Thank you for taking a leadership role in the September Adopt-a-Beach event. Without your help, these cleanups would not be possible. This checklist and guidelines will assist you in preparing and carrying out your event. Please review carefully and feel free to contact Gina Lettiere, Coordinator for the September Adopt-a-Beach, with any questions (312-939-0838 ext.321 or glettiere@greatlakes.org).

PRIOR TO THE CLEANUP (Two Weeks or More)

• Visit your beach to survey the location prior to your cleanup. Some beaches have sensitive habitats that are unique to the coastal area. These areas should not be damaged in any way. Please make a note of them during your visit so you can inform your volunteers to stay away from these areas.
• Recruit volunteers to participate in your cleanup. Contact your neighbors, local schools, neighborhood advisory councils, religious congregations, businesses, and libraries. Request to distribute information about the cleanup and help spread the word about the cleanup. Ask local businesses that have bulletin boards if you can hang a postcard or two.
• Introduce yourself to the local park district staff. It is always helpful to meet others that play an important role in the cleanup process. We will send your park district a letter informing them of the event and make some requests - such as opening facilities for the volunteers on the day of the event and picking up the collected trash and recyclables after the cleanup. However, hearing from you can help ensure that that these things will be taken care of.
• Write a 'Letter to the Editor' to your neighborhood paper. This is another way to create awareness about the September Adopt-a-Beach cleanup event and can bring the issue of beach pollution into local context. Staff at the Alliance for the Great Lakes and the Ocean Conservancy sends out statewide press releases announcing the event in late August and early September to increase volunteer participation.
• Supplies to conduct your cleanup will be given at the mandatory training sessions. We have two dates for you to choose from. The August 17th training will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the office of Alliance for the Great Lakes, 220 S. State Street, Suite 1900, downtown Chicago. We are on the Monroe/Adams Red Line stop. The August 24th training also will be held from 6:30 pm to 8:00 p.m. at Whole Foods Market, Evanston, 1640 Chicago Ave. The closest train station is Davis St. The meeting is in the upstairs cooking classroom. Stop at customer service to be shown to the classroom. The number at the store is: 847-733-1600. Contents of the meetings are identical. We will go over cleanup procedures, distribute garbage bags, etc. and answer any questions.
• At your earliest convenience notify Gina Lettiere of which date you will attend if you have not already done so. Contact information is 312-939-0838 x321 or glettiere@greatlakes.org. Food and refreshments will be provided.