House Meetings are a useful tool for local chapters to organize the community. One of the best ways to get community support behind your chapter is to organize a house meeting. A house meeting can be held anywhere - someone’s house, a church, restaurant or chapter office.
A successful house meeting should include the following steps:
- Have the chapter appoint a committee to plan house meetings
- Determine the number and purpose of the house meetings
- Prepare an agenda and talking points
- Establish a date for all speakers (members) to be trained prior to a house meeting
- Develop materials that can be given to members to reinforce the message
- Invite stakeholders
- Arrange for snacks and beverages
- Publicize the meeting
House meetings have been held by CTA chapters to organize and mobilize around the following issues:
- Pink Slips (Reduction In Force)
- Collective Bargaining
- School Board Elections
- Parcel Tax
- School Bonds
- School Safety
- Drop Out Rate
- Achievement Gap
- Gang Problems
- State Budget Crisis
- Public Relations
- Lack of Recreation Facilities for Kids
Any issue that impacts your local association or community can be an opportunity to hold a house meeting. House meetings are one way to build community support for your issues. To get ideas for holding House Meetings, check our sample resources page.