National vs. local nudist support.

[Adler]

National membership organizations of all types, from fraternal organizations to local clubs, are facing membership recruitment challenges. I am doing research on national organizations that serve American Nudist; some are good, some could be better. Given the current state of society; i.e. social media enabled, Generations X, Y & Z not being "joiners" the way the Baby Boomers & earlier generations are alleged to have been, etc.; what product or services do you look to a national nudist organization to provide that local nudist clubs/resorts cannot provide or perhaps could not do so as efficiently? For example, some argue that a national organization is needed to monitor proposed legislation and take appropriate action to safeguard the interests of nudist by ensuring that the legislation does not have unintended consequences negatively affecting nudist rights and that this service is best done on a State, Regional or National level. What do you want a national organization to do for you? Do you think nudist need a national organization? Why? Thank you in advance for you thought.

[usuallylurk]

We do need a national nudist organization - I don't know of your nudist experience but we currently have TWO of them here in the U.S. - AANR and TNS. AANR tends to represent clubs and club interests (but not restricted to those) and TNS tends to promote all forms of naturism - on public lands, parks, and social (but not restricted to those). Are you familiar with either?

Yes, the younger generations aren't joiners; but the larger org, AANR, fell into the same trap other orgs fell into (Grange, Jaycees, Masons) -- they seemed to be happy just plodding along - until they looked around and noticed that those younger generations weren't around them. They were happy with zero or modest growth, and then saw a decline too great to stop.

Notice that individual clubs don't do a great job of promoting themselves... they need some professional marketing. AANR tried a program called "Nude U" - but, they seem to have made no marketing outreach to young adults.

Both orgs (AANR and TNS) have "boots on the ground" across the country. They're both active in fighting bad legislation, although there isn't much of that. Our biggest concerns should be our dwindling numbers.

[dakref]

The shame based generations we've developed behind us has not helped any either. Like no showering after phy ed and sports events for example.

[jasenj]

I absolutely believe nudism needs a national organization. Many, probably most, reasonably popular special interest groups have national organizations. Sailing, mountain biking, canoeing, water skiing, motorcycle riding, and on and on. If nudism is to be taken seriously as a real thing, it needs a national organization.

Now, what product or services should that organization provide? Clearly watching legislation and interacting with governments at the national, state, and local levels. Then group hired lobbyists & representatives can deal directly with federal issues, and local members have access to support & resources for state and local issues.

Second, a national organization should "bless" or certify local groups. This ensures the local group holds to the ideals of the national group. In some situations, a national group ensures the local group complies with certain safety procedures and offers insurance coverage. The safety issue may not be relevant for nudism, but it could be - like certified groups do background checks on all people who work with children (which the national org could do). The national group then also provides a listing of affiliated local groups and provides a way for interested people to find a local group, i.e. a directory. And, the national group ensures the local groups comply with the expectations.

Next, the national group does marketing for the movement/interest. There are many travel related trade shows, conferences, and other big venues where the national org should represent the interest, e.g. the Travel & Adventure Show. Also, there are various government conferences where special interest groups get in front of legislators. The national org should have a booth, host seminars, and have speakers at these sorts of things. (This is a place where I feel AANR & TNS really drop the ball.)

Next, but pretty far down on the list IMHO, the national org could sponsor special events, like a national gathering/meeting. This is the thing that AANR seems to have LOTS of (it's the spring, mid-western, AANR convention! it's the fall, eastern northwest AANR convention! it's the mid-April Florida convention!) In other groups, the national org sponsors/organizes national level competitions.

Getting pretty far down the list, the national org can provide T-shirts & other merchandise that let people identify with the group.

Oh, and the national org preserves the history of the group - this is pretty important. Where did the group come from, how did the interest get started, what's happened in/with/to it over the years. Many groups have a "Hall of Fame" and other archives. Nudism has the ANRL, but I don't think it is affiliated with or supported by AANR - but I could be wrong.

And the national org keeps the members informed on what the org has been doing & what's going on within the group. AANR has The Bulletin for this. Similarly, but not quite the same, the org provides the public info on what the group & org have been up to. This could be a public website or a magazine the org publishes.

[usuallylurk]

I absolutely believe nudism needs a national organization. Many, probably most, reasonably popular special interest groups have national organizations. Sailing, mountain biking, canoeing, water skiing, motorcycle riding, and on and on. If nudism is to be taken seriously as a real thing, it needs a national organization.

TNS already has SIGs, or special interest groups. SIGs are organized by members and their activities are conducted by them. Problem is, the members are spread out all over North America.

Now, what product or services should that organization provide? Clearly watching legislation and interacting with governments at the national, state, and local levels. Then group hired lobbyists & representatives can deal directly with federal issues, and local members have access to support & resources for state and local issues.

AANR has a legislative/government affairs committee. TNS has its legal affiliate, the Naturist Action Committee. Both are actively monitoring legislation - NAC, which I'm more familiar with, has probably over 100 members watching legislation.

Second, a national organization should "bless" or certify local groups. This ensures the local group holds to the ideals of the national group. In some situations, a national group ensures the local group complies with certain safety procedures and offers insurance coverage. The safety issue may not be relevant for nudism, but it could be - like certified groups do background checks on all people who work with children (which the national org could do). The national group then also provides a listing of affiliated local groups and provides a way for interested people to find a local group, i.e. a directory. And, the national group ensures the local groups comply with the expectations.

Pretty much what AANR and TNS do.

Next, the national group does marketing for the movement/interest. There are many travel related trade shows, conferences, and other big venues where the national org should represent the interest, e.g. the Travel & Adventure Show. Also, there are various government conferences where special interest groups get in front of legislators. The national org should have a booth, host seminars, and have speakers at these sorts of things. (This is a place where I feel AANR & TNS really drop the ball.)

AMEN, bro! AMEN! This is where AANR (especially) drops the ball. AANR does go to legislative events - but are eerily absent at travel / adventure shows. I have held out the New England Camping and Trailer show - where there SHOULD be a nudist booth.

Next, but pretty far down on the list IMHO, the national org could sponsor special events, like a national gathering/meeting. This is the thing that AANR seems to have LOTS of (it's the spring, mid-western, AANR convention! it's the fall, eastern northwest AANR convention! it's the mid-April Florida convention!) In other groups, the national org sponsors/organizes national level competitions.

AANR has so many of these things, TNS some - I'm on my way out the door to one now (Eastern Gathering) but these things are ONLY as successful as far as getting attendees. How many in here are going to one this year? Hello?

Oh, and the national org preserves the history of the group - this is pretty important. Where did the group come from, how did the interest get started, what's happened in/with/to it over the years. Many groups have a "Hall of Fame" and other archives. Nudism has the ANRL, but I don't think it is affiliated with or supported by AANR - but I could be wrong.

There is an AANR "hall of fame" - and AANR has an affiliation with the ANRL but they don't operate it - that is done by volunteers. I do not know of financial assistance to the library - but if you ever went there, you'd see and know - it's extensive -- if anyone goes to Cypress Cove, make sure the Library is a stop.

And the national org keeps the members informed on what the org has been doing & what's going on within the group. AANR has The Bulletin for this. Similarly, but not quite the same, the org provides the public info on what the group & org have been up to. This could be a public website or a magazine the org publishes.

They do have a website www.aanr.com but it isn't updated often.

[jasenj]

TNS already has SIGs, or special interest groups. SIGs are organized by members and their activities are conducted by them. Problem is, the members are spread out all over North America.

I was using those other things as examples of groups/special interests that are similar to nudism, not listing them as SIGs within nudism.

They do have a website www.aanr.com but it isn't updated often.

Yes, AANR's website is pretty sad. And TNS doesn't use theirs for frequent updates. I don't visit their Facebook pages to know how frequently they post there. IMHO, with minimal effort they could put their Facebook feed on their web sites.