USAnudist.com

Weekly Report (note Gov’t. Affairs)
March 16, 2007

Erich Schuttauf, Executive Director
NUDE RECREATION MAKES NEWSWEEK
As you know, Newsweek is among the top periodicals reporting on current events. We’re very pleased to let you know that this week’s edition of the magazine contains a half-page story about nude travel. There is considerable coverage given to the emerging gay travel market. Reporters Amy Green and Arian Campo-Flores also interviewed Carolyn Hawkins of our office for facts and figures on overall trends within our industry. You can access an online copy by clicking the link in Carolyn’s report below.

AANR JOINS STATE TOURISM TEAM IN VISITS TO
TALLAHASSEE LAWMAKERS
Many of you have expressed concerns about a number of bills introduced in the Florida legislature this term, which we have been tracking closely since they were pre-filed. Among these bills, the most notable is HB 269 from freshman Representative Snyder. This bill has the potential to alter the standard for what constitutes indecent exposure.a standard that has worked pretty well in the state for a number of years. Equally troubling, the bill would increase the penalties for a violation to as much as a second degree felony under certain circumstances. FANR’s lobbyist had several communications with the sponsor and, behind the scenes, we have been working the issue with a number of approaches.

This week we had an opportunity to make onsite visits with lawmakers. A delegation from AANR and FANR was in Tallahassee as part of “support tourism” day - an official project of Visit Florida, of which the association is a member. Visit Florida is a public / private partnership that is the official arm of state tourism. Seven others joined me in meeting with officials to promote increases in the state’s travel marketing budget. Details of that visit will appear, with pictures, in the May issue of The Bulletin.

HB 269-related concerns were chief among topics covered too. We wrapped up our day with a meeting in the offices of FANR’s lobbyist where status, strategy, and the progress and challenges on countering HB 269 were addressed. Pleased be assured that everyone working for the Association in the capital city is strongly aware of the importance of this, and the other bills and that all continue to work effectively on them.

There are some occasions where we cannot discuss many specific details about the work we’re doing and the reality is that this is one of those situations. The reason is simple: Tallahassee is extremely volatile. Some powerful lawmakers who have been sent (or returned) to the statehouse would like nothing more than a very public chance to vote in favor of bills like HB 269. and to go on the warpath over them. While a low key approach is necessary, we will do our best to keep you apprised of developments as we are able.

Carolyn Hawkins, Public Relations Coordinator
Positive Publicity
AANR was mentioned in the following media outlets. Check out the link below
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17553251/site/newsweek/ regarding nude cruises. We were also mentioned in Outdoor Magazine online.

The spending of the $2.00 bills in Pasco County has been picked up by St. Pete Times, Tampa Tribune, WFTV 9 News, and Fox 35 TV.

We are sending out releases and pitch stories and looking for the top 10 events that your club has planned for the remainder of the year.

We are still waiting to hear from Newsday.

We are still working with a show called “Spotlight On” and will keep you posted as we continue.

NUDE RECREATION WEEK
We are working closely with The Naturist Society on joint promotion of Nude Recreation Week. The theme this year is “Catch the Wave.” (Kudos to Nicky Hoffman and her team for this creative idea.) I encourage your club to get activities planned early so you can be included when members call for information on NRW. Open houses are very good and inexpensive. We will also have a template release for your club to you use where you can insert the club information and contact person.

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

Convention update
If you plan to attend the convention get your registration in early. As soon as I have the nearby hotel information, I will give you those details. The registration form and activities schedule are available online at http://www.aanr.com/pdf/AANR%20Web%20Flyer-March.pdf .

If you plan to rent a car for the AANR Convention, we have also partnered with Budget Rent A Car along with Avis, Hertz, and Alamo. If you would like to use Budget, the toll free number is 1-800-527-0700 and the code is BCD S203527. You can also go to www.budget.com and reserve your car. Hertz rental car code is CDP 1199824, 1-800-654-2210 or www.hertz.com Avis code is AWD T625100, 1-800-698-5685 or www.avis.com

2007 Convention Awards Submissions
and Sponsors Needed
Now is the time to begin submitting information to the AANR office for the following awards. The deadline is May 31, 2007 (unless otherwise indicated).
Schofield Trophy This award is given to the nonlanded club that accumulates and documents the most mileage on visits to landed clubs between June 1, 2006, and May 31, 2007. Submissions for this award are due in the AANR office by June 10, 2007.
AANR Man, Woman, and Family of the Year* These awards are presented for outstanding contributions in promoting nudism in AANR.
Young Man and Young Woman Awards These awards are based on the best essays written by AANR Youth under age 18 that detail what benefits the author has derived from being a nudist. The winners of these awards shall be selected from all essays submitted prior to the beginning of the membership meeting of the annual AANR convention. The author of the winning essays will each receive $100 and a plaque.
Youth Award for Nudist Studies* The Youth Award is presented to a student up to 22 years of age who used his/her nudist activities and interest to further his/her scholastic endeavors. The winner receives $300 and a plaque.

The Glen Eden Award
This award is given to the club that holds the most outstanding publicity event during the year.
The Hal O’Neill Award* The Hal O’Neill Award is presented for outstanding public relations by a club that joins in a community effort which results in the improvement of the club’s image as well as the image of nudism in general.
The Art Schumann Award The award recognizes the best nudist reporting by a nonnudist reporter in a nonnudist publication.
Best Original Article in A Club Newsletter* (self explanatory)
Ilsley Boone Best Club Newsletter Awards* The newsletter awards are given to clubs judged to have the best club newsletters. Clubs must submit three different issues from the current year (May to May) to the AANR office. All newsletters submitted will be placed into a category based on club membership as of the year-end membership report. The categories shall be Group A (10-50 members), Group B (51-200 members), Group C (201-500 members), and Group D (500 or more members).
The Serendipity Park Web Sites 1. Best Nudist Personal Web Site: Awarded to a Webmaster who is an AANR voting member. 2. Best Professional Nudist Club Web Site: Awarded to an AANR club whose Web site is developed and maintained by a full-time professional webmaster.
3. Best Amateur Nudist Club Web Site: Awarded to an AANR club whose Web site is developed and maintained by an amateur webmaster.
Public Relations Nonnudist Media Awards* Up to two awards can be given in each of the six categories:
1. Newspaper articles*
2. Newspaper photographs*
3. Magazine articles*
4. Magazine photographs*
5. Radio presentations*
6. Television presentations*
The Erwin Koch Award* This award is presented to a club for its friendliness and cleanliness.
Paradise Lakes Government Affairs Award This award is given annually to an individual or a club for outstanding contributions.

Any AANR member or club may submit a nomination for any of these awards. If you have any questions about the awards, or to sponsor any of the awards including the sports awards, please contact the AANR office at 800/879-6833.
*Indicates Sponsorship Available — $50
Linda Berry, Director of Publications
E-BULLETIN ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITY
The E-Bulletin is sent to approximately 8,000 members and clubs every other week, and the list keeps growing. There is one advertising space available. The cost is $150 per month for a six month contract. Ad consists of text and photo with Web link (similar to the Featured Clubs on www.aanr.com). It will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Please contact Martha Young at 800/879-6833, ext. 228, or e-mail bulletinads@aanr.com for details.

NORTH AMERICAN GUIDE REMINDER
All clubs who are chartered by April 1, 2007, will receive free space in the Guide according to the club contract. Space ranges from ½ page up to 2 full pages in black and white. Provisional clubs and participating businesses will receive a listing in the Welcome New Clubs section of the book at no charge. All clubs are welcome to purchase four-color advertising. Details will be mailed the first week of April.

ATTENTION ALL AANR CLUBS
PLEASE POST THE FOLLOWING ITEM ON YOUR WEB SITE OR INCLUDE IT IN YOUR NEXT NEWSLETTER:

Are you anxious to know which day your favorite event or sport will be held at the 2007 AANR convention? The Willamettans events schedule will be available on both http://www.aanr.com/pdf/AANR%20Web%20Flyer-March.pdf
and www.willamettans.com. Check it out! Remember that everyone who registers before July 1 receives a 10% discount. So download the pre-registration form, complete and mail it now. Your early registration will help the Willies to better assist you during your stay. If you have any questions, email: convention07@msn.com. Come and join the fun!

THE BULLETIN
The April issue printed this week and should be received in the office on Monday.
May is already in production.

Hats Off . . . and the Rest of Our Clothes, Too
This new column in The Bulletin thanks AANR members who advocate, educate, and inform the public about nude recreation. If you know of someone, please submit a short paragraph about the person(s) to editor@aanr.com. Photos are welcomed but must be accompanied by a photo release form.

Nanette Wickersham, Club/Member Liaison
There are no directory changes this week.

Patricia Orner - Government Affairs Coordinator
REGIONAL SUPPORT
FANR
Please see Erich’s report for a recap of developments in Tallahassee.

AANR East
CAT efforts by Cheri Alexander paid off as she caught only one day after being filed SC HB3679. This bill appears to mirror legislation defeated in the late 1990s and contains language that would have a negative impact on social nudity as well as art, history and even medical texts and books. AANR is working with this region to draft a position paper and provide materials should a hearing be scheduled.

AANR West
Bev Price reports that AZ SB1329 is being tracked but no action is required. Colorado was the site of the first NPS Centennial Initiative Listening Sessions.

AANR MIDWEST
No support was requested this week. Staff received several calls on the Ohio bills and referred more volunteers for the network Mark Hammond is building. Harvey Hanna is standing ready for what is hoped to be positive news next week on the AANR proposal to holds a session at NRPA.

AANR NW
WA legislative staff has reported that by “rules” HB1023 should be dead for the session as 3-14 was the last day to consider bills in the house of origin.

AANR SW
Gary Spangler continues to track with Bob Morton TX HB1466 which is still in the HOUSE Committee on LICENSING AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES.

WCANR
Bob Migliore reports that in the latest issue of the Canadian Nudist News (CNN) he has again had an article on the Community Awareness, and Government Affairs Teams and what they mean and do, and how people may get involved. Building the infrastructure is an ongoing goal of the GAT/CAT program.