In MTA, only Undergraduate Chapters conduct new member presentations.

Joining a student organization is a bit like stepping onto a campus stage—the lights go up, a bunch of new faces look expectant, and you want to set a tone that’s welcoming and clear. When it comes to introducing new members, a common question pops up: who gets to present them to the group? The answer isn’t just a trivial detail. It shows how the organization delegates authority, preserves its culture, and keeps onboarding consistent across chapters.

Here’s the thing, in plain terms: only Undergraduate Chapters are authorized to conduct new member presentations. Alumni Chapters don’t typically take on that formal onboarding role, and approval from the national office isn’t part of the picture for this specific responsibility. This setup isn’t about gatekeeping; it’s about aligning onboarding with the chapter’s mission and the realities of how each chapter operates.

Let me unpack that a bit more so it makes sense in day-to-day terms.

Why this split exists, not just as a rule but as a pattern you can count on

Think of an organization as a living ecosystem with different habitats. Undergraduate Chapters are the student-facing arm. They’re designed to recruit, orient, and mentor new members as part of a student’s own college journey. The onboarding experience is a moment when values, expectations, and opportunities are presented in a way that resonates with someone who is joining during their school years.

Alumni Chapters, on the other hand, inhabit a different space. Their focus tends to be networking, mentorship across a broader timeline, and sustaining connections long after a student leaves campus. They’re essential for keeping the longer arc of the organization alive—yet that role doesn’t typically include conducting the formal, structured new member presentation that Undergraduate Chapters handle. It’s a practical division of labor built into how the organization operates.

The practical bits of onboarding that Undergraduate Chapters own

• A structured introduction: New members get an orientation that covers the organization’s values, code of conduct, and expectations for participation. It’s not just about rules; it’s about culture—how people treat one another, how decisions get made, and what it means to contribute.

• A relevant context: The presentation connects the organization’s mission to student life—peer mentoring, service opportunities, and leadership growth happening on campus. It’s a bridge between big principles and real campus realities.

• A mentorship pathway: In many Undergraduate Chapters, the new member presentation includes an introduction to potential mentors, small-group discussions, and pathways to involvement that fit a student’s schedule and goals.

• A sense of belonging: The moment is also social. It’s the chance for new members to feel welcomed, to meet current members, and to see themselves as part of a larger community while still in school.

What Alumni Chapters contribute, and why it’s different

Alumni Chapters do a lot for the organization—just not the formal new member presentation. Their strengths lie in long-term relationships, professional networking, continuing education, and supporting ongoing engagement after graduation. They often host speaker events, mentorship circles, or alumni-student pairing programs that help current members see the bigger picture beyond campus life.

That distinction isn’t a matter of preference; it’s about preserving the integrity of the onboarding experience and the relationships each chapter type is best suited to foster. The Undergraduate Chapter’s presentation is targeted to students who are navigating the campus environment, while Alumni Chapters offer guidance that extends beyond college years.

What this means for members, volunteers, and leaders

• Clarity in roles: Everyone knows who does what. Undergraduate Chapters present, Alumni Chapters support in ways that complement—but don’t replace—that formal onboarding.

• Consistent onboarding for students: A standard, student-centered introduction helps new members start from the same baseline, regardless of which campus they attend. The ritual of onboarding becomes a reliable touchpoint.

• Clear expectations: New members understand what they’re joining, what they’re expected to contribute, and how they’ll be supported from day one.

• Smooth collaboration: Alumni volunteers can participate in a supportive capacity—speaking at or co-hosting events, mentoring, and offering practical advice—without taking over the official presentation role.

How to navigate the process in practice

If you’re an Undergraduate Chapter leader planning a new member presentation, a few best practices can help you land the message with impact:

• Start with a clear agenda: Welcome, values and mission, member responsibilities, benefits of involvement, and next steps. A crisp outline keeps everyone on the same page.

• Include a lived-example segment: A current member share or a short panel can illustrate what active participation looks like beyond the formal talk.

• Build in a Q&A: Allow new members to ask questions. It’s not just informative; it signals openness and transparency.

• Offer a tangible path forward: End with concrete next steps—how to sign up for committees, how to schedule mentorship meetings, and where to access essential resources.

• Coordinate with Alumni Chapters: While they won’t deliver the formal presentation, they can be a powerful supplementary resource, offering insights, professional networks, and post-campus guidance.

A practical agenda you could adapt

1. Welcome and introductions (5 minutes)

2. Mission and values snapshot (5 minutes)

3. Roles and expectations for new members (5 minutes)

4. On-campus opportunities and how to get involved (7 minutes)

5. Mentorship and support structures (5 minutes)

6. Q&A and next steps (5–7 minutes)

A few gentle cautions to keep in mind

• Don’t crowd the moment with too many details. The goal is a clear first impression, not an encyclopedia.

• Avoid implying that Alumni Chapters can or must run the presentation. The policy is straightforward: the underwriting of the presentation belongs to Undergraduate Chapters.

• Don’t treat the presentation as a one-off event. It’s the opening chapter of a longer journey of engagement. Plan follow-ups, buddy systems, and first projects to help new members feel productive early on.

If you’re in an Alumni Chapter and wondering how you fit in, the answer is simple: you fit in by enriching the experience. Offer mentorship, connect students with industry contacts, or host a workshop that complements the content of the undergraduate session. Your role isn’t to replace the formal onboarding; it’s to extend the network and support system that helps members thrive.

A few quick storytelling touches to help this idea land

• Picture a campus room with a newcomer’s half-smile turning into a full smile as someone from the Undergraduate Chapter shares a story about a small, meaningful win—like leading a project or helping a neighbor on campus. That moment isn’t just about information; it’s about belonging.

• Consider a metaphor: onboarding is like a campus orientation hike. The Undergraduate Chapter provides the map and the compass in the first mile; Alumni Chapters become the seasoned guides who help you navigate later, after you’ve found your trail and built your footing.

Why this structure matters for the organization as a whole

Consistency matters. When new members walk into a presentation, they should feel that the path is well-trodden, that the values are genuine, and that they have a real chance to contribute. The separation of duties between Undergraduate and Alumni Chapters helps ensure that students receive the right introduction at the right stage of their journey, while alumni maintain ongoing, meaningful connections that extend beyond graduation.

If you’re part of a campus community exploring this setup, here are a few questions to guide conversations with chapter leadership:

• How does our Undergraduate Chapter design the new member presentation to reflect our campus context?

• What role can Alumni Chapters play to support onboarding without altering the formal structure?

• How do we measure whether the onboarding experience is landing as intended for new members?

• What are the opportunities for cross-chapter collaboration that stay within the policy and feel natural to participants?

Where to go from here

If you’re curious about the specifics of how the policy works on your campus, start with your Undergraduate Chapter officers. They’re typically the stewards of the onboarding process and can share muscled-up agendas, timelines, and sample materials. If you’re an alumnus or alumna who wants to contribute, reach out to the chapter leadership and ask about mentorship programs or guest speaker slots that align with the formal onboarding timeline.

The bottom line is simple and a little reassuring: new member presentations belong to Undergraduate Chapters, while Alumni Chapters play a vital, supportive role in the broader lifecycle of members. The arrangement keeps onboarding purposeful, consistent, and aligned with what each group does best. It’s a practical design that boots up the student experience without losing sight of long-term engagement.

If you’re reading this as a student, you’ll likely recognize the value of beginning your journey with a clear, welcoming, and purposeful introduction. If you’re an alumni or a campus volunteer, you’ll appreciate how your experience and networks can enrich that journey without disrupting the structure that makes onboarding work.

So, whether you’re stepping into a classroom, a campus club, or a shared project space, think of the new member presentation as that first impression you want to get right—warm, informative, and solidly grounded in the organization’s mission. The rest will follow as you build momentum, one well-planned session at a time.