KEEPWINTERCOLD.ORG PLUNGER TOOLKIT. Your Toolkit Includes: th Annual Keep Winter Cold

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1 th Annual Keep Winter Cold PLUNGER TOOLKIT Your Toolkit Includes: What is the Keep Winter Cold Polar Bear Plunge? Signing Up in 4 Easy Steps Fundraising Checklist + 6 Tips to Hit Your Goal Plunge Fundraising Tools Sample Fundraising Donation Cards How to Enter Offline Donations Plunge Day Checklist Waiver / Release Form KEEPWINTERCOLD.ORG 1

2 12th Annual Keep Winter Cold Time: Saturday, January 28, 2016 at 10:00 AM Location: National Plaza at National Harbor, Maryland Contact: Kristin Cook, What is the Polar Bear Plunge? Once a year activists, friends and families in the Chesapeake region demonstrate their commitment to combat climate change and keep winter cold by taking a quick dip in the icy Potomac River at National Harbor. Plungers recruit sponsors to support them, similar to charity walks and bike rides. The annual Polar Bear Plunge is the Chesapeake Climate Action Network s priority grassroots fundraising event the funds raised power our victories to move Maryland, Virginia and DC off of planet-heating fossil fuels and onto clean energy. The best way to help us hit our fundraising goals and keep up the critical climate organizing we do in Maryland, the District and Virginia is to join us for the plunge and recruit your own sponsors to support your ice-cold dip. If you re new to CCAN, check out for more information about the work we do in our regional community. Fundraising Levels We have a goal of raising $85,000 with this year s Plunge to support all the critical work we do at CCAN. That means we need everyone s help! We are asking plungers to commit to raising a certain dollar amount for the plunge at least $350. Why $350? Because 350 parts per million is the level of carbon dioxide scientists say we must return to in order to keep winter cold. But feel free to set your goal higher! All plungers who raise at least $100 will receive a free I Took the Plunge t-shirt. These are our suggested fundraising levels to choose from: $350 Polar Bear Protector (you ll be entered to win some fun raffle prizes if you raise at least this much!) $500 Arctic Avenger $1,000 Winter Warrior (you ll be entered to win one of our grand prizes if you raise $1000 or more!) $2,000 Climate Champion You can enter your own personalized goal when registering for the event. Thank you so much for joining the fun and for helping to make CCAN an even stronger organization! What support will I receive as a Plunger? ÀÀ CCAN will help make your plunge as simple and fun as possible by providing support every step of the way. We ve built an easy-to-use website for you to track your fundraising it even lets you import your contacts from your address books so you can send s to multiple people all at once. ÀÀ After you ve registered and set your goal, we ll send you sample s that you can pass along to friends, family and colleagues asking for their support as sponsors. We ll coach you on simple steps to hit your goal and you ll have a CCAN staff member available to answer any questions you have. À À Before the plunge, we ll send you some tips on attire (such as water shoes and towels) for before, during and after the plunge. On the day of the plunge, we ll hand out foot/hand warmers, hot chocolate and snacks and have changing tents available. Right after our dip, we ll celebrate with a toasty after party to warm up and commemorate our collective feat. Co-sponsors: 350 Loudoun, Audubon Naturalist Society, Blue Water Baltimore, Climate First!, Community Forklift, Envision Frederick County, Franciscan Action Network, Green Neighbords DC, Green Souls of All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church, Interfaith Power & Light (DC.MD.NoVA), Montgomery County Conservation Corps, Potomac Riverkeeper Network, TJHSST Enivironmental Impact Club & more to come! 2

3 CCAN s 12th Annual Polar Bear Plunge: Signing Up in 5 Easy Steps Registering is the first step to having a successful plunge! Below is a step-by-step guide to making signing up easy. Step 1: Visit keepwintercold.org to set up your profile. Step 2: Click the REGISTER button at the top right corner of the page. Step 3: Follow the instructions to register for the plunge and set up a profile for your fundraiser. You can sign up as an individual, create a team or join an existing one! Step 4: Click on the orange button to get to your fundraising hub. Step 5: Set up your personalized fundraising page. Click on the Edit Fundraiser tab to set your goals, write more about your passion for plunging, add photos/videos, and more! For any technical help, you can contact Kristen Friedel, Communications Associate at (240) or a kristen@chesapeakeclimate.org 3

4 I have... Plunger Fundraising Checklist Created my fundraising page on Crowdrise. Set a goal for the ideal amount to raise. Sent s to family, friends, colleages and neighbors. Added a link to my Crowdrise page in my signature. Talked a friend into plunging with me. Followed up on my fundraising s with phone calls and/or in-person reminders. Updated my Facebook picture with a twibbon asking people to donate to my plunge. Announced my plunge on all of my social media outlets. Sent along a thank you note and picture to all my sponsors after the event. 6 Easy Tips to Reach Your Plunge Goal: 1. Include a personal note on your fundraising page explaining what plunging with CCAN means to you. 2. Send an to at least 15 of your closest family members and friends, asking them to give $35, $50 or $100 to support your plunge. 3. Thank people shortly after they give by tagging them on Facebook and linking to your plunge page it creates a fun buzz and reminds people you ve asked to give! 4. Make an announcement about your plunge at a party or your next community, club, church or synagogue meeting and pass around a hat for donations. 5. Use an if, then scenario in your outreach to meet your goal. Example: If I reach my $500 sponsor goal, then I ll bravely dip my head under water! 6. Ask anyone and everyone. Childhood friend? Your dentist? You never know who will surprise you! 4

5 PLUNGE TOOLS This plunger toolkit includes a sample you can use to ask your friends, family, and neighbors to support your plunge. Feel free to tweak it as you see fit. TIP: Make sure your includes a specific dollar amount, so people have an idea of what you d like them to give. They will decide what s best for them, but it s good to give people a number to think about. You can tailor the amounts in the sample that follows based on what people have given in the past if you ve done this kind of thing before. Are you on Facebook or Twitter? We ve created a twibbon for the Polar Bear Plunge. A twibbon is a banner you can place at the bottom of your profile picture. They are really easy to use. You can add one to your Facebook picture here: Going to a party (or hosting one of your own)? Use these gift cards to raise money for your plunge! A CCAN staffer with a January birthday raised $200 at her party -- in just one night -- by doing a pitch for plunge sponsors! 5

6 Sample for Plunge Fundraising Dear [NAME OF YOUR FRIEND]: The date is set. I ll be jumping into the icy waters of the Potomac River on January 28th to support the fight to stabilize our climate. Sound weird and out of this world? Not to me! I ll be plunging with hundreds of other climate activists to support the Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN) in their 12th Annual Polar Bear Plunge. Each year, dedicated activists like me come together and sacrifice their warmth to help CCAN keep winter cold (learn more at So what does jumping into an ice-cold river have to do with helping CCAN? Well that s where you come in! I m agreeing to jump into freezing cold water in the middle of winter if you and others agree to sponsor me - similar to doing a 5K for a cause. By agreeing to support my plunge on January 28th, you ll help CCAN continue to fulfill its mission of educating and mobilizing citizens in Maryland, Virginia, DC and beyond to take concrete steps to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change. Check out my fundraising page here: [PLUNGER: INSERT YOUR PERSONALIZED FUNDRAISING PAGE URL HERE]. You ll find out just how much this plunge means to me and the other activists working hard to protect our futures from climate change. I ve set a personal goal of raising [$XXX] this year. Can you help out by donating $35, $50 or $100 to sponsor me? Your gift will not only deem my plunge into the frigid waters a success, but it will also enable CCAN to continue pushing forth with clean energy victories in the Chesapeake region and the nation alike. Need an added bonus? Your gift is 100% tax deductible! You also get to know that your gift will go to a great cause. CCAN continues to win critical victories for our climate. CCAN s top priority in Virginia is to build on the bipartisan support they earned last year for a bill that would cut carbon and bring much needed funds to Virginia s coastal communities suffering from sea level rise-induced flooding. Meanwhile in Maryland, CCAN is working to ban fracking in Maryland as the hard-fought 2.5 year moratorium is set to expire in But there s still much more to be done! Please click here to support my plunge and help CCAN push for more clean energy victories in and around our nation s capital [PLUNGER: INSERT YOUR PERSONALIZED FUNDRAISING PAGE URL HERE]. Supporting my plunge is as easy as a one-two click. Simply pull out your credit card and visit my page to make a donation. How s that for easy?! You also have the option of sending in a personal check to sponsor me. This can be made out to CCAN and sent to P.O. Box 11138, Takoma Park, MD Just make sure to write [YOUR NAME s] PLUNGE on the memo line so that the gift is processed to sponsor me. Thank you so much for your interest in the crucial fight to combat climate change and most importantly for supporting me in my personal pursuit to make a positive change in our world. I ll be gearing up to run into the water the morning of January 28th and would love for you to come down to National Harbor and join the fun! There will be plenty of hot cocoa and treats for everyone! Your friend, [YOUR NAME] 6

7 Support My Polar Bear Plunge! Please accept my donation of $ to sponsor s plunge into the Potomac to fight climate change! Support My Polar Bear Plunge! Please accept my donation of $ to sponsor s plunge into the Potomac to fight climate change! Support My Polar Bear Plunge! Please accept my donation of $ to sponsor s plunge into the Potomac to fight climate change! Support My Polar Bear Plunge! Please accept my donation of $ to sponsor s plunge into the Potomac to fight climate change! 7

8 Circle one: CASH CHECK VISA MASTERCARD AMERICAN EXPRESS Credit Card Number Expiration Date CCV Today s Date Please use this form to make a tax-deductible donation to Chesapeake Climate Action Network P.O. Box 11138, Takoma Park, MD Thank you for your support! Circle one: CASH CHECK VISA MASTERCARD AMERICAN EXPRESS Credit Card Number Expiration Date CCV Today s Date Please use this form to make a tax-deductible donation to Chesapeake Climate Action Network P.O. Box 11138, Takoma Park, MD Thank you for your support! Circle one: CASH CHECK VISA MASTERCARD AMERICAN EXPRESS Credit Card Number Expiration Date CCV Today s Date Please use this form to make a tax-deductible donation to Chesapeake Climate Action Network P.O. Box 11138, Takoma Park, MD Thank you for your support! Circle one: CASH CHECK VISA MASTERCARD AMERICAN EXPRESS Credit Card Number Expiration Date CCV Today s Date Please use this form to make a tax-deductible donation to Chesapeake Climate Action Network P.O. Box 11138, Takoma Park, MD Thank you for your support! 8

9 How to Enter Offline Donations Step 1: Log in to Crowdrise and navigate to your fundraiser dashboard. To get to your dashboard, you ll need to click on your profile picture in the top right corner of the Crowdrise website and then click on your fundraiser for this year. Step 2: Once in your dashboard, you ll need to click on the Advanced button in the panel on the left hand side. You can then click on the Offline Donation Manager link in the dropdown. Step 3: From there, a pop-out box will appear that allows you to enter all of your offline donations. You ll want to enter in the name of your sponsor and the donation amount. You can enter up to five offline donations at once! 9

10 Plunge Day Checklist 1. You ve sent your final fundraising You ve recruited a friend or family member to cheer you on from the beach. 3. You ve printed out and signed the waiver at the end of this toolkit to turn in at registration. If you registered online, you ve already filled out the waiver. If you are a minor or if someone else registered for you, you ll need to bring the signed waiver with you. 4. You re bundled up! Check out the weather for the 28th and be sure you dress appropriately. Bring lots of layers with you. We ll provide hand and foot warmers for all plungers again this year. 5. You ve got your plunging shoes ready. Please wear shoes that won t come off in the water. 6. If you re using a GPS to find your way to the Harbor, we suggest you use the address to McCloone s restaurant: 141 National Harbor Boulevard, Oxon Hill, MD We ll also be celebrating and warming up in McCloone s after the plunge! 10

11 CHESAPEAKE CLIMATE ACTION NETWORK PARTICIPANT WAIVER, RELEASE OF LIABILITY -COVENANT NOT TO SUE & IMAGE RELEASE ( RELEASE ) Polar Bear Plunge 01/28/2017 National Harbor, MD In consideration of being allowed to participate in any way in the above referenced Polar Bear Plunge competition(s), race(s), related events and/or activities (the Event ), I,, the undersigned, acknowledge, appreciate, and agree that: 1. I have acknowledged and agreed to, and do hereby ratify and confirm, the Event s "Agreement, Waiver, Release of Claims, Warning of Risk and Assumption of Risk" (the Agreement, the provisions of which Agreement are currently available for re-review at 2. The risk of injury and/or death from the activities involved in the Polar Bear Plunge and the Event is significant including, but not limited to the following: (i) drowning; (ii) near-drowning; (iii) sprains; (iv) strains; (v) fractures; (vi) heat and cold injuries; (vii) over-use syndrome; (viii) injuries involving vehicles; (ix) animal bites and/or stings; (x) contact with poisonous plants; (xi) accidents involving, but not limited to swimming, paddling, climbing, biking, hiking, skiing, snow shoeing, travel by boat, truck, car, or other convenience; (xii) heart attack; and (xiii) the potential for permanent paralysis and/or death. While particular rules, equipment, and personal discipline may reduce this risk, the risk of death or serious injury does exist; 3. AFTER OPPORTUNITY TO FULLY INFORM MYSELF ABOUT THE EVENT, I KNOWINGLY AND FREELY ASSUME AND ACCEPT ALL SUCH RISKS, BOTH KNOWN AND UNKNOWN, and assume full responsibility and all risks for my participation in the Event; 4. I voluntarily agree to comply with the stated and customary terms and conditions for participation including, but not limited to those herein and those in the Agreement. If, however, I observe any unusual and/or significant hazard during my presence or participation, I will remove myself from participation and bring such hazard to the attention of the nearest official; 5. I, for myself and on behalf of my heirs, assigns, personal representatives and/or next of kin, forever WAIVE, RELEASE, DISCHARGE and COVENANT NOT TO SUE Chesapeake Climate Action Network, National Harbor Waterfront L.C., NH Special Events LLC, NH Waterfront Plaza LLC, NH Pier LLC, NH F and G LLC, The Peterson Companies L.C., Peterson Management L.C., MVP Management, LLC, National Harbor Owners Association Inc., NH GS Manager, Inc., Goldman Sachs Mortgage Company together with its successors and assigns, Cardinal Bank, the owners and lessors of the premises used to conduct the Event, and the officers, directors, representatives, members, managers, officials, principals, shareholders, agents and/or employees of each of them, as well as their subsidiaries, affiliates, assigns, independent contractors, sponsoring agencies, sponsors, advertisers, and volunteers (collectively, the "Releasees"), WITH RESPECT TO ANY AND ALL INJURY, DISABILITY, DEATH, and/or loss or damage to person or property, incurred by me in connection with participation in the Event. I further agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Releasees from any loss, liability, cost, claim or damages arising from my participation in or association with activities and events organized and sponsored by the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, or otherwise connected with the Event, except to the extent caused by the Releasees gross negligence or willful misconduct. 6. I attest and verify that, unless otherwise indicated below, I am over 18 years of age, am free from all illnesses, injuries and defects that could interfere with my safe participation in the Event and that I am physically fit and sufficiently trained to participate in all activities associated with the Event. I am not now, and shall not during the Event be, under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any medication that might adversely affect my ability to safely participate therein. My participation in activities and events organized or sponsored by Chesapeake Climate Action Network, is entirely voluntary. 7. I consent to administration of first aid and other medical treatment in the event of injury or illness and hereby release and indemnify Releasees from any and all liability or claims arising out of such treatment. 8. The Releasees reserve the right, in their sole and absolute discretion, to postpone, cancel, or modify the event due to weather conditions, Acts of God or other factors beyond the control of the Releasees that might affect the health and/or safety of the participants. No refunds will be granted. 9. I irrevocably grant unlimited permission to Releasees, to use, reproduce, sell and distribute any and all photographs, images, videotapes, motion pictures, recordings, or any other depiction of any kind of me or of my participation in the Event or related activity for any legitimate purpose in perpetuity and I understand that I shall not be entitled to any compensation therefore. 10. I hereby irrevocably and absolutely grant permission to the Releasees to film, videotape and record gratis the performance of the above named participant (referred to herein as I, me, my ) in the Event and subsequently to telecast, sell, distribute and otherwise utilize the same in whatever manner Releasees shall deem appropriate. Such permission shall include granting the unlimited and irrevocable right to Releasees, without compensation of any kind to me, to use, reproduce or broadcast, my name, nickname, image, likeness, voice, photograph, signature facsimile, and biographical information in connection with the Event without compensation of any kind to me. I acknowledge that Releasees and their representatives shall have the unlimited right throughout the world to copyright, use, reuse, publish, republish, broadcast and otherwise distribute depictions of or information about me and all or any portion of the Event in which I may appear on any and all radio, network, cable and local television programs and in any print materials and in any other format or media (including electronic media) now known or hereinafter devised in perpetuity and without compensation to me. In consideration and in return for being allowed to participate in the Event, I release and agree not to sue the Releasees from all present and future claims regarding my participation in the Events that may be made by me, my family, estate, heirs, or assigns. I HAVE READ THIS RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK AGREEMENT, FULLY UNDERSTAND ITS TERMS, UNDERSTAND THAT I HAVE GIVEN UP SUBSTANTIAL RIGHTS BY SIGNING IT, AND SIGN IT FREELY AND VOLUNTARILY WITHOUT ANY INDUCEMENT. EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION (required) Name Date Phone MINORS: IF UNDER 18 SIGNATURE OF PARENT OR GUARDIAN (required) The undersigned hereby certifies, warrants and represents that he/she/they is or are the parent or legal guardian of the signer of the above Release (the Participant ), and that after fully informing myself regarding the nature and risks of the Event, and have full right and authority to do so, I give my permission for Participant to participate in the same and by my signature below I fully ratify, accept and agree to all of the terms of the above Release both for myself individually and as parent or legal guardian of the Participant. Name Relationship to minor Date 11