AANR Weekly Report for December 8, 2006
<br> AANR Weekly Report for December 8, 2006<br><br>Erich Schuttauf, Executive Director<br>VERY SPECIAL VOLUNTEER<br>Kudos and Thanks to a VERY special volunteer this week! – AANR and its regions are very grateful for the hard work of so many members, club owners and staff, and officers who volunteer so much of their time to make us the credible voice of reason for nude recreation. Occasionally one such leader / volunteer goes way beyond the level of our already dedicated people and deserves special mention.<br>This week we would be remiss if we did not express our deepest appreciation to Secretary/Treasurer Sharon McLeod who recently agreed to lend an extra hand in getting AANR's Marketing Consultant program on track to help clubs. The program had already helped several, but faced a backlog because our team in Kissimmee couldn't devote all of the time necessary to make the program what it could be. Within weeks of taking on this assignment, Sharon has personally called dozens of clubs and Marketing Consultants alike. She has helped to prepare special articles about progress in the program for The Bulletin and has also created at-a-glance progress charts, timetables, and conducted a conference call for all "Marketeers" to compare notes.<br>Sharon, you've given us all a lot of items on our to do lists over these past few weeks, but we know you've had three times that many on your own list as you keep us on track. We're very, very grateful for all that you have done and we hope fellow officers and clubs will join us in thanking you!!!<br> SPECIAL NEWS – AANR GETS HALF PAGE ARTICLE IN FORBES MAGAZINE!!! Be sure to read Carolyn Hawkin's report below for details on this exciting development as an article about AANR's outreach to Generation X appear in the print magazine version of this highly respected and trusted financial publication. Many volunteers spent hours being interviewed for what was trimmed to an article covering the basic facts, but this was well worth it as Carolyn will explain. <br>CALLING ALL CLUBS AND MEMBERS IN OHIO I know that there's a lot to read in the report this week, but please be sure to read Government Affairs Coordinator Pat Orner's report about important developments in Ohio and how you can help if you live or have a club in that state. We deeply appreciate any help you can offer on this late-breaking move on a piece of potentially harmful legislation.<br>TANR Meeting at Laguna del Sol a Success Last week the Trade Association for Nude Recreation wrapped up its annual conference at Laguna. Outgoing President and Laguna owner Suzanne Schell teamed up with her husband Wayne and the club's staff to offer the group great accommodations, delicious meals in their recently completed all-new restaurant and an array of speakers on topics from emergency preparedness to getting into the mindset of your customer. While attending AANR President John Kinman gave some remarks that resonated especially strongly with the clubs and businesses there.<br>Congratulations to Fernando Granger of Sun Island Resort of El Cajon, California, on being elected as the Association's incoming President. We look forward to working with you.<br> Giving Credit to TNS and NAC on a great idea This week The Cyber-Bulletin on AANR's web site includes a photograph and story about an idea that–we've got to hand it to The Naturist Society and its Naturist Action Committee–was a great one. Just in time for the political season they made low cost election style signs on a stick encouraging a vote for nude beaches! They will continue to offer them, so you can get one for your front lawn. To see the article click: <a href=http://www.aanr.com/cyber_bulletin.html>http://www.aanr.com/cyber_bulletin.html</a> .<br> News to Use — Home Nudity Theme Prominent in Popular Cartoon "Zits" for a Whole Week From December 1 – December 7 the cartoon comic strip "Zits" ran a continuing theme built around the main character (15 year old Jeremy Duncan)'s decision to romp around his house naked while his parents are gone. Jeremy's initial joy and fun at giving nude recreation a try ( "this is so out there.so rock and roll!!!" ) wanes a bit as his aunt, the UPS man, his girlfriend, then his best friend, show up unannounced in rapid succession. The antics end with best friend Pierce's consoling words that going around the house naked is a right of passage and nothing to be embarrassed about.even if Jeremy's the only one who ever got caught doing it. (Note: December 3 was an unrelated cartoon.)<br>Fortunately the Seattle Post Intelligencer keeps an archive of about a month's worth of Zits strips, so you can see the whole set online right now. To view the first day, click here: <a href=http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/fun/zits.asp?date=20061201>http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/fun/zits.asp?date=20061201</a> . View subsequent days by selecting dates from the drop down menu. <br>Have FUN!<br>—————————————————— <br>Linda Berry, Director of Publications<br>The Bulletin The January issue is in progress and will go to the printer Wednesday of next week. <br>MERCHANDISE BROCHURE The new merchandise brochure is available and has all the latest in nudist fashion. There's plenty of time to order your Christmas gifts from AANR for your family and friends. Towels, T-Shirts, and pendants are popular items. Call Carol DeAldana at 800/879-6833, ext. 233 with your order. <br>—————————————————— <br>Carolyn Hawkins, Public Relations Coordinator <br>PUBLICITY<br>The article hit in print in the December 25 issue of Forbes Magazine titled "Naked Pitch" by Suzanne Hoppough. This is a positive article picked up from PR Week. It focuses on Steve Vickers as a member of Generation X. This is an example of how our PR is working to get out the "Credible Voice of Reason." This ad would have cost up to six figures for a paid article. They also used a photo in the article. The cover is white with How To Be A Smart Collector on the front cover. Be sure to pick up a copy and look in the table of contents.<br>St Pete Times is doing an article on Nudist Clothing Stores i.e. Under the Sun as well as the stores at some of the resorts.<br>We are also working with a show called "Spotlight."<br> COMMUNITY SERVICE Steve Vickers, Bob Erlenmeyer, Hans Hoeh and I had the opportunity to assist Paradise Lakes with the Sneaker Streaker run; Lake Como with Bike Week and a visit to Caliente Resort. A big thanks to Paul Vineski who helped us at the AANR booth at Lake Como.<br>CLUB BROCHURES The cruise is approaching, so if you would like your club brochures displayed, please send approximately 30 to the AANR office attention Carolyn Hawkins<br>—————————————————— <br>Patricia Orner, Government Affairs Coordinator<br>REGIONAL REPORTS <br>ARE YOU FROM OHIO?<br>AANR MIDWEST – AANR and AANR Midwest are working closely with NAC tracking the progress of Ohio SB245 sponsored by Senator Cates (R). This bill titled "Public Indecency" was introduced 12-27-2005 and subsequently passed the Senate Judiciary and Criminal Justice committee as amended on 03-29-2006. It was then sent to the House Rules and Reference Committee and assigned to the House Criminal Justice Committee, where a public hearing is anticipated for next Tuesday, December 12, 2006 at 2:30 pm. <br>The bill seeks to increase the penalties for public indecency when the victim is a minor and the offender has a previous public indecency conviction; requires that a person charged with a sexually oriented offense or with public indecency who has a previous conviction of a sexually oriented offense or of public indecency was committed with a sexual motivation appear before the court before the court sets bail; requires the court to consider certain factors before setting bail for that person. <br>AANR and AANR Midwest urge our members in Ohio only to help in the following ways:<br>(1) Read the NAC alert at <a href=http://www.naturistaction.org/AlertsAdvisoriesUpdates/ALERTS/OH_2006_SB_245_>http://www.naturistaction.org/AlertsAdvisoriesUpdates/ALERTS/OH_2006_SB_245_</a> 12-07-06/oh_2006_sb_245_12-07-06.html <br>(2) Write and/or call your county sheriff and local political heads and ask them what the financial effect will be on your taxes if the state passes this bill as written. The state impact has been documented at a minimal $100,000 annual increase and the unknown effects on your local budgets have not been calculated.<br>(3) Write and/or call your state representatives and urge them to read the proposed language substitution at the hearing on Tuesday<br>(4) Stand ready to show up at the public hearing on Tuesday, December 12 at 2:00 pm. The location is room 121 – Ohio Statehouse – 77 South High Street – Columbus, Ohio<br>(5) Call Mark Hammond; AANR Midwest GAT chair at 517-741-7004 or Patricia Orner at 407-933-2064 with any questions on this alert.<br> AANR DC – John Hunter will be attending an organizational meeting with ARC to plan 2007 activities supporting the increase of public lands usage by America's youth.<br>AANR SW – All is quiet this week in this region.<br>FANR – Plans move forward by TACOBA (Tampa Area Clothing Optional Beach Coalition) to convince officials in Pinellas County that a designated area on the west coast of Florida is a positive addition to tourism. The head of the Pinellas County TDC unfortunately wants to "agree to disagree" that clothing optional recreation is family friendly.<br>WCANR – All is quiet this week in this region.<br>AANR EAST – This week AANR staff continued following up the possible $50 fine on Martha's Vineyard at Aquinnah. <br>AANR WEST – Bev Price and AANR staffer Steve Vickers represented AANR in Phoenix, AZ at The Council of State Governments Annual State Trends and Leadership Forum. Look for their feedback in the February edition of The Bulletin.<br>AANR NW – All is quiet this week in this region. <br> This Week in Session:<br>There are three States (MI, NJ, and OH), DC and US in Regular Session. MA is in Informal Session and CA is in Organizational Session. LA 'b' is in Special Session regarding Insurance Rate Relief.<br>FL "a" regarding Property Insurance Relief convenes 01/16/2007.<br> IMPORTANT DATES AND DEADLINES: <br>ME on 12/06/2006 Organizational session.<br>NH on 12/06/2006 Organization Day.<br>SC on 12/06/2006 Second of three prefiling days for Senate Legislation.<br>SC on 12/06/2006 Organizational day.<br>ID on 12/07/2006 Organizational session.<br>VA on 12/08/2006 Last day to act on continued legislation.<br>FL on 12/11/2006 District staff training (New hires only).<br>SD on 12/11/2006 Prefiling begins.<br>SC on 12/13/2006 Third of three prefiling days for Senate Legislation.<br>SC on 12/13/2006 First of two House prefiling days.<br>NJ on 12/14/2006 Senate Session; Select Committees to meet at the call of the Senate President.<br>ME on 12/15/2006 Cloture for member bill requests.<br>HI on 12/18/2006 Budget deadline.<br> DIANE ARBUS STORY – Thanks to all that provided feedback on the movie "Fur" released this week, documenting the life of Diane Arbus. Media coverage has been steady and most references to nudist camps have been positive.<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br> </td>
