American Volkssport Association
National Executive Council Meeting
June 21, 2008
Report to the
Northeast Region – by
All National Officers, Regional Directors & the AVA Executive Director in Attendance
The minutes from the March 1, 2008 were approved,
AVA Club count as of this date – 320
The President’s Report was presented by Curt Myron. The outline for the report is attached as a separate PDF.
A three year participation summary by region was attached. I am extrapolating only the Northeast Region & national totals by quarters.
YRE / SE total 594 3075 2799 2014 799 1921 2270 2372
Traditional event 219 1962 1973 1357 46 1741 1282 1059
Total 813 5037 4772 3371 845 3662 3552 3431
Total Annual Participation 13,993 11,490
YRE / SE Events 104 104
Traditional events 86 46
Avg. Participants YRE / SE 81.6 70.8
Avg. Participants Traditional event 64.1 89.7
YRE / SE Total 461 1742 1983 1624
Traditional event 197 948 1511 773
Total 658 2690 3494 2397
Total Annual Participation 9,239
YRE / SE Events 94
Traditional events 56
Avg. Participants YRE / SE 61.8
Avg. Participants Traditional event 61.2
National Q1 -05 Q2 -05 Q3 -05 Q4 -05 Q1 -06 Q2 -06 Q3 -06 Q4 -06
YRE / SE Total 25,960 32,437 28,475 22,273 25,229 29,075 29,459 23,519
Traditional event 16,298 45,677 23,784 27,027 18,586 42,231 26,205 24,829
Total Participation 42,258 78,114 52,259 49,300 43,815 71,306 55,664 48,348 Total Annual Participation 221,931 219,133
YRE / SE Events 1584 1677
Traditional events 1139 1121
Avg. Participants YRE / SE 68.9 64.0
Avg. Participants Traditional event 99.0 99.8
National Q1 -07 Q2 -07 Q3 -07 Q4 -07
YRE / SE Total 22,474 29,783 30,182 22,700
Traditional event 17,308 44,483 23,755 23,184
Total Participation 39,782 74,266 53,937 45,884
Total Annual Participation 213,869
YRE / SE Events 1621
Traditional events 1096
Avg. Participants YRE / SE 64.9
Avg. Participants Traditional events 99.2
I’m sure that the number crunchers out there will detect the slight decline in average participation numbers across the board. As club leaders & walkers, we need to focus on improving the numbers. This means working to provide more quality events, having fun at the walks & bringing a neighbor or friend to share the experience. They might enjoy themselves enough to join the club. Wouldn’t that be great!
2009 AVA Convention
in
The convention committee is still looking for qualified workshop leaders and speakers. The most recent Checkpoint has a list of suggested topics. If you are interested, please send your personal background, topic & presentation outline to: dahv@earthlink.net
The exhibit hall is still seeking vendors. The current plan also has the walking events Finish / Book stamping being done in the exhibit hall, thereby increasing exposure to all the displays. Should the Northeast Region have a display booth to promote our great region & the many walks throughout? Who from the region is planning to attend & be willing to volunteer a couple of hours of time to have fun?
Please let me know. If we go this route I will need display materials from all of the clubs about their trails, walks, brochures, etc. The hall will be open for 3 days while the various meetings & workshops will be held.
The Marketing Committee has developed a new banner for the AVA. All Region Directors will be receiving one for use throughout the region at walks, health fairs, conventions, etc, The AVA will also have the banner for sale to the clubs for their own use at similar functions. Details will be available soon.
Special Events
Committee
Two new Special Events were approved by the NEC with a start date of January 1, 2009.
They are: Historic
Churches, qualifications are to participate in 15 events where the route
passes a historic church, or a former church that is now used for another
purpose. Buildings must be at least 75 years old & have had historical
significance. Examples include
Walking America’s Fire Houses was also approved. Qualifications are to participate in 24 events that pass an existing or historical fire house. This should be an exciting & educational event for all ages. Many fire houses have historical plaques, displays of historic equipment, firefighter memorials, etc.
The Spirit of Walking Cemetery Stroll was also approved for a one year extension. The new end date is June 30, 2010.
New Business: There were only two motions before the NEC. The entire wording was sent out in a recent Checkpoint.
There was a lengthy discussion about Global Events. There
has been a considerable reduction in the number of military facilities willing
to sponsor events in recent years. There have also been communication issues to
deal with that complicated the matter further. The 3rd weekend of
September continues to be designated as “Global Weekend”. There are proposed
events in 2008 in
The AVA budget for the upcoming fiscal year which starts July 1, was reviewed & discussed at length before being approved. Income from walk events & participation fees was the hot topic. With the slight decrease in walkers demonstrated in the recent year, the projections were based on that continuing.
The next NEC Meeting is on November 8, 2008 in
The public is welcome to attend.
A reminder to all clubs that awards nominations for regional & national recognition must be received before November 1, 2008. I’m sure that there are many deserving of this recognition. Let’s be certain to honor our most valuable among us.
This concluded the meeting.