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Weekly Report February 23, 2007

Erich Schuttauf, Executive Director
Thanks to Lake Como for a GREAT Board Meeting
I enjoyed seeing many of you last week during the mid-winter meeting of AANR’s Board of Trustees. It’s evident from the many detailed committee reports presented, that there are exciting things happening with our Association this year. From Government Affairs to enhancing AANR’s brand through Public Relations, to updates on the marketing consultant program, there was plenty to talk about.

I deeply appreciate the warm welcome that Lake Como club extended to us and its excellent service. The club has added some great amenities and facilities since our last meeting there, too.

Yes! ANOTHER Participating Business Signs on with AANR
Be sure to read Carolyn Hawkins’ report below for details on AANR’s arrangement with Budget Rent A Car, the latest corporation to affiliate with us as a participating business. In addition to qualifying for member savings every time you rent, Budget will remit a donation to AANR. So you win two ways! Now, you can opt for member savings on virtually any car you plan on renting–Budget, Avis, Hertz, or Alamo . Most are listed (along with booking information) right on the back of your AANR membership card. You can also log into the member benefits page on aanr.com for all savings codes and kwik links to the sites you need.

As equally important as the savings, these corporate partners help us to mainstream nude recreation as a customary part of the travel market.

Way to go Carolyn for the extra effort that made this arrangement with Budget possible!

E-Bulletin distributed to nearly 9,000 email addresses
Yesterday AANR sent its debut issue of the E-Bulletin to most of the email addresses on file for current members. In many cases, two or more members in a household share one address, so the “mailing” reached out to about 12,500 active members with active emails. About 40% of those sent messages have already opened their copies, with many linking to the stories and information referenced therein.

This issue of the E-Bulletin closely resembles the one that many of you got a sneak peak at two weeks ago, but also includes an invitation to visit AANR’s Cap Wiz government affairs site.

Active members wishing to be added to the distribution list can sign up using the box in the members benefits section of our website (enter with your last name and p number at http://www.aanr.com/members.html ).

Those who wish to be removed from the list may opt out with a very simple process explained in every message. Moreover, those who have directed AANR to send “no mail” to them in the past were removed prior to the mailing, as well as certain Canadian addresses in observance of privacy laws in place there (see below).

An Important Message to our Members in Canada
In consideration of the Canadian Privacy Act, AANR has refrained from sending an unsolicited copy of the E-Bulletin to our Canadian friends. You can easily request to be added to our distribution list just by visiting AANR’s members only services area at http://www.aanr.com/members.html (just use your last name and P Number as explained). Look for the easy to use, one line registration box.

Sandpipers Club of Texas Gets Visit from the Houston Chronicle
This month Kristin Finin, a reporter/blogger with this major newspaper “hit the road” in her RV to explore parts of Texas . Her travels included a visit to Sandpipers near Edinburgh , and she documents her experience with a video clip that you can download by visiting here: http://blogs.chron.com/hittheroad/ (Scroll to the bottom of the page to see this story, the video takes a while to load.)

Carolyn Hawkins, Public Relations Coordinator
SUCCESSFUL CRUISE
Congrats to Tom & Nancy and Bare Necessities for a successful cruise. AANR representatives were available to answer questions, speak with current members and sign up new ones. Check out the link below for cruise mention on AOL
http://information.travel.aol.com/features/cruise

Convention update
The agenda and schedule for the August convention will be available on line in early March. If you plan to attend the convention get your registration in early. In the next couple of weeks I will have rental car information and local hotel information included in my report.

ALASKA NUDE CRUISE
The Alaska nude cruise is coming up in July. Again I am requesting club brochures be sent to the AANR office. I still have a few left, but we can always use them in our display rack at the AANR office.

NEW PARTNER
AANR has partnered with Budget Rent A Car, which you will see in Erich’s report. If you would like to use Budget, the toll free number is 1-800-527-0700 and the code is BCD S203527. In next week’s report I will have a link to Budget.

PUBLICITY
We are still sending out releases and pitch stories. I will update you as the response comes in. We continue to work with a show called “Spotlight On” and will keep you posted.

Linda Berry, Director of Publications
THE BULLETIN
The April issue is coming together. There’s a nice variety of stories that you won’t want to miss.

The Cyber-Bulletin
Check out the March issue of O, The Oprah Magazine, at http://www.aanr.com/cyber_bulletin.html

YOUTH AMBASSADOR PROGRAM
I have the story for the April Bulletin, and Judy Grisham and I are working on the application that will be put on the AANR web site. We’ll provide more information to you next week.

Patricia Orner, Government Affairs Coordinator:a”,AMES RL “a”,
MIDWINTER BOARD MEETING
Last Friday at the AANR Midwinter Board Meeting, I presented, on behalf of the GAT team, a comprehensive written report and an oral overview. It was met with positive feedback from the trustees.

GREAT OUTDOORS WEEK
Plans have started for the annual June trip to Great Outdoors Week in Washington , D.C. The success that AANR achieved, thanks to a great presentation by Danielle Faber at Partners Outdoors 2007, will be leveraged at this event that will highlight the federal administrations goals of getting more American youth involved in outdoor activities.

LEGISLATIVE ACTION
All clubs are needed to get the word out about the latest tool in our GAT/CAT arsenal - The AANR Legislative Action Center. Members wishing to receive alerts on legislative issues, those who want to check who their seated politicians are, and/or all CAT’s NEED to visit the Web site as soon as possible and make sure the correct email address is set up. This latest benefit of AANR membership is available now directly from www.aanr.com on the MEMBER BENEFITS and GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS pages.

Several ordinances at the county and city level are popping up across the country defining licensing for sexually oriented businesses (SOB). AANR continues to carefully watch these to ensure that definitions and cross references to other regulations do not result in unintended consequences. To fight this battle effectively, the CAT network needs to be completed. Your AANR GAT/CAT Regional Chair needs help in building this vital infrastructure. It requires eyes and ears on the ground reading local newspapers, listening to local news reports, attending local governmental meetings, letting the team know where they may be positioned for influence or that they are willing to become part of the team. I am so excited that calls are coming in from potential CATs - but many, many, MANY more are needed.

AANR GAT SW chair, Gary Spangler is working closely in TX with AANR SW GA Committee head, Bob Morton, to ensure that TX HB 1466 does not impede on the rights of non SOB business entities. I have also flagged TX HB 202, TX SB 78 and TX HB 880 for evaluation of unintended consequences and poorly structured definitions.

Lobbyist Don Murphy who works for AANR and AANR East in MD reports that a bill introduced there recently meant to discourage replicas of anatomical appendages hanging from the back of pickup trucks - got out of hand. The unintended consequences of this proposed legislation could keep the AANR bare butt cartoon character used on the popular auto magnets as well as the Coppertone girl off of moving vehicles.

AANR GAT West Chair, Debra Sue Stevens, is monitoring a situation where Rangers have reportedly by NAC alert threatened to impede simple nude recreation in Southern CA .

AANR NW Chair, Shirley Gauthier, and WA state chair, Steve Hubbard , are preparing again for the popular UnClad Art Festival. Shirley is also part of the team preparing for the AANR annual convention at the Willies. AANR staff met at the office this week with auction chair, Linda Johnson, and the plans for both a silent and live auction are coming really well. Be sure to read the article in the April edition of The Bulletin on this exciting development and visit the GA page on www.aanr.com to download the donation form if you already know what your club will contribute.

AANR/FANR GAT Chair, Debra Kay Hedding, continues to work with lobbyist Bob Levy and Richard Mason of SFFB/FNA and their lobbyist on FL HB 269.