AANR Weekly Report for April 14, 2006
<br> AANR Weekly Report for April 14, 2006<br>Erich Schuttauf, Executive Director<br>Let me begin by wishing you our clubs, officers, trustees, region officials, and fellow members the very best during this special week and holiday weekend. Whether this means Easter, Passover, or simply the beginning of spring to you, one thing is definite: It is a perfect time to celebrate and spend time with friends and family. <br>We're glad that you're part of the AANR family, and we celebrate you!<br>ABC's Wife Swap Revisited<br>I appreciate the AANR clubs and leaders who joined us Wednesday evening on a telephone conference to further discuss issues and concerns related to a recent "casting call" for nudist families from the producers of ABC's Wife Swap program. During the telephone conference a number of very good points were raised flagging various pros, cons, and unknowns. It's universally agreed that no one has a crystal ball to determine what will happen if/when a nudist family agrees to appear on the show. However, AANR's public relations experts at YPB&R were on hand to explain some likely scenarios and the pitfalls of making an appearance. <br>Given what these experts know, it is our recommendation that legitimate AANR nudists not be lured by ABC's offer. (For your convenience, we are re-running our previous announcement this week at the close of this report.) Please remember that AANR remains a willing and ready resource to assist our clubs and their members with questions and guidance in any media issue from promotions to crisis management. We appreciate the opportunity to serve you.<br>While We're on the Subject of Solicitations to Clubs.The Colors of Naturism<br>Over the past two weeks we've been contacted by several clubs that have received phone and e-mail solicitations from a group claiming to be students from University of Southern Florida (note that this is NOT the same as University of South Florida.to our knowledge there is no such thing as a University of SouthERN Florida). The students claim to be nudists wishing to perform a presentation at clubs known as the "colors of naturism." The students also claim to come from all corners of the globe and that they have performed at other AANR clubs. Depending on which club the "colors group" contacts, they drop the names of different clubs. In at least one case to date, the group has promised to appear for a presentation and simply not shown.<br>At this time we're not sure if this is a harmless college prank, a set up for a future solicitation (they do not appear to be seeking money.at least not at this time), or people who mean well but are extremely disorganized. In any event, we're concerned that this 05 cost you time planning and contacting other clubs. Should you be contacted, please let us know. And please refer calls to the AANR office so that we can do some vetting on this on behalf of all clubs.<br> Marketing Consultant Update<br>To date, 18 AANR clubs have signed up for the Association's all new Marketing Consultant program where they'll meet with a qualified marketing and/or PR professional and receive personalized, valuable information on attracting new members. The program is free to clubs and is made possible by the generous support of the AANR W, AANR NW, AANR E, and FANR regions. <br>Of the 18 clubs enrolled, 11 have been sent customized binders. These include written exercises for assessing marketing strengths, weaknesses, and much more, plus a personalized Claritas profile analyzing the demographics of the club's membership to review prior to consultation. These clubs have also been placed in touch with the volunteer consultant whom they'll be working with.<br>If your club is one of the other eight that has sent us an enrollment questionnaire but not yet heard from us, you will soon. We appreciate your patience as we take some time to customize your information. <br>"Twenty Something" Marketing Opportunity<br>AANR's efforts to extend marketing don't stop with the Consultants project. Currently we're recruiting "twenty somethings" for training to reach those who are in college or beginning careers about the stress-freeing benefits of nude recreation and membership in AANR. Program topics range from speaker and media training to leveraging the Internet. If you know nudists in the appropriate age range, why not encourage them to participate in this opportunity, to be held from June 11 to June 18 at Cypress Cove. For more information on registering and costs (some of which 05 be eligible for deferment), please e-mail to Steve Vickers of the AANR office at <a href=/group/AANR-NW-eNews/post?postID=I0WEYPAa39IS_s_qM6CG2felOOgZUItZDlIcAbKZrL7Pf2AGRW0q0QczP5rlFDt26MVDeCiu8ske>prasst@aanr.com</a>.<br>Election Update<br>Next Tuesday Linda Berry and Martha Young of the AANR Publications department will be traveling to the offices of the company that coordinates mailing The Bulletin. They will provide consultation on inserting ballots and voter guides (both already printed) with the 05 issue. It's a detailed project, because members from each region receive a "smart ballot" customized for their region. National Members–who pay an introductory rate that includes Bulletin service but are non-voting members–are filtered from receiving ballots.<br>I'd like to thank Linda, Martha, and Cindy Horton from our staff for their hard work in helping to make sure that the right lists are pulled from our database to get the right things into the hands of the right people. Please join me in thanking them. If you have not done so, I invite you to visit The Ballot box within the membership services area of the aanr.com Web site to learn more about our candidates for office. You'll simply need your last name and P Number as they appear on your membership card in order to access services.<br>Interesting Trivia Today.<br>Did you know that "Richter" of the "Richter Scale" was a nudist?<br>While perusing news stories related to nudity and nudism this morning I came across an interesting factoid related to San Francisco's remembrance of its great earthquake. It seems the Charles Richter, of the famed Richter scale used to gauge the intensity of earthquakes, was also a nudist. This story from ABC makes only passing reference to the fact and doesn't elaborate. But it makes interesting reading. The link to the article is <a href=http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=1842238>http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=1842238</a> Ironically, it's written by Adam Tanner (Could you think of a better name for a nudist than Adam–first nudist–Tanner?)<br>Linda Berry, Director of Publications<br>The Bulletin<br>The 05 issue printed today, and our focus now is on the June magazine. This is your last chance to reserve extra copies of the magazine at the pre-press price. The cost for shipping/handing is $2.95 each; 50+ $2.00 each. After 05 1, the price will increase to $3.95 each; 50+ $3.00 each. Clubs, advertisers, and member households receive only one copy each. Contact Martha Young at <a href=/group/AANR-NW-eNews/post?postID=1rN0X5WbhhaUzSi101XjTK6_n7BiTaEo7M_yYN2rZhdLM_XWFl0JMnAVYKtsTMF0VJvD-ZT0sD3ynXT5HA>bulletinads@aanr.com</a> to reserve yours now. Clubs can use rebates.<br>Patricia Orner, Government Affairs Coordinator <br>Take Pride In America<br>Carolyn Hawkins is still accepting early applications for the Friends of Assateague State Park (FOASP) beach clean up April 22, 2006. Reserve your event Tee shirt now. We also need support cards signed even if you cannot make the event. Clubs in DE, MD, VA and W. VA should be sure to check the club mailing for event brochures and support card template. If we want to regain a dedicated area on this beach, we NEED more volunteers.<br>ELECTION CONNECTION <br>Is there an opportunity for you to make an ELECTION CONNECTION this year? Only if you live in one of the states listed on the 2006 Election Year Calendar available now on the Government Affairs page on the web site.<br>IN SESSION <br>There are 21 states and DC in Regular Session. OH is in Skeleton Session. NJ is in budget hearings. There is one state in Special Session. Three more regional GAT/CAT chairs are scheduled for StateNet training. This tool allows you to contact your regional chair to look up state legislation and regulations as you hear of them or to watch for legislation that 05 affect your club. CAT representatives are needed for each club so that our grassroots efforts 05 continue and prosper. <br>LIBRARY OF CONGRESS<br>I attended a meeting this week at the American Nudist Research Library (ANRL) to discuss the progress and AANR support of their Library of Congress projects. ANRL has already donated several very old 35mm nudist movies to the Library of Congress, as it could no longer maintain the increasing fragile celluloid. Plans are now being discussed to convert more historical materials to digital format and to submit more items. Having our culture recognized by this organization supports the position that AANR is the credible voice of reason for nude recreation, and AANR applauds the hard work of the ANRL volunteers. Visit their web site and learn more about the library at <a href=http://www.anrl.org/>http://www.anrl.org/</a><br>Carolyn Hawkins, Public Relations Coordinator <br>Carolyn is traveling to Maryland for the Assateague beach cleanup, but she wanted to remind you about the award deadlines.<br>2006 CONVENTION AWARDS<br>The deadline for submission of documentation and materials for all awards is 05 31, unless otherwise noted. For additional information about each award, see Section 5.01.00 of the AANR Procedure Manual or call 800/TRY-NUDE. <br><br> AANR Family of the Year AANR Man of the Year AANR Woman of the Year Art Schumann Award<br>Best Original Article in a Club Newsletter<br>Erwin Koch Award Glen Eden Award Hal O'Neill Award Hall of Fame (Deadline 05 1, 2006) Ilsley Boone Best Club Newsletter Awards Jim Cossins Memorial Award Membership Increase (Percentage and Numbers) Paradise Lakes Government Affairs Award<br>PR Non-Nudist Media Awards<br>Rick Athearn Photography Award<br>Schofield Trophy Award (Deadline June 10, 2006) Serendipity Park Web Awards Young Man of the Year<br>Young Woman of the Year<br>Youth Award for Nudist Studies<br> April 11, 2006<br>Dear AANR Clubs,<br>Yesterday we began hearing from AANR clubs from the East Coast to the West Coast, all of whom called to say that they had received an "offer" from ABC Television Network's Wife Swap show. Given the volume of letters that we understand were sent, it's likely that you received one also.<br>Summarized, producer Catherine Pappas is baiting clubs with a large cash offer if they will provide a referral to a nudist family with at least one child to participate in the show. The family that participates is baited with an even more substantial sum. i.e. $20,000. <br>In the interest of time we will not fully explore the disadvantages of taking Ms. Pappas's bait. However, we'd ask you to consider the following: <br>* First, by her own admission this producer compiled her list by visiting a highly suspicious website known as www.purenudism.com <<a href=http://www.purenudism.com/>http://www.purenudism.com/</a>> If you follow the link to this site you'll find that it shamelessly sells access to more than 85,000 nude pictures (the site's wording contains multiple references to "all age nudity") for $29.95 per month. Purenudism.com titillates visitors with a note that their "subscription" includes access to over 100,000 XXX images plus videos also because they want to put "a little bit extra" into the package. So, while Ms. Pappas claims that she is seeking to dispel "a distorted idea of what nudism is really about" her research via the above site says otherwise. We are taking steps to have AANR clubs removed from pure nudism's listings — which are available to subscribers only. * Second, we consulted the AANR Public Relations professionals at Yesawich, Pepperdine, Brown and Russell who immediately contacted the Wife Swap's producers. Per their conversation the show will not allow the family that participates to review their show before it broadcasts and they will not allow the family any say in whether a show — no matter how damaging — ultimately airs. In fact, a family must sign a waiver of their rights before taping even begins. * Third, those who have seen the show know that it frequently makes a mockery of those who agree to its terms. While it is true that a family might be portrayed fairly as Ms. Pappas's letter assures, the show's tract record suggests that is not probable. * Finally, we note that others within the nudist and naturist community have weighed in with similar admonitions.<br> We recognize that our clubs will have many questions about this issue. We have, therefore, arranged a toll free teleconference with our public relations professionals at 8 o'clock p.m. Eastern Time tomorrow evening, Wednesday April 12. To participate in this toll free call, simply dial 1-888-272-7337and enter the conference I.D. 5889153 when prompted. <br>We appreciate your assistance in maintaining the credible voice for nude recreation.<br>Sun-cerely<br>Erich Schuttauf J.D. Carolyn Hawkins<br>Executive Director Public Relations Coordinator <br><br> </td>
