month. It doesn't matter what your expectations are so much as that you can write them down and share them with potential new members so that they know what they are signing on for and what the group will expect from them.
3. Give every existing member veto power - Every so often, one of the existing members just has a bad feeling or takes an instant dislike to a potential new member. It may be irrational but discounting the existing member's concern is a surefire way to breed a poisonous resentment that will culminate in either the existing member leave or the new member washing out in a few months. Giving each and every member the power to approve or disapprove how their group is formed also ensures that everyone is accountable for their own Mastermind experience.
4. Have a three month trial period - Sometimes, it just doesn't work out. It's not that the new member is bad person. It's just a "fit" thing. They'll probably be very happy in another group, but your group isn't it. Having a probationary period helps make this decision less emotional and more of a procedural thing.

If there are other things that you've found to ease the transition of adding new members, I'd love to know about them. Since I'm in three Mastermind Groups, there is room to grow and improve the policies and procedures in all of them.