diff --git a/app/pages/join.vue b/app/pages/join.vue
index a76c316..67bc0d6 100644
--- a/app/pages/join.vue
+++ b/app/pages/join.vue
@@ -317,13 +317,17 @@
       <ParchmentInset>
         <h2>How membership works</h2>
         <ul>
-          <li>Full access to the knowledge commons, Slack, and peer support</li>
+          <li>Full access to the knowledge commons, events and workshops, and community</li>
           <li>Free access to all Ghost Guild events</li>
           <li>Equal access for every member, regardless of contribution</li>
           <li>Your circle reflects where you are, not rank</li>
           <li>Pay what you can ($0&ndash;$50+/month, separate from circle)</li>
           <li>Higher contributions create solidarity spots for others</li>
         </ul>
+        <p>
+          Community connection happens in our Slack workspace, joined in monthly
+          onboarding waves &mdash; there may be a short wait after you join.
+        </p>
       </ParchmentInset>
 
       <!-- THREE CIRCLES -->
diff --git a/app/pages/member/dashboard.vue b/app/pages/member/dashboard.vue
index 26c0ad9..de91d71 100644
--- a/app/pages/member/dashboard.vue
+++ b/app/pages/member/dashboard.vue
@@ -39,8 +39,8 @@
               <span>${{ memberData?.contributionAmount ?? 0 }} CAD/mo</span>
             </div>
             <p v-if="showSlackComingNote" class="slack-coming-note">
-              Slack workspace access is part of your membership. Your invitation
-              typically arrives within 2&ndash;3 weeks of joining.
+              Slack workspace access is part of your membership. Invitations are
+              sent in monthly onboarding waves &mdash; we'll be in touch.
             </p>
           </PageHeader>
 
diff --git a/server/api/helcim/customer.post.js b/server/api/helcim/customer.post.js
index d0fc95d..2d09ff3 100644
--- a/server/api/helcim/customer.post.js
+++ b/server/api/helcim/customer.post.js
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ import { getRequestHeader, getRequestIP } from 'h3'
 import Member from '../../models/member.js'
 import { connectDB } from '../../utils/mongoose.js'
 import { createHelcimCustomer } from '../../utils/helcim.js'
+import PreRegistration from '../../models/preRegistration.js'
 import { sendMagicLink } from '../../utils/magicLink.js'
 import { setPaymentBridgeCookie } from '../../utils/auth.js'
 import { rateLimit } from '../../utils/rateLimit.js'
@@ -82,6 +83,32 @@ export default defineEventHandler(async (event) => {
       })
     }
 
+    // If this email matches a pending pre-registrant, mark the PreRegistration
+    // as accepted and link it to the new Member. Silent — keeps /join and
+    // /admin/pre-registrants from showing the same person twice.
+    try {
+      const preReg = await PreRegistration.findOne({ email: normalizedEmail })
+      if (
+        preReg &&
+        !preReg.memberId &&
+        ['pending', 'selected', 'invited'].includes(preReg.status)
+      ) {
+        await PreRegistration.findByIdAndUpdate(
+          preReg._id,
+          {
+            $set: {
+              status: 'accepted',
+              acceptedAt: new Date(),
+              memberId: member._id,
+            },
+          },
+          { runValidators: false }
+        )
+      }
+    } catch (linkError) {
+      console.error('Failed to link PreRegistration to new member:', linkError)
+    }
+
     await sendMagicLink(normalizedEmail, {
       subject: 'Verify your Ghost Guild signup',
       intro: 'Verify your email to finish your Ghost Guild signup:',
diff --git a/server/api/invite/accept.post.js b/server/api/invite/accept.post.js
index 84d5db6..27e5109 100644
--- a/server/api/invite/accept.post.js
+++ b/server/api/invite/accept.post.js
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import { connectDB } from '../../utils/mongoose.js'
 import { setAuthCookie } from '../../utils/auth.js'
 import { assignMemberNumber } from '../../utils/memberNumber.js'
 import { createHelcimCustomer } from '../../utils/helcim.js'
+import { sendWelcomeEmail } from '../../utils/resend.js'
 
 export default defineEventHandler(async (event) => {
   const body = await validateBody(event, inviteAcceptSchema)
@@ -88,6 +89,15 @@ export default defineEventHandler(async (event) => {
   // For free tier, redirect to welcome
   if (body.contributionAmount === 0) {
     await autoFlagPreExistingSlackAccess(member)
+    try {
+      await sendWelcomeEmail(member)
+      logActivity(member._id, 'email_sent', {
+        emailType: 'welcome',
+        subject: 'Welcome to Ghost Guild'
+      })
+    } catch (emailError) {
+      console.error('Failed to send welcome email:', emailError)
+    }
     return {
       success: true,
       requiresPayment: false,
diff --git a/server/utils/resend.js b/server/utils/resend.js
index e3cada2..ce79e94 100644
--- a/server/utils/resend.js
+++ b/server/utils/resend.js
@@ -282,7 +282,7 @@ Welcome to Ghost Guild! You're now part of the ${member.circle} circle.
 Sign in to your dashboard to get started:
 ${baseUrl}/member/dashboard
 
-If you have questions, reach out to jennie + eileen on Slack or reply to this email.`,
+If you have questions, just reply to this email.`,
     });
 
     if (error) {
diff --git a/tests/server/api/free-signup-flow.test.js b/tests/server/api/free-signup-flow.test.js
index 521c0b2..bee73b3 100644
--- a/tests/server/api/free-signup-flow.test.js
+++ b/tests/server/api/free-signup-flow.test.js
@@ -20,6 +20,9 @@ vi.mock('../../../server/models/member.js', () => ({
     findOneAndUpdate: vi.fn()
   }
 }))
+vi.mock('../../../server/models/preRegistration.js', () => ({
+  default: { findOne: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(null), findByIdAndUpdate: vi.fn() }
+}))
 vi.mock('../../../server/utils/mongoose.js', () => ({ connectDB: vi.fn() }))
 vi.mock('../../../server/utils/helcim.js', () => ({
   createHelcimCustomer: vi.fn(),
diff --git a/tests/server/api/helcim-customer.test.js b/tests/server/api/helcim-customer.test.js
index cba7df5..a023c27 100644
--- a/tests/server/api/helcim-customer.test.js
+++ b/tests/server/api/helcim-customer.test.js
@@ -12,6 +12,9 @@ import { createMockEvent } from '../helpers/createMockEvent.js'
 vi.mock('../../../server/models/member.js', () => ({
   default: { findOne: vi.fn(), create: vi.fn(), findByIdAndUpdate: vi.fn() }
 }))
+vi.mock('../../../server/models/preRegistration.js', () => ({
+  default: { findOne: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(null), findByIdAndUpdate: vi.fn() }
+}))
 vi.mock('../../../server/utils/mongoose.js', () => ({ connectDB: vi.fn() }))
 vi.mock('../../../server/utils/helcim.js', () => ({
   createHelcimCustomer: vi.fn()