Official Voice of the American Volkssport Association

1001 Pat Booker Road * Universal City, TX 78148-4147

phone: 210-659-2112 fax: 210-659-1212

There are certainly many activities underway in the AVA now. With the weather ideal for walking in most parts of the country, I know clubs are extremely busy and have very little time for more stuff from those people at the National Headquarters. One of the most important activities for the Headquarters is the development of our partnership with New Balance. We know there are a lot of questions that have not been answered. We want to provide you with the answers as quickly as possible, and to that end, we have included a short question and answer session about the partnership that should be helpful. You can expect an update on AVA/New Balance mutual goals and objectives to appear each month for the next few months. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work our way through this. The success of this partnership is vital for the AVA, and we want to ensure we stay on the right track.

New Balance Sponsorship Questions

To clarify the meaning of AVA's exclusive two-year sponsorship with New Balance, we have provided the following discussion to help answer potential questions.

Questions & Answers Regarding New Balance

Q: Because of the exclusivity nature of the New Balance agreement, does this mean AVA is no longer in a sponsorship arrangement with SAS Shoemakers?

A: That is correct; SAS is no longer a sponsor of AVA activities. The terms of the New Balance sponsorship agreement are defined as an exclusive athletic shoe and athletic apparel sponsor. Therefore, SAS or any other shoe company is prohibited from sponsoring AVA activities during the New Balance sponsorship contract period of two years. (Rare exceptions allow for other shoe company sponsorship. See related questions in this discussion.) Also, companies selling branded athletic apparel (this does not apply to volkssport T-shirt companies) are excluded from sponsoring AVA events during this time frame.

Q: How was New Balance selected as a national sponsor? Was there a bidding process for the exclusive sponsorship with other shoe companies, including SAS?

A Yes, there was a bidding process in 1998 for the exclusive sponsorship agreement. SAS and NaturalSPORT graciously declined to make an offer in the bidding process. New Balance was thus selected and approved by the Executive Council. New Balance was not chosen simply because they were the remaining company in the bidding process; the goals, ideas, and commitment to promoting walking and volkssporting activities convinced the Executive Council and AVA Marketing Committee that New Balance could help the AVA promote volkssporting and, importantly, foster growth in the association.

Q: A full-page cover story in the February American Wanderer detailed the New Balance-AVA sponsorship; however, specific questions arise about the nature of club support that will be provided by New Balance. Please elaborate on plans to assist clubs.

A: New Balance and AVA are currently working on the production of an event kit to support club activities. The event support kit might include, but not be limited to signage, trail marking tape, start cards, directional signs and trail stakes. As with any new national sponsorship, the planning stage for preparing new materials can be laborious, lengthy but, of course, productive in the end result. AVA and New Balance are working diligently to produce this kit within the first half of this year. Other club support incentives are being considered but again these incentives will not occur instantaneously.

Q: Realizing that clubs may have sponsorship inquiries that may need to be addressed before the event support kits are completed, how should a volkssport club approach more immediate sponsorship concerns?

A: There are no definitive answers on what support can be provided at this time outside of the support allowed for the clubs with the event kits and budgeted through the contract. New Balance is interested in reaching the volkssporters and they understand this will require support at the grassroots level, so there is no question that some support will be directed at the clubs. This is a time of patience for both the national association and member clubs as we build the sponsorship into specific areas of support.

Q: Should clubs contact New Balance directly regarding sponsorship?

A: No. As mentioned in the preceding answer, we are putting together plans for club sponsorship support. Inquires or questions can be directed at AVA Headquarters in the interim.

Q: Does New Balance manufacture shoes in the U.S.? Do they have international ties?

A: New Balance has five manufacturing sites in the U.S., including Boston and Lawrence, Massachusetts; and Skowhegan, Norridgewock and Norway, Maine. These five domestic plants manufacture the majority of the shoes the company produces.

Yes, New Balance is an international operation with worldwide offices and some foreign sourcing for products, but this is not uncommon with any shoe manufacturer, including SAS Shoemakers who has facilities in the U.S. and Mexico.

Q: What if a club obtained sponsorship for a walk with SAS or another shoe company before the New Balance sponsorship was announced?

A: In these instances, an arrangement made with SAS or another shoe company prior to January 1, 1999 is excluded from the sponsorship arrangement with New Balance; therefore, the event may be sponsored as planned. However, any further negotiations with a shoe company other than New Balance after January 1, 1999 are strictly prohibited.

Q: What about year-round start points that begin in SAS stores?

A: For the calendar year 1999 SAS start points are allowed as year-round activities had to be planned before September 1, 1998; this time period was prior to the signing of a contract with New Balance. These SAS start points will, however, need to be changed for the year 2000 to honor the New Balance agreement.

Please write to AVA Headquarters AVAHQ@juno.com with any additional questions or comments. We will try to address your questions in a future issue of Checkpoint.

A Reminder About "+" Slugs for YRES: Clubs must keep the "+" portion of the YRE stamp attached until July 1st of the year. The "+" enables the volkssporter to receive two event credits per year because one stamp will bear a "+" segment through June 30 while the other stamp will have the "+" removed on July 1st through the end of the year.

AVA Club Awards. A reminder to honor your club's outstanding achievements by submitting entries into the AVA Publicity Awards Program. Complete rules and forms were provided in the January issue of Checkpoint. Deadline for entries is April 30, 1999. It is also time to send in your application for consideration to earn a Star Club Award. Information on the Star Club Awards and forms may be found in the December 1998 issue of Checkpoint.

AVA Financial Report Enclosed. Please review and share this financial summary information with your club members.

April Seasonal Stamps. These seasonal stamps will be mailed from AVA Headquarters soon. If your club does not receive a stamp by March 15, please contact AVA as soon as possible.

The Money Bag A Column by Director of Finance, Candace Purcell

I recently had foot surgery to remove bone spurs. While at the doctor's office to have stitches removed, my podiatrist asked what type of shoe I was planning to wear on my foot during the next two months. I asked for his recommendation, and to my surprise and delight, my doctor suggested New Balance, AVA's new national sponsor.

My podiatrist said New Balance is the only shoe on the market that considers the width of the shoe as important as the length. In fact, the "almost customization" New Balance has on width has helped many surgery patients. He also added that the shoes wear well and are made of quality materials.