So you want to throw a House Party...

Thank you for deciding to hold a James O'Keefe for State Treasurer house party! These gatherings are central to our campaign. They help to build relationships between the candidate, the campaign and the community, and they generate volunteers and funds for the campaign. With each new house party, we strengthen the Green Party and we strengthen our challenge to short-sighted big-money politics in Massachusetts.

In this Document

• Goals of a House Party
• Planning a House Party
• After the House Party
• Sample Phone Invitation
• Sample Email/mail invitation
• Sample Agenda
• Rules for collecting contributions

Other Materials

• Volunteer and House party sign-up sheet
• Names and numbers of local supporters

First, Let's Set Some Goals!

• To have fun!!
• To inspire your friends and neighbors to become involved in a progressive third-party campaign with a real shot at the State House.
• To obtain qualifying contributions for the James O'Keefe for State Treasurer campaign.
• To raise "time." In order to mount a real challenge to the entrenched parties, James needs volunteers to raise money and spread the word about the campaign. You should be able to recruit at least five new volunteers for the campaign and three pledges for additional house parties.
• To distribute campaign materials, such as buttons and stickers.
• To distribute 100 pieces of campaign literature. Urge guests to post literature in supermarkets, bookstores, cafes and other public places where permitted.
• To make a stand for democracy. Hosting a house party is a great step toward building the power of responsible citizens to make real change.

We're Ready to Plan a Party...

First, work out a date with a representative of the O'Keefe campaign.

Once you have a tentative date or dates in mind, contact us and we will let you know when James will be able to attend. Attempt to schedule your party at least three weeks ahead of the anticipated date.

Second, create a guest list for your party and send out invitations.

You can invite people via phone (preferred), e-mail or snail mail, but remember to invite at least twice as many people as you want to attend. We can provide you with a list of Green supporters in your area to augment your own acquaintances.

Third, submit your invitation list to the campaign.

E-mail it to us (preferred) or send it to us at 25 Moore St., Somerville, MA 02144. The campaign will maintain a list of people invited to house parties so that we can expand our database and use it as a resource for the campaign and for the Massachusetts Greens.

Fourth, call your invitees and attempt to confirm their attendance.

This is the single most important factor in a well-attended party-getting in touch with everyone you invited at least once before the party. If the response is low, invite more people-one way to do this is to suggest to your invitees that they invite their friends who may be interested in the campaign - or who just like to party.

Fifth, ask a friend to serve as "Door Host" at the event.

This person will be responsible for keeping a list of guests as they arrive, collecting contributions and cards and distributing materials. If possible, the Door Host should set up a table near the entrance to facilitate this process.

We're Almost There...

In many ways, you should set up your James O'Keefe for State Treasurer House Party just as you would any party. Purchase and/or prepare enough food and beverages for all confirmed attendees. Think about the mood you want to create at the party, and write up an agenda or a plan.

The day of the party, just make sure that the food's ready to go, the campaign literature is on display and your "Door Host" knows of his/her duties and is prepared to come a half-hour early.

And don't forget, relax and have a good time!

The Party's Over...Or Is It?

After your successful house party, return all contributions and sign-in sheets to the candidate or campaign representative, or submit this list in an Excel file via email to us. Give any leftover buttons, stickers, and literature to one of the guests who has volunteered to host his/her own house party or to the candidate or campaign representative.

Finally, give yourself a pat on the back for doing your part to rescue our fragile democracy and get ready to shake up the system in November, 2006!

Sample Phone Invitation Script

Like all phone scripts, you should look over this sample phone invitation and figure out how to improvise and say some of these things in your own words, while adding specifics about your party. Remember, you're throwing a party, so you don't want to sound like you're reading a phone script to your family, friends and neighbors. Use this as a guide, but don't be afraid to speak from your heart.

Hi! This is (your name). (Pause for possible small talk.) I'm calling because I'm throwing a party on (the date), and I would love for you to come. I'm having the party in honor of the James O'Keefe for State Treasurer campaign. Have you heard of James O'Keefe yet?

If yes, skip down.

If no: James is the Green-Rainbow Party candidate for state treasurer. He is running to bring environmental and social justice values to the Commonwealth's investments and to make how we invest the people's money more democratic.

James' actually going to be at the party, and it'll be a chance for all of us to meet him and talk with him, and just to hang out with each other and talk about how we can help the campaign. So, do you think you can make it?

If yes: Great! (Give directions and other relevant information.) I'll give you another call before the party to remind you.

If no: I'm sorry to hear that. Are you interested in learning more about James's campaign?

If no: All right. See ya' later!

If yes: You can go to www.jamesokeefe.org. If you change your mind, let me know!

Sample E-mail or Mail Invitation

MEET JAMES O'KEEFE!

House Party

7:30 PM, Tuesday, April 25

All interested people are invited

Come and meet James O'Keefe, candidate for state treasurer of Massachusetts, at a house party in Lexington, 7:30 PM, Tuesday, September 25. James is the Green-Rainbow Party candidate.

For more information, contact at or .

DIRECTIONS TO THE PARTY:

(Use this space to write out directions to your place.)

Sample Agenda

This is a very basic sample agenda. Before your party, you should consider how you want the event to look or feel. Do you want to set aside time for music or other entertainment? Do you want to plan games or activities? Do you want to invite guests to dress up or follow a theme, like around a holiday? Do you want to plan for an informal discussion period? Make sure that you let the O'Keefe campaign in on your plans (so that they won't be left out of the fun), but feel free to get creative!

I. Welcome: Host

• Thank the guests for coming
• Go over the agenda

II. Main Presentation: Candidate and campaign Representative

• Present the goals of the campaign and highlight why it is unique and important
• Answer guests' questions and listen to comments
• Go over the local campaign and the various ways people can get involved

III. Thanks: Host

• Thank everyone for coming and suggest that people stick around to talk informally with the speaker and with one another
• Encourage guests to fill out time-raiser and house party pledge cards, and offer house party volunteers suggestions on how to host their own party

Rules for Soliciting Contributions

• Public Employees cannot solicit or receive contributions.
• Contributions may not be received in state, federal, or municipal buildings.
• Contributions may not be received in public university buildings.
• Contributions may not be made by corporations, but can be made by businesses provided they are sole proprietorships.
• The maximum campaign contribution is $500 per person, per candidate, per year.
• Only registered Massachusetts voters can make qualifying contributions, though others may contribute.
• Contributions of more than $50 must be made in check or credit card form.
• Contributions of $50 or less can be cash, check, money order, or credit card.
• Checks should be made out to the "James O'Keefe Election Committee."
• You can contribute to more than one candidate for the same office.
• The contribution does not affect your party affiliation.
• Names of contributors are a matter of public record.
• If you are not a registered Massachusetts voter, you can still contribute up to $500. Non-resident aliens with green cards may also make such contributions.