The AVA has started 1999 with a giant leap forward. In early January we signed a two-year sponsorship agreement with New Balance Athletic Shoe, lnc. Under this agreement New Balance will become our exclusive athletic shoe and athletic apparel sponsor for at least the next two years. For this exclusivity, they will provide the AVA with much needed funds for marketing; they will provide extensive grass roots support for our clubs; they will assist in the development of new clubs in areas where AVA has little visibility; they will become a major sponsor of our 1999 convention; and they will promote the AVA and volkssporting through their website and their own marketing efforts. This sponsorship gives the AVA its first realistic chance to move forward as the premier walking organization in the United States.

New Balance specifically chose AVA for this sponsorship. They had many, many groups to choose from, but they chose the AVA because our philosophy fit their corporate philosophy so well. It is now up to us - the Executive Council, National Headquarters, state organizations, clubs, and volkssporters - to make this program a success. It is important that we work together. This means we must enter this new effort with an open mind, working through the rough spots, respecting the exclusivity of the sponsorship, and welcoming New Balance as a new partner in volkssporting.

The final details of this two-year program are still being developed. An extensive overview of the program concepts will be provided to the leadership at all levels of the AVA within the next few weeks. Then, as the plan for each part of the program is completed, we will ensure that everyone is informed. The first effort, the publication of a new national brochure, is already underway. This brochure will replace our current "Walk Our Land" brochure, which is now in short supply. We hope to have this completed within the next couple of months. This brochure will be the first piece of an entirely new marketing effort which will be fully introduced at the 1999 Convention. One of the next major projects to be undertaken will be the development of an event support kit for use by our clubs. These kits will be provided free to the clubs. To help the clubs even more, New Balance will be offering product support for event giveaways. They will also help us develop a variety of new marketing materials for use at the grassroots level and help us develop training materials to assist our clubs in preparing new members for important club jobs.

As we approach the new millennium, the AVA has been given a true opportunity to make volkssporting the exercise of choice in the future. Through this new partnership, New Balance and AVA have become a new team who will strike a new balance for walking in the United States. We want all of you to be active members on this team.

Nominating Committee Seeks Candidates. Enclosed is a revised listing of nominating committee members. If you wish to run for national office, please review the information carefully to submit your candidacy. Important note: deadline has been extended to February 15, 1999.

Recognize Outstanding Publicity Achievements. Clubs are encouraged to submit entries for the 1998 Publicity Awards. The program recognizes publicity activities conducted by clubs during the 1998 calendar year. Categories include: club newsletters; regular event brochures; YRE/Seasonal event brochures; community relations programs; local sponsorship programs; single event publicity effort and annual publicity program. Winners will be announced at the 1999 Biennial Convention in Muncie, Indiana. Details and an entry form are provided with this Checkpoint. Publicity Awards 1999 rules, entry form, judging criteria

Insert Card Use. A reminder to clubs & IVV

Achievement participants: One insert card is not to be shared for Distance and Event credit, i.e., a participant must obtain two insert cards - one for event and another for distance with a stamp placed in each book for validation.

1999 AVA Event Insurance Certificates. Enclosed you will find a copy of the AVA event insurance certificate for 1999.

Amateur Athletic Waiver and Release of Liability. A new Amateur Athletic Waiver is enclosed, covering the 1999 calendar year.

Calling All Creative Volkssporters. AVA's first "Design a T-shirt" contest is underway. Complete details on the contest are enclosed in this issue of Checkpoint, see back page of Opportunities, the quarterly marketing newsletter for volkssport clubs.

New Specialties Price List. Enclosed in this issue of Checkpoint, you will find a new AVA merchandise list. Special Note: Australia is being added to the list of country bars offered by AVA. The Australia bar will be available at the end of April and at the AVA Convention.

 NOMINATING COMMITTEE SEEKS CANDIDATES

Candidates for the national office two-year positions of President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary are currently being sought. Anyone that is interested in running should contact one of the following members of the committee to obtain a copy of the job description and qualifications for the specific position they are interested in:

Shirley Lindberg, 3610 Park Ave N, Renton, WA 98056; 425-1226-3484 SeaGigi@aol.com

Bev MacNeill, 666 Brigantine Blvd., N Fort Myers, FL 33917; 941-997-6384 kknh64a@prodigy.com

Pat Lucero, 1951 Quail Rd, Newcastle, CA 95658-9493; 916-434-0205 pjlucero@jps.net

Elaine Samus, Box 8523, Wichita Falls, TX 76307; 940-691-0584

Bill Gruber, 53 Matthews Dr., Enon, OH 45323; 937-864-5738

Diane Ference, 5511 Suffield Ct., Columbia, MD 21044;410-992-9303 JJF5511@aol.com

Once a candidate has decided to run for office, they must submit to one of the members the following:

1 ) A letter of intent specifying the position being sought and setting forth the job qualifications they possess for that position;

2) A short biographical sketch of 300 words or less for publication in TAW to promote their candidacy;

3) A 3 1/2" head-and-shoulders photo for publication in TAW.

The deadline for submittal is February 15, 1999. The April 1999 issue of The American Wanderer will contain the candidate information and publishing deadlines must be met.

Everyone is encouraged to actively promote candidates to run for national office. It is the enthusiasm and willingness of active volkssporters who participate in the leadership of our organization that will enable us to grow and prosper. Thank you for your help.

Elections

Bid for AVA Convention 2003, Rocky Mountain Region "Rambling the Rockies"

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