Erich Schuttauf, Executive Director

AANR Suspends Charter of Paradise Lakes Resort

AANR issued a notice temporally suspending the charter of Paradise Lakes Resort of Land O’Lakes, Florida. This action was taken by the Board of Trustees following an investigation of certain advertising and marketing activities undertaken by Paradise ownership and management that increasingly sexualized the nudist experience.  These actions were deemed to be entirely inconsistent with the Principles and Standards of AANR.

Upon news of the suspension, Paradise Lakes notified AANR that it will withdraw its affiliation.

It is important to recognize that many Paradise Lakes members strongly support the family nude recreation principles of AANR and are not connected with the actions of the owner and management of the club.

AANR’s Principles and Standards state clearly that, “Any club that deliberately advocates, endorses, encourages or promotes sexual activities or sexual enterprises is subject to revocation of its charter with AANR.”   Allegations of actions by a club that might meet this description are carefully investigated, and a decision to revoke a club’s charter is only taken after careful deliberation and investigation of all available facts.

Several local media picked up the story.

http://www.examiner.com/x-15353-Detroit-Day-Trips-Examiner~y2009m8d22-Two-Florida-nudist-resorts-no-longer-AANR-members

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/aug/21/g-string-contest-ad-prompts-resort-drop-nude-recre/

http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/news/specials/weirdflorida/blog/2009/08/paradise_lakes_is_a_clothing.html

Bagby Hot Springs, Oregon

AANR-Northwest government affairs team volunteers have been relaying late-breaking news about citations issued to some bathers at Bagby Hot Springs, located within the

Mt. Hood Forest jurisdiction of Oregon. As information is rapidly changing, we direct you to: http://blog.aanr.com/ for the very latest information.

I want to profusely thank Shirley Gauthier, her husband Mark, Steve Hubbard, and others who have done so very much to research information and open communications with Forest Service personnel. They have truly gone above and beyond on behalf of nude users everywhere. We also KNOW that they are making substantial progress at Bagby. Thanks!

We Need Your Skinny-Dip Stories

Although the AANR World Record Skinny-Dip is over, people are still laughing and sharing stories about the fun they had at the varied locations where we joined together to set a world record.  We would like to share some of these stories on the AANR Web site in order to retain the public attention this event brought to AANR and its clubs and to promote the event for next year.

Would you please send us your brief stories (no more than 150 words) about the skinny-dip event you hosted or attended? Tell us about the ingenious ways in which you publicized your event; stories about first-time visitors and their enjoyment; special activities you planned to coordinate with the skinny-dip; challenges you encountered with logistics; and above all, about the fun of participating in one of the most delightful events  AANR has ever sponsored.

Please e-mail your story as soon as possible to Lynn Von Hagel at clubhappenings@aanr.com.

Attention All Committee Chairs

Please submit your committee’s budget requests for 2010 to the AANR office no later than September 30, 2009.

Updated Procedure Manual

Thanks to Bev Price’s quick work, the revised procedure manual is available at www.aanr.com in the Download Zones of both Member Benefits and Club Services.

Condolences to Terra Cotta Inn

Godiva, the nudist spokesdog of the Terra Cotta Inn in Palm Springs, had to be put to sleep on August 22 after going into kidney failure. She was 14 years old. One guest wrote: “We will always remember her good nature and her love of our walks together. She’s another part of Palm Springs lore…right up there with Frank Sinatra and Marilyn Monroe.” Godiva was a great ambassador for nudism and will be greatly missed.

Carolyn Hawkins, Public Relations Coordinator

Publicity

Murfreesboro nudists strip down and shed stereotype

Rock Haven Lodge is featured here: http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090816/FEATURES01/908160306&template=printart

Stripped down living

Many people are retired to places like The Oasis in Florida. Read more at: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/1a75bc6a-929f-11de-b63b-00144feabdc0.html

FantaSeaFest Cruise, October 27-November 4, 2009

AANR will have a booth on board the cruise.  If you would like your club brochures displayed, please send approximately 30 to me at the AANR office.  If you will be on board, bring the brochures to the AANR table.

Linda Berry, Director of Publications

The Bulletin

The October issue presents quite a challenge. We’re limited to only 32 pages for every issue this year, and we’re trying to fit convention coverage for four regions, plus the AANR Convention. So, if your regional piece doesn’t appear as you had expected, I hope you understand. It will be held over for November.

Front Cover Banner Ad Available

What page of The Bulletin do you normally read first? Most members would say, “The front cover.” So, if you had a chance for an advertisement on the front cover, wouldn’t you jump at the chance? The banner ad on the front cover has just become available and will be sold on a first- come, first-served basis. This is a PRIME location at a very reasonable cost. Contact Martha Young at 800/879-6833, ext. 228 for details.

Terry Justice, Club/Member Liaison

Here are the directory changes:

Lakesun Club in Ontario, Canada, has a new web address which is:

www.lakesun.net

I have a new address for Air-A-Tans in California which is:

2269 E. 65^th Street

Long Beach, CA 90805

Sandy Bares nonlanded club has a new address. The club’s previous address was Mississippi.

New Address: P.O. Box 7541

Metairie, LA. 70010

New E-mail:    sandybares@sandybares.us

Please help me congratulate Pondarosa Resort in Texas. The resort has achieved charter status once again.

I will be out of the office next week due to a family emergency. Please send your changes to me as usual. I shall take care of them when I return.

Have a wonderful weekend everybody.

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!

California State Parks Foundation Update

Update as of August 26, 2009 – Refer to http://www.calparks.org/

StateNet – Capital Journal

StateNet is the software AANR subscribes to, which enables us to track State legislation.

The top story in the Capital Journal, Volume XVII, No. 26, dated August 24, 2009 is “States have been wallowing in budget purgatory for the last two years. Although there are now some signs of economic recovery, experts fear it still won’t be nearly enough to stop states from descending into fiscal Hell by 2011.”  To read this story and more visit: http://www.statenet.com/capitol_journal/current#sncj_spotlight

StateNet tracks tens of thousands of bills in all 50 states, US Congress, and the District of Columbia, at any given time. Here’s a snapshot of what’s in the legislative works:

Number of Prefiles last week: 36
Number of Intros last week: 324
Number of Enacted/Adopted last week: 418
Number of Prefiles to date: 33,067
Number of Intros to date: 148,883
Number of 2009 Session Enacted/Adopted overall to date: 37,278

(measures current as of 08/20/2009)

Willamettans Red Hatter’s extend an invitation to Sunshine Festival Baby Shower event during the Sunshine Festival September 4-7.

Sunday Sept 6 the Willies Red Hatters will have their annual baby shower for “Birth To Three” on the deck of the Fireside Inn from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. Birth To Three is a non-profit that strengthens families and promotes the well being of children through parent education and support. Http://www.birthto3.org Birth To Three depends on our annual shower and appreciates the generosity of our members.

Disposable diapers are always at the top of the “need” list. If you prefer to contribute financially cash or checks are always welcome. No need to wrap your gift or donation.

We realize there is a lot going on in the way of activities during the afternoon so feel free to drop your donation off or stay for the entire shower.

For further information contact Sharon Owensby at office@willamettans.com

Erich Schuttauf, Executive Director

A Warm Thank-You

A warm thank-you is extended to Brenda and Gary Spangler and Jim Bishop and the staff and volunteers at Oaklake Trails for hosting a truly outstanding and memorable convention that was enjoyed by the AANR Board, staff, and membership. Look for convention coverage in the October issue of The Bulletin.

Attached, you will find my Executive Director’s Report that was presented at convention.

Congratulations!

On August 4, 2009, the Lake Como Co-op, Inc. property was certified by the Florida Division of Forestry as a Stewardship Forest. Lake Como is the first nudist resort in Florida to achieve this certification.

US Air has partnered with Club Orient in St. Martin. According to Club Orient, they are the first nudist resort to be a recommended resort on a major airline’s Web site.

The American Nudist Research Library has been named the Best Research Foundation in the Best of Orlando 2009 publication. The newspaper states, “…the ANRL was created to preserve the history of the social nudist movement in North America and throughout the world.”

Carolyn Hawkins, Public Relations Coordinator

Publicity

We had an interview with The Journal Record “Taking Care of Business” at convention and it has very positive quotes from Gary and Brenda Spangler, Susan Weaver, Jawn Bauer, and me.  They also mentioned that the Stroud City Manager visited.

http://www.journalrecord.com/article.cfm?recid=101642 (you have to subscribe to open)

Brenda Spangler and I had a very positive interview with Gwen Faukner Lippert of KTOK Radio out of Oklahoma City.

FantaSeaFest Cruise, October 27-November 4, 2009

AANR will have a booth on board the cruise.  If you would like your club brochures displayed, please send approximately 30 to me at the AANR office.  If you will be on board, bring the brochures to the AANR table.

Link below regarding Skinny-Dip numbers

http://www.examiner.com/x-15353-Detroit-Day-Trips-Examiner~y2009m8d20-Skinny-Dip-09-numbers-announced

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/housingcomplex/2009/08/21/last-word-on-nudist-roommates/

Skinny-Dip link regarding Desert Sun Resort and Terra Cotta Inn in Palm Springs:

http://www.kpsplocal2.com/global/story.asp?s=10706960

Linda Berry, Director of Publications

The Bulletin

Where has the summer gone? We’re already working on the October issue of The Bulletin.

Cyber Bulletin

What is a man’s favorite thing to do when he’s 90 years old? Find out at http://www.aanr.com/cyber_bulletin.html.

E-Bulletin

The latest issue of the E-Bulletin went out yesterday. Not receiving the E-Bulletin? Sign up at http://www.aanr.com.

Terry Justice, Club/Member Liaison

Kona Sun Klub in Hawaii has a new web address which is:

KonaSunKlub@hawaii.rr.com

Paradise Pines RV Park and Condo Association also has a new web address which is:

www.paradisepinesrvpark.com

Naturist Family Network in NY has a new phone number which is:

518-698-4824 please delete 888-815-5829

Sherwood Forest in Maine needs to have the phone number 207-564-3030 deleted immediately.

Finally:

Please help me congratulate Desert Sun Resort in Palm Springs, CA, on achieving their Charter.

Well done, John and Elizabeth. This was done in almost record time. Great job.

Have a wonderful weekend, everybody.

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 Convention 2009 – Oaklake Trails

Thank you to all the staff, volunteers, and members who made our stay at Oaklake Trails Naturist Resort (www.oaklaketrails.com) such a wonderful experience.  The resort is absolutely breathtaking with an abundance of open space and trails, located in the rolling hills of Oklahoma with plenty of green grass, oak groves, and all the woodland creatures who roam/fly within the park’s parameters.  Everyone was so helpful and attentive to making the AANR Convention a tremendous success!

Government Affairs discussions were passionate and thoughtful.  My message was that great work is being done within The Naturist Society (TNS) and AANR through their government affairs teams, respectively, the Naturist Action Committee (NAC) and our Government Affairs Team (GAT).  Both teams of volunteers are working towards the preservation of nude recreation, and we all need to be mindful of this effort when communicating our opinions at the poolside and online.  One attendee identifying himself as a “NACer” appreciated the urge to have all those involved and on the sidelines be respectful of the hard work being done by both organizations.

The GAT Auction was a big success again this year.  Special acknowledgement is given to club Auction Coordinator Dennis Duncan for all his efforts in the months before the event through to the auction close.  Dennis played a major role to ensure that every auction item was collected, logged, and safely stored.  Thank you, Dennis, for making it such a smooth event from start to finish!

There were 120 Silent Auction items and six Live Auction items.  The auctions brought in $8,878 in proceeds, plus $2,000 for the SMS Society fundraiser.  A total of $10,878 will benefit the work of the AANR Government Affairs program.  A sincere thank you to all the donors and bidders who contributed!

AANR-NW GAT Solicits Volunteers for a Fun Day at Rooster Rock Nude Beach

Save-the-Date:  August 25th Tuesday at 10 a.m.

Submitted by Shirley Gauthier, Oregon State GA Coordinator

Volunteers will be joining the Rooster Rock park hosts for a fun day at the beach.  This is a great opportunity to combine a fun day at the beach and support the Rooster Rock State Park staff in greeting visitors and handing out the new beach cards.  The object of the beach day is to promote and raise awareness that public indecency will not be tolerated at Rooster Rock State Park.  Your volunteer time can include a swim, hike, or walk around the island.

Volunteers simply greet visitors and pass out the new cards.  The new cards include the Oregon Statute definition for public indecency and contact numbers for the Multnomah County Sheriff (503) 823-3333 and the Oregon State Police (800) 452-7888.

It’s easy!  Just pack up your towel, sunscreen, lunch, and water and meet us at Rooster Rock State Park at the entrance to the clothing-optional beach at 10 a.m.

Remember that every person you come in contact with is a potential club, resort, and/or AANR member.

A huge thank you to the volunteers who have already contributed to the success of the beach card project!

For further information or to confirm you can volunteer, contact Shirley Gauthier at sherbog@msn.com

Assateague Island Fall Clean-up and Maryland Coastal Day

Submitted by Ray Simpson, Maryland State GA Coordinator

Advance registration is now open for volunteers to help at the Assateague Island Beach Clean-up on Saturday, September 19 and show how much we nudists care about this wonderful beach area.  This is a CLOTHING REQUIRED event.

When? Saturday, September 19, 2009
Where? Assateague Island National Seashore
Assateague Island National Seashore entrance fee waived
Meet at the North Beach parking lot (first left after the entrance booth)
Clean-up begins at 9 a.m.

Beach-lovers will gather on Assateague Island to comb the beach. But they won’t be collecting seashells, or even scouting for wild ponies. These volunteers will don work gloves and set out with trash bags to clean up the coast. The event coincides with Maryland Coast Day, so volunteers at Assateague Island State Park can participate in Coast Day festivities immediately after the clean-up. Coast Day features live music, local cuisine, crafts for the kids, and lots of fun interactive exhibits.

Be sure to bring a hat, sunscreen, bug repellent, and gloves (if desired).

To sign up and for additional information concerning this event, contact Ray Simpson at Govenmentaffairsmd@aanr-east.com or phone 301-399-9338. Please include your name, e-mail address and phone number when signing up. We will need this information to contact you in case of any last minute updates or changes.

Why Your AANR Membership Matters

Excerpt from the Executive Director’s Report presented at the AANR Convention 2009 *

AANR’s Mission…

The Association has long believed that the benchmark for evaluating whether a year has been successful is to measure activity against its mission statement.  Let’s review that mission:

…to advocate for nude recreation and nudity within appropriate settings and to inform society of the benefits of such through ongoing membership growth.

Breaking the mission into smaller parts, we find the following critical passages:

Advocacy — It includes not only protecting and defending the cause of nude recreation, but also serving as its voice, the way that an attorney advocates for a client.  That means being pro-active too… seeking out opportunities to leverage the relationships that our volunteers, members, and clubs have with policy makers to gain more ground.

Nude Recreation and nudity within appropriate settings — Our members enjoy nude recreation in their favorite clubs, traditional nude beaches and swimming holes, and their own backyards.  As it is not possible to foster an appreciation for recreating in the nude if our culture persistently rejects nudity and the human body itself, AANR often finds itself providing the voice for sane dialog on that topic.  Finally, we observe the critical distinction between places where nudity is, and is not, appropriate.  At times that means stating, publicly if necessary, that there are things nudists should not do.

Informing Society — In shorthand, we call this function the Public Relations team.  And in more “traditional” days public relations meant sending press releases, conducting interviews, or giving tours.  However, now it’s just as common for the team to use social networking sites like Facebook and YouTube to inform.  Much like military strategists use aircraft and artillery to support a good infantry, you will find a public relations thread running through most 2009 activity.

Ongoing Membership Growth — Often the very best way to explain why nude recreation is so special to an “audience” is to get them to experience it themselves.  For AANR, that includes making members who over time visit nude destinations and events, and experience others vicariously in the pages of The Bulletin and the E-Bulletin.  Membership growth frequently translates into growth in financial support, making it possible to do more of the important work described above.

* More excerpts to follow next week!

AANR-NW GAT Solicits Volunteers for a fun day at Rooster Rock nude beach.  August 25th Tuesday at 10 am.

Volunteers will be joining the Rooster Rock park hosts for a fun day at the beach.  This is a great opportunity to combine a fun day at the beach and support the Rooster Rock State Park staff in greeting visitors and handing out the new beach cards.  The object of the beach day is to promote and raise awareness that public indecency will not be tolerated at Rooster Rock State Park.  Your volunteer time can include a swim, hike or walk around the island.

Volunteers simply greet visitors and pass out the new cards.  The new cards include the Oregon Statute definition for public indecency and contact numbers for the Multnomah County Sheriff (503) 823-333 and the Oregon State Police (800) 452-7888.

It’s easy!  Just pack up your towel, sunscreen, lunch and water and meet us at Rooster Rock State Park at the entrance to the clothing optional beach at 10 am.

Remember that every person you come in contact with is a potential club, resort and AANR member.

A huge thank you to the volunteers who have already contributed to the success of the beach card project.

For further information or to confirm you can volunteer contact Shirley Gauthier at sherbog@msn.com

AANR Convention 2009

The 2009 AANR convention was held the week of August 9 through 16 at   Oak Lake Trails club in Depew, Oklahoma. The officers and trustees of AANR as well as members from clubs, as well as associate members, throughout the association gathered from Sunday through Saturday for the events at the club.

No official events were planned for Sunday or Monday but the host club held a number of youth and adult activities. Monday evening’s activities were foreshortened by a ferocious wind storm starting around 7:00 p.m. that became an all-night rain and thunderstorm. The weather for the rest of the week was more pleasant, except for some rain on Saturday.

On Tuesday morning, a “Darkness to Light” class was put on by Steve and Sheila Hubbard and two AANR Government Affairs Team (GAT) forums were held in the afternoon. The evening activities included a host club welcome reception and a “Gimme the Mike”  improv show.

On Wednesday morning, there was an AANR Brand Management Committee forum followed by a Trustee forum chaired by the AANR vice-president, where the trustees discussed items among themselves, but in an open setting.

This was followed by an open membership Rap Session. At noon, the regional presidents held the first of two discussions during the convention. In the afternoon, the AANR annual meeting commenced. Officer reports were given as well as the report of the AANR Executive Director, Erich Schuttauf. Erich presented copies of the Al & Tipper Gore authored book “The Spirit of the Family” to the following in appreciation for their special achievements this year: Steve and Sheila Hubbard, Randy Savage, Jim Bishop, and Joe and Anita Panganiban. He also passed out a “color book” with his report in it and went over some highlights from the booklet. The AANR Legal Counsel had no report.

Committees with verbal reports included Brand Management, AANR Youth, Finance, and Government Affairs (with reports from Alonzo Stevens and Steve Hubbard). Finance chair Darrel Brown noted that there may be new tax filing requirements, especially for the regions, who are non-profit, and not-for-profit cooperative clubs. The meeting was recessed until Thursday morning. The SMS Society (Single Malt Scotch) held their AANR GAT fundraiser later that evening.

Wednesday evening’s activities included a wedding vows renewal ceremony and a fireworks display. Sports competitions continued throughout the week including some late night volleyball and water volleyball tournaments. Civil War themed activities were also held throughout the week.

The general meeting resumed on Thursday morning with Chas Cantlon addressing the meeting about the 2010 AANR convention at Sun Meadow Resort followed by the special assignments and ad-hoc committees reporting. Among them were the International Nudist Federation (INF) representative, Dean Hadley. Other committees reporting were: Principles and Standards, Club Fees (later renamed to Club Benefits), Publications and Communications, Diversity in Membership and VitaNuda, which is a committee oriented to younger adult members throughout the association. The AANR Educational Foundation gave a PowerPoint presentation followed by a preliminary report from the Regional Presidents Council, chaired by AANR-SW President Lucy Heide.
Nomination letters were read for the Man, Woman and Family of the Year awards. Those nominated were:
Man of the Year: Jawn Bauer, Jim Bishop, Randy Savage, Brian Spence and Steve Vickers.

Woman of the Year: Jeannie Diehl, Lucy Heide and T. (Theresa) Price.

Family of the Year: the Bishop Family, the Felton Family, the Gamel family, the Hubbard family and the Spangler family.

Ballots were passed out to all members present and were collected. The votes were tallied and the winners were to be announced at the awards ceremony on Friday afternoon.

In lieu of a resolutions committee report, a compilation of photos from 60 of the clubs participating in the Guinness Book of Records (TM)  world record skinny-dip attempt was shown. Following announcements, the 2009 membership open meeting was adjourned.

The AANR board went into an executive session that afternoon concerning a internal administration matter. The regional presidents held their final gathering at 3:00 p.m. that afternoon.

The evening entertainment was a dancing exhibition by native American Fancy Dancer Mike Loman. Each evening following the featured activity, there were drawings for prizes in which every convention attendee was entered.

On Friday, the AANR board met to consider the following year’s mid-winter board meeting and the awarding of the 2011 AANR convention. The 2010 mid-winter board meeting will be held at Cypress Cove resort on January 28th through 30th, 2010. It was announced that the executive session the previous day would result in Internal Administration actions to be taken.

Those bidding on the 2010 AANR convention were Sunny Rest in pennsylvania and Laguna Del Sol in California. Laguna Del Sol was awarded the convention after a secret vote among the trustees. It will be held from August 8 through 14, 2011.

Lucy Heide, AANR-SW regional president presented the final report from the regional Presidents’ Council. Items considered during the two sessions included: membership attraction strategies; participation of members in club activities as well as getting volunteers for necessary club work; interaction with and training of club Certifying Officers; the Darkness to Light program; the potential new tax form requirements; and the possibility of resolving the split of two states (Tennessee and Louisiana) that are split between different regions. Chair of the mid-winter Presidents Council meeting will be Bob Campbell from AANR-Western Canada.

A motion in the form of a resolution for AANR to support the “Darkness to Light” program sponsored by Stewards of Children was brought before the AANR board at the end of the meeting but was defeated as written due to a verbal recommendation by AANR legal counsel to do so.

Friday afternoon, there was a meeting of the AANR planning committee as well as the AANR Government Affairs silent auction, coordinated by Debra Sue Stevens. Approximately $14,000 in goods, services, club stays and other items had been donated this year. Virtually every landed club in AANR-SW (the hosting region) donated a stay at their club as did other clubs and resorts around AANR. Other donated items included artwork, books, bottles of liquor, gift baskets, towels (embroidered and others) and many other items. Items such as a stateroom on the Fantasyfest nude cruise donated by Bare Necessities Tour & Travel, a St Martin Caribbean nude vacation, a week in a Cypress Cove deluxe room and others were auctioned off orally by AANR legal counsel Jawn Bauer. Approximately $10,500 was raised by the auction and AANR-NW is challenged to exceed that figure at the 2010 convention at Sun Meadow. Debra Sue will assist us at that auction but volunteers will be needed from our region to also help before, during and after the auction.

After the auction on Friday, the AANR awards were given out. Kaniksu Ranch was honored for 70 years as an AANR club and Hidden Springs was honored for 40 years. Hidden Springs won the Ilsley Boone newsletter award competition in its club range. Man, Woman and Family of the Year were all from the host region. They were Jim Bishop, Lucy Heide and the Spangler Family. While AANR-SW won a sweep in those categories, AANR-NW did them one better in the top awards. Several Presidential Meritorious Service awards were given out and, because he had been given one at the last two AANR conventions, Steve Hubbard was given the award without the medal but with a date sticker as an “oak leaf cluster” (given in the military for repeated awards of the same type). President John Kinman then presented Steve with the Jim Cossins award which is the second highest honor given in the association and which also conveys with it a life membership for the honoree and spouse. Those honored in the past from clubs in our region were the late Dale LeMere, as well as Pat Brown and John Kinman. It would take a lot to top that award but it was achieved. An emotional Pat Brown was awarded the highest award in the association – the Hall of Fame award. Only 37 individuals since 1964 have been honored with this award, which is voted on by the regional presidents based on submissions from members, and for achievements of the highest order, which are probably never to be repeated. Those prior winners that were from or originated in the northwest region include: Rudolph Johnson, Jim Sutherlin, Jr., Ray Connett, Ernie Detweiller and Glenn Bower, who are all deceased. Congratulations to Steve and Pat on receiving these awards!

Friday night’s entertainment included a dance, featuring some of the vocal talents of various AANR members as well as the hired entertainers.

On Saturday morning, the AANR Education Foundation held it’s meeting and had the drawing for their Fantasyfest cruise drawing prize, generously donated by Nancy Tiemann, owner of Bare Necessities as well as an AANR trustee and Foundation board member. The winner of the drawing was DeAnza Springs resort. Following the AANR-EF meeting was another Darkness to Light class put on by Steve and Sheila Hubbard.

On Saturday night, the planned activity is a Carnival. Some convention attendees had already departed for home, while others would leave over the weekend or on Monday.

The northwest contingent included John and B.J. Kinman, Pat and Darrel Brown, Mike and Sharon Parker, Sharon McLeod, Mel Kanner and Linda Johnson, Steve and Sheila Hubbard, Joe Offerdahl, George Mickelson, Chas Cantlon and Jerry McIntyre, who although he lives in Texas, is a Willies life member and past northwest regional president.

The above synopsis was created by northwest regional president and scribe Mike Parker and is not to be considered a full or complete recording of events.

{But we thank him, none the less! – ed.}

Enjoy a fun day the beach and volunteer at the same time. It’s easy! Volunteers will be paired up to hike/walk the clothing optional area handing out beach cards to visitors. Where else can you enjoy nude recreation, volunteer and work nude?

Due to weather conditions this event was rescheduled for Wednesday – August 19.

Interested in supporting AANR-NW Government Affairs and participating in this event? It’s easy just email Shirley Gauthier at sherbog@msn.com. Please include your phone number and a good time to call you.

No Report Next Week

Because of the AANR Convention, there will be no report on August 14.

Carolyn Hawkins, Public Relations Coordinator
Publicity

PR has been a little slow since the AANR World Record Skinny-Dip, but this article on “World’s top 5 nude events” hit 11 times again this week.

http://www.theprovince.com/travel/World+nude+events/1841086/story.html

Brenda Spangler and I had a very positive interview with KTOK Radio out of
Oklahoma City regarding the AANR Convention.

FantaSeaFest Cruise, October 27-November 4, 2009

AANR will have a booth on board the cruise. If you would like your club
brochures displayed, please send approximately 30 to me at the AANR office.  If you will be on board, bring the brochures to the AANR table.

See you at convention!

Linda Berry, Director of Publications

The Bulletin

The September issue goes to the printer on Monday.

Club Fair 2009 is this weekend at Kaniksu Ranch August 7-9.  All are invited and we tailor this weekend for travel clubs to come offer their wares for sale, show off at a really great value ($100 for the entire club who comes for the weekend- includes camping and day fees).  And dance Saturday night to BackAdit, live for the first time at Kaniksu Ranch!

More information can be found at http://aanr-nw.org/flyers/ClubFare.pdf

Trustees and Clubs Weekly Report

July 31, 2009

Erich Schuttauf, Executive Director

Family Nudity is the Topic du Jour

Who knew that an article appearing two weeks ago in The New York Times titled “When Do They Need a Fig Leaf?” about parental attitudes toward nudity and children would generate so much discussion? From journalists to child experts to everyday people, it seems everyone has an opinion about whether it is proper to be nude in front of one’s own children at home, for the kids to be nude, what to do about guests, and whether romping in the backyard sprinkler au naturel is okay.

For those of you who saw the original Times piece

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/16/garden/16nudity.html?_r=1 , the letters to the editor which appeared days later and included an “official” response from AANR

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/23/garden/23letters-NUDEORNOT_LETTERS.html

or the reader comments on the Times website there are many words from parents and professionals alike in which to find comfort.

The same is true for opinions on a Today Show television segment. And “spinoff” stories appearing in other media spurred by the intensity of interest in this topic…

The Salt Lake Tribune

http://www.sltrib.com/ci_12911811

The Washington Post

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/parenting/2009/07/nudity_in_children.html

The San Francisco Chronicle

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfmoms/detail?entry_id=43768

Politics Daily

http://www.politicsdaily.com/2009/07/17/on-children-not-wearing-pants/

The Daily Sound

http://www.thedailysound.com/072409LeslieDinaberg

Examiner.com

http://www.examiner.com/x-17789-Salt-Lake-City-Single-Moms-Examiner~y2009m7d27-Do-you-let-your-kids-run-naked

Clearly, there are many people who may not consider themselves nudists who believe that nudity is a natural, healthy choice for families.

However, you owe it to yourselves and your clubs to peruse the comments, quips, and in a few cases vitriolic outbursts, from those who disagree with family nudity of any kind.  A range of objections from claims it is unsanitary—just about every news article, it seems, had to include some jarring mention of toddlers taking an unexpected whiz on the lawn—to immoral, rude, even outright dangerous to allow any nudity beyond individual showering.

This speaks to an issue that may be lost in the very true statistics we often cite about how many North Americans have gone skinny-dipping, or think beaches should be set aside for nude bathing:  the vehement, even chauvinist attitudes of those who disapprove of nudity.  In their exaggerated reports, refusal to consider facts, and protests that they “DON’T care how families do things in Europe,” one understands why their must be organizations like AANR, its regions, and clubs to provide a credible voice to counter bald assertions and “what ifs.”

Thank you for all that you do to support our Association.  Please remember stories like this the next time someone poolside asks, “Why do nudists need AANR?”

National Conference of State Legislatures a Great Success

I want to personally thank AANR PR Chair Susan Weaver; Myra Mesher of Sunny Rest Resort & Campground in Palmerton, Pennsylvania; Russell (a new volunteer on our Government Affairs Team who I’ll refer to by first name for the moment); and my daughter, Alexandra, who joined me in staffing the Association’s booth last week at NCSL in Philadelphia.

A complete write up of our work at the Conference with accompanying photos will appear in the October 2009 issue of The Bulletin.  Just a few highlights here may help demonstrate why this year’s event was especially effective:

- In all, we distributed about 3,000 lapel pins to attendees.  Although some visitors to our booth took several pins, the number is especially meaningful considering that there were about 5,500 registrants.  It also rivals the number of contacts made by groups and companies who purchased much, much larger exhibition space as confided to me during an exhibitor’s meeting.

- Increasingly, this conference provides an excellent opportunity to speak with officials in CANADIAN government.  In fact, there were just as many (perhaps more) provincial leaders in Philadelphia as from among states.  We supplied each Canadian visitor to our booth with a current list of AANR clubs, and pointed out locations of clubs on the map on the reverse side of that list.  All the while, we answered numerous questions.

- Susan and I had especially meaningful conversations with lawmakers and staff from three states where nudity measures are a front-burner subject.

- If the importance of having a presence at NCSL is to be judged by the company one keeps, consider that the American Automobile Association (pressing for motorist safety), the National Rifle Association, Ringling Bros (animal treatment), Wells Fargo (finance laws) and more recently M&M Mars (addressing candy sales and nutrition in schools) and Wal-Mart (local objections to stores), and over 200 other industries and groups have made a point to be there for a variety of reasons.

- Here’s a factoid:  Did you know that one prominent industry association spends over $150,000 per year in labor costs just having its booth assembled, wired, and lighted for this opportunity to meet with lawmakers for three days? It’s true!  And that figure does not include the actual cost of the booth, shipping materials, airfares, lodging, or exhibit space rental.  Your AANR team achieves a similar number of legislative contacts each year as that industry group. Yet by assembling a modest (but highly effective) 10-foot by 10-foot booth ourselves, using help from local volunteers like Myra and Russell, and inexpensive but-oh-so-collectible lapel pins with a different design each year, AANR makes those contacts for less than $10,000 after accounting for all expenses!

- AANR commanded a lion’s share of media coverage; we were specifically told by conference staff that we had made the most—and best—use of the conference Press Room to meet reporters, make our press release available, and promote our work than any other organization.  A story that began on the cover of the business section of the Philadelphia Inquirer last week (link provided in last week’s report) may be just the beginning as we spoke with many reporters.

Convention Just Around the Corner!

One week from Sunday begins the “Celebration of Our Heritage” as we gather at Oaklake Trails in Depew, Okalahoma.  I am very much looking forward to seeing many of you there!  Special thanks to Jim Bishop, Gary and Brenda Spangler, and the team at Oaklake for all of the hard work that has gone into preparation of this event.

We’re delighted to welcome back Tilley Endurables, makers of the world famous Tilley hats, and New Belgium Brewing’s Skinny Dip Beer as corporate sponsors this year.

We’re also especially pleased to be offering a comprehensive seminar on improving the comfort and security of our younger club guests prepared by Darkness to Light (D2L).  D2L specializes in member and youth protection training and is a major provider of such training to sports programs, school districts.  Our affiliation with D2L will enable the Association and its regions to build on what is already a strong track record, and we hope to see your club and region leaders at this session on Tuesday morning during convention.

Convention Program and Committee Reports

Linda Berry has e-mailed everyone the convention program and the committee reports. They are also available online in the Download Zone, Ruling Documents of both the Member Benefits and Club Services section of www.aanr.com.

Carolyn Hawkins, Public Relations Coordinator

BODY CONFIDENCE

Adjust Your Nude Attitude

In an effort to strip away her inhibitions, writer Blane Bachelor signed up to run a 5K buck naked.

http://www.womenshealthmag.com/life/body-confidence

TripAdvisor Uncovers Top Nude Beaches and ‘Naked’ Events

The article at the link below was picked by hundreds of media outlets. When searching on Google, I found 750 links on the Web.

http://www.kansas.com/entertainment/all/story/906940.html

FantaSeaFest Cruise, October 27-November 4, 2009

AANR will have a booth on board the cruise.  If you would like your club brochures displayed, please send approximately 30 to me at the AANR office.  If you will be on board, bring the brochures to the AANR table.

Message from BG of Bare Buns Bikers

Attached is something that you might enjoy reading. This came out today in north Florida and Alabama and will be appearing between August and September in 7-11 states. This is the third article that Thunder Roads has done to cover Bare Buns Bikers and AANR. Having a two-page spread in a national publication is positive for both AANR as well as BBB.

Linda Berry, Director of Publications

The Bulletin

The September issue is in production.

Terry Justice, Club/Member Liaison

Paradise Pine RV Park in Florida now has a Web site:

www.paradisepinesrvpark.com

Lake Como Family Nudist Resort in Florida has changed it name to Lake Como.

Forty Acre Club in Missouri has a new address:

Forty Acre Club

104 Ridge Acres Lp. A-5

Lonedell, MO 63060

Have a wonderful weekend everybody.

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!

California State Parks Closures—Update

From the California State Parks Foundation (http://www.calparks.org)

July 28, 2009, “the Governor signed a revised Fiscal Year 2009-2010 state budget, based on the package of bills sent to him by the Legislature on July 24. In using his blue-pencil veto authority the Governor exacted an additional $6.2 million cut to the state park system, bringing the total General Fund cut to $14.2 million. It is expected that this will result in the closure of more than 100 of California’s 279 state parks, more than 1/3 of the state park system! Take action now to help stop these closures!

The Department of Parks and Recreation has not yet released a list of which parks will be included on this closure list or when exactly park closures will start taking place…  The news of park closures is not only devastating to park users, but also to local economies. Please take a moment to send a message to your legislators urging them to take action to stop these closures. Our state parks need your support now more than ever before!

Thank you for your efforts to help us Save Our State Parks!”

Oregon – Rooster-Sauvie Volunteers Sponsor Beach Cleanup

Submitted by Shirley Gauthier, Oregon State GA Coordinator

Escape the heat by joining the Rooster-Sauvie Volunteers nudist club affiliated with AANR for two clothing-optional beach cleanups in the Portland area.

August 1—Saturday starting at 9 a.m. at Rooster Rock State Park clothing-optional area. (http://www.stateparks.com/rooster_rock.html) Volunteers will meet at the East end parking area at the entrance to the clothing-optional area.  The cleanup and registration will be held on Sand Island.  A hotdog barbecue and afternoon of swimming will follow the morning beach cleanup.

August 2—Sunday starting at 10 a.m. on Sauvie Island at entrance #3, volunteers will gather for a morning litter patrol, hotdog barbecue, and day of swimming and beach games.

Oregon – VOTE for SOLV

Submitted by Shirley Gauthier

AANR members and others have the opportunity to vote for SOLV (http://www.solv.org) in a contest to win $5,000.  SOLV’s mission “builds community through volunteer action to preserve this treasure called Oregon.” Simply go to http://www.rivernetwork.org/ forms/vote-5000 to vote.  AANR has for many years held SOLV “Adopt-A-River” adoptions for Rooster Rock clothing-optional beach and Sauvie Island clothing-optional beach.  Glassbar Island Nude Beach Volunteers, an AANR affiliated club, holds the SOLV adoption for Glassbar Island State Park that includes a nude beach.

We now have the opportunity to vote for SOLV and show our nudist support.  By taking the time to vote, you can also enter to win a rafting trip.

AANR GAT Auction Items Benefit AANR Members!

Thanks so much for your generous support of the American Association for Nude Recreation. Many members have contributed 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 78^th Convention at beautiful Oaklake Trails in the Southwest region.  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.

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 attached 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 Debra Sue at debra_sue@mindspring.com.

“Auction Angels” Needed for GAT Auction

The AANR Convention Auction Team is looking for a few good “angels” to assist in the auction which is scheduled for Friday, August 14^th.  No experience is necessary.  Assist with prep work, setup, assisting guests during the auction and checkout.  It’s fun and rewarding.  Contact Debra Sue for more info: debra_sue@mindspring.com.