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.

Here are some things to keep in mind while creating your event:

• Select Fundraising 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.

Start with people you know. Think about friends, family, colleagues and neighbors who are excited or interested in Barack Obama. Aim to invite at least 15 people, knowing that at least half probably will not be able to attend.

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 flyer and post it at your local coffee shop, grocery store, or library. It's up to you if you want to keep your event small or try to invite all members of your local My.BarackObama group for a large celebration.

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 couple days before the event and then again on the day of the event to remind everyone of the event’s details.

There are several materials you’ll want to be prepared with before your fundraiser.

• Sign-in Sheets. This is the form that you will want to have all your attendees use to sign in.
• Supporter Cards. These cards will be signed by those people at your event who make a firm commitment to vote for Barack Obama in your state’s primary.
• Contribution Forms. Every guest who makes a donation and does not do so online must fill out this form.

Other materials you may want to have on hand:

• Issue Flyers. Think about printing out flyers detailing Barack’s positions on important issues.
• Videos. You may want to download some of the campaign’s video content to show your guests. You can even create your own DVD using our instruction. You can also purchase a DVD from the Obama Store.
• Obama Merchandise. If you’d like to provide your guests with buttons or show your pride with an Obama t-shirt, you can find these items and others in the Obama Store.
• Camera. Don't forget to take pictures and share them with us after the event.

Welcome your guests and introduce them to others at your house party. Make sure every attendee signs in on your sign-in sheet.

Introduce yourself and share with the group why you decided to host this event and why you support Barack Obama. Why did you get involved with the campaign? Everyone has a unique story about how they got engaged, and your guests want to hear it directly from you. Your openness will help set the tone for the rest of the event.

You’ll also want to answer the question, Why is Barack Obama’s candidacy important? Why is it important to give to the campaign? For information on how Barack answers these questions, go to BarackObama.com.

Many people who host house parties like to show a campaign video or DVD. You can have your guests gather around your computer to watch BarackTV, or you can download a video and make your own.

Supporter Cards and Contribution Forms

Before your group breaks up, pass around the supporter cards and contribution forms. It’s important for the campaign to know more about our supporters, including their backgrounds and willingness to volunteer.

A great way for your event attendees to give is to donate online. You can set up a personal fundraising page to track all the donations for your event. Some people will want to contribute with cash or a check. For those that do, just make sure they fill out a contribution form with their donation.

Thanks

Thank your guests for coming and make sure to gather the sign-in sheets, supporter cards, contribution forms and donations before your guests leave. You can mail them to:

Obama for America Attn: New Media Action Center 233 N. Michigan Ave, Suite 1100 Chicago, IL 60601

1. Return sign-in sheets & supporter cards.

   Return all sign-in sheets, donations and contribution forms, and supporter cards by mailing them to:

               Obama for America
               Attn: New Media
               233 N. Michigan Ave, Suite 1100
               Chicago, IL 60601
   

   If you'd prefer, you can enter your sign-in sheets online and the support cards online instead of mailing them in.

2. Share Your Feedback

   What kind of fundraising event did you hold? What worked best? Share your ideas for future fundraising hosts. Write a blog and send your photos to photos@barackobama.com.

3. Thank your guests.

   Send individual thank you emails to all of your guests. Follow up with those who committed to volunteering in the following weeks. For those who didn't sign up to volunteer, thank them for coming and make sure to let them know about your next event.

4. Congratulations!

   You just helped Barack get one step closer to victory! Check for more ways you can build this movement! It's people like you that make this campaign for change possible.