I registered at the Gemeindehaus in Binnigen (BL) a few weeks ago and yesterday received a letter inviting me to a welcoming meeting in Frenkendorf (BL) later in the month (23 May) - where I will be informed about my "basic rights and duties in Switzerland". Only once I attend will I be given my foreigners identity card "Ausländerausweis".

This seems to be a new procedure - but I was wondering if anyone has been to one of these before? Or if any other newbies have been invited to this one? I am not really sure what to expect.

Craig

Zurich put this crap in front of me, I just ignored it. You don't have to attend in Zurich. Although I might go to the Zug one.

They had this on the news the other night. Apparently it's a new process to help with intergration. Not all cantons are participating (on the news they featured Kt. LU). Go and enjoy the free information (saves you from reading the various books on the subject )

We were invited to one (canton Zurich) - would've gone too - except hubby picked that weekend to come down with appendicitis, and of course I couldn't leave him alone and tea-less for three whole hours...

Hoping they will have something similar here in Glarus but I haven't heard anything about it yet.

..........

I do not think this thing is new, or least for my Stadt in Canton Zurich. I was invited within 3 weeks by way of a letter after registration ( which was more than 3 years ago ) and attended a casual 15 minute discussion with 6 persons. I felt it was wonderful to be welcomed ( never got that in any other town / city I've been to ) despite my almost non-existent DE, they wanted to know a little of my background and they explained a little of Stadt Waedenswil.

This sounds nice, been here for 2 years and still don't feel welcome

Anyone tried

"Hello all, it's great to be in Sweden I especially like your women!"

We went and found it very welcoming, interesting and we got an awesome package of all sorts of information (in English)...light refreshments and a walking tour of Zurich city.

And it was kid-friendly...with three kids in tow we certainly appreciated the fact that they had made some effort to be accommodating, and welcomed us...

That was in Zurich...hottingen

I think you can't 'dis' the experience if you haven't tried it - I have found plenty of welcoming/encouraging/friendly swiss locals...

I forgot to add, that when attending it, I was given vouchers - free and heavily discounted towards our:

a) Badminton hall rental
b) Garbage / waste recycling
c) Library membership
d) Cinema
e) and other stuff sponsored by local establishments

So for others for future reference -
I had my welcoming meeting (Begrüssungsgespräch) this morning.

I had incorrectly assumed it would be a group meeting - but it was in fact an individual appointment. We had the discussion in German, but she was prepared to have held it in English instead. The lady was friendly, but to be honest, didn't provide me with any new information that I had not already gleaned from Mr Hampshire's "Living and Working in Switzerland" and from the forum - and wasn't really able to answer many of my remaining questions. No free stuff or vouchers from Baselland (like some people from other Kantons had mentioned).
She explained about rubbish collection, the need to be quiet and considerate to your neighbours, the need to get health insurance and the various public transport options. She also provided a booklet on Baselland with useful contacts, plus a sheet explaining Quellensteuer and social security deductions.
She quizzed me on how many languages Switzerland has (4 - and apparently Rhaeto-Romansch is an official language everywhere and not just in Graubünden) and how many Cantons there are.

I did though collect my 5-year B Ausländerausweis - although it is in the little booklet format which doesn't fit into your wallet (not a practical credit card-sized identity card which the Swiss and I think "third world" i.e. Non-EU people get).

All in all though, I welcome the initiative the Kanton has shown in trying to ensure that foreigners coming to Switzerland have as much information as possible to get them settled. I guess not everyone has stumbled across EF before they arrive here.