Erich Schuttauf, Executive Director

The AANR World Record Skinny-Dip–Momentum is Growing!

Excitement is building…

Guinness World Records™ has agreed to recognize our attempt to have the most people skinny- dipping simultaneously across North America (and beyond). This record is sponsored by AANR and will take place at exactly 3:00 p.m. Eastern Nudist Time on July 11, 2009.

We are gearing up with the AANR public relations firm, Ypartnership, to begin the media blitz. Stay tuned for more info. A big story is being prepared for the June issue of The Bulletin and the E-Bulletin.

Assateague Beach Cleanup a Huge Success!

Ocean City, MD—The weather was great, people turned out, and those advocating for a clothing-optional beach in Maryland made a significant impression on park service staff as they cleaned a large section within the state park on Saturday, April 18.

Temperatures hovered in the mid 70s and reached a high of 78 degrees. That was a great way to welcome 28 volunteers who came from as far as Pennsylvania to lend a hand. Adorned in bright orange hats with the www.aanr.com Web address, these volunteers attracted a lot of attention. While they worked clothed, many wore shirts with nudist slogans.

In all, these 28 volunteers contributed about 350 hours of volunteer time, which was recorded by the park personnel managing the cleanup. Organizer Ray Simpson e-mailed to relay the good news, pointing out that many people had given 10 hours or more of their time when travel to and from the event is factored in.

We received a warm “thank you” from park employees who, for this event, came from the state park. While we plan to ultimately locate the clothes-free beach on federal land, getting the cooperation of state officials is critical. The success of this project also paves the way for us to set up a meeting with the new federal superintendent.

To all of you who made this possible, we extend warm and hearty thanks.

AANR Government Affairs

This week our office sent a detailed package of demographic information, legal material, and copies of articles from The Wall St. Journal, Forbes, USA Today, and the New York Times about the strong dollar value of the nude recreation market to a county attorney in Florida.  The county is presently considering creating a clothing-optional beach to increase tourism during the difficult economy.

Nudity (and Humor) in Advertising

This week we learned about several advertising campaigns featuring nudists or a nude recreation theme.  The first promotes a new running shoe developed by Nike.  The second occurred in London, England, when French carmaker Peugeot arranged for 302 “nudists” (okay, they were adorned with body scarves and body stockings) to appear publicly to promote the company’s new 302 Cabriolet convertible.  Finally, we have had several calls about a television advertisement for Marshall’s shoes in which the well-known store chain claims to have an overstock of shoes available at great prices due to another shoe store owner’s failure after calling her store a clothing-optional boutique.

We feel such campaigns are deserving of mention in our weekly report although we wince at times when we see nudism depicted as a joke or associated with tongue-in-cheek humor.

On one hand, it is arguable that some of this advertising only serves to further stereotypes about our favorite form of recreation.  For example, AANR advocates for nudity within appropriate settings rather than downtown London as Peugeot would have it appear.  And we know that, thanks to the strong demographics among AANR members, a store would be likely to succeed by catering to them.

However, it is also true that nudity within these advertisements is depicted as something fun, rather than sexual.  And, as you’ll see from the Nike promotion, advertisers are becoming more and more comfortable showing nude bodies, including bare breasts and buttocks.  If companies are confident that they can use nudity to promote products without damaging their valuable brands, it means that they believe the general public is becoming more and more okay with it.

We’ll let you view the following and decide for yourself.

You can see the Nike ad by clicking here:

http://www.youtube.com/insidenikerunning

Read about the Peugeot event here:

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/23/buff-it-out-peugeot-inundates-london-commuters-with-308-nudist/

Linda Berry, Director of Publications

The Bulletin

The May issue is on its way to you and it is chock full of great stories. You’ll love it.  The print job is awesome, too.

CAROLYN HAWKINS, PUBLIC RELATIONS COORDINATOR

I was at the Assateague Beach cleanup last weekend.  The weather was beautiful, and everyone had a great time.

Positive Publicity

The April/May issue of Mensa had a nice article regarding nude recreation.

Nike has some new running shoes coming out in May, the Nike Free 5.0s.  Nike decided they had to do something to spice up an ad for them so they got all their sponsored runners together and had them run around naked. Yes, completely naked (except for their shoes). Check out the link in Erich’s report.

Discovery Health is looking for a woman five-months pregnant for a documentary.  There is a stipend included.  If you know someone who fits this request and may be interested, please contact me at pubaffairs@aanr.com.

Terry Justice, Club/Member Liaison

I have a new address for the Bluenose Naturist Club in Nova Scotia:

Bluenose Naturist Club
37 Old Enfield Road
Enfield, Nova Scotia
Canada B2T 1C9

Also:

Cedar Creek Park in South Carolina has changed its name to Cedar Creek RV Park.

Have a wonderful sun-filled weekend.

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!

AANR GAT Auction Items Benefit AANR Members!

Thanks so much for your generous support of the American Association for Nude Recreation.  Many members have donated items annually to our Silent and Live Auction.  It is due to your previous gifts that AANR is able to continue this vital program to “advocate nudity and nude recreation in appropriate settings, and educate and inform society of the value and enjoyment of such…” Your generosity is greatly appreciated.

This year the AANR GAT Auction will be held at the AANR 78th Convention at beautiful Oaklake Trails in Depew, Oklahoma.  All auction proceeds will continue to provide our members and all like-minded people the benefit of AANR’s advocating for nude recreation and responding to issues that can affect our recreational choice.  The AANR Government Affairs Program adds membership value through activities such as:
· Documentation and assistance to club owners and members
· Government Affairs Training Workshops
· Advocacy efforts to legislative officials and the general public
· Preservation of public lands for nude recreation

Would you be willing to participate at the same level of sponsorship (or greater) as you have in the past?  Are you interested in contributing for the first time?  Not only are resort trips and sunbathing towels favorite items, but personal picnic baskets, regional wines and homemade articles have been proven to bring in great bids.  If it’s easier, you can send a cash donation to AANR and in the memo note “AANR GAT Auction.”

Please send your gifts by August 8, 2009.  All the proceeds of your gifts go to support the AANR Government Affairs Program, a program critical to the advocacy and preservation of nude recreation.  We look forward to your donation to support the Government Affairs program this year.

Send your auction items with the auction form to:

Oaklake Trails Naturist Park

c/o AANR GAT Auction
24601 Milfay Rd #1
Depew, OK 74028

For more information, call the AANR office at 800-TRY-NUDE or e-mail me at debra_sue@mindspring.com.

AANR Legislative Tracking

Statistics for 2009:

In Session: There are 33 states, DC and US in Regular Session. NJ is in budget hearings. There is 1 state in Special Session. There are 4 states in recess. WV is in Extended Session (Recessed).

States in Regular Session: AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, US, VT, WA, WI

AANR Statistics:

o 2,721 bills were reviewed personally by AANR in 2009.
o 381 bills have been reviewed in full text by AANR in 2009.
o 159 bills remain on 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!