The Leapyear Project is redefining leap year as a global call to action. It is asking people worldwide to commit to taking a risk in 2012, either big or small, that will create positive change. Participants choose a risk, document their progress on social media using #lyproject, and inspire others. The goals are to culminate in a book and art exhibit documenting the risks taken. The founder, Victor Saad, hopes it gains traction to continue every four years as a reminder to take risks for good. The project has already engaged people from over 20 countries within its first week.

1. PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
The Leapyear Project
www.leapyearproject.org
Contact: Victor Saad
Phone: 417.459.2864
hello@leapyearproject.org
Twitter // Facebook // Instagram // YouTube // Vimeo
The Leapyear Project is redefining leap year as a global call to action.
Chicago, IL - December 14, 2011 - Every four years we take time to celebrate and reflect as a society.
The excitement of an Olympic or World Cup year is cause to recognize good sportsmanship, healthy
living and pride in one's country. Every four years the U.S. holds a presidential election that causes
Americans to reflect on public issues, personal values and good citizenship. So what about leap year?
Leap year comes every four years too, but until now, it's just been an extra day on the calendar. There
hasn't been a reason to rally around leap year. But, The Leapyear Project is determined to redefine not
only the extra calendar day, but the entire year, as a time to take a risk in order to change things for the
better.
The goal of The Leapyear Project is to ask people worldwide to commit to taking a risk for good in 2012
that will change something and make a difference. Risks for good (aka: Leaps) can be big or small, take
place on one day or everyday. Anyone can get involved in taking a risk for good right now. Everyone
has had ideas, dreams, and thoughts about creating change in their lives or around the world, and the
project is focused on turning these ideas into a firm commitment.
Risk-takers can participate in the project in three steps: Choose your Leap. Tag your progress by using
the hashtag #lyproject via social media avenues (i.e: Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Flickr, Instagram etc.)
Inspire others to attempt their own projects. The project is using social media not only to help people
stay accountable to their ideas, but to inspire others by making these changes easily visible and
shareable through social media.
The project will culminate with the creation of a book that documents the collective risks taken in 2012
and the curation of an art exhibit that will serve as a physical representation of the project.
And even though the project is starting as year-long campaign, The Leapyear Project team ultimately
hopes the project gains enough traction to redefine this globally recognized term (leap year) as a call to
action every four years. The movement is already gaining traction. In the first six days of the project
launch, the site was visited nearly 2,000 times by people from 23 different countries.
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For more information or to schedule a conversation with Victor,
email hello@leapyearproject.org or call Victor directly at 417.459.2864

2. Will You Take a Leap by Spreading the Word?
The Leapyear Project is a human-interest story that will impact lives all over the world in 2012. We'd
love for you to help spread the word. We've included some story ideas, questions and quotes, but feel
free to write about whatever makes sense for your audience. And don't hesitate to get in touch:
hello@leapyearproject.com.
Story Ideas
Profile risk takers in your area and ask them what risks they're willing to take (get in touch and we'll
connect you!)
How to use social media for good
Is it possible to calculate the effects of paying it forward?
Unique way to remind people that 2012 is a leap year
Questions to Ask Your Readers
What one action would you commit to in order to make your community a better place?
How will you get your community involved?
What would happen if just three readers of this column/blog/etc. committed to participating?
Questions to Ask Victor Saad, Project Founder
What criteria would you use to consider this project a success?
How big do you imagine the impact of this project to be?
What are some examples of risks being taken?
Quotes
"After some conversations with a few close friends & realizing that this year is a leap year, we decided to
create this project in order to ask people to take risks for good and share their stories. Publishing these
stories in 2013 will be documentation of what we accomplished in one year."
"I began sharing the idea of LYP with people and asking them, what would you do if YOU could take a
risk to make something better?"
"This project is not about what I have done, am doing, or even will do. People have taken far greater
risks for good, and there are people who will come up with more amazing risks than I can even imagine. I
simply hope that this year creates the space for you to take your risk—small or large, short or long. I
hope that this project becomes a part of how you tell your story, motivate others, and—more than
anything— than anything—change your life for the better."
@Michelincoln
What would happen if all of these people (and YOU) attempted at least one #lyproject for good & shared
it?! on.fb.me/rwHIZe
@David_C_Cook
RT @lyproject: 1,700 visits from 23 countries in our 1st wk! What would happen if all of us did
a #lyproject & shared it?! ||great to hear!
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3. Ready, Set, Risk!
Our idea of taking a risk for good revolves around generosity, caring for others, instilling hope,
overcoming fear, or improving something that is broken. Here are some risks that have inspired us:
Liza // Seattle, WA
Liza has always wanted to be part of creating change. That curiosity led her to study politics and
government and even landed her a job on Capitol Hill. After a few years, she found herself unsettled and
not sure how to best mesh her passions and skills. Upon hearing about The Leapyear Project, Liza
shared that she has decided to leave her post on Capitol Hill to join a project called DeforestACTION in
the rain forests of Borneo. The project will focus on education through social media, building a new
nursery, monitoring illegal logging, and rescuing and rehabilitating wildlife (i.e: the orangutan). Liza has
been inspired that 2012 needs to be her year of leaping away from everything that is known and
comfortable in order to work towards something that will benefit others for years to come.
Sean Astin // Los Angeles, CA
Actor and director, Sean Astin (Lord of the Rings, Rudy, The Goonies), is preparing for the biggest risk of
his career -- directing a movie based on a children’s book “Number The Stars” by Lois Lawry. For Sean,
this risk is not only financial, but it is also a risk for his reputation as he declines other offers to focused
on a movie aimed at communicating wholesome values and important events in history.
Elaine // Westmont, IL
Elaine is a successful young business woman in the IT and sales world. The Leapyear Project inspired
her to offer pro-bono services to women searching for jobs. Her first client was actually the mother of
one of our very own The Leapyear Project teammates. Elaine refreshed her resume, offered advice for
the interview process, and ultimately helped her first client find employment! Elaine will continue helping
women gain confidence and find employment throughout 2012, while sharing the story with Leapyear.
Tony // Oklahoma City, OK
A pastor at a well known church, Tony finds himself increasingly interested in refreshing the conversation
around health and wellness in his community. His passion for mountain biking has caused him to explore
if and how he could start his own bike shop and an annual bike race to start the conversation and give
people practical tools to pursue healthier living.
Erin // Chicago, IL
A budding creative director and designer, her and husband Chris have started inviting designers to help
rebrand non-profits. Erin and her husband Chris called this idea EPIC and have worked with some of
Chicago's most elite creatives. The next year will focus on expanding the idea on a larger scale and
exploring other avenues for creatives and non-profits to work together.
Marcell // Chicago, IL
Marcell is a middle school student residing in Chicago’s inner city. After he and a small group of friends
heard about The Leapyear Project, Marcell decided that his Leap would be to collect 100 pairs of new or
slightly worn shoes in order to give them to those in need. Marcell has a clubbed foot and believes that
this is his opportunity to care for others. He doesn’t know if he can accomplish his project, but he is all in
and has already received his first pair!
Also, check out our social media profiles to see risks in action and new pledges to make a difference.
Twitter // Facebook // Instagram // YouTube // Vimeo
Victor Saad, Leapyear Project Founder
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4. While the Leapyear Project started with 26 year-old, Egyptian American Victor Saad, he cautions, "This
project is not about what I have done, am doing, or even will do. People have taken far greater risks for
good, and there are people who will come up with more amazing risks than I can even imagine. I simply
hope that this year creates the space for you to take your risk—small or large, short or long. I hope that
this project becomes a part of how you tell your story, motivate others, and—more than anything—
change your life for the better."
And while Victor did a lot of legwork to get the project off the ground, he was actually inspired to start
the project after talking with others. Earlier this year, Victor was at a crossroads in his career, and started
seeking out "ways to change the world practically," and to "create avenues to help my friends develop
their ideas." Victor took action and began connecting with people in order to learn about the topics he
was most passionate about. Through their conversations, Victor realized that most people have dreams
and ideas of doing (or creating) something that would make their life, family, industry or their world
better. Victor always ended his interviews by asking, "What would you do if YOU could take a risk to
make something better?" Their responses were incredible – and the catalyst for the project.
So, when a friend mentioned that 2012 is a leap year, Victor began to wonder how — and if – there was
a way to invite people around the globe to actually take their own leap, or risk for good, to make
something better and share what they learned with others. Victor ended up answering his own question
by launching the Leapyear project.
You can answer Victor's question, "What would you do if YOU could take a risk to make something
better?" for yourself by participating at www.leapyearproject.org.
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5. MEDIA PAGE: www.leapyearproject.org/media
Video Introduction into The Leapyear Project:
www.vimeo.com/lyproject/2012
Video to teach people how to share and track their ‘Leap’ via the hashtag (#lyproject):
www.vimeo.com/lyproject/tag
Two of the Long Shots invitations (private):
Howard Schultz Invitation Oprah Invitation
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