We are having great success doing this in Maryland, with a number of county officials, state legislators, and even a member of the Governor's cabinet joining us at our Plunge. (We're still working on Governor O'Malley himself!)  One helpful hint:  some politicians really fear cold water even more than most, so for any who are, consider suggesting that they be part of the "blanket brigade," staying on shore to hold the blanket and cup of hot cocoa for their fellow legislators who are actually going in.  You can get more of them involved this way, build more connections with folks you need to influence, and get more media attention for your Plunge.

Need any additional ideas or sample text for inviting legislators - just drop us a line here at the National Polar Bear Plunge!

It also makes sense when you consider that skiing is an important, popular and very visible industry, and last year many ski operators took a financial beating, in the Northeast especially, when temperatures stayed in the 60s and even 70s throughout December and early January.  This makes a skiing Plunge an ideal way to promote our message, Keep Winter Cold - Fight Global Warming!  (And if there is no snow on the slopes that day, the skiing will be shorter, but the message even more powerful.)

Our good friend Robin Hoek is setting up the skiing Plunge in Apsen, Colorado, and has enlisted the support of the local ski operators.  To talk to her about how she's done it, and to set up a skiing plunge yourself, contact Robin at 303.469.0925, or through www.myspace.com/greenactionnetwork

As record arctic ice melt combines with more powerful hurricanes and extreme weather (drought, floods, heat waves) all over the planet, the need for extreme action on global warming - like jumping into a cold body of water in the winter - has never been more urgent.  Thanks so much for joining a Plunge near you - or starting one of your own!

Read Bill McKibben's full commentary, with links for Step It Up 2, by clicking here  - The Race Against Warming.

And once again today, we are confronted with dramatic news that ice is melting - and global warming advancing - much faster than previously thought. As was reported today, the summer ice pack in the Arctic - air conditioner to the planet and home of the majestic polar bear and other equally stunning animals - reached a new record low, smashing the old record set in 2005. Incredibly enough, 69,000 square miles of ice - roughly the same size as the state of Florida - has melted... in just the past seven days!

As the article notes, this dramatic loss of Arctic sea ice will spell doom for the polar bear and other inhabitants of the Arctic, and it will also likely have a dramatic effect on weather patterns for the rest of the planet. It's not just the polar bears that are threatened with extinction anymore. In the words of Rob Watson, "people see an endangered species every day now when they look in the mirror."

There is still time left to act, but it is running out. Thanks for joining the Chesapeake Climate Action Network in our campaign to fight global warming. And in particular, please consider joining us as we stand up and speak out for the polar bears in our Third Annual Polar Bear Plunge on December 8th. Check it out, and sign up, at www.keepwintercold.org

DRAFT DRAFT ** POLAR BEAR PLUNGE PRESS ADVISORY ** DRAFT DRAFT

NEWS ADVISORY

Contact:  (your name, phone number)                                                                         (Today's date)

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2007 (fill in time you are doing it)
PHOTO OPPORTUNITY

Local Climate Activists Take "Polar Bear Plunge" into (your body of water) to Demand Action on Global Warming

Winter Plunge Part of National Action to "Keep Winter Cold!"

(your town/city, state) - Alarmed and spurred on by rapidly accumulating evidence of global warming, local climate activists are joining a national Polar Bear Plunge this coming December 8, 2007, with the message, "Keep Winter Cold! Fight Global Warming NOW!"

With extreme weather happening across the country this year, including massive wildfires in California and the west, record heat waves and droughts in the southeast and record flooding in the mid-west, climate activists in (your town/city/region) are joining with hundreds of others in the U.S. to organize more than 30 cold weather "Polar Bear Plunges" to call attention to this extraordinary crisis.  From California to Alaska to North Carolina and Maryland, plungers will be taking the dip on Saturday, December 8 - in conjunction with the International Day of Climate Action and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change taking place in Bali, Indonesia, from December 3-14. Solutions to our regions global warming crisis will be highlighted, including (mention one or two of the most prominent activist efforts, pending pieces of legislation, etc. in your area.)

(fill in the following information)

WHO:  (your group name and any short description of it or your plungers you'd like to give)

WHAT: (give name of plunge, or just location followed by "Polar Bear Plunge")

WHEN: December 8, 2007 (give time)

WHERE: (give location with complete address)

**PHOTO OPPORTUNITY**
(and list any extra special photo op here, such as "singing polar bears," political leaders, clergy, etc.)

Here's How To Raise $200 In 30 Minutes To "Keep Winter Cold!"

Dear Clean Energy Supporter:

Thanks so much for agreeing to jump into the [body of water] with us on Saturday December 8th at [time], to raise awareness about global warming. We'll send you more information about the event, including directions to [specific location of plunge], in the coming days.

But right now, we hope you'll take just 15 minutes to send the special letter below to 20 (or more) of your closest friends and relatives. This simple email letter will help you collect sponsors and pledges for your December 8 adventure into the icy [body of water]. We know from experience that this is an amazingly easy way to raise money for this vital cause. No going door-to-door. No phone calls. No licking envelopes. You'll never even have to touch the money...all while doing just 15 minutes of work! I promise.

All you have to do is send the template e-mail letter below to all your friends and family. Everyone knows about global warming, and most everyone wants to do something to help. Individuals who have used this method in past polar bear plunges have raised hundreds of dollars, mostly because their friends and family - like yours and most other Americans - care deeply about our planet and the threat posed by global warming.

So just send out the letter, either keep a list of your pledgers and their amounts [or direct them immediately to the online donation site], and join us for our jump in the [body of water] on December 8^th. Then, after our plunge, we'll provide a similar e-mail message with instructions on how people can send in their pledge. I guarantee that if you send out the appeal letter to 20 people, you will raise at least $200 in 15 minutes or less on the computer.

While any and all funds are certainly welcome (!), we recommend setting a personal goal. For example, $200 is a potential target (equal to just ten of your family/friends making a $20 pledge).

So please, if you can, make a little time to join us in this vital fund-raising effort. You'll feel good about the results and you'll enjoy your plunge even more.

Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

[your name]

[your group and contact info]

===================================================

SAMPLE FUNDRAISING EMAIL TO SEND TO YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY

Dear (name of your friend):

On [day and date] I'll be jumping into the icy [body of water] for a really good cause: the fight against global warming.

Yes, you read that right. I'll be plunging right into the water at [specific location/town at body of water for jump] with several dozen other crazy people. The event, organized by [your group(s)], in conjunction with the National Polar Bear Plunge, is meant to raise awareness about the fight to "Keep Winter Cold" and thus save our planet from the growing crisis of global warming.

So here's the deal: I'll agree to get wet and cold if you'll agree to sponsor me. By making a pledge to support my playful suffering, you'll help [your group] fulfill its very serious mission of educating and mobilizing the citizens of [your area] to take concrete steps to protect our climate. The suggested minimum pledge is $20 but if you give more it will help [your group] accomplish more - and make my plunge into icy water even more worthwhile!

This is an especially critical time for an action like this. There has been a growing surge of citizen awareness and activism on global warming in the past year, and the issue of climate change has only grown in importance with each passing day. The Plunge will conclude a year of climate change activism on a high note, and, most importantly, it will continuing to highlight our demand for action as we head into the crucial presidential election year that begins with the primaries in January and February.

By participating in the National Polar Bear Plunge, we will be sending the strongest, clearest, most visceral, national message we can to all candidates running for office: Keep Winter Cold! Act on Global Warming NOW! Best of all, we'll also be raising money to continue this struggle throughout the election year.

So please let me know if you can make a pledge toward this very worthwhile event. Also know that [your group] is a reputable, nonprofit organization based in [your location] with an emphasis on community-based, grassroots organizing. You can learn more about [your group] at [website url]. Your contribution is tax-deductible.

If you can make a pledge, just reply to this email, and I'll let you know how. 

And thanks so much for your interest and support in the fight against global warming - and for supporting me while I turn a little blue in the process!

Thanks so much,

[your name]

Email subject line: Please Sponsor Me As I Freeze My #%@*&# Off To Fight Global Warming!

Dear [name],

On [day and date] I'll be jumping into the icy [body of water] for a really good cause: the fight against global warming.

Yes, you read that right. I'll be plunging right into the water at [specific location/town at body of water for jump] with several dozen other crazy people. The event, organized by [your group(s)], in conjunction with the National Polar Bear Plunge, is meant to raise awareness about the fight to "Keep Winter Cold" and thus save our planet from the growing crisis of global warming.

So here's the deal: I'll agree to get wet and cold if you'll agree to sponsor me. By making a pledge to support my playful suffering, you'll help [your group] fulfill its very serious mission of educating and mobilizing the citizens of [your area] to take concrete steps to protect our climate. The suggested minimum pledge is $20 but if you give more it will help [your group] accomplish more.

This is an especially critical time for this inspired act of lunacy. The Step It Up actions of this past spring helped start a growing surge of citizen activism on global warming, and the issue of climate change has only grown with each passing day. The Plunge will conclude our year of activism on climate change on a high note, continuing to highlight the issue for this all-important presidential election year that begins in earnest with the primaries in January and February.

And by participating in the National Polar Bear Plunge, with thousands of other concerned citizens jumping in cold bodies of water all across the United States, we will be sending the strongest, clearest, most visceral message we can to all candidates running for office: Keep Winter Cold! Act on Global Warming NOW! And best of all, we'll be raising money to continue this struggle throughout the election year.

So please let me know if you can make a pledge toward this very worthwhile event. Also know that [your group] is a reputable, nonprofit organization based in [your location] with an emphasis on community-based, grassroots organizing. You can learn more about [your group] at [website url]. Your contribution is tax-deductible.

If you can make a pledge, just let me know the amount right now by replying to this email and then I'll follow up with you after the swim to collect your contribution. Or, you can go to this special, secure web page and make your contribution to my plunge right now.

Either way, thanks so much for pledging your support to continue the fight against global warming - and for me to freeze my #%@*&!#! in the process!

Thanks so much,

[your name]

[position, your group name]

Dear supporter [or insert name] -

Let's Keep Winter Cold!!! 

Join the National Polar Bear Plunge, and freeze your  #%!&* to fight global warming by jumping into the [body of water] with me and dozens of other [name of citizens in your region, e.g. - "Marylanders."] on [date].   

Who says fighting global warming can't be fun? Never done something like this before? Neither have I. But your friends will howl with delight afterwards and your kids will thank you for helping to save their planet.  We'll provide the hot chocolate and donuts and warm hugs afterwards. You provide the swimsuit and donations from at least ten friends and family members. That's it - and together we'll save our climate. 

Our plunge will be at [time] on [date] at [location of body of water].  All you have to do is show up at the [location] at [time] and quickly jump in - and out - of  the water with me and dozens of other insane climate heroes.  (Or if you prefer, even swim a few lengths!)  Bring your camera, friends and family and make it a fun outing for everyone. Marvel at all the different shades of blue skin! 

This plunge comes at a particularly important moment in our history, and will be part of the larger "Save the Polar Bears - Keep Winter Cold!" National Polar Bear Plunge being organized all over our country. (www.keepwintercold.org )   The urgency of global warming has finally become part of political debate in the presidential election, an election that will begin in earnest with the first primaries only a few weeks after the National Polar Bear Plunge.  By taking the plunge in the [body of water], you will be joining thousands of others across the country working to save our environment, and sending the strongest possible message to leaders running for national office - you need to address climate change, seriously and NOW. 

If you're interested, please contact us at [email address/phone number]. We'll give you more details and also explain how you can help raise money prior to the event with just 20 minutes of your time. I look forward to sharing this brisk dip with you and a celebratory cup a hot chocolate on the [date]!  

With thanks for all you do to preserve our planet, 

Sincerely, 

The Polar Bear Plunge is a can't-miss, sure-fire way to energize activists, have fun, generate media attention to global warming, and raise money to continue the work.  The following is a brief but complete guide to organizing a successful Polar Bear Plunge in your community.  Sample organizing and media materials are attached for your convenience.

At the same time, the Plunge is such an easy and natural fundraiser, and the need for resources to combat climate change is so pressing, that we strongly encourage all groups to consider organizing it as a fundraiser as well.  Even if you have never held a fundraiser before, you can easily raise $5,000 or even $10,000 with a Polar Bear Plunge - as we did here in Maryland the first time we tried it.  And if you are a new group, what better way to start your work to fight global warming than with $10,000 in the bank!  (You can also contribute that money to other local or national groups working on the issue if you wish, including the US Climate Emergency Council, which is hosting this project.) 

If you would like to discuss details or get any additional information, please contact National Polar Bear Plunge Project Coordinator Gordon Clark at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it 301-891-6724 or via the contact form.

I.                   GETTING STARTED 

Make a group decision to organize a Polar Bear Plunge.  December 8 may seem like a long time away in August, but organizing goes into hyperspeed in the fall, so you'll want to hit the ground running and make sure that the date is firmly set aside on everyone's calendar and in everyone's mind, along with the time needed to organize it effectively. 

Pick an appropriate body of water for your Polar Bear Plunge, so that you can start promoting it.  Almost any body of water will do in a pinch.  (You could probably even organize an effective Plunge in a dunk tank if you had to.)  Optimally, though, you should do the Plunge in a body of water that has some economic, environmental and/or cultural significance in your area - as the Chesapeake Bay does for most people in Maryland (remarkable seafood, recreation and tourism industries, rich bio-diversity, equally rich history and culture).  But ultimately virtually any ocean, river, lake or even large pond will do.  You will want to pick a spot for people to enter the water that is easily accessible, large enough to accommodate the numbers you expect (and any pre- and post-plunge support needed - see below), and where the water is deep enough that folks can fully submerge themselves into it if they want. (Some folks will just be able to stick their feet in, and that's OK.  Others will want to run or jump right in and even swim a few lengths if they can!) 

Start inviting high profile jumpers.  As with fundraising, you don't need to have local celebrities participating to make your Polar Bear Plunge a success - but it sure helps, from raising money and recruiting other jumpers to generating media coverage.  If you decide to go this route, you will want to reach out to these folks as soon as possible - both because their time is more limited and they likely plan further ahead than others, and also because their names can help you recruit other jumpers once they have signed on.  Almost any well-known figure in your community can be asked to join: politicians (particularly those who have been champions on the issue or those you are trying to turn into champions); civic leaders; environmental activists; cultural figures such as musicians or leaders of local theaters or operas; business leaders, etc. - your imagination is the limit.  And once they say yes, make sure to ask them if you can use their name in promoting the event! 

Send out a save the date notice to your lists and other local groups.  Once again, December 8 might seem like a long way away, but you can't start too early getting the idea and date into people's minds - all the more so because December 8th is during the holiday season between Thanksgiving and Christmas/New Year's, so you want to get it on people's calendars early.  

II.                BUILDING THE EVENT 

Send out an appeal for participants.  Depending on your existing schedule of events, campaigns and actions, you will probably want to send your initial appeal for plungers to your lists in late September, early October at the latest.  (Once again, you can't start asking your busy supporters too early, and the more participants you have the more money you make/media coverage you generate.)  While the primary initial interest is in signing up as many jumpers as possible, let people know that there will be other opportunities to help as well.  If you have signed up any celebrity jumpers, make sure to mention them in your appeal - or even have the initial letter signed/co-signed by one of them, if possible.  [Click here for sample text] 

Send an appeal for donations for the Director/group leader's plunge.  This is a way to generate contributions from those on your list who might not otherwise be able or willing to participate in the actual Plunge.  Send this out either in between your two requests for jumpers, or after the second. [Click here for sample text] 

Send a second appeal for participants.  Let folks on your list know how many have already signed up to do the Plunge; let them know how much fun it will be and how much awareness and/or money they will raise.  Not everyone signs up for events like this right away, and many might have missed the initial email, so a follow up always helps.  If your number of jumpers is still not where you want it, consider making phone calls to your strongest or most likely supporters to encourage them to join.  (Here in Maryland we recruited a majority of jumpers in our second Plunge with personal phone calls.) 

Tell participants how to get sponsored.  Roughly six to eight weeks before the event, follow up with everyone that agreed to participate and make sure they're still on board. (Once again, phone calls work better than emails for anyone you haven't already spoken to directly.)  Let everyone know about contributions director has already raised, or other select individuals who have agreed to participate.  Then send an email, thanking them for signing up and including a template letter they can use to get sponsors online.  Emphasize how easy it is to raise money - the issue of global warming is on many people's minds, and jumpers in previous Plunges have raised hundreds of dollars simply by sending an email to their friends and families. [Click here for sample text] 

Send out a reminder to participants.  A little closer to the event, send out a reminder to participants about getting sponsors.  Include the letter you sent previously on how to get sponsors.  Also encourage them to bring their family and friends with them, to have folks to cheer them on and make it a true community event. [Click here for sample text] 

Send media alerts for your Plunge. Roughly two weeks before the event, send out an initial media advisory to all appropriate press lists.  Include rough estimates of the numbers involved, as well as the names of any celebrity jumpers, relevant information about your group and any other work you have done on the issue, and contact persons.  Follow up phone calls to reporters and producers, especially those you might know personally, are very helpful.  Don't forget to reach out to print and broadcast media (radio and TV), as well as more independent and web-based media outlets.  [Click here for sample text] 

Arrange for tent rental.  People will need a place to change quickly out of their bathing suits, particularly if it's cold.  If there are no buildings at or near your plunge location, setting up two tents, one for men and one for women, is an easy way to accommodate this need.  Also consider getting portable propane heaters to put inside the tents - on a cold day, they make a world of difference.  If you are a small group tents are not necessary - during our first Plunge in Maryland participants changed in their cars - and if you are in a state park or another area with public restrooms, that works as well.  But if it's a big group and there no other facilities available, we recommend tent rentals. 

Send out a final reminder to participants.  Include directions to the Plunge and any other important information, including what they must bring with them.  (For instance, emphasize that they need to bring their own blankets and towels, as well as any change of clothes they might want.)  Encourage them again to bring family and friends, and for those family and friends to bring cameras. 

Send out a final press release, one to two days before the Plunge.  Make any final follow up calls with reporters and producers.  

III.             THE DAY OF THE PLUNGE 

On the day of the Plunge, most of the work has already been done, but there are still plenty of logistical details to handle.  For instance, make sure to have and/or bring: 

Banners and signs - A picture truly is worth a thousand words, and the Plunge provides great pictures, but you should still remember to have a banner or signs there, both to spell out your message ("Save the Polar Bears - Keep Winter Cold!"  "Fight Global Warming Now!" etc.) and to identify your group. 

Tent set up - If you are using tents, make sure you (and the rental company) are there in plenty of time to get the tents set up before people start arriving.  If it's particularly cold or windy, some people will want to wait inside the tents before they jump. 

Tarps - Depending on the beach or area where you are jumping into the water, you might want to bring tarps to put down inside the tent, to make it cleaner and easier for people to change into and out of their bathing outfits. 

Hot coffee, hot cocoa, hot tea and donuts - Nothing warms the body and spirit on a cold day like a cup of hot coffee, hot cocoa or hot tea.  And nothing brings a smile to the face like a donut.  Some local shops might even give you hot beverages or donuts as their contribution to the event.  Don't forget to bring trash bags.

 Cameras - Even if you have media coming, make sure to bring your own digital cameras to record the event - for the media who don't come, for your own newsletter or publications, and most importantly to send in pictures to our National Polar Bear website to join hundreds and even thousands of others from across the country to send the strongest possible message on climate change to the media and political candidates. 

Speakers and Music - Since the excitement and power of the Plunge is in the action itself, you probably don't want to have a lot of speakers or other pre-jump activities (and again, particularly if it's cold).  Nonetheless, make sure to have at least a couple speakers to help psych people up - for future work as well as for the plunge itself! - and local musicians to feed people's spirits.  However, make sure to publicly thank any celebrity jumpers who are joining you, especially if they will not have a chance to speak.  (And that goes double for politicians!) 

Media Liaison - Make sure someone in your group is selected to take a clipboard around to every media person who attends your event, getting their information for follow up and future use and guiding them to appropriate people in your group for comment. 

Medical personnel - Although the Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN) has not had any problems the two times we've done this, and people as a rule will be fairly self-selecting as to their ability to take a quick plunge in cold water (and remember, some people just go into the water up to their knees!), having a qualified medical person on hand, along with extra blankets, should take care of any problem that might arise.  An alternative method CCAN has used is to call local firehouses a week or two before the event, let them know what's happening, and ask if their EMT personnel might be available for the Plunge, if they are not otherwise occupied.  (We have found them eager to offer their services, and although they have not been needed in our two Plunges, they nonetheless showed up and enjoyed themselves immensely.)

Instructions for participants on how to collect their pledges - Have a simple instruction card telling people how to collect their pledges or otherwise get them to your group.

Other materials - If you have other actions or campaigns in progress, have materials to hand out to people.  Just don't overload them, and bear in mind that people probably won't to spend time filling out letters, petitions, etc. especially if it's cold and windy and they are cold and wet.

IV.              POST-EVENT FOLLOW UP 

Post pictures and accounts of your action on the "Save the Polar Bears - Keep Winter Cold!" website!  (Note - this function will be added to the complete website later this summer/early fall.) 

Do any needed follow up calls to media. 

Send accounts and pictures of your jump to politicians.  Use this as a way to put increasing pressure on them to act on global warming.

Send personalized thank you notes to high profile jumpers. 

Email follow up to jumpers - A week or two after the event, send an email to the jumpers thanking them again for participating and reminding them to collect their pledges, with instructions attached.