December 31, 2008

Erich Schuttauf, Executive Director

AANR Receives a Very Special Planned Gift

Months ago we wrote that the Association was named as a beneficiary in the estate of the late Albert Savage, long-time member.  This week we received a check from his probate attorney in the amount of $10,000, which will be allocated to AANR’s Connett fund.

The Connett fund provides an endowment that is used for one-time special initiatives that make a lasting difference on the future of nude recreation. It also enables the Association to retire debts early (for example, it helped eliminate the mortgage on the headquarters building years ago).  If you would like more information about the Partners in Planned Giving program, including the availability of making a tax deductible donation to the AANR Education Foundation, please contact us at editor@aanr.com.

A Very Personal Thanks

While we’re on the subject of saying thanks, I would like to take this opportunity to express our appreciation to the seven regions of AANR who, on their initiative, each contributed to a special gift that we were able to provide to AANR staff during this holiday season.  Thanks to the efforts of our regions, each staffer received a gift card from Target which provided something extra as they prepared for family and friends.  We deeply appreciate this thoughtfulness.

Happy New Year

From all of us, to all of you, we extend our best wishes for a happy and safe New Year holiday.  In observance of the holiday, the AANR office will be closed on Thursday and Friday. We will reopen on Monday, January 5.

We Get Publicity

A story was put out by the NY Times recounting what, in their readers’ opinion, were the top travel stories of the year. We made # 4 !!!!!

What a great way to celebrate the New Year!

http://travel.nytimes.com/2008/12/31/travel/31topstories.html?8dpc
AANR Helping Members

About two months ago, we noted that we were working with a member and his family in the Pacific Northwest being questioned by authorities after it came to their attention that the family occasionally goes nude within its own home and visits nudist clubs.  At the time we provided guidance to the family’s attorney, written material, and a listening ear.

We’re very pleased to report that Club/Member Liaison Terry Justice received a call from the family that the matter has been dropped entirely.

News to Use

Many AANR clubs have established policies greatly restricting–or outright prohibiting–the use of cameras on club grounds out of respect for member privacy.  A seminar about taking control of hidden, clandestine photography was presented at previous conventions and is undergoing a revision to reflect the latest developments in the law on that subject.

The results of a decision handed down by a Wisconsin state appeals court this week will be worth noting, too.  There, the court ruled by a 2-1 vote that the fact a person may have willingly appeared nude in the presence of another did not negate their reasonable expectation of privacy against being filmed without their knowledge.  In the case, the defendant argued that since his girlfriend willingly went about the house nude (and engaged in voluntary sexual relations with the defendant) he had committed no crime in placing a
hidden camera that videotaped her during those activities.  The appeals court disagreed, paving the way for a  conviction under the state’s video voyeurism law.  For an Associated Press version of the story, click here:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5h_TbnIm1Kth6WH5IU2d23RaSke
mAD95D9BV80

Terry Justice, Club/Member Liaison

Naturally California has relinquished its charter.

Debra Sue Stevens, Government Affairs

REQUEST: Print the following in your Club Newsletter or send to your members in your E-News, when timely and appropriate.  We want the members to know what GAT does for them!

National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) – Annual Update on the
States

A year ago, during the dying days of the global economic boom, state officeholders throughout the land glowed in the anticipation of continued prosperity. When the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) reported on the fiscal health of states in November 2007, not a single state gave a pessimistic appraisal of its prospects. Indeed, governors across the land were unveiling creative initiatives that seemed to ratify Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis’ famous declaration that states are laboratories of
democracy.

The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) released its latest update on the states’ fiscal health this month. The national survey of legislative fiscal officers found that, despite closing significant budget gaps, states find themselves billions in the hole, due to shortfalls that have emerged since they completed their budgets. The report also shows the number is only likely to grow as states assemble their FY 2010 forecasts.

For more information on this topic visit: http://www.ncsl.org/programs/press/2008/pr12022008Top9.htm

Communicating with Congress Report by CMF

After nearly 10 years of research, outreach, and study of the communications between citizens and Congress, Congressional Management Foundation (CMF) has released the culminating report, Communicating with Congress: Recommendations for Improving the Democratic Dialogue with recommendations for advocacy organizations, Congressional offices, and advocacy vendors, as
well as suggested improvements to the structure and processes for managing Congressional communications. To view the entire report, go to: http://www.capitoladvantage.com/newsarticles/articles/documents/study-cmf-20081215-communicatingcongress.pdf

Important Dates for the 111th Congress

*      Jan. 3: The 111th Congress officially begins (but since that date falls on a weekend, new members will be sworn in on Monday, Jan. 5).

*      Jan. 20: Inauguration Day.

*      Feb. 2: The president is required by law to submit annual budget proposals to Congress by the first Monday in February. As a matter of practice, a new president normally submits a placeholder plan on that date, and then provides Congress a full budget submission sometime in March.

AANR Legislative Tracking

Statistics for 2008:

o    2,313 bills have been reviewed personally by AANR in 2008.

o    305 bills have been reviewed in full text by AANR in 2008.

o    27 bills are on the Government Affairs “2008 Legislative Tracking List”

o    30 bills have been added to the “2009 Legislative Tracking List”

o    121 bills moved to an inactive status in the 2008 Session.

AANR encourages our membership to assist in the process of tracking bills and news impacting nude recreation.  Always contact the AANR office before taking action.  This ensures that your actions are aligned with the strategy underway for any particular bill or advocacy effort.  Remember, AANR GAT
works for you!

The New Year has barely started and we have another indoor nude recreation night planned on Sunday January 11 from 7 pm until 9 pm.

Come have a great time in the pool, two hut tubs or two saunas or treat yourself to a relaxing massage. For the more energetic amongst us we have a basketball/volleyball court and three racquetball courts at our disposal.

Pre registration prices are $10 per person for AANR/TNS members and $12 per person for non members.

Pre-registration closes on Wednesday January 7. After pre-registration closes the prices are $15 per person for AANR/TNS members and $17 for non members. Upon registration we will disclose the facility we use, so contact Hidden Springs at hsevents@verizon.net or leave a voice mail at 503-841-1995.

Hope to see you all on January 11.

P.S. The facility is in the Portland, Oregon area.

Mountaindale Sun Resort is canceling anything special at the clubhouse for New Years Eve.

We’ve got power, about a foot of snow at the moment, are digging our way out, and weather reports are showing more in store.  Road up to the club is passable now but may not be later.  Power was out for days at a time and we had 24 inches of snow.

Most who got caught on the hill during the storm want to be somewhere else this week.

Anyone wanting to gather at the clubhouse is welcome but nothing special planned.

Thank you,
Dale S.
President, MSR

December 19, 2008

Erich Schuttauf, Executive Director

Committee Reports

All AANR committee chairs are asked to submit their reports for distribution no later than Monday, January 12, 2009. Please e-mail them to Linda Berry at editor@aanr.com.

Agenda for January Board of Trustees Meeting

The agenda for the January Board of Trustees Meeting was e-mailed to the board and all clubs on Tuesday of this week. It is also available in the Download Zones of Member Benefits and Club Services sections of www.aanr.com . The meeting will be held January 22-24, 2009, at Cypress Cove Nudist Resort and Spa in Kissimmee, Florida.

Comic Strip Series “Luann” Ponders the Subject of Nude Travel

This week those of you who get newspapers with the strip Luann in the comics section may have noticed that clothing-optional resorts have been getting a lot of attention.

The Luann series is built around a young woman who has a number of friends. One of those friends is a paramedic who, on the prompting of his roommate, invites a female co-worker to join him for a week at an uninhabited resort in Costa Rica.  The co-worker reads the brochure more carefully before pointing out that “uninhabited” is “uninhibited” and that the place is, in fact, clothing-optional.  A very lively discussion ensues over the course of several days’ worth of panels.  Not all of the statements are positive (“she must think I’m a creep”), but the roommate’s matter of fact responses to the various objections voiced would definitely help readers at the breakfast table to reflect on whether they themselves would like to vacation clothes-free.

As the AANR PR team has also observed, the fact that the topic of nude travel is considered “safe” for the comics page is significant as we work to mainstream this travel niche.  If you would like to see copies of Luann from this week, you can find them archived on the King Features website here:

http://comics.com/luann/

[Note: clicking the numbered boxes above today's panel will allow you to see previous days and there are several.]

AANR Helping Members

Today AANR Member Liaison Terry Justice and I responded to a member and his wife from the Midwest who are being questioned about nude photos on their computer.  We have arranged to send some written material on the legal topic, as well as to talk with the couple’s legal counsel.

The E-Bulletin

This week’s E-Bulletin is the last one until January 9, 2009. Looking for a “Happy New Year” gift for your nudist friends? Sign them up at www.aanr.com for this entertaining online publication written by Lynn Von Hagel.

Terry Justice, Club/Member Liaison

AANR has a new provisional nonlanded cooperative club:

Friends of Lilly
PO Box 259
Bomansville, NY 14024

www.friendsoflilly.com

I would like to take this opportunity to wish ALL our members and our clubs, a very merry Christmas and all you could wish for yourselves in the coming new year.

Debra Sue Stevens, Government Affairs

REQUEST: Print the following in your Club Newsletter or send to your members in your E-News, when timely and appropriate.  We want the members to know what GAT does for them!

ARC President Offers Weekly Insight on How the Presidential Transition Relates to the Recreation Industry

Now that the excitement of the election season is complete, it is time to focus on the consequent changes in Washington and the implications of those changes for recreation. In his weekly “Monday Morning Washington Updates,” American Recreation Coalition (ARC) President Derrick Crandall shares news and analysis with ARC members and friends on Capitol Hill changes, Transition team activities, the emerging Obama team, special opportunities for advancing recreation, and other factors likely to influence recreation starting in 2009.  To view the reports, visit: www.funoutdoors.com .

San Onofre State Beach Updates

The Surfrider Foundation has posted their efforts to Save Trestles on Facebook which has become 10,000 supporters strong.  Trestles is the world-famous surf break which remains the only spot on the World Championship Tour of Surfing in the mainland USA.

Their plight is Trestles Beach, San Onofre State Beach, and Juaneno Burial Site must be protected and the 241 Toll Road Extension plan must be rejected.  For more information, visit: http://apps.facebook.com/causes/5626?m=ab55de80

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the United States Department of Commerce on December 18th upheld the California Coastal Commission’s objection to a proposal to construct a 16-mile toll road connecting California state Route 241 to Interstate 5 in southern Orange and northern San Diego counties.  For the entire story, see: http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2008/20081218_tca.html .

AANR Legislative Tracking

Statistics for 2008:

o    2,270 bills have been reviewed personally by AANR in 2008.

o    305 bills have been reviewed in full text by AANR in 2008.

o    37 bills are on the Government Affairs “2008 Legislative Tracking List”

o    24 bills have been added to the “2009 Legislative Tracking List”

o    111 bills moved to an inactive status in the 2008 Session.

AANR encourages our membership to assist in the process of tracking bills and news impacting nude recreation.  Always contact the AANR office before taking action.  This ensures that your actions are aligned with the strategy underway for any particular bill or advocacy effort.  Remember, AANR GAT works for you!

December 12, 2008

Erich Schuttauf, Executive Director

AANR West President Jeannette DeRosier in Hospital

We were saddened to learn this week that region president Jeannette DeRosier was admitted to the hospital again, following an episode where she fell and broke her femur. She was expected to undergo surgery today and is in our thoughts and prayers. If you would like to send a card, the hospital address is as follows: Corona Regional Medical Center, 800 S. Main Street, Corona, CA 92882.

AANR Staff Helps Local Food Bank Through Share Your Christmas

The holidays are a traditional time for helping those less fortunate. With the difficult economy, resources like the Salvation Army are stretched by greater demand and fewer donations. That’s why I was especially proud of the AANR staff this week as they brought in canned goods, dried cereals, pastas, and other items that will be used to replenish local food banks.

In all, we filled an entire automobile trunk with these donations, and Carolyn and I had the privilege of dropping them off Thursday. The local Salvation Army commander was particularly grateful for what was probably our greatest sized donation in the 15 years we have participated in the program. Nakation pins and business cards were eagerly accepted by volunteers, too!

TANR Meeting Wraps Up

Last Saturday the Trade Association for Nude Recreation (TANR) completed three days of meetings at Cypress Cove. We welcomed a number of new faces, and approximately two dozen attendees turned out to discuss the latest happenings in their clubs and businesses. John Kinman introduced me to Elizabeth and John Young, owners of the newly opened Desert Sun Resort of Palm Springs. The Bare Buns Bikers, Pasco Naturally, and South Florida Free Beaches were among those joining TANR’s meeting for the first time, and prospective club owners were also on hand to learn first-hand about do’s and don’ts from those who have been there before them.

I wish to thank Donna Daniels (TANR President) and Jim Bailey of Castaways Travel for putting together an agenda that provided plenty of time to learn from each other. Dean, Barbara, and Ted Hadley and the staff of Cypress Cove deserve special thanks for delivering tip-top food and accommodations.

Linda Berry, Director of Publications
The Bulletin

The January issue is in production. We’re making some subtle design changes. Let me know what you think when you get your copy. It goes to the printer on December 16.

CAROLYN HAWKINS, PUBLIC RELATIONS COORDINATOR
Positive Publicity

I had an interview with Flash News regarding Christmas activities that AANR and the clubs may be doing.

Check out the link below regarding “The best places to get naked with the locals.”
Dare to get bare! The prime spots around the world to take it all off.

http://www.concierge.com/ideas/spawellness/tours/500111?mbid=MSNBC_travel
Terry Justice, Club/Member Liaison

I only have one directory change this week:

Canyon State Naturists in Arizona has a new Web site and e-mail address
which are:

www.canyonstatenaturists.org
webmaster@canyonstatenaturists.org

Oregon State Parks Annual Discount Sale
Submitted by:  Shirley Gauthier

You can get your annual Oregon State Park pass for $20 through the month of December.  That is a $5 savings and really adds up if you regularly visit our Rooster Rock State Park nude beach. The passes are good through December 31, 2009.

The annual holiday sale started in the year 2000.  Oregon turns 150 in 2009 and there will be a lot of statewide events that increases the value of your pass.  This is a great holiday gift giving idea for friends, family or AANR members who volunteer at our nude beach.

Passes can be purchased by charging to Visa or MasterCard credit cards at (800) 551-6949.  They can also be purchased at major Oregon Park & Recreation Department (OPRD) offices, Joe’s sports and outdoor stores, and selected local businesses throughout the state.

For more information see www.prd.state.or.us/news.php?id=1164?AANR-NW.org

      The AANR-NW eNews occasionally publishes notices that some
      may consider as "commercial" in nature if it we think it may
      interest our readers.  

      If you like any particular notice, consider signing up for
      their mailing list (if any) so you may be kept informed.
      - pt 

We are again offering our fabulous Alaska escorted cruise this summer.

A Dream Cruise Tour Vacation for Next Summer:

a.. Have you ever dreamed of a lovely luxury cruise to Alaska’s Inside Passage on a beautiful ship?

b.. Have you wanted to cruise from Seattle and return to Seattle with no hassles at the Canadian border?

c.. Would you like all of the reservations made by an experienced travel agent?

d.. Would you like to have the ports-of-call and ground tours escorted by two university professors, John and Donna Mollan, who has been to Alaska many times and know just what to see and do in each port?

e.. Would you like the option of earning either  university credits on the history, geography, culture and ecology of Alaska with this exciting on-board course?

If you answered yes to any of the previous questions and would like more information, call or email our travel agent, Kari, soon at: Kari {at} TangerineTravel.com or phone: 800-678-8202 xt 6923

Feel free to forward this to others who might be interested.

Happy Holidays,

Donna and John Mollan

The Heritage Institute/Antioch University

253-884-1679

ae7p {at} arrl.net

In Our Thoughts and Prayers

Our condolences and deepest sympathy are extended to the family of Lee Baxandall, who passed away on Thanksgiving Day in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. As most of you know, Lee was founder of The Naturist Society. Lee is survived by his wife Johanna, his sister Ann, his son Phineas, two grandchildren, and thousands of naturists. Please see additional information in Debra Sue’s report below.

Debra Sue Stevens, Government Affairs

Lee Baxandall – A True Nudist Advocate (1935-2008)

Alonzo Stevens, AANR Government Affairs Chair

As most of you are aware, The Naturist Society (TNS) founder Lee Baxandall passed away on Thanksgiving Day.  I first met Lee and Johanna Baxandall when we bought our condo at Desert Shadows Inn (now Desert Sun Resort).  All the condo owners were invited to join our friends and family at our wedding in
2000.  Lee and Johanna were in attendance.  Lee shared many hours talking with us about nude recreation and the importance of advocacy.  Johanna, we send you and your family our love and condolences.

Lee Baxandall began his naturist activism in the 1960s when he and his family visited the Cape Cod National Seashore to skinny-dip, leading to his induction into the AANR Hall of Fame over three decades later.  Tallahassee Naturally was relentless in making their nomination a reality, “The nomination cited Mr. Baxandall’s quarter-century of public service, starting on Cape Cod in 1976, and leading to the establishment of The Naturist Society in 1980. At a time when no other national organization took an
interest in America’s vanishing free beaches, Lee sponsored the organization of more than 50 local clubs–including ours. He led the way in accepting single people, gay people, and the disabled into the naturist family. And he led us back to original principals by putting the emphasis on nature.

Most importantly, Lee saw the need for political activism. When anti-nudity bills first hit the Florida legislature in 1994, an experienced Naturist Action Committee (NAC) was there to advise us. At that time, our club took some criticism for cooperating with both national nudist organizations. In recent years, the two groups have increasingly worked together and pooled their resources. The Mid-Winter Naturist Festival each February remains the staging ground where Florida clubs plan their annual strategy for dealing
with the legislature.”

It is my hope that in 2009 AANR/GAT can focus on continuing to combine efforts with TNS and their advocacy arm NAC.   Though these two national organizations may differ in mission and approach, it is clear that we both want to preserve and promote nude recreation.

For more information regarding Lee Baxandall’s life, visit:

The Naturist Society at http://www.naturistsociety.com/
Naturist Action Committee at http://naturistaction.org/

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 6, 2008 at 2 p.m. at the Seefeld Funeral and Cremation Services, 1025 Oregon Street, Oshkosh, WI 54902. Visitation will be held from 1 p.m. until the time of the service and a reception will follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation. Please visit www.seefeldfuneral.com to send online condolences to the family.

Erich Schuttauf, Executive Director

Erich is at Cypress Cove attending the Trade Association for Nude Recreation (TANR) meeting. He will give a full report next week.

In Our Thoughts and Prayers

Our condolences and deepest sympathy are extended to the family of Lee Baxandall, who passed away on Thanksgiving Day in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. As most of you know, Lee was founder of The Naturist Society. Lee is survived by his wife Johanna, his sister Ann, his son Phineas, two grandchildren, and thousands of naturists. Please see additional information in Debra Sue’s report below.

Debra Sue Stevens, Government Affairs

Lee Baxandall – A True Nudist Advocate (1935-2008)

Alonzo Stevens, AANR Government Affairs Chair

As most of you are aware, The Naturist Society (TNS) founder Lee Baxandall passed away on Thanksgiving Day. I first met Lee and Johanna Baxandall when we bought our condo at Desert Shadows Inn (now Desert Sun Resort). All the condo owners were invited to join our friends and family at our wedding in
2000. Lee and Johanna were in attendance. Lee shared many hours talking with us about nude recreation and the importance of advocacy. Johanna, we send you and your family our love and condolences.

Lee Baxandall began his naturist activism in the 1960s when he and his family visited the Cape Cod National Seashore to skinny-dip, leading to his induction into the AANR Hall of Fame over three decades later. Tallahassee Naturally was relentless in making their nomination a reality, “The nomination cited Mr. Baxandall’s quarter-century of public service, starting on Cape Cod in 1976, and leading to the establishment of The Naturist Society in 1980. At a time when no other national organization took an
interest in America’s vanishing free beaches, Lee sponsored the organization of more than 50 local clubs–including ours. He led the way in accepting single people, gay people, and the disabled into the naturist family. And he led us back to original principals by putting the emphasis on nature.

Most importantly, Lee saw the need for political activism. When anti-nudity bills first hit the Florida legislature in 1994, an experienced Naturist Action Committee (NAC) was there to advise us. At that time, our club took some criticism for cooperating with both national nudist organizations. In recent years, the two groups have increasingly worked together and pooled their resources. The Mid-Winter Naturist Festival each February remains the staging ground where Florida clubs plan their annual strategy for dealing
with the legislature.”

It is my hope that in 2009 AANR/GAT can focus on continuing to combine efforts with TNS and their advocacy arm NAC. Though these two national organizations may differ in mission and approach, it is clear that we both want to preserve and promote nude recreation.

For more information regarding Lee Baxandall’s life, visit:

The Naturist Society at http://www.naturistsociety.com/
Naturist Action Committee at http://naturistaction.org/

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 6, 2008 at 2 p.m. at the Seefeld Funeral and Cremation Services, 1025 Oregon Street, Oshkosh, WI 54902. Visitation will be held from 1 p.m. until the time of the service and a reception will follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation. Please visit www.seefeldfuneral.com to send online condolences to the family.

AANR Legislative Tracking

Statistics for 2008:

o 2,204 bills have been reviewed personally by AANR in 2008.
o 301 bills have been reviewed in full text by AANR in 2008.
o 36 bills are on the Government Affairs “2008 Legislative Tracking List”
o 12 bills have been added to the “2009 Legislative Tracking List”
o 111 bills moved to an inactive status in the 2008 Session.

AANR encourages our membership to assist in the process of tracking bills and news impacting nude recreation. Always contact the AANR office before taking action. This ensures that your actions are aligned with the strategy underway for any particular bill or advocacy effort. Remember, AANR GAT
works for you!

Linda Berry, Director of Publications

The E-Bulletin

Shop Naked

Yesterday, nearly 13,000 subscribers to The E-Bulletin read about a company’s advertisement that promoted shopping naked. Sign up at www.aanr.com for this free online publication written by Lynn Von Hagel.

The Bulletin

Do you know any “Good Samaritan” nudists who are always helping others? Do you know any nudists who really go the extra mile for his/her club and for promoting nude recreation? The Bulletin is looking for human interest stories for next year. All ideas are welcomed. Please e-mail me at editor @ aanr.com or call 800/879-6833, ext. 235. Your input is greatly appreciated.

It Pays To Advertise

The saying, “It pays to advertise” really is true. That’s why advertisers in The Bulletin keep on advertising. We have rates to fit everyone’s budget, so give Martha Young a call at 800/879-6833, ext. 228, or e-mail her at bulletinads @ aanr.com.
CAROLYN HAWKINS, PUBLIC RELATIONS COORDINATOR

Positive Publicity

Chicago Free Press 2008 Holiday Gift Guide, Gifts from A to Z, mentions AANR’s nakation kit under F for flesh (or flash). http://www.chicagofreepress.com/node/2831

See one of the pages printed below.

Thanks to all of you for the prayers, cards and gifts after the death of my husband Hans. It is encouraging to know that Steve and I have so many friends within our nudist family. I appreciate all of you very much.

Terry Justice, Club/Member Liaison

Here are this week’s directory changes:

Forest Murmurs in Washington has new e-mail and Web addresses:
info @ forestmurmurs.org

http://www.nwbares.com

December 5, 2008