Around this time, as Makiguchi's own religious commitment was deepening and, as the number of members who were not teachers increased, Makiguchi started to change the Soka Kyoiku Gakkai's organization from one centered on teachers to one that would also appeal to non-teachers, and also to change the organization's purpose from the promotion of educational reform to the promotion of reform of society based on reform of religion. The Dec 23 meeting, attended not only by teachers but also by businesspeople and the general public, was effectively the Soka Kyoiku Gakkai's First General Meeting.