Erich Schuttauf, Executive Director
Wishing a Happy, Safe, and Successful Independence Day Holiday to All

This weekend marks the traditional celebration of Independence Day and a major event among most AANR clubs.  We extend to you our very best wishes for good weather and fun.

In observance of the holiday, our offices will be closed tomorrow so we are bringing you this week’s report a day early.  We will resume regular operations at regular times beginning Monday.

Reports of our family members, friends, and other men and women serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, elsewhere overseas, and in the armed forces here and in Canada, remind us that freedom, while priceless, is certainly not free.  We publicly thank those who have served, and also those in civilian government-from police officers to firefighters and paramedics-who help to preserve peace and freedom also.

Celebrations such as Independence Day also provide a convenient opportunity to remind the nudist community that preserving our liberty to enjoy nude recreation does not come without challenges.  There are several examples from last week and this week in which AANR has been called to assist members in need in the following areas:

Adverse Employment Consequences

AANR fielded a call from a member couple after the wife lost a steady business arrangement over nude recreation.  A client had called the wife’s supervisor to complain that she had seen a copy of The Bulletin-even though the complainant had been in the wife’s vehicle and had gone through her personal effects!  Because the complainant also made several materially false statements, we have placed the couple in contact with legal counsel specializing in defamation actions.  We also prepared a legal analysis that the members can take with them during the initial meeting with their attorney.

Nudist Grandparents

When their daughter and son-in-law divorced, an AANR member couple welcomed their daughter to stay with them for several months while she made permanent living arrangements and got back on her feet.  Our members live within a small nudist community.  As a means of re-opening custody and child support payment issues, the ex son-in-law filed an emergency motion on the basis that the children had been exposed to nudism.

For the past three weeks we have been working with these AANR members and their attorney, including telephone interviews and providing written material.

Long-Time Member’s Final Wishes Not Respected by Funeral Home

Today we received a call from the adult son of a long-time member in the upper Midwest.  He advised us that this member had passed away from cancer.  While we were very saddened with this news, we were also troubled by what the son relayed about the funeral home’s deliberate ignoring of his father’s last wishes to be interred peacefully resting au natural.without advising the family and on its own initiative.

While we recognize (as did the caller) that laws or cannons of the industry may dictate what may ultimately be done in such cases, we are also in the process of preparing a letter to the company to stress the sensitivity which must be shown to family members trying to do their very best to respect something that was important to a loved one.

Vacation Thwarted in a Most Unwelcome Way

Today, AANR Member/Club Liaison Terry Justice and I rushed electronic copies of materials to assist a family which was planning to visit an AANR club over the holiday weekend.  After one of their children mentioned the family’s plans-with, from what we understand, was positive enthusiasm-to a third party it has triggered a formal inquiry by a youth protective agency.

Carolyn Hawkins, Public Relations Coordinator
More Skinny-Dip Publicity

This is another article regarding Whispering Pines.

http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20090627/ARTICLES/906269953/1177?Title=The-Captain-It-s-time-to-strip-and-be-counted

Providence Journal

http://www.projo.com/travel/content/TRV-DEPARTURES_06-28-09_0JERGNL_v17.12eebc1.html

The links below were on about.com.

http://orlando.about.com/b/2009/07/01/dare-to-go-bare.htm

http://orlando.about.com/od/naturistresorts/qt/nuderec.htm

http://orlando.about.com/od/nudismfaq/f/nudism01.html

http://www.aboutmediakit.com/visitors/index.html

This is regarding Bonita Nudist Resort and is an example of how Capwiz
worked for them.

http://www.newschannel34.com/content/developingnews/story/Guinness-World-Record-Attempt-Skinny-dipping/0vU4iGT6Uk23f7s_C-ed8Q.cspx

Canadian paper mentions skinny-dip.

http://www.leaderpost.com/Health/Isles+actually+make+right+pick/1739719/story.html

Desert Sun

http://www.mydesert.com/article/20090630/NEWS01/906300307/1006/news01/Nudists+eyeing+Guinness+record

Publicity About Nude Recreation Continues

The link below is from the Boston Globe.  We are recommending that mothers respond with their experience of raising their daughters as a nudist or daughters brought up by nudist-comfortable mothers. Let’s see how many positive responses we can get from our members.

http://www.boston.com/community/moms/articles/2009/06/28/can_a_clothing_optional_policy_teach_her_young_girls_to_be_comfortable_as_women/

Basic info regarding nude recreation.

http://www.examiner.com/x-5585-Offbeat-News-Examiner~y2009m6d30-Going-nude-the-new-green

Robert, one of our members, sent the link below.  It appeared in the July 2,
2009 issue of the online version of the Sun newspaper in the UK.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/features/2511797/The-office-of-bare-trading.html#cid=OTC-RSS&attr=The+Office+of+Bare+Trading

Linda Berry, Director of Publications
Win a Vacation at Club Orient

The winner of the Club Orient Caribbean Challenge will receive a five-night stay for two in a fully-equipped mini-suite in St. Martin, French West Indies. Can you really pass up this chance to see one of the most beautiful beaches in the world? White sand, crystal clear water, a barrier reef, and three uninhabited islands in close vicinity make Club Orient’s bay the ideal tropical setting for a most relaxing naturist family vacation paradise.

It only costs $5 to enter, and all the proceeds go the AANR legal defense
fund. Club Orient graciously donated the accommodations. Enter now at:
http://shop.aanr.com/product.php?productid=155&cat=2&page=2

Web Ad Space Available

Having trouble getting noticed? Try an ad on aanr.com. Ad prices start at only $75 a month. Contact Martha Young at BulletinAds@aanr.com for details.

Sweet Deal

Is your club or business advertising in The Bulletin? If not, you should be. In this economy, everyone is competing for business. If your name is not out
there, how will you attract customers? Call Martha Young today at 800/879-6833, ext. 228. She has a “sweet deal” to fit everyone’s budget.

Terry Justice, Club/Member Liaison

We have a new club joining us this week. Please help me welcome:

Clothesfree.com
PO Box 1096
Oakhurst, CA 93644

877.261.6184

E-mail: cfi@clothesfree.com
Website: www.clothesfree.com

This is a non-landed, proprietary club.

Have a wonderful Independence Day.

Erich Schuttauf, Executive Director

Your Report One Day Early

As you know, the AANR publications staff normally helps us to prepare and distribute the weekly report on Fridays.  We are bringing you this week’s report one day early as a number of the publications team will be out of the office tomorrow working on projects or enjoying some well-deserved vacation. The AANR office will, however, be open during regular hours.

Great News From the Northwest

Thanks to volunteer AANR members, Oregon State Park employees, and a printing company that generously prioritized the request, there are now beach cards to introduce nudists at Rooster Rock State Park in Oregon. The cards are part of a join education effort and were finished in time for the Rooster Rock Down by the Riverside event on May 16. Kudos to Shirley Gauthier for her hard work in making the cards a reality. See a photo of the cards at http://blog.aanr.com/.

AANR Promoting Nude Recreation on Facebook

AANR is increasingly using social networking sites to help spread information about nude recreation.  As you may be aware, for example, an outreach program to the college and mid 20s age group called VitaNuda produces discreet videos which are aired on the YouTube net site.

We have also begun advertising and recruitment projects on Facebook that help promote beach cleanups on locations where we are working to establish clothing-optional areas.  A recent campaign helped bring new volunteers for the Assateague, MD, cleanup day last month (and create some new members!). We are currently using similar strategies to build the volunteer base for the Cape Cod, MA, cleanup next month.

AANR Helping Members

Last week we took a call from a couple of Florida members who may have visitations with their grandchildren challenged on the basis of their nudism.  We have already rushed a kit of legal materials out to them in preparation of a meeting with attorneys.

Linda Berry, Director of Publications

The Bulletin

The June issue prints today.

The E-Bulletin

Sign up at www.aanr.com for the next issue of The E-Bulletin that will be distributed tomorrow.

The Alltogether – AANR’s Blog

New postings are on the blog, and it’s starting to get response. Leave your comments at http://blog.aanr.com/ .

Terry Justice, Club/Member Liaison

Please help me welcome a new non-landed club joining the AANR-Southwest Region.

The information is as follows:

North Texas Naturists
2131 N. Collins, Ste. 433528
Arlington, TX 76011
817.437.7132
www.northtexasnaturists.com

inquiry@northtexasnaturists.com

This is a non-landed, cooperative club.

CAROLYN HAWKINS, PUBLIC RELATIONS COORDINATOR

Positive Publicity

Publicity is already starting for the AANR World Record Skinny-Dip. Check out the link below regarding Serendipity and the skinny-dip.

http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090511/NEWS/90511020/1004/ADVERTISING

The link below is about nude weddings.  As a result, I already have an interview lined up for Memorial Day.

NUDE WEDDINGS ON THE RISE IN PLUMMETING ECONOMY
Summer wedding season is around the corner, and nude nuptials may be on the rise. According to Carolyn Hawkins of the American Association of Nude Recreation, the poor economy could lead more couples to choose a nude wedding over a pricey, traditional one.

Click on http://www.flashnews.com/sections/search/clientfeed.php
Then click on Thursday, May 14, 2009 Pop Culture News.

Then use the following username:  {snip}
Password:  {snip}

Note: The username & password are being omitted from the blog version of our letter.  Our e-mail subscribers received the username/password.  – ed.

Debra Sue Stevens, Government Affairs

Excerpt from the American Recreation Coalition May 2009 Newsletter:

The countdown to June is on!  Excitement is growing in Washington as plans for Great Outdoors Week continue to develop.  This year will offer exciting changes from past Great Outdoors Weeks, including a kick-off ice cream social at the Department of the Interior featuring Interior “celebrities” as ice cream scoopers.  The week will include important meetings on topics including the Scenic Byways Program and the Recreational Trails Program, and the Beacon Awards and Legends Awards will be presented, showcasing technological innovations and outstanding public land managers.  Great Outdoors Week will also tie into partnership efforts at the Forest Service with artist Wyland and with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Kids Fishing Day and conclude with a flourish:  National Get Outdoors Day!

Additionally, 12 governors have already proclaimed June as Great Outdoors Month in their states.  More than ever, we are seeing proclamations that promote the need to connect children to the outdoors.  Here are some highlights from the latest arrivals:

“As acknowledged in the No Child Left Inside Initiative in the State of Connecticut, June is the perfect month to spend time outdoors and appreciate the natural beauty we are lucky to live in.”  Governor M. Jodi Rell (CT)

“We must take time to recognize the majestic beauty of the Lone Star State and teach Texas youth all the benefits of spending time in nature.” Governor Rick Perry (TX)

“As a father, I am proud to have the opportunity to share my love for hunting, fishing and camping with my children.”  Governor Brian Schweitzer (MT)

Proclamations will all be posted at:
www.funoutdoors.com/taxonomy/view/or/115.  Check for the latest and share the news!

Click here to view the entire May 2009 ARC Newsletter
http://www.funoutdoors.com/files/ARC%20May%202009%20Newsletter.pdf

Hear short audio clips of the weekly reports (turn on your sound).

Erich Schuttauf, Executive Director

Mid-Winter Board Meeting Minutes

The minutes from the January board meeting are available online in the download zone of the Member Benefits section of www.aanr.com .

Steve and Carolyn Doing Well

As we recently announced, Steve Vickers of our Public Relations department will be leaving us at the end of this month to take a position with Bare Necessities Tour and Travel of Austin, Texas.  We are delighted for him as he takes on the increased responsibilities of his new job, and that he will be continuing to promote nude recreation full time in his work there.

This week Carolyn and Steve are in Austin making arrangements for the move and the whole office was encouraged to hear that Steve has found a great apartment in a great community only minutes from work.  Carolyn will return to work on Monday.

AANR Helping Members and Clubs

This week AANR Club and Member Liaison Terry Justice fielded a call from a member in Florida with 9- and 11-year-old grandsons who may not be able to visit her at her homes in an AANR resort if a legal challenge to such visits from her former son-in-law succeeds.  The issue is especially significant because our member supervises the boys when their mother/her daughter must be called away to work at inconvenient times as part of her work in the medical field.

After conferring with me, Terry did a great job of compiling a custom package of legal precedents and factual information to assist our member in making her case.  Thanks for the quick, great, work Terry!

Maryland Area Naturist Association Swim Cancelled

We received word today that the site for the club’s swim on February 21 was vandalized. According to the club, “Thugs broke in and dumped bags of fuel pellets and gallons of paint in the pool. It will take days to fix. Call for questions and to help with the rescheduled swim 410/949-5391. We appreciate your support for us beyond words. We will be at the site for a clothed meeting in the social hall and will be going to dinner as a group afterward.”

Linda Berry, Director of Publications

The E-Bulletin

This week’s edition was distributed to 12,694 subscribers. You’re missing out on an entertaining publication if you haven’t signed up yet. It’s easy to do. Visit the home page at www.aanr.com and enter your e-mail address.

Terry Justice, Club/Member Liaison

We welcome a new club:

Pasco AANR Association
(Nonlanded, provisional cooperative)
21424 Keating Way
Lutz  FL  33549
Tel: 813-949- 8011
E-mail: JSDePree {at} aol.com

Sandy Lane club in Kansas has a new URL: www.sandylaneclub.com . Their email address is “info” {at} their domain name.

New Web Site

Website for the upcoming annual AANR convention is: www.aanrconvention.com .

Have a wonderful weekend everybody.

Hear short
audio clips of the weekly reports (turn on your sound).

AANR Helping Clubs and Members

It is always inspiring to learn that the efforts on behalf of members and clubs that your dues and club support make possible have made a difference in the lives of fellow members.  This week we’re pleased to bring you news in two cases.

First, we had provided assistance to a club facing legal entanglement from a third party over alleged trademark infringement in the club’s name.  By demonstrating that the club has a long history, including lineage with AANR and references in nudist literature from decades ago, we assisted the club in proving there had been no infringement.

Second, we heard from the member/mother of a six year old daughter on the West coast who contacted us some months ago for help in her child custody matter. It was alleged she was an unfit mom for taking the child to the local nude beach.  This week we learned that mom has been granted custody, and has full permission to continue bringing her daughter on trips to the beach!  We received a very warm thank-you note that serves as a reminder that there are many people who need a credible voice speaking for them on nude issues.  Thank you for making that voice possible.

Linda Berry, Director of Publications

The Bulletin

The March issue went to the printer last Tuesday (2/10) and should start mailing Friday (2/13).

Terry Justice, Club/Member Liaison

I am sad to say that due to the economy, we are losing one of our participating businesses. Villa at Hermann in Missouri has closed as of February 11, 2009. Good luck Al and Jan, we wish you all the best in your
future endeavors.

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!

American Recreation Coalition – February Newsletter

AANR is a member the ARC and works closely with this coalition centralized in Washington, D.C.  In this issue read about the following topics:

*         Partners Outdoors 2009 “Uses the Transition to Thrive!”

*         President visits “RV Capital” in Indiana, links success to helping RV purchasers get loans

*         Rep. Farr urges recreation community to streamline travel and recreation opportunities

*         National Get Outdoors Day 2009 seeks partners and site nominations

*         Credit Union National Association meeting

*         News on Obama Administration appointments

*         ARC asks President Obama to support nonprofits and service groups

*         NBC’s “Parks and Recreation” sitcom can spotlight outdoor recreation issues

Go to www.funoutdoors.com and search for the term “newsletter.”

Sign Our Nude Beach Petition – California
Printed with the permission of SCNA President Gary Mussell

The Nude Beach Alliance (NBA), affiliated with the AANR club Southern California Naturist Association (SCNA), are individuals who believe that ALL beach users should have equal access to California’s beaches. Our goal is to one day have a selected beach which is legal in a clothing optional setting. To reach that goal, The NBA endeavors to liaison with law enforcement, local supervisory boards, the Parks Department, the community and homeowners.

The NBA provides beach-goers with up to date, pertinent information including news, articles, stories, tides, maps, and laws. We condone a self-policing atmosphere to keep lewd behavior and drug use off of the beach, and endorse signage to the effect of clothing optional usage.

The Nude Beach Alliance www.nudebeachalliance.com

Advocates of re-establishing a nude section at Bates Beach have begun circulating a petition in favor of the proposal.  Click here to view the petition.

Register Now for a free subscription to StateNet Capitol Journal and get the latest political news from all 50 states via email. Go to: to signup.

AANR Legislative Tracking

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.

AANR GAT is closely monitoring developments in the Southwest, Northeast, and Northwest for which it would be premature to provide reports at this time. We will apprise our leadership and clubs when updates are available.

Statistics for 2009:

In Session: There are 43 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, GA, HI, IA, ID,
IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV,
OK, OR, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, US, UT, VA, VT, WA, WV, WY

Number of 2009 Prefiles last week: 4,375
Number of 2009 Intros last week: 12,632
Number of 2009 Session Enacted/Adopted last week: 618
Number of 2009 Prefiles to date: 29,111
Number of 2009 Intros to date: 53,709
Number of 2009 Session Enacted/Adopted overall to date: 2,281

AANR Statistics:

o    1,682 bills were reviewed personally by AANR in 2009.

o    246 bills have been reviewed in full text by AANR in 2009.

o    179 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!

Note: Due to an error in transmission, this report reached  the clubs on Tuesday 2/17 instead of Friday 2/13.

Erich Schuttauf, Executive Director

Steve Vickers Soon to “Spread His Wings”

Many of you know and have had an opportunity to work with Steve Vickers, grandson of Public Relations director Carolyn Hawkins and AANR’s PR assistant for several years.  This week we were proud of Steve when we learned that he will be leaving AANR at the end of February to take a position in public relations for Bare Necessities Tour and Travel of Austin, Texas.

The news is bittersweet for us.  We have enjoyed working with Steve and watching his skills develop as he conducted interviews in such prominent public media as The O’Reilly Factor, Hardball with Chris Matthews, The John Walsh Show, the Surreal Life, and more.  But we’re fortunate that Steve will remain in the business of helping to promote nude recreation as he takes on new responsibilities.

We wish you the very best, Steve, and extend heartfelt congratulations!

AANR Board Wraps up Midwinter Meeting

From Thursday through Sunday last week the AANR Board of Trustees convened at Cypress Cove Nudist Resort and Spa in Kissimmee, Florida, to approve the 2009 annual budget, as well as consider exciting new marketing programs that the association will conduct this year.  I want to thank Dean, Barbara, and Ted Hadley–as well as their very capable staff–for great service.  During non-business times we enjoyed a reception at the Hadley’s home, and celebrated Pirate Weekend.  No one, at least whom we know, was made to walk the plank!

On a serious note, AANR President John Kinman formed new ad hoc committees: (1) Membership In Diversity chaired by Trustee Suzanne Schell of Laguna del Sol and Mira Vista; (2) Club Fees chaired by Trustee Dean Hadley of Cypress Cove; (3) Publications and Communications chaired by Member Trustee Sharon McLeod; and (4) VitaNuda chaired by Lou Suarez.

This report would not be complete without thanking members Bob Johnson and Randy Savage for an outstanding presentation on membership marketing, where they outlined details for several recruitment and retention initiatives.  The first is explained in-depth below.

Membership Renewal Campaign Launched

On January 21 a wave of 10,000 letters left the same mailing facility that the Association uses to send The Bulletin each month.  In this case, those letters announced to former members that we would like to have them back, with some specially tailored offers designed just for them.

The campaign is the first of several programs created by AANR volunteers with extensive marketing experience who are working on Pat Brown’s Brand Management team.  We will keep you apprised of the results of this massive mailing project.

Here’s How to Get “Bear Naked”

This week we were happy to get a call from past AANR President Greg Smith who extends best wishes to all, and who called to let us know about free samples of fruit and granola being offered by the “Bear Naked” snack company.  Bear Naked traces its name to a commitment to avoid unnatural flavors and preservatives.  Among their slogans/ questions to consumers is, “How do you live life Bear Naked?”

Carolyn Hawkins is currently attempting to contact Bear Naked about the possibility of recruiting them as an AANR participating business or convention sponsor.  In the meantime, Greg and I felt that if members followed the link below to request a free sample of the product AND to explain that they enjoy recreation and living “bare naked” with AANR, it could increase our chances, as well as provide an opportunity to taste the product.  To get Bear Naked visit http://www.bearnaked.com/

AANR Helping Members and Clubs

AANR fielded calls from three prospective clubs seeking information on nudity laws within their respective jurisdictions.  While this kept AANR club liaison Terry Justice and I busy much of the week, it is welcome news to learn that the industry may be growing again to meet increasing demand for clubs.

Year-End Membership Count

The 2008 year-end membership count is attached. Please contact Nanette Wickersham at 800/879-6833, ext. 232 if you have any questions.

Linda Berry, Director of Publications

The E-Bulletin

The E-Bulletin that was sent out on January 22 was the most popular and best-read issue yet. The statistics are incredible for an online publication. Over 12,000 people received the E-Bulletin. Of those 12,000, half opened and half of those clicked one or more stories to read further. (Note: These clicks often include links to our advertisers or special offers.)

You’re missing the boat if you haven’t signed up for this entertaining, free publication. Sign up on the AANR home page at aanr.com. Clubs are encouraged to put a notice in their newsletters inviting members to subscribe.

California RV Show Message from Joe Panganiban, AANR-West

The California Adventure Travel Trade Show will be held February 14-15 in Los Angeles. Last year, AANR introduced the idea of nude recreation and Nakations to nearly 20,000 people. This year we have the same opportunity. What’s exciting about this year is that we have free passes. Plan to make an excursion for your club members and encourage them to bring friends. Our booth number is 647. To access the free ticket offer, visit www.adventureexpo.com/consumer. Type in Promo Code: EXHFREE.

CAROLYN HAWKINS, PUBLIC RELATIONS COORDINATOR

This message was received from Blair at WhenWeRV.com.

“I am responsible for the list of RV Parks and Campgrounds at www.WhenWeRV.com . We are trying to build a list of RV parks, campgrounds, and RV resorts.  If your business has a campground, RV park, or resort, please take a moment to add your business information by visiting www.whenwerv.com and pressing the “Add a Campground” button located on the right hand side directly under the main menu.”

There is no cost to be listed so be sure to forward this e-mail to other people you know that might be interested in being listed too.”

Positive Publicity

This came from Oprah.com “Why women should look good naked.”

http://www.cnn.com:80/2009/LIVING/personal/01/23/o.nude.attitude/index.html

Terry Justice, Club/Member Liaison

Here are the directory changes for this week.

Nevada Sun Rancho has disbanded.

Good luck in your future endeavors.

Tri State Sun Club in New Jersey has a new e-mail address, which is:

tristatesunclub at verizon dot net

Please remove: tssc {at} worldnet {dot} att {dot} net

Have a wonderful week 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!

FLOWER POWER in the Northwest

Oregon-Glassbar Island Nude Beach Volunteers (GINBV) will be hosting a Valentine’s
Day (February 14) event at Glassbar Island State Park.  Bring your native flower seeds or show up to help GINBV plant collected seeds.  This is a great time to take a tour of the park and meet some of the GINBV members.

The SOLV “Down by the Riverside” event will be May 16 starting at 9 am at the picnic table area.  GINBV members are currently meeting with Glassbar Island State Park employees to plan work projects for the event.

GAT Training at Sun Meadow – February 28th through March 1st

AANR NW GAT is sponsoring a mid winter Government Affairs Training. The training will take place at Sun Meadow, Feb. 28, 2009 – March 1, 2009.  Anyone with at interest in supporting nudist rights is welcome to attend. The NW GAT Training will run most of the day Saturday and half a day Sunday.  The subjects will include:

Ø      GAT why should I get involved?

Ø      How can I make a difference?

Ø      What’s going on” Round Table Discussion?

Sun Meadow has made a special rate available for those who attend. Sun Meadow is offering a package price for the weekend that’s only $132 ($125AANR/TNS) put a second person in that room for a total of $199/$185 AANR/TNS. That gives attendees a room for two nights and 6 meals (beginning with supper on Friday). A lot has been going on and this is a training that you don’t want to miss!  If you are interested in attending, contact Sun Meadow at (208) 686-8686 or sunmeadow at starband dot net to confirm your attendance.

January Recreation Exchange Luncheon – Washington, D.C.

U.S. Representative Sam Farr (D-CA) was the special guest at the January 2009 Recreation Exchange hosted by the American Recreation Coalition.  Mr. Farr, a longtime champion of the outdoors and tourism, spoke on opportunities for outdoor recreation and travel through the economic stimulus package being readied for congressional action.  Those opportunities will assist increased marketing, planning and partnerships.  The Congressman called for a new effort to fight the “silo mentality” he finds in federal agencies and even local tourism organizations that ignore the public’s interest in finding great things to do across agency and local government boundaries.  Mr. Farr also had high praise for programs like the National Park Service’s Centennial Challenge Fund, which matches government appropriations with private funding, saying, “If we put our heads together, we get more bang for our buck!”

With the House vote on the economic stimulus package less than 24 hours away, Mr. Farr outlined the $2+ billion in benefits for public lands that the package includes.  The National Park Service (NPS) stands to receive $1.7 billion for deferred maintenance projects and another $100 million for the NPS Centennial Challenge, which will in turn accrue $100 million more from private sector partners’ matching donations.  Other agencies, including the Forest Service, will also receive additional funding for readily doable projects.  Mr. Farr pointed out that just the week before, the National Mall hosted one of the largest gatherings America has ever seen – an estimated 1.8 million people attended the inauguration of President Barack Obama.  Mr. Farr emphasized the importance of maintaining and improving iconic sites like the National Mall that all Americans cherish.  While questions about the specifics of the economic stimulus remain, Mr. Farr told the group it is clear that public lands funds will benefit thousands of American workers by sustaining existing jobs and helping to create new employment opportunities on America’s public lands.

To read the full report, see the attached document or visit www.funoutdoors.com!

AANR Legislative Tracking

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 41 states, DC and US in Regular Session. There is 1 state in Special Session. There are 4 states in recess.

States in Regular Session: AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TX, US, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WY

Number of 2009 Prefiles last week: 505
Number of 2009 Intros last week: 10,223
Number of 2009 Session Enacted/Adopted last week: 191
Number of 2009 Prefiles to date: 21,088
Number of 2009 Intros to date: 30,302
Number of 2009 Session Enacted/Adopted overall to date: 1197

AANR Statistics:

o    935 bills were reviewed personally by AANR in 2009.

o    145 bills have been reviewed in full text by AANR in 2009.

o    104 bills have been added to the “2009 Legislative Tracking List”

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!

{Sent: Friday, January 30, 2009 1:27 PM}

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!

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!

Erich Schuttauf, Executive Director
Basic Media Skills – Beating the media at their own game

Your AANR Brand Management team has produced a new DVD – Basic Media Skills – Beating the media at their own game. This information will help you become an effective spokesperson and avoid the traps and pitfalls set by reporters. For those who have had some experience, this information will serve as a refresher that can help you build on your strengths and enhance your ability to plan and control media coverage.

Since 1995 AANR has aggressively sought to educate the public regarding social family nude recreation through professionally trained spokespersons placed in mainstream media by our public relations and marketing firms. As a public relations professional for over 20 years, Susan Weaver has directed the Association’s PR strategy and worked with AANR staff, volunteers and clubs to ensure that they deliver effective messages.

The result has been excellent stories in such mainstream publications as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Time magazine, and many other media outlets.

While Susan has conducted media workshops in all seven of AANR’s regions, trained regional officers and club representatives to carry out effective interviews in their local media and has helped clubs owners and operators carry out PR crisis management to manage the message provided the media, she has not been able to reach every individual who wants to represent nude recreation.

Media interviews can be a powerful tool, for good or for bad. Media shapes public and political opinion, and one statement quoted or misquoted can make a huge difference.

For this reason, AANR has funded the preparation of this media training DVD. For those who have never taken AANR’s excellent media interview training from Susan Weaver, or for those who might like a refresher, this is a great benefit.

AANR will send your club this powerful DVD as a thank you for your support of AANR. Just respond to this message letting us know you would like a copy and provide a current contact and address where we should send your DVD.

It’s Budget Season Again

As a recent message from AANR President John Kinman notes, the staff is at work compiling figures from 2008 and, with that information, preparing a draft 2009 budget for the budget committee. We would ask that committee chairs provide us with proposals–and especially any which would substantially change their budgets from 2008 levels–to our office no later than Monday, October 6. Please e-mail your information to Cindy Horton at FinDir@aanr.com. Thank you.

AANR Helping Members and Clubs

This week AANR fielded calls and e-mails from two members concerning child custody matters. The first was from a pair of member grandparents in Illinois who may be denied visitation with their granddaughter on the basis that they belong to a nudist club even though the child has not been taken to the club and is not exposed to nudity within the home. The second issue concerns a member mom who overheard a state social worker tell another parent that “adult nudity in the presence of a child is never acceptable and would trigger an investigation.” We have emailed a response with written information and additional suggested resources.

Finally, AANR assisted two clubs this week. A club in New Mexico has used a camping area on U.S. Forest Service land without incident for several years but is now encountering challenges due to new park personnel being assigned to the area. On the West Coast, a club learned that a problem group may be planning to book an event on their grounds.

Linda Berry, Director of Publications
The Bulletin

You’ll read the “inside scoop” about Nancy, Don, Mark, Darrel, and Karri in the November Bulletin that is in production.

Carolyn Hawkins, Public Relations Coordinator

Positive Publicity

PR was a little slow this week, however there was a mention in ESPN Magazine http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?section=magazine&id=3602871

Erich Schuttauf, Executive Director
Our Prayers Are With Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana as Hurricane Ike Approaches

Ike is presently a category 2 storm that may intensify to category 3 before it makes landfall on the Texas coast some time around midnight. According to reports, bands of rain and wind have stretched as far as 150 miles in either direction of the storm so, depending on where it ultimately hits, it could impact Louisiana and Arkansas as well.

We are holding our members and our clubs closely in our thoughts and prayers this morning. The crowded roads and limits on available fuel, coupled with uncertainty about Ike’s path, make it difficult to decide whether to leave or stay put and brace for the storm.

We ask our clubs in the path of the storm to give us a call on Monday, if possible, and let us know how you and your members are doing.

Pasco Sheriff Explains Comments in Media

You will recall that in a previous weekly report we included copy of a letter I sent to Sheriff Robert White over comments he allegedly made to the press during a political debate which linked “nudist colonies” with crime and prostitution. This week I received a signed letter of explanation in which he apologized for comments that had been reported out of context. As he further explained, his comments were meant to demonstrate that the county is not “ultra conservative” for purposes of applying laws that require conduct offensive to contemporary community standards. He has also agreed to a meeting with representatives of AANR and me in the future.

Advocacy – Representing the Rights of Nudist Grandparents and Parents

Speaking of Pasco, this week Carolyn Hawkins, Steve Vickers, and my daughter Madeline joined me in traveling there to attend a legal hearing on behalf of a member who lives in Lake Como club.Florida’s Division of Children and Family refused to allow this member any visitation with her two granddaughters if the visits would take place at the club.

I represented the member as her pro bono attorney when the matter was taken before a Sixth Circuit judge. We prepared and filed a number of legal papers with the court including a Petition for Grandparents’ Visitation and a memorandum of law in support of that petition. During the hearing, we were allowed only a minimal opportunity to speak.

There is some good news to report from the hearing, albeit not much. For one thing, it’s clear that the member/grandmother will be allowed unsupervised visits of up to a weekend in length, as long as those visits take place off club grounds. For another, the judge made it clear that when the girls’ mother, who lost custody of the girls over some criminal problems, regains custody she is free to bring them to Lake Como.

However, the judge adamantly refused to allow visits to Lake Como as long as the girls can be considered to be in the custody of the state. The judge noted that the state does not customarily like children to be placed in settings with multiple common areas (i.e. any mobile home park??) where they may encounter strangers. NAKED strangers? That’s even more problematical said the judge.

It was difficult to get many words in and our attempts to put on live witness testimony from Carolyn about her grandson Steve growing up in a nudist club (as well as my daughter’s positive experiences visiting Como) were rebuffed.

We applaud this grandmother, who has offered her granddaughters a wholesome place to visit ever since they were born, for pressing for her rights. And we appreciated the opportunity to represent her. A brief story in the St. Petersburg Times which relays accurate facts about the case is available here: http://www.tampabay.com/news/briefs/article807031.ece

This case serves as a reminder of why there MUST be organized, professional advocacy for nude recreation such as AANR provides. We happened to have knowledge that among the staff and persons assembled in the courtroom that morning, there were people who have visited, belong, or have relatives who belong to Pasco nudist clubs. But they were not in the position to speak up for nudism or this grandmother.

Our office received other calls from concerned members this week who needed AANR to help speak up for them:

In South Dakota-a father who has been a member of the Association must answer questions for investigators after his 15-year-old son let it slip to a school counselor that the family goes to nudist parks and is occasionally nude at home.

Elsewhere in Florida-a father with custody of his 17-year-old son has been served with a petition to modify custody brought by his ex-wife who claims that nudism is inconsistent with the son’s religious upbringing.

Michigan-a father and family has sought our assistance with materials to help educate an ex-spouse about nude recreation so that they can diffuse her objections to visits to area clubs before those objections grow into a legal problem.

Congratulations To Two AANR Clubs

Congratulations are in order for Solair Recreation League of Woodstock, Connecticut, and to PSHS of Mohnton, Pennsylvania, for stories about their clubs which ran in the media over the past week. Numerous members of these clubs agreed to be interviewed and did a great job of portraying nude recreation as fun, relaxing, and worth giving a try for readers who might consider giving it a try.

You can find links to both pieces in the section by Carolyn Hawkins, below. Great job, clubs!

Minutes Online

Thanks to Sharon McLeod’s fast and efficient work, the minutes from the AANR annual meeting and board meeting have been distributed to the board. They can be viewed online in the download zone of both Member Benefits and Club Services sections of www.aanr.com.

Carolyn Hawkins, Public Relations Coordinator
Positive Publicity

Check out the positive link below regarding PSHS “Camp near Reading barely a refuge for ‘naturists’ ” http://www.enquirerherald.com/365/story/313928.html

Link below talks about Solair “Members at Woodstock Nudist Camp Attempt to Debunk Myths” http://www.nbc30.com/news/17407122/detail.html

Linda Berry, Director of Publications
The Bulletin

The October issue will go to the printer on Tuesday of next week.

The E-Bulletin

E-Bulletin subscribers read: Shoppers at shopping malls in 24 U.S. cities were greeted by employees wearing nothing but black aprons with “Ask Me Why I’m Naked” printed in large white letters. You, too, can read the entertaining stories every two weeks. Sign up now at www.aanr.com for this free online publication.

Debra Sue Stevens, Government Affairs

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

The Cape Cod Beach Coalition Mid-Summer Report (07/23/2008)

Reported by Bill Falconer, AANR East Public Lands Volunteer Ludlow, MA 01056 Phone/fax 413-583-6877 mrcapp@netzero.net

This midsummer report finds beach activities to be normal with no unusual complaints. CCNS Rangers are spread thin but still conduct weekly routine patrols. I have interacted with several and have had no reported problems but verbal warnings have been given. Granted I’m not there all the time nor have I talked with all the Rangers. The following beaches were visited on a number of occasions, talking with beach users.

• Race Point – Mostly textile with remote nude use.
• Hatch’s Harbor – Mostly textile and fishermen with remote nude use.
• Herring Cove North – Mostly textile and fishermen.
• Herring Cove South – Gay and topless nude use, some sexual activity.
• Provincetown – Mostly textile with some topless.
• Head of the Meadow – Mostly textile with remote nude use.
• Longnook – Main beach textile, nude use to the east. Shades of the past. A mounted horse on Longnook brought back a time when rangers patrolled on horse three decades ago. The Longnook beach has suffered serious erosion and the textiles have moved east. The nude section has moved considerably and there is a large unused zone.

This year the Cape population is down with vacancies at many B&B’s during the week. Weekends still find the bike racks filled for the walk into Herring Cove South. Less users may mean less tickets and warnings. Attempts to meet with the editors of the P-Town Banner and Cape Cod Times resulted only with phone calls. Each would consider publicity for the next Clean-up.

THINK SUN!! Bill Falconer AANR GAT Fact

Thanks to AANR dues paying members and club owners, AANR is working on public lands with your help. Yes, all clubs and AANR participating businesses are important to AANR, and supporting nude recreation on public lands is essential to our movement.