How to host a (CAN*) Home Meeting
You CAN make a difference!

• watch the direction that America is being taken and feel powerless to stop it?
• believe that your voice was not loud enough to be heard above the noise anymore?
• read the headlines every day and feel an empty pit in your stomach…as if you’re completely alone?

Many of your friends, family and neighbors feel the same way but do not know what to do. They are unaware that others are feeling the same way. By offering them a group to talk with, you will help them to know ...They Are Not Alone!

Invitations

• Decide who you want to come to the meeting.
• Select those most open to the ideas to be discussed.
• Ask people and “test them” on their willingness to participate.
• Don’t issue blanket invitations, at least until you learn how people respond.
• Keep meeting size small, perhaps from 3 to 5 couples.

Meeting Preparations

• Could provide soda-coffee-snacks.
• Make sure “support” materials are on-hand.
• Have small pads and pens for note taking.
• Have a small easel on which to write key points.
• Have handouts summarizing key points ready in case they are needed.

Conduct the Meeting

• As host and meeting leader you should keep the discussion “on track.” Remember, most people who attend for the first time feel that "NO ONE" is listening to them, so they will want to vent off steam. Keep the meeting moving-keep the meeting to one hour.
• Open with introductions and ask people what they hope to get out of the meeting. Make notes.
• State the meeting intent, and set a time limit.
• Have one person ask a question, and let discussion flow.
• Take notes on major points made.
• Keep on track by using the easel to write down points that are not to be discussed but remembered for another time.
• Make sure that everyone gets a chance to talk and that the floor is not “hogged” by one or two people.
• Summarize major points as way of wrapping up the formal part of the meeting.
• Let people know you have materials for further reading. (Materials should include our Marietta OH 9-12 Project web address and a way for them to contact you.)
• Invite further questions.
• Ask if people would like to convene again to continue or extend the discussion. Invite them to bring a friend next time.
• Make sure they leave with a information pack and Marietta 9-12 sign-up card.

Follow Up

• Contact the people who attended; thank them for attending and if their objectives were met.
• Ask if they visited the Marietta OH 9-12 Project web site, and are pursuing any of the topics discussed.
• Ask if they would like to attend another meeting. And if they would like to go with you to the twice a month Marietta 9-12 meeting.
• Ask if they would be interested in hosting a neighborhood meeting like the one you held.