AANR Weekly Report - 03/30/07
Weekly Report
March 30, 2007
Erich Schuttauf, Executive Director
The Weakest Link… a word about Increasing Web Traffic
We’ve got a couple of very important tips that our webmaster, Captain Jack communications passed onto us that we’ll pass onto you.
First, getting others only to link to your home page may be costing you Internet traffic! Yep. You read that right. Here’s why:
The search engines that web surfers use to find sites of interest to them on the Internet are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their methods for determining who will rank highest in response to a given search term. When evaluating who will hold places among the top search results a search engine like Google will, for example, systematically determine how many links to a page within a given website and give much greater weight to that number than the number of links pointing to the main page.
In other words, a link in a story to www.aanr.com/
Links to the main page are thus dubbed “the weakest link.†The theory behind this is that pages located deeper within a website (called “deep linksâ€) are usually more rich with actual information and content. So links to them demonstrate content-rich websites.
The second tip is getting others to use a keyword or key phrase that’s important to you within their links back to your site.
What does all this mean in practice? You can help boost traffic to your club or personal website by encouraging others to link to a secondary page of your content using the key phrase that identifies you best. Do you have an events page that’s updated regularly? How about a place to feature content submissions from members? Start encouraging visits there. If you have such a page, let us know so that we can find places on our website to send traffic there.
In turn, you can help boost traffic to AANR’s website by adding a link to www.aanr.com/
It takes a little readjustment on the part of your webmaster, but it can pay great dividends to your club and AANR.
News from the News
This week AANR had two very positive experiences with media.
First, thanks to hard work from Trustee Walt Stephens of AANR West, a Santa Barbara , California radio station conducted a live radio interview with AANR on the subject of nude recreation, what to expect on a first visit to a nudist beach or club, and how to join the Association. We also publicized the upcoming Nude Recreation Week from July 9-15, 2007, wherein AANR and TNS will be teaming up to invite North Americans to try nude recreation. In the past, Walt has had regular communications with the station to debunk myths and answer questions. He put us in touch and, as a result, made a very successful interview possible. Great going Walt!
Next, the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) based in Washington , D.C. interviewed me for an upcoming story in their magazine about overcoming preconceptions held by the media when one is dealing with press. ASAE, the recognized leader in the association leadership community, felt AANR could provide valuable information to its members about tackling this difficult situation. Congratulations are due you, AANR. You have earned a place not only as a credible voice for nude recreation, but in media as well.
Credibility, Resources at Work in Florida
In recent Executive Director reports we have reported on problem bills pending in Florida . I explained that, for reasons of strategy, we are not in a position to discuss many specifics of our response to these bills, beyond that we have been to Tallahassee to discuss them personally with lawmakers and to hold work sessions with FANR’s lobbyist. We have very carefully monitored these bills, while re-assessing each threat on a near-daily basis.
We have opted for a low key approach that does not fan the flames of publicity so as to increase undue attention to these measures, and still believe it is the best approach. However, I would like to take a moment to talk about the quality of the team working for you during this particularly active Florida session:
Legal knowledge – Bills have been reviewed by FANR’s General Counsel and me, as AANR Executive Director. FANR’s Counsel has been licensed and actively practicing law in the state for more than 20 years. He holds a law degree from Duke University School of Law and worked as a prosecutor before going into private practice. Your Executive Director is also an alumni of Duke Law School , and is licensed to practice in Florida . He has handled pro bono cases for nudists charged with violations of 800.03 which regulates indecent exposure and is the subject of many of these bills and 877.03 disorderly conduct matters.
Legislative knowledge – FANR’s lobbyist has worked at the state capitol as a lobbyist through administrations (and legislatures) that have been controlled by both Democrat and (now) Republican administrations. His office is on Jefferson Street two blocks from the statehouse.
Communications ability and knowledge of local government – Volunteers help round out the quality of the FANR Government Affairs Team, and nowhere is that more evident than in these two areas. Your FANR Government Affairs chair is a retired major from the Air Force serving as a communications officer for most of her career. Among the most notable accomplishments on her resume was directly working on the staff of high command during the first Gulf War. Local government is your FANR Vice President’s area of expertise, which includes assignments as a city manager to several communities and, now, balancing retirement enjoyment with occasional re-assignments as an interim city manager.
Political knowledge – Politics plays into just about every decision made in Tallahassee of course. It is helpful to have a member of the team that is versed in knowledge of the political capital that must be expended during a given course of action, as well as a strong knowledge of names and faces in government. Your AANR Government Affairs Coordinator has been the county chairperson for U.S. presidential campaigns and has served as a member of her party’s county steering committee.
It takes many people to make a credible voice and you have, through your member dues, supported the people who make up your Florida team. I look forward to highlighting the capabilities of teams from other states in future reports.
Carolyn Hawkins, Public Relations Coordinator
Positive Publicity
Erich had a very positive interview with ASAE Magazine. No scheduled print date as of now. He also had a great interview with the radio station, WTYK out of San Barbara California. This interview was interesting. It was about nude recreation in general and the reporter was transferred to Kimberly who signed him for a membership over the phone and on the air.
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.
PHOTO SHOOT
This week we did a photo shoot covering many different areas such as gardening, golf carts, sports, beach scene and many more.
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. Go to www.aanr.com and click on press room, then go to images to view the 2007 Nude Recreation Week Button. Place your order early.
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.
NUDE CRUISE
We have the Alaska nude cruise coming up in July. Again I am requesting club brochures be sent to the AANR office so we can promote your club on board.
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.
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
THE BULLETIN
The May Bulletin is in production.
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 ad consists of text and photo with Web link (similar to the Featured Clubs on www.aanr.com)
Terry Justice, Club/Member Liaison
Terry is in training and will report next week.
Patricia Orner – Government Affairs Coordinator
Cap Wiz Legislative Alert and Advocacy Tools
Cap Wiz is a new advocacy tool that AANR has purchased so that as the team is made aware of bills that our membership will want to know about – we can send alerts. It has many other great benefits like being able to check who your current political leaders are and even the ability to send letters to your local media. AANR would NEVER sell or give out member personal information. It is for this very reason that we loaded only the e-mail addresses that our members have given AANR on the www.aanr.com Web site to the Cap Wiz database. Requests are being sent out to let members know that if they want to receive legislative alerts and/or use the Cap Wiz tool – they need to update the Cap Wiz profile, or unsubscribe and no alerts will be sent.
All clubs are urged to have their members subscribe to this vital tool and complete the personal information on the AANR Cap Wiz website as soon as possible. http://capwiz.
The Nation
High Court to Revisit Child Pornography
Taking up the latest in a series of legal disputes over how to combat child pornography without infringing on freedom of speech, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to review an appeals-court ruling striking down part of a new federal law that makes it a crime to send computer messages that offer child pornography.
MORE: Los Angeles Times
Felon Fallout
Overcrowding and soaring corrections costs are pushing prison reform to the top of states’ policy agendas.
MORE: governing.com
More States Look to Expand DNA Database Registration
Daily more states’ legislative agendas now include bills to expand DNA database registration.
MORE: http://www.dna.
Regions
AANR NW
A federal judge lifts an injunction against Washington State ’s treatment program for sexually violent predators, ending 13 years of court oversight that forced the state to improve the controversial program.
MORE: Seattle Times
AANR West
AANR staff is coordinating response to a member’s request for additional usages in the Tonto National Forest .
AANR Midwest
Staff was alerted through CAT activities in SC that a group supporting OH SB 16 might be the same group supporting this bill. Evaluation and comparison of these bills is in progress as AANR, AANR Midwest and NAC cooperate in joint lobbying efforts in Ohio .
AANR SW
No movement reported per State Net on TX HB 1466 and “NAC is coordinating its action with AANR-Southwest, a regional affiliate of the American Association for Nude Recreation.â€
AANR East
Staff worked this week with a new volunteer who will be putting together GAT/CAT training for the region.
FANR
On 3-21-07 FL HB 269 passed from HOUSE SAFETY AND SECURITY Council as “Reported favorably with substitute.†On 3-26-07 the Safety & Security Council adopted an amendment which will authorize a law enforcement officer with probable cause to conduct a warrantless arrest for the misdemeanor offense contained in section 800.03, F.S. and the bill was passed favorably as a council substitute.
WCANR
AANR staff referred a request in conjunction with a loss of nude swim events and possible litigation.
