AVA CHECKPOINT

Official Voice of the American Volkssport Association
1001 Pat Booker Road * Universal City, TX 78148-4147
phone: 210-659-2112 fax: 210-659-1212

I want to thank all of you who responded to our request for comments to the first part of our new strategic plan. I realize that we gave you a very short time to do this, but we are on a very tight time schedule to ensure we can complete the new plan in time to present it at the 2001 Convention in Bellevue. The comments we received were excellent and appreciated.

• The Call to Convention: This is your formal notification concerning the convention. It contains important information concerning the convention and the naming of delegates, alternates and proxies. Of special importance is the deadline for clubs and state organizations to ensure they are "in good standing" with the AVA. This is a one day snapshot of the club's or state organization's status. The magic day is May 14.

• The Call for Bid for the 2005 Convention: This provides detailed information on the requirements and procedures for submitting a bid for the 2005 Biennial Convention.

• The Nomination Procedures for the 2001 Elections: This is from the Nominating Committee Chair Diane Evans and give details on what people must do to be placed on the ballot for the election of National Officers and who is in charge of Regional Nominating Committees.

We are pleased to announce that we have completed our new contract with New Balance and they have agreed to extend our sponsorship for three more years. New Balance has also generously increased their monetary payment to the AVA and will continue with their support of club events. There will, however, be a change to the direct support to club walking events. In order to provide support to more events and provide a better variety of support items, we will be reducing the number of shoes provided to one pair for each sanctioned walk for which support is requested. We did not make this decision lightly, but it was the result of a mutual decision on how New Balance could best support the AVA as a whole. Since July of 1999,

New Balance has provided more than $170,000 worth of shoes and more than $75,000 worth of giveaway items to our clubs. We felt that we could achieve a better distribution of the support if they reduced the number of shoes to one pair per event and channeled some of these funds into marketing support both nationally and locally. There will be no reduction in

the other support provided to the events or to the clubs, but this will allow opportunities for the possible support of some special events throughout the contract period. New Balance will still be providing us fantastic support and we thank them for their interest in helping the AVA and its clubs and state organizations renew The Spirit of Walking across the United States.

Silent Auction Items Needed--Traditionally at AVA conventions a silent auction has been held. We believe in upholding tradition; therefore, there will be a silent auction at the 2001 Convention in Bellevue, Washington. The silent auction not only raises money for AVA, but everyone enjoys the experience.

Do you do a handicraft? Is there an item from your region that is unique? Do you have any item(s) you would like to donate? In the past such items as theme baskets, quilts, bottles of wine, a case of local drink, and craft items, such as ties, clothing, or food have been donated by individuals and clubs.

There are three ways you can donate an item to the silent auction: One, you can bring the item(s) with you when you come to the 2001 convention; two, you can mail the item(s); or three, you send a check with a note stating what you would like to be purchased to be put up for the silent auction.

For further information, contact the Silent Auction Chair, Carolyn Warhol at 8718 159th St. E., Puyallup, WA 98375 or E-mail her at jwarhol@foxinternet.net

TAW IS LATE-- The American Wanderer will be about three weeks late. I apologize for the delay. The problems will be corrected in the next issue. Just a reminder that December 22 will be the next deadline for the February issue.

Medical Update--Director of Finance Candace Purcell is on medical leave following major surgery. She is on the road to recovery, but it will be a while before she is able to return to her full-time duties. In the meantime, the staff will try to answer any of your financial questions.

Officer's Update--A reminder that all club's must submit an enclosed officer's update form between January 1 and March 31 and whenever changes occur.

Publicity Contest--Guidelines for submitting entries for the Publicity Contest are enclosed. Individuals may also start submitting photos for the photography contest. Winners will be announced in Bellevue at the convention.

Patches Wanted--John Wickham is looking for three National Volkssport Month patches. You can reach him at (316)-788-6406 or jwhickham@characterlink.net

Starting Point 2001--The new Starting Points will be shipped in mid December.

To Be Mailed. Approved policy manual changes will be mailed with December Checkpoint.

Christmas Party. We will be closed on December 8 for about three hours during the lunch hour for our annual Staff and Volunteer Recognition Christmas party.

New Walker Program

Starting Point USA Year-Round Event Book