Arctic in Paris House Party Toolkit

The Arctic is a unique treasure for both the United States and the planet - It’s is the planet’s air conditioner and it is currently warming at twice the rate of the rest of the planet. While the Arctic is a place that you or I may never go, if we don’t work to protect it, we will feel the impacts across the globe and at home, in our communities.

Scientists have said that in order to avoid the most serious consequences of climate disruption we must keep all remaining fossil fuels in the ground, especially in the Arctic1. This fall, the movement to protect the Arctic had a huge victory when Shell Oil announced that it would end its Arctic exploratory drilling operations. This was only possible due to the mounting pressure from activists organizing around Shell’s efforts. While this is welcome news, it is up to us to ensure that permanent protections are enacted to take Arctic Dirty Fuels project off the table once and for all.

We have a unique opportunity to recruit a local team to highlight the importance of Arctic action at the upcoming climate negotiations in Paris. Climate activists are excited for COP 21. For the first time countries are coming to the table with climate plans in hand, and while we don’t expect that the deal brokered will solve the climate crisis, we need a strong deal to avoid the worst effects of catastrophic climate disruption. While international climate talks have not produced impressive deals in the past, the grassroots efforts of activists around the globe have shown world leaders that Paris must be, and likely will be different. If President Obama wants to stand out as a climate leader, he must protect America’s Arctic.

This year has already been an incredibly exciting one for Arctic activists-- from the Shell No kayaktivists in Seattle, to a national day of action in over twenty cities, to an stunning action where Greenpeace activists blocked one of Shell’s ships from leaving Portland, Oregon. We need to let President Obama know that this movement is growing and won’t stop until the Arctic is off the table for dirty fuel development. This is a great opportunity for you to build your team, share resources and skills, and get people excited and engaged on the Arctic.

The Arctic is an iconic, critical piece of our growing climate movement and all eyes nationwide and worldwide are watching to see what the U.S. will do. We must be leaders. We only get one shot and we can’t destroy this place for short term for outdated gains. We must permanently protect the Arctic.

1 http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jan/07/much-worlds-fossil-fuel-reserve-must-stay-buried-prevent-climate-change-study-says

Table of Contents 1. Planning Timeline 2. Roles3. Hosting the Party4. Action Stations5. Resources and sample

materialsa. Action Stationsb. Recruitment Materialsc. Google drive Folder

Arctic House Party Planning TimelineFive Weeks Out

■ Pick a date■ Request a kit from the Sierra Club■ Hold a meeting of local Arctic activists to brainstorm ideas and set a goal

of attendeesFour Weeks Out

■ Make a guest list and send out invitations■ Make a menu for the party - do you want to have finger foods or a

potluck?Three Weeks Out

■ Inventory your chairs and tables to be sure you have enough■ Local Email Sent out

Two Weeks Out■ Have a team meeting to divide up responsibilities for the party

● Review Schedule● Assign Action Station Volunteers

■ Receive Sierra Club kitOne Week Out

■ Follow up calls to invites■ Meet with speakers to do a runthrough■ Confirm laptops

Week of the Event■ Cooking!■ Decorations

Day before the event■ Ensure that all tech is working

Report Back and follow up❏ Send thank you emails to everyone and ask them to register for your

‘team arctic’ team❏ Complete feedback survey❏ Debrief with your leadership team

Planning Roles- Below are a suggestion for different planning roles for your party committee. Feel free to split up tasks or combine them based on volunteers resources and availability.

Recruitment Coordinator this person is responsible for working with the team to create a guest list of all of the people in the community that should be present for the house party. In order to hit the recruitment goal, the recruitment coordinator will be responsible for:

● creating and maintaining the guest list (See Guest List Worksheet in Resources section)● sending out the invitations ● hosting the phone bank to confirm RSVPs and undecideds

Logistics Coordinator - The logistics coordinator is responsible for making sure the night goes off without a hitch - everything from ensuring that the tech runs smoothly to making sure there are enough chairs. This is a big role and this person should be sure to enlist the help of others. They are responsible for

● Buy food for the party● Ensuring that there is enough seating for everyone● Organize volunteers to come early to help set up the space (see attached floor plan)● Assign a photographer for the event to capture all of the action

Action Stations Coordinator - This person will work to make sure that the action stations are adequately supplied and staffed

● Assign volunteers to each Action Station (See Action Stations section)● Ensure that all materials are printed and ready for the party for all action stations● Work with the logistics coordinator to make sure that the space for Action Stations are

adequate and logical

Hosting the Party6:30 - 7:00pm Guests show up, mingling and intros7:00 - 7:30pm

Presentation● Introduce

yourself, lead volunteers, welcome guests and point out bathrooms, exits and

anywhere that is off limits, overview the evening● Overview on the campaign and goals for the night● Any guest speakers● PLACEHOLDER

■ Watch #ActinParis video■ Gwichin Women Speak

● Review the Action Stations7:30 - 8:15p Action stations8:15 - Wrap Up, announce numbers for the night and report back

Action Stations at the party: (See Resources section for materials)Action Station 1: Tell your story

● Write a ‘message in a bottle’ or a ‘love note’ to the climate● Record videos of individuals stories about why they want to protect the Arctic ● Take Act in Paris selfies and share them on social media

Action Station 2: Contact the President● Tweet @POTUS● Leave a comment on the White House website● Make a phone call

Action Station 3: Arctic exploration Station● Virtual reality video

Action Station 4:Information Station● Fact Sheets● Stickers● Team Arctic Swag● Sign in sheet

Resources - Action StationsAction Station 1: Tell Your Story#ActinParis Selfies - When you take your climate selfie, be sure to tell your Facebook friends

● Making phone calls, writing letters, getting informed and gearing up for Obama to #ActinParis <3 #TeamArctic

● I live in New York City and I am on #TeamArctic because I don’t want to see another Hurricane destroy the city that I love. The Arctic may be far away, but the effects of a warming arctic can be felt here at home. Calling on Obama to #ActinParis.

● So excited to see a packed house here in Maui, HI. Our #TeamArctic campaign is just gearing up. We know that if we want to protect our beautiful state from sea level rise, we can’t drill the Arctic. Calling on Obama to #ActinParis.

Record a video● Here are some tips on recording a great video ● Release form ● Sample Message:

“Hi, my name is Izzy from New York City and I am at this Arctic in Paris House Party tonight to gather with my community to send a message to President Obama that he needs to be a leader in the upcoming climate negotiations in Paris by taking the American Arctic off the table for dirty fuels development. Here in New York - we experienced Climate Disruption in 2012 with Superstorm Sandy - we can’t let this become the new normal. We need to do everything we can to shift from dirty fuels to clean energy. President Obama - cancel all existing Arctic Ocean Drilling Leases as well as the upcoming lease sales and declare the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge a national monument. “

Action Station 2: Contact the White HouseWhite House Call ScriptSwitchboard Number: 202-456-1111

Hi, my name is XX and I am calling from CITY, STATE and I am with the Sierra Club.

I am calling to pass a message along to the President and the delegation that is headed to Paris for the COP21 Conference in the next few weeks.

I want to encourage the President to show global climate leadership by stopping Arctic drilling here at home and by urging other countries to do the same. The President should cancel all future oil and gas leases in America’s Arctic Ocean. According to the global scientific

community, if we hope to stave off the most catastrophic effects of climate disruption, we must leave all remaining Arctic fossil fuels in the ground. We have no buisness drilling the Arctic - and we have to lead the way globally.

Thank you, have a nice night!

How to Submit a public Comment Via the Whitehouse Website

1. Go to: https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/submit-questions-and-comments2. Fill out your personal information3. Submit your comment, here is a sample below:

This message is for the President and the delegation that is headed to Paris for the COP21 Conference in the next few weeks. I want to encourage the President to show global climate leadership by canceling all future oil and gas leases in America’s Arctic Ocean. According to the global scientific community, if we hope to stave off the most catastrophic effects of climate disruption, we must leave all remaining Arctic fossil fuels in the ground. We have no buisness drilling the Arctic - and we have to lead the way globally.

Tweeting at the PresidentTips on Tweeting:

● Pictures are great, especially clever signs and crowd shots and great quotes from speakers.

● Don't forget that if you're leading off a tweet with someone's handle, you want to include something in front of it like a period. Otherwise only the people who follow you AND the person you tweeted will see the tweet.

● Remember - you only have 180 characters● Hashtags - #ActinParis, #TeamArctic, #ShellNo

Sample Tweets:

.@ Potus I am chillin at this # TeamArctic House Party. Cancel all future oil and gas leases in the Arctic Ocean!Protect the Arctic in Paris.

.@Potus #TeamArctic is ready for Paris, are you? Time to #ActinParis on Arctic.

I am on #TeamArctic @Potus are you ready to lead the way and stop arctic drilling?

.@ POTUS in order to stave off the worst effects of climate change, the US can’t drill the Arctic. Show climate leadership. # ActinParis

Recruitment Resources

Sample Invitation Text - Feel free to update this sample text and dress it up as you see fit. Put these on a nice template and mail them to people’s home address if you have it.

You’re invited to our upcoming Arctic in Paris House Party where you will learn about the Arctic and the growing movement to protect it. From CITYNAME we are going to call on the President to be a leader in Paris by putting the Arctic off limits to drilling here at home.

The President has all of the tools he needs to protect the Arctic from drilling. We’re getting together to show the President that the movement to protect the Arctic is only growing. Join us to learn more, make new friends and join the campaign.

Who: Community members of CITYNAMEWhat: Arctic in Paris House Party - a party packed full of Arctic actionWhere: YOUR ADDRESSWhen: Friday, November 10th, 6:30pm (Presentation at 7pm)Why: To tell President Obama to show climate leadership in Paris

In December, the President will head to Paris where he has the opportunity to show the world that the US is making strides towards curbing climate disruption. But he can’t truly be a climate leader without protecting our most vulnerable areas.

If you haven’t already, RSVP on Facebook and by emailing YOUREMAIL@EMAILADRESS.COMThanks,NAME

Sample Email Confirmation

Hi FIRSTNAME

I wanted to thank you for RSVPing to our upcoming Arctic in Paris House Party where you will learn about America’s Arctic and the growing movement to protect it. From CITYNAME we are going to call on the President to be a leader in Paris by protecting the Arctic from drilling once and for all

Also - there will be snacks!

Who: Community members of CITYNAMEWhat: Arctic in Paris House Party - a party packed full of Arctic actionWhere: YOUR ADDRESSWhen: Friday, November 10th, 6:30pm (Presentation at 7pm)Why: To tell President Obama to show climate leadership by cancelling all new and existing Arctic drilling leases.

If you haven’t already, RSVP on facebook.

Can’t wait to see you there. Feel free to invite friends!

Worksheet - Community Guest ListThis worksheet can be completed by an individual, but can also be done as a group.

● What are five networks that I/we are connected to (this can be anyplace you gather with other members of your community - schools, churches, gyms, other groups)

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

● On a separate page brainstorm who from each of these networks you would like to invite.

● Who are the different constituencies in the community that we are not connected to, but would like to be? Tip: One way to think about this is looking at the demographics in your community and working to ensure that your house party guests reflect the demographics of the community at large.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

● Who are some influential voices in your community?_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Sample Arctic House Party Floor Plan