Using CiviRules to send email when setting up a Direct Debit
If your existing members are getting a new recurring contribution you could potentially check for a new recurring contribution instead of a new membership? I think that would solve the issue.



If you try and it does not you might try something like:


a first rule to check for relevant new memberships and add them to a group
a second rule that adds them to a group when the contact gets a new recurring contribution AND is not already member of the group
send the email when a contact is added to the group (and potentially remove them from the group if you think that would make sense).