AANR Weekly Report – 12 16, 2005
<br>Erich Schuttauf, Executive Director<br>Last Chance to Win a Cruise Aboard Bare Necessities<br>You could be the lucky winner of a trip for two aboard Bare Necessities upcoming cruise this winter. The best part of winning this prize is the luxurious cabin that comes with it– specifically on the Veranda deck. Those of you who have traveled on a cruise before know that such staterooms are among the nicest offered. In all, the package is worth over $5,500.and you can purchase a chance to win it for as little as $5 online at www.aanr.com <<a href=http://www.aanr.com/>http://www.aanr.com/</a>> . Best of all, each donation goes completely to help fund AANR's Government Affairs Team efforts to advocate for Nude Recreation in North America.<br>But time is running out. The drawing will close on Monday morning and the winner will be selected on Wednesday. Don't miss your chance to win the trip of a lifetime and support your Team. Just look for the link that says "Win a Cruise" on our main page. <br>Update on Training Consultants Project<br>Last week we reported on an exciting new training program to take place the first weekend of February 2006. With it, AANR members who already have expertise in communications and/or marketing receive all expense paid travel to Orlando, Florida where they will receive one day of intensive training in four areas integral to marketing (and outright selling!) nude recreation. In turn, these volunteers agree to visit at least 5 AANR clubs during the winter, spring, and early summer of 2006 to pass on this valuable information to our clubs.<br>We're very pleased to report that, to date, we have about twenty applicants for the program. Frankly, these folks come with some great credentials and it's great to see so much talent within the ranks of our membership. <br>We're also pleased to report that those selected will be staying in some very nice accommodations—thanks to hard work from AANR Public Relations Coordinator Carolyn Hawkins. She has arranged a package deal with the very tastefully appointed Holiday Inn Airport Express & Suites of Orlando to get us great rooms (plus the use of a conference room for an introductory meeting on Thursday February 2d) at very favorable rates. Carolyn has also helped us line up ground transportation to the offices of AANR's PR firm Yesawich, Pepperdine, Brown, & Russell where the training will take place. Participants can also expect some great food during the training, with fare from some great local restaurants that we're lining up.<br>What about you or an AANR friend you know? Would you be willing to commit to five club visits and could you be available for training between Thursday, February 2 (travel day) and Saturday February 4th? If so, we invite you to apply by e-mailing to Carolyn Hawkins at <a href=/group/AANR-NW-eNews/post?postID=fRHsCeJrEnUDnnj5dmuibN_z_buzh3_t6krVR0N9nhDFka6tL_PziGamb8fueNSJWCPF7XXhc3laEST4>pubaffairs@aanr.com</a> or phone her toll free at 1-800-TRY-NUDE. She will send you a complete package with an overview memo describing the program, plus an application form. (AANR will also accept a written resume if that's more convenient.) We look forward to announcing those selected for the program in just a few weeks!<br>AANR Gets Local Media Coverage<br>This week brought two opportunities for the AANR office to garner great press for the Association.<br>Share Your Christmas — First, as it has for twelve years, the staff participated in WESH TV's Share Your Christmas food drive. Staff brought in canned and dry goods over several weeks and, on Thursday this week, Carolyn Hawkins and I presented the foodstuffs at the Station's drop-off location.<br>In commemoration of AANR's 75th anniversary, the Association also purchased 75 cans of tuna fish — a staple listed on WESH's list of needed items. WESH Channel 2 is the Orlando area NBC affiliate. At the drop off, volunteers assisted Carolyn and me with creating a large "75" out of these cans, which then appeared on local television along with a close-up of AANR's auto magnet inviting folks to skinny dip with us, plus comments from Carolyn.<br>We rounded out our visit by presenting local television celebrities with AANR lapel pins. <br>Orlando Sentinel plug slated some time next week. AANR also got a plug from the area's largest newspaper, who called to inquire about whether members purchase memberships for their friends as a holiday gift. The interview provided Carolyn Hawkins with a great opportunity to talk about the many products, gifts, and information available on the www.aanr.com <<a href=http://www.aanr.com/>http://www.aanr.com/</a>> website. Expect a mention in the Sentinel between December 19 and 23.<br>New Content Available on AANR.com<br>While we're on the subject of the Association's website, please know that all-new material for our members and clubs is now available this week. For starters, there's the latest edition of the Cyber-Bulletin, with updates on the traveling Ilsley's visit to Pine Tree club in Maryland. In our members' only Bulletin Extra's section, you'll find recipes with which to celebrate the new nude year, plus tips for meeting your new year's fitness resolutions. The Kidz Zone offers new perspectives from nudist youth, plus puzzles and games. The popular brochures section of our download zone features a great revised "What Does AANR Do For Me?" brochure in a style that matches the website. <br>Finally, we're about to celebrate a milestone on the website — One year of the new design, plus 3,000 registered AANR members using our message boards alone. That's right: As of this afternoon, 2,964 active members have registered to read and post messages.<br>Dear Abby Provides Another Reminder of Why We Need AANR<br>Does Dear Abby's column appear in your morning newspaper? If so, you 05 have seen a topic on or about Thursday, December 15th that's a sobering reminder of why it's critical to have a voice of advocacy for nude recreation like AANR.<br>Responding to a previous rant from a mother-in-law about a father of two daughters who prefers to remain nude for some time after showering (there's some mention of a medical reason that also supports his wish to do this), letters ranged from supporting dad to vitriolic threats. Most of the "support" came from people who had been raised, or at least spent time, outside of the U.S. Encouragement also came from a woman who wrote that she'd been raised with a similar, casual approach to nudity and was now a healthy well-adjusted 30-something living in Crossville Tennessee (Do we have a Cherokee Lodge member here?)<br>But the letters that stormed in from angry people expressed a different, chilling, sentiment. "This is child [sex] abuse" wrote one "mental health expert" from the North East. Another writer suggested that the mother-in-law film him naked and air video tape to other family and friends so as to shame him out of "parading naked." Still others suggested that a mental health evaluation is in order.<br>As your Executive Director, I have to ask: Why is it that whenever a person prefers to stay au naturel — even in their very own home behind closed doors–for a morning cup of coffee, or like this man, after a shower that they're labeled as "parading" naked? I don't know about you but it's unsettling to me to read that many people are so adamant that simple home nudity is abusive or reflective of a mental condition. After all, isn't this how we de-stress, be it in our favorite club or our own fenced yard?<br>I'll grant a couple of things in this case. First, none of us has all the facts. There may, for example, be family members who regularly see dad and express strong discomfort with his nudity. That would give pause for some reflection. Second, I'll grant that nearly an equal number of support letters were printed alongside the detractors. Still, I wonder whether, when a suggestion for tougher in-home nudity laws is proposed (as, for example, was recently proposed in Ohio in a bill re-worked with the help of a lobbyist supported from AANR, AANR Midwest, and NAC funds), would there be enough voices to drown out those who'd threaten our cherished form of living and recreation?<br>If you'd like to read the column, click here: <a href=http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/news/columnists/134>http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/news/columnists/134</a> 06080.htm<br> Linda Berry, Director of Publications<br>The Bulletin<br>The January issue is printed and in the mail to you. Please look for an all-new look and let us know what you think. <br>Deadline Approaching<br>Please remember that Tuesday, December 20, is the deadline for Club Happenings, Coming Events, and Advertisements. Because of the holiday work schedule, NO LATE SUBMISSIONS WILL BE PRINTED. <br>AANR Directory Available<br>Club Liaison Nanette Wickersham has the new directory available. Please contact her at <a href=/group/AANR-NW-eNews/post?postID=d-KHXp05eO6tMQqZd2×5RQnLXp1jHqObvPLeu7pR–o7WcZkEP5eoFuZljgIBDNERo2OQvw7ZQ3PDw>clubinfo@aanr.com</a> if you would like a copy. <br> Carolyn Hawkins, Public Relations Coordinator <br>The AANR staff participated for the 12th year in our Channel 2's "Share Your Christmas" program. Each year Erich and I get the chance to deliver the food in exchange for 10 – 15 seconds spot on channel 2. This year we delivered our usual box of food, but also included 75 cans of tuna in commemoration of our 75th anniversary. "75" was spelled out, and Erich displayed the large magnet. <br>I am still working toward the Montel Williams Show, but nothing definite yet. <br>The January issue of Glamour Magazine is out. AANR did not get specifically mentioned, but our stats were used. There is a large section titled "How to be shamelessly, happily, beautifully naked."<br>Thank you to the clubs who have already sent in their brochures for display on the cruise. If you or your club have not sent them and would like them displayed at the AANR table, be sure to get them to me as soon as possible. If you are going on the cruise feel free to carry them and bring them to the AANR booth. Please send them to AANR, 1703 North Main Street, Kissimmee, FL 34744, Attention Carolyn <br>Reminder: book your room reservations for AANR's 75th anniversary celebration. This will be one you will not want to miss. For information on rooms at DeAnza as well as local hotel information, call DeAnza at 619-766-4301, or 877-246-6833<br> Patricia Orner, Government Affairs Coordinator <br> CAT on the Prowl<br>Sunspots – If left untreated, can become unsightly and embarrassing. -Continuing this CAT project I met with Regis at Cypress Cove and full details of this will be available in the Feb-March edition of the Cypress Knee. <br>Thanks to Laguna Del Sol – $500 from a single CAT raffle – (purrrrr) I can't wait to hear what they clever kitties will be doing next.<br>Community Awareness Team projects are those opportunities (some of which require thinking outside of the box) that will inform, educate, interest, and lure club members into becoming active. They often require that they provide an immediate source of gratification (my club really cares about my well being) or (I can take 1-4 day trips to Jacksonville and someone will pay me $25 a trip and I just might find a treatment for my sunspots). They always need someone who will be available to spot the possibilities and probably a few more to follow through on them. They will result in positive things (like GAT volunteers) or (articles in The Bulletin) or just a happy member. CAT projects are really important. If your club has a CAT – please let me know. If you want to start a CAT – let me know. If you want me to let you know if I come across an opportunity – let me know. <br> This Week in the States<br>There are 5 states, DC and US in Regular Session. There are 2 states in Special Session.<br><br><br> </td>
