PROPOSED BYLAW AMENDMENTS
Motions for two proposed Bylaw amendments will appear on the election ballot that you will receive with your May Bulletin. The propositions are printed here in their entirety. Additions are shown by underline, deletions are shown by strikeout. In some instances, the entire block is changed and it will be so noted.
If you would like to engage in any dialogue regarding these propositions, please add your comments to this blog.
Proposition 1: To amend the Bylaws, Article IV, by striking paragraph A in its entirety, substituting the following, and renumbering current paragraphs B and C:
A. The following shall not be required of applicants or members:
1. Any test of religion, race, politics or ethnic origin.
2. Any agreement to be photographed or to permit any public use of name, address or occupation in connection with membership.
A. AANR welcomes all people willing to conform to its principles and standards, regardless of age, gender, marital status, religious beliefs, ethnic origin or sexual orientation.
B. Any agreement to be photographed or to permit any public use of name, address or occupation shall not be a requirement of membership
Purpose: To clearly define AANR’s position toward diversity in membership.
Maker: The Diversity in Membership Committee
Fiscal Impact: None.
Pro Statement written by AANR Member Fred Van Nest: “AANR welcomes everyone who shares its values for nude recreation. Unfortunately, the anti-discrimination provisions in its Bylaws are dated and inadequate, to the point that they may inadvertently imply discrimination against some commonly protected groups.
“President Kinman recognized this deficiency and appointed a committee of three club leaders and one long-time AANR member to propose a solution. The committee developed and enthusiastically endorses this amendment. It received near-unanimous support from leaders and members at the 2009 General Assembly.
“Although clubs are strongly encouraged to practice AANR values, this amendment does not impose any new requirements on clubs. Requirements can only be imposed via contracts sign by individual clubs.
“I encouraged all members to vote “yes” on this amendment to remove any implied discrimination and bring the AANR Bylaws into agreement with the high level of inclusiveness practiced by the AANR and its members.”
Although President Kinman solicited a writer for a Con Statement, none was written.
No position statement was formulated by the Trustees, but they unanimously approved of the inclusion of this proposition on the ballot.
Proposition 2: To amend Bylaws Article VI, paragraph A.1.a by striking as follows:
A.1.a) The area to be served by the Eastern Region shall include and be the states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia, North Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee east of a north‑south line drawn through the city of Manchester, Rhode Island, Delaware, Virginia, Maryland, District of Columbia, Mississippi, Louisiana South of the 31st degree of latitude, Eastern Canada, including Quebec and provinces north and east of Quebec, and such foreign areas as it now serves and/or may later be assigned to it.
And Bylaws Article VI, paragraph A.1.g, by striking as follows:
A.1.g) The area to be served by the Southwest Region shall include the states of Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana north of the 31st degree of latitude, Texas, Mexico east of a north‑south line drawn through Juarez (except the three eastern‑most states), and such foreign areas as it now serves and/or may later be assigned to it. All associate members with Mexican addresses will be assigned to this region.
Purpose: To allow Louisiana to operate as an entity under the jurisdiction of the Southwest Region.
Maker: The Legislation Committee.
Fiscal Impact: None.
Pro Statement written by AANR Member Annica Summers: My name is Annica Summers. My husband and I are AANR members who live in Lafayette, LA, with our three children. We belong to a landed club in Texas, where we feel a strong, active community. Although we’ve traveled on the east coast, Texas just seems more like home to us.
At the present time, there is only one landed club in Louisiana. It might be easier to get more landed clubs if Louisiana was represented entirely by one region, instead of being divided like it is now. It also would be better to have all the AANR services, like public relations and government affairs, be addressed by just one region.
My experience with AANR in Texas assures me that AANR Southwest would take good care of Louisiana. I am asking that you please vote “yes” on Proposition #2 so that Louisiana will be united under a single region. Thank you.
Con Statement written by AANR Member Tim Thomsen: When the issue of consolidating Louisiana in one region was considered last year, the AANR office surveyed Louisiana members without providing any data regarding potential benefits or liabilities. Members were asked to offer an opinion without adequate facts.
Less than 20 responses were returned out of approximately 136 persons surveyed with no response from the one landed club within the state. This shows that those who live in Louisiana do not view this as pressing, or that the members had inadequate data from which to draw appropriate conclusions.
There may be advantages to consolidating a state within a region; there could also be unforeseen disadvantages. To decide without analysis of the issue is a disservice to our members.
Voting against this proposition does NOT prevent taking such steps later. It just makes sure that all leadership takes sufficient time to do the job right.
No position statement was formulated by the Trustees, but they unanimously approved of the inclusion of this proposition on the ballot.
Proposition 1
AANR welcomes all people willing to conform to its principles and standards, regardless of age, gender, marital status, religious beliefs, ethnic origin or sexual orientation.
While I agree with the intent of the language I would not be able to support the way it is currently written.
I would prefer that it say-AANR welcomes all people who share its principles and standards, regardless of age, gender, marital status, religious beliefs, ethnic origin or sexual orientation.
Basically I would remove “willing to conform” and insert “who share.”
This piece of legislation is long overdue and I regret that I will not be able to support Propostion 1 as it is currently written.
Proposition 2
As a AANR-MidWest board Director, I strongly support Tim Thomsen’s con statement as written in Feb Bulletin. Tennessee is also divided, the one lone AANR club, was never consulted, or told of this process till the owner and resident members recieved the survey. With the decline in AANR affliated clubs and members a owner should not be consulted.
Plus at no time was the AANR-MidWest Board consulted or informed of the process. The Midwest President, in his words “I made a exeutive decision” but this contrary to the MidWest By-Laws for the President. A process that stated mid Aug 2009, survey sent mid Sept. Count taken around the first of Oct. At no time was the board aware and only after this Rock Haven member informed the board, did the survey and intent became public in the MidWest region. No study or research was performed.
The full intent of the survey was to get a propisation on the ballot. only Tn residents recieved the survey, whether club affication was in or out of state. But in Rock Havens case our AANR members who reside out of state did not recieve one. Including one couple outside the country. No responce deadline was on the survey.
Fiscal Impact: true on fiscal impact for AANR. But regions will have a increase or decrease in memebers and member dues. At least in the MidWest Region, No Study!
Yes, this proposition was done in much too much haste, Appx, ^0 days from start to finish. The Regional Presidents did not give this the study, research, or consultarion it needs. As a National vote think this happening to you’re state, province,club and members. Tn prosition died early Oct, vote La down at this time. When the powers to be prove this a good proposition it can return at a later time!
Dave Meyers AANR-Midweast Board Director, Finance Chair/Sports Chair, Member Rock Haven Lodge,Inc, Murfressboro, Tn
[...] An election forum has been created on the AANR Web site for use during election years, and the current legislation has been posted. Members are encouraged to post their comments at: http://blog.aanr.com/2010/02/05/proposed-bylaw-amendments/. [...]
As President of AANR-Southwest, I would like to comment on Proposition Two regarding bylaw changes affecting regional boundaries.
First of all, let me say that I think this change would be a very positive step for the members of AANR who live in Louisiana and I hope that AANR members everywhere will vote “Yes!” on this issue when ballots are distributed later this spring.
This topic has been discussed for a long time among the Regional Presidents on an informal basis. Last summer, at the Regional Presidents Council (RPC) meeting, it was agreed to bring the matter before the Board of Trustees for possible inclusion on the upcoming ballot. Those in attendance at the RPC included both Susan Weaver (past President of AANR East) and Jim Lane (current President). No objection was raised at that time, that I recall, although I know Jim Lane worried that his region would suffer the most from any changes (possibly losing eastern Tennessee AND southern Louisiana). The matter was brought to the Board and the Board agreed to have the AANR office assist with a straw poll via letters to the members who lived in the affected areas. This was done in September. It was determined, rightly so I believe, after an outcry from a club in TN, to exclude Tennessee from any proposed changes. However, no such outcry was heard from Louisiana. On the contrary, one AANR member who lives in Louisiana and was in attendance at the meeting at Oaklake Trails, voiced his support of the idea, no matter which way it went. He just wants Louisiana to be “whole” again.
Sufficient response (to the letters) was received in the AANR office to warrant placing the issue of Louisiana ONLY (Tennessee will NOT be affected in any way by this change!)on the ballot in 2010.
A “Pro” statement was written by a SW member who lives in Southern Louisiana - AANR East - but is a member of SW through a landed club in Texas. No “Con” statement was ever received (that I know of) from a member who lives in Louisiana. Tim Thomsen (who wrote the “Con” statement) is the Vice President of AANR East and lives in Tennessee, I believe.
Last summer, the club known as LaPines, ceased to be affiliated with AANR when its owner passed away. Mr. Thomsen did not seem to be aware of this when he wrote his statement, which was submitted very late in the game, but in time for inclusion on the ballot. Now, a new, non-landed club is being formed in southern Louisiana and we look forward to much growth in the nudist community all over Louisiana. In fact, when Jim Lane and I met recently at the AANR Midwinter Board meeting, we mutually pledged to work together, no matter the outcome of this legislation, to grow the nudist presence in Louisiana. What a Great State, full of Great People! These folks deserve the recognition, attention, and INCLUSION that is due them. What an opportunity for SERVICE!
We in AANR-Southwest hold out the hand of friendship, welcome and opportunity to all AANR members in Louisiana. (We are not trying to “steal” members from AANR East! The fiscal impact on either side would be minimal.) We invite you to attend our meetings, club events and conventions and see and meet for yourselves the friendly, neighborly folks in Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas, plus the many folks from beyond our borders, who make up our membership. We would even like to come to Louisiana and help build the nudist presence there.
So, please vote “Yes” on Proposition Two. Thank you for your time and kind consideration of my perspective on this very important issue.
Sincerely,
Lucy Heide, President, AANR-Southwest
I have read the letter to the editor in the March bulletin regarding Prop. #2. Sandy Bares is in Mississippi and La Pines no longer has an AANR charter. What does Mississippi have to do with this??? Therefore no current AANR clubs would be affected, only the associates living in Louisiana. Those who were sent the survey had ample time to return it. If you are asked a question, you should answer quickly if you think no reply at all might affect you differently than you want. Interesting that those who have stated that this Prop should fail are in the East or Mid-West. Sure you are entitled to your opinion but where are the opinions of those who live in Louisiana. Seems those that have really spoken up think they belong in AANR-SW.
Thank you!