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.
