On Election Night, President-Elect Barack Obama reminded the nation, “This victory alone is not the change we seek; it is only the chance for us to make that change.”

Host a Change Is Coming house meeting on the second weekend in December to take the next step and begin bringing change to your community and country.

As President, Barack Obama is counting on you to organize in your neighborhood and continue this movement. This guide will provide you with all the tools and resources you need to host a successful Change Is Coming house meeting. At your event you will:

• Get to know others in your area who are ready to work for change.
• Determine the issues most important to your group.
• Plan how you can reach out to your local representatives and media to ensure your voices are heard.
• Get started bringing change right away by planning a service event before the Inauguration.

It is up to each one of us to take the fate of our country into our hands. Use this guide to start planning your own Change is Coming event.

Step 1: Register your Event

Take a moment to register your event online. Registering your event online means you’ll get your own page for your event, be able to send an invite to your friends, track who is planning on attending, and send details and reminders to your attendees.

• Select Change Is Coming as your event type.
• Make your event searchable if you'd like to allow supporters on My.BarackObama to RSVP. Make your event unsearchable if you wish only to invite friends and family.

Step 2: Invite Friends, Neighbors, and Colleagues.

Start with people you know. Think about friends and neighbors who were involved during the campaign. Next think about people who may not have been involved in the past to grow your group and this movement. Aim to invite at least 50 people, to ensure you have 15-20 people in attendance.

You may also want to reach out to your larger community. You can find your local My.BarackObama group and invite members to attend by emailing the group's listserv. You can create your own event flyers and post them at your local coffee shop, grocery store, or library.

Encourage all of your attendees to RSVP for your event so you know how many people to expect. Send an email to all of your attendees using the Email Attendees link on the Manage Your Events page a day or two before the event to remind everyone of the event’s details.

Step 3: Get your Materials in Order

There are some things you should have ready before your Change Is Coming event.

Host Resources
This includes extra resources for planning your event.
Download the host resources.

Sign-in Sheets
This is the form that you will want to have all your attendees use to sign in.
Download the form.

Change is Coming Video
You can watch the Change is Coming video at your event to kickoff the discussion.

Issue Flyers
Think about printing out flyers detailing Barack’s positions to help brainstorm which issues your group would like to focus on.

Camera
Don't forget to take pictures and share them with us after the event.

This agenda is meant only to be a suggestion to guide you in your activities. Feel free to organize your Change Is Coming event according to your preferences.

Sample Schedule:

Welcome from Host – 5 minutes
Introduce yourself and ask your guests to sign-in.
Share what inspired you to be involved in this monumental journey, the goals for the meeting, and why you think it important to continue working for change.

Show Change is Coming Video – 10 minutes

Plan for Change - 30 minutes
The most important part of your Change is Coming house meeting is to lay the groundwork for your group’s activity in the coming weeks. Get to know one another. Find out what issues are top priorities for your group, and what relationships you already have with political or social organizations in your community.
• Reflect on the election and which issues are most important to your group.
• Brainstorm ways to build relationships with your local and federal representatives.
• Think about ways to amplify your groups actions, such as reaching out to local media outlets.
• Consider what actions you can take in your area to start bringing the change you'd like to see right away.
Ask your guests to help lead your future efforts to plan events and reach out to local political figures, the media, and your community.

The Next Step – 10 minutes
You can take action in your community right away to make a difference.
Decide on and commit to hosting a service event before the Inauguration on January 20th. Then invite your local representatives to join you at your service event. Here are some ideas:
• Hold a book, toys, winter gear, or food drive to prepare for the holiday season. Work with local organizations such as Toys for Tots, The Salvation Army, or a local school or church.
• Host or participate in a blood drive in your neighborhood. Work with organizations like the Red Cross to plan a blood drive with your group.
• Excited about the much anticipated First Dog? Support your local animal shelter to give animals in your area a chance. The Humane Society of the United States provides lots of great ways you can help.
• Fight for a cause that is important to you, such as finding a cure for Breast Cancer. Participate in a walk-a-thon like Relay For Life.

Closing – 5 minutes
Collect all sign-in sheets. Thank your guests for their involvement and participation.

Capture Information
Enter your plan for change survey and your sign-in sheets online.

If you'd prefer, you can mail copies of your sign-in sheets and planning forms to:
Obama for America Attn: New Media 233 N. Michigan Ave, Suite 1100 Chicago, IL 60601

Thank your guests.
Send individual thank you emails to all of your guests. Follow up with those who committed to participate in a service event to begin bringing change to your community. Make sure to let all of your guests know about your next event.

Share Your Feedback
How did your Change Is Coming house meeting go? What worked best? Share your feedback. Write a blog and send your photos to photos@barackobama.com.

Congratulations!
President Elect Barack Obama said, “This victory alone is not the change we seek; it is only the chance for us to make that change.” Congratulations, you have taken the first steps to bring change to your community and our country. Now begin planning your next event. It's people like you who can change this country, one step at a time.