Onboarding Selected Participants

For those participants who have been selected, they should be onboarded via a phone call and subsequently, a formal email.  

It is important to inform participants about what they should expect as part of the program, both in terms of timings, dates and days, deliverables, etc., so that participants can know what they are getting into. 

As this will be your first interaction with the selected participants, you should be as friendly and welcoming as possible, while being clear about the details of the program. 

A few general considerations that you could keep in mind when onboarding applicants are:

  1. Clear communication: It is important to maintain clear communication when explaining the components of the program, the timings, as well as its requirements. While there is of course no hard and fast attendance, however as has been mentioned above, there are deliverables that you should explain to participants. 

Clear communication would also help participants clarify their doubts, if any. It would also assure participants of the next steps and help them feel part of the loop.

  1. Collecting information: You should collect basic information from participants as part of the onboarding process. This is primarily for your record, as well as to introduce participants to each other, if that is something you would want to do. 

Such information includes asking for their photograph, a 100-word bio, as well as their identification proof. 

  1. Creating comfort: Since the onboarding process will be your first interaction with the selected participants, you should also try your best to create a sense of comfort. This will help participants feel comfortable in reaching out to you in case they have any doubts, questions or queries. Additionally, it would also help them feel at ease with each other.

  1. Clarifying channels for communication: You should also ensure that participants know all the means through which they can communicate with you. While there will of course be the official Email ID as well as the WhatsApp/Skype group, you should also ensure that at least one member of your team’s phone number or Email ID is also given to participants. This will create a personal channel of communication which will increase the team’s comfort level. 

  1. Reference links: Participants should be given access to links which will help set the context for the program prior to them joining. While it isn’t compulsory for them to go through all of the links prior to the program starting, they should have access to these materials in case they would want more information.

A few reference links that you could send to them are provided below:

The F.A.I.R. Project Website: https://thefairproject.org/

The F.A.I.R. Methodology: https://thefairproject.org/thefairmethodology.pdf

The F.A.I.R. Dialogue: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLj8OcaF8bt3kRVZF0ApoF8DB6wxuqJdeu

The Changemakers’ Showcase 2021: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLj8OcaF8bt3n8jNnCdWbRXkMpgyZgUhng

The Changemakers’ Showcase 2020: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLj8OcaF8bt3lbXyD992A7XwJH6iCYZeno

Next: Stage 3: Onboarding Selected Applicants – Communications

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