Official Voice of the American Volkssport Association

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

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

VOLUME 7, NUMBER 3 March 1999

New Balance Q & A for March. In a continuing Q & A series, AVA will provide more information on the national New Balance sponsorship.

Q: Are AVA clubs restricted from using SAS signage and/or giveaways at events during the two-year contract with New Balance?

A: Yes. SAS materials are prohibited at AVA-sanctioned events due to the exclusivity nature of the contract with New Balance.

Q: Are other shoe companies allowed to provide any monetary or product support to AVA clubs?

A: No. Under the terms of the agreement, New Balance is the only authorized shoe sponsor of AVA club events.

Q: What kind of support will New Balance provide for AVA clubs?

A: As mentioned in the February issue of TAW and previous Checkpoints, event support kits will be distributed to clubs. AVA is currently working with vendors to obtain bids on these kits to include, but not be limited to, signage, trail marking tape, start cards, directional signs, etc. Completed kits are expected in early to mid summer. A new volkssporting brochure is also in the works to help clubs promote their activities locally.

Also, check out the New Balance website, www.newbalance.com, to read about our national sponsorship and, importantly, to view the link which takes site visitors to AVA club events.

A thank you to clubs nationwide for your patience as we put this sponsorship program in motion. AVA has received the first installment of sponsorship funds to be used for the new volkssporting brochure and club event support kits. We are eager to make these sponsorship funds work for your club.

Convention Exhibit Booths. Any club that would like to have an exhibit booth at the 1999 Biennial Convention in Muncie, IN, should request an Exhibit Space Application from the National Headquarters. The booths will be 8' x 10', will be draped, and will include a skirted, six-foot table and two chairs. The cost for AVA clubs is $100. Exhibit Space application must be received no later than May 21, 1999.

New IVV Event Award Levels. The IVV has developed new award levels for volkssporters participating in the IVV Event Achievement Awards Program. This new, optional program will be available to all volkssporters who have reached the 600 event achievement level. After attaining the 600 event achievement award, volkssporters may receive a certificate only as an award for every additional 25 events completed rather than the being rewarded for every 50 events. Pins, patches and certificates will continue to be available at the previous levels (650, 700, 750, etc.). The new "Certificate Only" books are being prepared at this time and should be available for sale to clubs and individuals in early April. The "Certificate Only" books will cost $5.00. The books currently being sold for the higher level awards will still be available and will still cost $5.00. Volkssporters may choose which program they would like to participate in and they may change programs anytime they desire. When the new books are available for sale, detailed instructions will be available to clubs and volkssporters. Additionally, details about the two programs will be provided to volkssporters receiving the 550, 575 and 600 event awards.

Year of the Older Person. The IVV has joined the World Health Organization to promote 1999 as the International Year of the Older Person. The IVV has designated October 2, 1999, as the official IVV Day of Celebration of the International Year of the Older Person. All sanctioned volkssporting events held around the world on October 2 will be considered as part of IVV's contribution to this program. All clubs are encouraged to consider holding special events on October 2 and become part of this international celebration.

World Walking Day. As part of the celebration of the arrival of the new millennium, the IVV has announced a worldwide IVV event. Under the motto "Step into the Next Millennium," the program will include events held on December 31, 1999 and January 1 and 2, 2000. The IVV will provide special posters to publicize the recognized events, a special stamp for these events and a special certificate for event participants. The AVA is required to register with the IVV all AVA-sanctioned events that will be part of this program. This registration will be done at the IVV Full Presidium meeting in Tata in September. All clubs interested in participating in this IVV-worldwide program should write AWorld Walking Day Event@ in red on the top of the Event Sanction Request for the qualifying event. Qualifying events are those events held on December 31, 1999, January 1 and 2, 2000. If a club has already submitted an Event Sanction Request for an event on one or more of these days and would like to participate in this IVV-worldwide event, the club should notify the AVA National Headquarters in writing as soon as possible. The notification can be either mailed, faxed, or E-mailed.

Star Club Awards. A reminder to send in your Star Club application by April 30, 1999. Information on the Star Club Awards program and application can be found in the December 1998 issue of Checkpoint.

Protocol for Club Changes. All club change information, including officer updates, address and phone numbers, etc., must be submitted on the official AVA Club Officer Update form, 201U. Club information changes written on account statements, post-it notes, etc., does not provide a permanent record for your club file and will not be considered official changes. A copy of the Club Officer Update form is found in your AVA Policy Manual.

Leadership Roster. An updated leadership roster is enclosed. It is recommended that you place this valuable reference in your club files.

March EC Report & Donation List. Enclosed you will find a report of the March 6 EC Meeting along with a list of AVA donations (this list is provided separately). Please share this important information with your club members.

Recognize Outstanding Publicity Achievements. April 30, 1999 is the deadline to submit entries for the 1998 Publicity Awards. The program recognizes publicity activities conducted by clubs during the 1998 calendar year. Publicity winners will be announced at the 1999 Biennial Convention in Muncie, IN. Details and an entry form were provided in the January 1999 issue of Checkpoint.

Free Walker Coupons. If clubs wish to redeem free walker coupons for a particular event, the coupons must be sent with that event's after action report. Free walker coupons sent with statements or unrelated sanctioned events cannot be accepted.

Design an AVA T-shirt Contest. Take out your magic markers, watercolors, pencil or pen; it's time to capture the spirit of volkssporting. AVA's first "Design a T-shirt" contest is underway. Contest rules are enclosed in this issue of Checkpoint.

National Physical Fitness & Sports Month. May 1999 is National Physical Fitness & Sports Month (NPFSM). If your club is hosting an event and would like to order NPFSM patches, please complete the flyer enclosed.

TAW Deadline Reminder. Clubs are encouraged to capitalize on the opportunity to submit articles to The American Wanderer to promote club activities nationally. On occasion, space is limited for articles, so ensure that you send articles before deadline for consideration. A TAW deadline schedule is listed on page 4 of each issue of the newspaper. No exceptions can be made for late submissions due to a rigid production schedule.

Convention Donations. Proudly promote your club and region by donating a Silent Auction item to the AVA Convention in Muncie, Indiana. For more information write to Diana Harnish at 1201 W. 14th St., Muncie, IN 47302 or phone 765-289-4789, E-mail: suzyq@iquest.net

Library Subscription Program. Clubs are invited to participate in the library subscription program as mentioned in the December issue of Checkpoint. See the enclosed flyer for more information.

The Money Bag, a column by Director of Finance Candace Purcell

Thanks to the 1997 Taxpayer Relief Act you can receive a credit starting this year for qualifying children. This credit is in addition to the dependency exemption and the dependent care credit. Here are the eligibility requirements:

1.) Child must be 16 or younger at end of year and qualify as your dependent.

2.) You can receive $400 credit for each qualifying child for the 1998 return. Credit will increase to $500 per child beginning in 1999 tax year.

If you file Married Jointly and have adjusted gross income of $110,000 - $120,000, the credit is reduced by $50 for each $1,000 over $110,000. Single and Head of Households with AGI of $75,000 - $85,000 are also reduced in this manner. The credit disappears when married filing jointly reaches $120,000 AGI, $85,000 for Single filers and Head of Households.

The 20% discount allowed to clubs on purchases through AVA is to reduce the amount spent for items that will be resold to club members and potential members. The discount does not apply to club officers or members when they are purchasing the items for themselves.

The 10% discount is available for any Volkssports Associate member (VAM). If you belong to a club, but are not a VAM member, the 10% discount does not apply. How do you know if you are a VAM member? VAM is a national membership program which entitles you to a one-year subscription to The American Wanderer, personalized membership card with VAM#, and other incentives.