Clubs and Trustees Weekly Report

March 6, 2009

Erich Schuttauf, Executive Director

AANR Helping Members and Clubs

This week our office responded to a request from a member in Canada concerned that his participation in nude recreation could affect an ongoing custody matter involving his grandchildren.  We have expedited a legal information kit and other materials, as well as providing information about legal direct assistance funds for which he may apply. This week we also provided detailed Claritas information to an East Coast club that may help it to better understand existing membership and reach out to new prospects.

AANR Club in the News

Kudos to Carolina Foothills Resort of South Carolina, which was on Fox Television in its local market this week.  You can see excerpts of the interviews on the Web at:

http://www.foxcarolina.com/video/18864050/index.html

Linda Berry, Director of Publications

E-Bulletin

This week’s 12,768 subscribers read about a nudist getting wings, a topless coffee shop, people unlearning naked shame, and an exhibit ban. Curious? You, too, can read the fun stuff. Sign up on the home page at www.aanr.com.

CAROLYN HAWKINS, PUBLIC RELATIONS COORDINATOR

Carolyn is traveling to Texas with her grandson, Steve Vickers, to assist him with his move to Austin to set up housekeeping. She will be back in the office on Monday.

Terry Justice, Club/Member Liaison

This week we welcome a new participating business as well as a new club.

Toucans
(PBS)
APDO 244-5000
Liberia GTE Costa Rica
813.579.5036
crsdon@gmail.com

Toucans is along the lines of a B&B but it has rooms with kitchens, and there is a private garden with a pool.

Naturist Family Network
(Non-landed, proprietary club)
P.O. Box 78
Altamont, NY 12009
518.495.3316
www.naturistfamily.net
admin@naturistfamily.net

Debra Sue Stevens, Government Affairs

GAT Update from Alonzo Stevens, GA Chair

Thank you to all the AANR members that have been getting involved by sending e-mails and sharing local and state insights.  Your “eyes and ears” are tremendously helpful.  Several of you have chosen to remain anonymous, and we welcome your participation at any level you are comfortable.  It is such a pleasure to hear from you!  As you know, it’s just as easy as sending an e-mail to someone on the GAT roster listed in every Bulletin.  An increasing number of members are sending us their suggestions and alerting us of advocacy opportunities.  We continue to collect your thoughts about the proposed NudistBill of Rights.AANR members and clubs have been contributing significantly in sharing local concerns and news articles regarding legislation in their states.  Government affairs never sleeps, but our AANR members are our strength as an Association.  Thanks again for listening and responding.  Once again, keep those e-mails flying and remember, “I work for you and your voice counts!”

ARC February Recreation Exchange – February 25th

U.S. Representative Joe Donnelly (D-IN) was the special guest at the American Recreation Coalition’s February Recreation Exchange.  The session allowed recreation community leaders to express appreciation for the Congressman’s vigorous efforts to overcome challenges facing America’s recreation industry.  Mr. Donnelly was actively involved in the recent U.S. Treasury announcement of actions to improve consumer loan availability, and specifically provide RV loans, through a $1 trillion program known as TALF (Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility).  He also actively participated in Congressional negotiations on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which provides a special federal tax deduction for state sales tax paid on motorhomes and motorcycles in addition to cars, and also expanded tax code provisions allowing many small businesses to apply current losses to the tax returns of past years, when they were profitable – a provision called NOL (Net Operating Loss) carryback.

Mr. Donnelly acknowledged the appreciation and told the group that, as a life-long outdoor recreation enthusiast, he is proud to assist the industry that “makes dreams come true for American families.”

To read the full story in the ARC March 2009 Newsletter, visit www.funoutdoors.com.

California & Pacific Southwest

Recreation & Park Training Conference

The City of Santa Clara in California welcomed the 61st Annual California & Pacific Southwest Recreation & Park Training Conference, March 3-6, 2009. Park and recreation professionals around the region attend this educational experience to learn how local municipal agencies generate ideas for new services, receive solutions for issues relating to existing services, and how opportunities are developed to expand resources through collaboration.  For more information, visit www.cprs.org.

Alonzo and I volunteered at the AANR-West booth and greeted a projected 2,000 attendees with information about nude recreation.  Many attendees visit the AANR booth annually, seeking the same lapel pin that State Legislative staff receives at the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL).  Many of the exhibitors have paved roads in our clubs, installed safe play ground equipment, shade protection and other recreational and infrastructure products.  A large majority of the attendees openly admitted that they skinny-dipped in younger days, know a nudist, or had enjoyed a club or beach where they live or vacation.  Other show participants discover AANR for the first time; lots of thumbs up and potential nudists at this show!  Frequently, a booth visitor would add their experiences to the conversation with a prospective Nakation-eer.

Register Now for a free subscription to StateNet Capitol Journal and get the latest political news from all 50 states via e-mail. Go to: www.statenet.com to sign up.

AANR Legislative Tracking

AANR GAT is closely monitoring developments in the Southwest, Northeast, and Northwest.  Next week, we will be updating you regarding some early successes in these regions and possibly some breaking news regarding our continuing work on public lands in AANR-West.  This year the volume of bills being reviewed has increased, while the number of seriously dangerous bills has decreased.  So far, so good. Keep being involved and e-mailing us.  Your “eyes and ears” are greatly appreciated.  Thanks again.

Below, please find statistics we have begun compiling on the 2009 legislative session. Some thoughtful members and clubs have asked us the question, “What is the significance of these statistics?” What we hope most is that you will observe how many thousands of proposals need to be checked to see if they would impact your rights to enjoy nude recreation within appropriate settings. Without the sophisticated monitoring software that your dues make possible, there is no way that the tens of thousands of bills introduced in just a few weeks’ time could be reviewed. Thanks to your support, and assistance from volunteers, we have a solid (albeit not perfect) understanding of what we face in the states this year.

Statistics for 2009:

In Session: There are 44 states, DC and US in Regular Session. There is 1 state in Special Session. There are 3 states in recess.

States in Regular Session: AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, US, UT, WA, WV, WY

Number of 2009 Prefiles last week: 953

Number of 2009 Intros last week: 11,628 

Number of 2009 Session Enacted/Adopted last week: 1,566

Number of 2009 Prefiles to date: 31,497 

Number of 2009 Intros to date: 86,607 

Number of 2009 Session Enacted/Adopted overall to date: 5,635

AANR Statistics: 

o    2,063 bills were reviewed personally by AANR in 2009.

o    295 bills have been reviewed in full text by AANR in 2009.

o    194 bills have been added to the “2009 Legislative Tracking List”

AANR encourages our membership and like-minded nudists and naturists 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!