<br>AANR Weekly Report for February 24, 2006<br> Erich Schuttauf, Executive Director<br>AANR Mourns Loss of a Dear Friend<br>Earlier this week our office received saddening news about the passing of Polly Bell of Bell Acres club in Georgia. With her husband Evan, whom we said good bye to in 2005, Polly could light up a room, and bring a bit of humor, anywhere that she went and the AANR staff always looked forward to a visit by this great lifelong nudist couple.<br>The Bells' significance to the AANR family extended well beyond Georgia, and they had called several ASA/AANR clubs "home" as far as the Midwest and beyond. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Bell family during this difficult time. Cards 05 be addressed to The Family of Polly Bell, Bell Acres Resort, 158 Bell Acres Road, Maysville, GA 30558.<br> AANR Marketing Consultant Program Marking Success<br>Last night members of AANR's new marketing consultant team held a productive telephone conference as we took steps to making our first contacts with clubs signed up for the program. To date, six clubs–from the East Coast to the West Coast have filed pre-visit questionnaires. With a combined membership of over 1,600 in those clubs, achieving just a 5% increase in membership among them would yield 80 new AANR members. And a 10% increase could bring in over 160 members.<br>We have already begun the process of preparing instructional binders and Claritas reports to be sent to those clubs as part of a pre-visit preparation process. Our consultants will be contacting their home clubs to invite them to the program. And we're delighted to have received a warm invitation to bring consultant information to Western Canada's board. <br>The impact of the marketing program already goes beyond clubs signed up to participate when one considers that owners, organizers, and/or managers of seven AANR clubs were among those trained as consultants. Together those clubs have a collective membership of over 4,000 members. So just a 5% nudge in their numbers could boost AANR ranks by 200 or more! <br>It bears repeating that this program would not have been possible without support of several regions, including AANR East, AANR West, and AANR Northwest. We also appreciate the FANR region's pledge for funds in 2006, which will help us to send trained consultants to where they're needed. <br> Turner South – Let's Get a List Going to Distribute DVDs<br>I want to thank the many AANR clubs who expressed interest in the "Emmy-prospective" feature prepared for Turner South network featuring four AANR clubs. A number of you noted that while you would not be attending the March meeting of AANR's Board, you would appreciate seeing the piece.<br>A producer of the program has graciously provided us with a limited number of copies on DVD, which will enable us to get it out to those interested without violating copyright. The "catch" is that, with a limited number, we're going to need to assemble a list and arrange to mail copies from one club to another. Please e-mail Carolyn Hawkins at <a href=/group/AANR-NW-eNews/post?postID=iEVoZLi8WFnrjDRgkg9LpqGrsBcJy7xixzHObN-AkOoGRWxnzBGlErKjITEIKQP7vlGuygKOwEMC2pw>pubaffairs@aanr.com</a>. Note: It 05 take Carolyn a few days to get back with folks as she will be representing the Association on the Bare Necessities Cruise which sets sail on Sunday.<br>While we're revisiting the subject of this program, it's a good opportunity to note how the members, clubs, and your Association work together to provide the credible voice for nude recreation in a credible venue like this network. First, our clubs–from Bar-S-Ranch to Cedar Creek, to Caliente and Rock Haven–provide contact points to their respective media and establish valuable relationships with reporters, journalists, producers and more. Meanwhile, AANR and its regions team up with our public relations firm to keep nude recreation on editorial and travel desks. <br>AANR Clubs also provide great settings for documentary cameras and management tirelessly answers questions, escorting media teams, while providing a steering hand to showcase the unique aspect of their clubs that give nude travelers so many great choices. Media training of willing volunteers through region and AANR clinics (developed with considerable help from those like PR Chair Susan Weaver) help put a best foot forward. When editors and reporters need additional facts or information about the variety of clubs out there, logistical support for reaching club contacts, AANR staff like Carolyn Hawkins step up.<br>Finally, and ultimately, it is you our members who provide the actual voices and stories that, combined, are the credible voice of reason for nude recreation. And your member dues fund many, many critical steps of media outreach at the club, region, and continent level. Take any of those elements out of the equation and nude recreation isn't as big, as interesting, as organized, and as well-funded as it needs to be with an increasingly sophisticated media market.<br>In short, we couldn't do it without you. Thank you for what you make possible!<br> New Content on AANR.com<br>There has been new content added steadily to the www.aanr.com <<a href=http://www.aanr.com/>http://www.aanr.com/</a>> Web site over the month of February. In addition to an all-new Cyber Bulletin tracking Ilsley's latest travels you can read about nude sleepwalking and more at <a href=http://www.aanr.com/cyber_bulletin.html>http://www.aanr.com/cyber_bulletin.html</a> . Within our Just for Fun section of the Member Benefits area we include all-new cartoons, plus recipes and new feature stories (in the Download Zone and Bulletin Extras).<br> North American Guide to Nude Recreation<br>We appreciate the many, many, comments you provided to several ideas for the North American Guide voiced in last week's report. We're following up on what you told us. In fact, our publications staff is securing price quotes on what various options would cost to design and print. They will submit findings to the AANR Board. <br> Run for an AANR Office or Trustee Position<br>March 15 is the deadline for submitting candidate nomination forms to the AANR office. Please be sure to submit yours and join the ranks of AANR's officers and Trustees. Nomination forms are available on the Download Zone of the Member Benefits section of www.aanr.com <<a href=http://www.aanr.com/>http://www.aanr.com/</a>> .<br> AANR Helping Members and Clubs<br>Last week we reported about AANR assistance to a father in the Midwest struggling with a nudist/child custody issue. This week I had an opportunity to discuss the case with his attorney and provide a package of precedent cases and supporting material. This attorney was genuinely impressed with the size and credibility of the resources available. When the phone conversation ended he expressed the belief that he was in a much stronger position to help his client.<br>AANR assisted an East Coast club with preparing for a hearing over permit applications with a letter of explanation and written material. <br> Board Meeting<br>Remember that the March, 2006 meeting of AANR's Board of Trustees is just two weeks away at Paradise Lakes in Pasco County, Florida. March 9 – 11<br> Woodall's Campground Directory<br>Another way AANR provides a credible voice of reason for nude recreation is in the company we keep. In this case it's advertising in Woodall's Campground Directory (two editions). AANR's four-color advertisement promotes 75 years of nude recreation. The number of reader responses generated is only slightly under the response that Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort received. The link to AANR is <a href=http://www.woodalls.com/search/attractions/index.cfm?action=>http://www.woodalls.com/search/attractions/index.cfm?action=</a> results&s=FL&d=100&c=Orlando You'll need to register (free) to get more information. <br>Another factoid to ponder: Woodall's is a trusted source for family camping information and is currently celebrating its 70th anniversary. AANR's got a few years on 'em as we celebrate our diamond anniversary this year!<br><br>Linda Berry, Director of Publications<br>The Bulletin<br>The April issue is packed full of news for the nudes. It will go to the printer on March 16. <br> June Anniversary Magazine <br>Many of our clubs receive extra copies of The Bulletin each month, free of charge. This will not be the case for the June anniversary magazine. Anyone who wants extra copies must order them in advance. The cost for shipping and handling is $2.95 each; 50 or more is $2.00 each. All members, clubs, and advertisers will receive one complimentary copy. <br> AANR Convention Photographer<br>Gary Spangler will be the official AANR photographer at the 75th anniversary convention in August. Gary is the husband of Brenda Spangler, AANR Southwest Trustee. He has done the photography for Oaklake Trails in Oklahoma and numerous AANR Southwest Conventions. Recently he has photographed the AANR board meetings. Keith Roberts has resigned after nine years "on the job." Keith, we appreciate everything you've done for AANR. Now you can sit back and really enjoy a convention! <br> This and That<br>The revised merchandise brochure is at the printer and should be received late next week. The youth brochure is being finalized and will go to the printer on Monday. Business cards are also being printed. <br><br>Carolyn Hawkins, Public Relations Coordinator <br>Publicity<br>We received calls from Regional Associated Press media outlets regarding the growth of businesses which had been family owned as well as the growth of nude recreation among young adults. <br> Marketing Consultant Training<br>We are in preparation for moving forward with the marketing consultant training. It is very important that the clubs return the questionnaire to the AANR office. (Full explanation in Erich's report.)<br>If you need a copy of the questionnaire give me a call at the AANR office or request via e-mail at <a href=/group/AANR-NW-eNews/post?postID=iEVoZLi8WFnrjDRgkg9LpqGrsBcJy7xixzHObN-AkOoGRWxnzBGlErKjITEIKQP7vlGuygKOwEMC2pw>pubaffairs@aanr.com</a><br> Cruising<br>I will try to think of you while I am on the cruise. If you are setting sail also, please look for me at the AANR booth.<br><br>Anniversary Celebration<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>AANR Helps Members – Grandparents Rights<br>You 05 recall that AANR has been working on behalf of a Florida grandmother seeking visitation for her grandchildren at her home. We can report that after weeks of calls, e-mails, and attachments of documentation supporting her visitation with the 3- and 5-year-old grandsons; AANR was finally able to get a conference call with a manager from the authorities handling her daughter's case at Save the Children Coalition. <br>Regrettably, despite positive reflections of our member by the manager; all leading to unsupervised visitation; our hopes for settlement at this level were dashed. The restriction remains – NOT AT HER HOME IN A NUDIST RESORT. Was this ruling based on the results of a negative home study? No – because policy prohibits such a study from being done. The next recourse — as suggested by the subcontractor to the Department of Children and Family Service (DCF) – let a judge decide to allow the visitations. We will take that next step.<br>Does this focus on the good of the children? History, unfortunately, tells us that legal pressure can result in negative retaliation and it can be unjustly focused on the children. Foster care is a complicated system and the multiple layers of sub-contracting, which has resulted from privatization, makes it even harder to get policy changed. One-thing remains certain — AANR will continue to support the direction that this discriminated against grandmother and her daughter decide to pursue. <br> Legislative Issues<br>The count of potential bills in the AANR hopper now stands at over 1,400. We are, with the assistance of our newly trained GAT Regional Chairs, reading the bills to rank the potential of impact to AANR members, clubs and our cultural future. <br>Meanwhile we are continuing to directly address bills in areas where our GAT/CAT grassroots supporters have learned of hot issues.<br>Requests to volunteer have been steadily on the increase and we have received a few inquiries about starting new CATs. The 05 edition of The Bulletin deadline will be March 24 – but it not too soon to start drafting highlights of what your club will be doing and has already done in support of Government and Community Awareness.<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br> </td>
