FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S DESK

The National Executive Council has taken the first step toward the future for the AVA.   At the April 21 meeting in Vancouver, Washington, the Council unanimously supported the development of a new strategic or long-range plan to chart the AVA’s future growth and development.    In a further show of support, they agreed to allocate the necessary funds to ensure this important effort can be completed.  Work will begin immediately with Rolle and Associates, the management firm contracted to assist in this process.  The next major date will be July 8 when the Executive Council and the National Headquarters staff will participate in a strategic planning retreat in San Antonio.  This meeting will determine the AVA’s future focus and goals.  It will be from the future focus and goals that we will develop our strategies and our plan.   Our target is to have a draft of the plan ready for review by the Executive Council at the October meeting in Manchester, New Hampshire.  It is important for everyone to understand that this planning will not be done in a closed environment.  While the planning retreat will be open only to members of the Executive Council and the National Headquarters staff, every effort will be made to keep an open dialogue with member clubs and volkssporters.  The complete openness of this effort is vital to its success.  Its success is vital to future viability of the AVA.  We are embarking on an exciting period in AVA’s history, and I look forward to working with all of you as we lay out our trail to renew The Spirit of Walking in the United States and to move the AVA to its proper role as the leading walking organization in the country.

Along the Trail

Walking Bicycle Events.   The National Executive Council voted to change AVA Policy 5.01, II, B, by deleting the sentence “Participants may walk the course for event and distance credit if the sponsoring club deems the route safe for walkers.”  This change, which means volkssporters can no longer walk bicycle events, was made based upon a determination by our liability insurance carrier that the walking of bicycle events creates an unsafe environment for both the walkers and the bikers, and that since the majority of the bicycle events are over 30 kilometers in length, the carrier questions whether or not the clubs are complying with all of the requirements for long-distance walks to include specific approval from the Executive Council.  Their position is that since they have notified us of what they consider an unsafe situation, they will no longer assume the liability for persons walking these events.  This change is effective immediately.  Please ensure you do everything possible to implement this change as quickly as possible.

Mailing of Event Stamps.  Because of the increasing difficulty in getting event stamps to the proper person within a club because of event changes, point of contact changes and other changes beyond a club’s control, the National Executive Council approved a change in procedure for the mailing of events stamps for sanctioned events.  Effective with events starting on July 1, 2000 and later, events stamps will be mailed to the  official club address.  It will be the responsibility of the club to ensure the stamp gets to the individual in charge of the event.

Money Bag,   By Candace Purcell. The 2000/2001 annual dues billing will be invoiced to all active clubs May 1.  These dues are considered late if they are not paid by July 1.  If they are not paid by August 1, the club will be considered “not in good standing” and if they are not paid by September 1, a late fee of $25.00 will be charged.  Dues not paid in full by November 1 results in the club being inactivated.

Remember, there are no returns or refunds on National Physical Fitness and National Volkssport Month patches.  Call Jackie at 210-659-2112 or E-mail her at avahq@ava.org if you have patches left over or if you need additional patches.  She will try to match clubs so they can get rid of overages or receive the additional patches they might need.

Some clubs are sending as many as 10 checks in at one time; each attached to a separate report, sanction, or some other item.  Club payments are not matched to any particular report or invoice.  They are simply applied to your club’s balance (much like MASTERCARD or VISA).

Some banks are beginning to charge activity fees based on how many checks and deposits you make in a given time frame.  Even if your bank does not charge activity fees, your club has to pay to get their checks printed.  Please consider letting us bill you for all activities.  You can then make one payment monthly from your statement.

By the Book.  If a walker presents one of the old SAS books at one of your events, you may go ahead and stamp it.  However, they must purchase a New Walker Packet, or an AVA-IVV book to be given credit towards the award program.  Officials at the event should treat the SAS book, as they would an insert card.

One at a Time.  The following request comes from our Director of Operations, Jackie Wilson: When your club incurs a problem, please assign one person only to deal with headquarters on that issue.  Sometimes when several people call regarding the same issue, mistakes and duplication of efforts will occur.  We thank you,  for your  cooperation in this matter.

International News.  Enclosed will you find a copy of the latest   IVV World report.  This is provided by IVV Vice President, Lyn Clark.  You may now order Europa Cup books directly from AVA Headquarters.  They are $40.00 each.

Fiscal Year.  The fiscal year for AVA ends June 30.  Local club officers are asked to send in second-quarter YRE reports, as soon as possible after June 30.  This will enable us to get data entered prior to the start of the audit.

Form enclosed.  October is National Volkssporting Month.    Patch order forms are enclosed.

Friendly Reminder.  Club’s should be using the revised New Balance Sponsorship Request form.  Once again, please do not fax them to us.  Also, please observe the eight-week lead time.  Remember, a sponsorship request can’t be sent too early!  We have already received a few for next New Year’s Eve!  Our volunteers are helping us send confirmation postcards acknowledging the receipt of your requests.  We appreciate your cooperation and wish that all of the events are  huge successes.

Proper Forms.  We are getting more and more club officer and address changes via letters, sticky notes or written on club checks.   We cannot make these changes without the Club Officer Update form.  Please take the time to fill it out and submit it through the sanctioning channels for your state.  We will be more than happy to update information, but the form asks for things that we need.  Thank you.

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