A Letter of Introduction (LOI) is the traditional mechanism that makes reciprocal visiting work smoothly. It’s a short confirmation from your home club that you are a member in good standing and intend to visit a specific host club.
What an LOI does (and why clubs ask for it)
An LOI provides:
- verification: you’re a real member, not just someone who found a club name online
- accountability: your home club is vouching for your conduct
- clarity: intended dates and purpose of visit
- confidence: the host club can welcome you properly
What’s usually in an LOI
Typically:
- member name
- home club name and contact details
- host club name
- validity period (dates)
- confirmation of good standing
- an authorised signature or verification method
Why LOIs become a pain
The LOI process often breaks down because it’s treated as an admin chore:
- manual emails, PDFs, inconsistent template
- unclear validity periods
- staff turnover and “who handles this?”
- slow approval loops that frustrate membersl
The modern expectation
Members now expect:
- clear instructions
- predictable approval timelines
- a verifiable LOI that’s easy to present (phone-friendly)
- fewer back-and-forth emails
Clubs benefit when LOIs are standardised, time-limited, and easy to verify — because it reduces risk while reducing admin overhead.