Home From San Antonio

From the NEC Training Workshop & Meeting -  At the National Executive Council (NEC) it was decided to hire a Director of Marketing to implement our vision statement that we are the Premier Walking Association of America.  In this regard, the NEC has determined that the Interim Executive Director should be designated as the Acting Executive Director.  Further, the hiring of an Executive Director will be considered at a later date.  The Executive Committee, in concert with the Acting Executive Director, will develop a job description for the Director of Marketing. The Executive Committee, with approval of the NEC, will hire the Director of Marketing.  It is expected that the new Director of Marketing will be on board no later than February 28, 2012.

Club Officer Information Update - Every club must submit the officer/club information report within thirty days of the change of an officer or any officer/club information and at least once annually between 1 January and 15 November. Information required and procedures for submitting this report are shown in the official section of the AVA webpage. If the report is not received by 15 November, a late fee of $10.00 will be assessed.  Failure to make an annual report before 31 December will place the club in “not good standing”.

Annual Financial Report for 501(c)(3) Organizations - Every club under the AVA 501(c)(3) umbrella must submit an annual financial report between 1 July and 15 November.  Information required and procedures for submitting this report are shown in the official section of the AVA website. If the report is not received by 15 November, a late fee of $10.00 will be assessed. Failure to make an annual report before 31 December will place the club in “not good standing”.

 

Ken

Monday, Monday, So Good To Me

A Reminder -   the deadline for the October/November issue of The American Wanderer is Thursday, August 25th.  If you have any questions email (taw@bhi.com)  or call Laurel at 612-521-8650.


         YRE ESRs  -   the deadline for 2012 YRE ESR submissions is 12:00 a.m. (midnight) on Wednesday, August 31st, 2011; that's barely two weeks distant, but the South Central Region has more than 30 YRE ESRs of a total of 98 YREs in 2011 that have not yet been submitted in final form.  Don't procrastinate; it's always wise to leave yourself a buffer, just in case!  



 

AVA/IVV Event Stamp  -    We have addressed the motion that was approved at Convention that the "AVA Event Stamp may be placed in the AVA Distance Record Book each time an individual completes the distance of an AVA/IVV Event. The AVA Event Stamp may now be entered in the AVA Event Record Book once each day an individual completes the distance of an AVA/IVV Event." This began to apply to each one of our events effective July 1, 2011.

          Because of the AVA Policy on allowing no more than one 10KM route (and with limited special exceptions, no "alternate routes"), some clubs are in a quandry about how to incorporate on their primary and sanctioned route some Special Events Program qualifiers that are located on what was their "alternate route."  In light of the foregoing, however, consider AVA Policy Manual 4.02. II. A. 1. a & b, which read as follows:  

1. Regular Walking Events. Sponsoring clubs must offer at least one short and one medium distance at an event. Instead of a medium distance, clubs may allow participants to walk the short distance trail twice at no additional charge. They may also offer a long distance. The distance requirements are:

a)  A short distance walk must be a minimum of 10 kilometers (km) and less than 20 km in length. Along with the short distance walk, a small distance walk (minimum of 5 km and less than 9 km) may be offered.  .  .  . 

b) A medium distance walk must be a minimum of 20 km and a maximum of 30 km in length.

Did you get that?  You might read it again (and again) until it becomes clear that you can sanction a 20/10/5 KM event that incorporates two 10 KM loops, the first of which has been your   "primary route" and the second of which had been your "alternate Route" along which are the Special Events Programs you want to use and keep.  It is all quite legal and somewhat innovative! 

Ken

It' A Volkssporting Weekend!

NEC Training Workshop & Meeting -  The recently elected National Executive Council (NEC XVII) will hold a Training Workshop which will include Issue Discussion Sessions on August 24-25, 2011.  This is primarily to update new NEC Members on AVA policy and procedures. 

In addition, an NEC Meeting is scheduled for August 26th. It will have a limited agenda to “clean the slate” of any headquarters housekeeping items and Old Business items from a previous meeting such as meeting minutes. Because the meeting date was not set until mid-July, it was too late to comply with the 60-day NEC Meeting notification to clubs requirement. Therefore, no agenda items are being solicited or accepted and there will be no reports given.

The NEC Meeting schedule for the remainder of 2011 and 2012 will be established at this time and this will be sent to you in early September.

The meetings are being held at the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott, 5008 Corridor Loop Rd., Schertz, TX  78154.This location is at the Northeastern edge of San Antonio and is about 15 miles from the San Antonio International Airport on I-35. The meetings are open and are scheduled from 9:00am to 5:00pm daily. Visitors are welcome at all sessions.





Tater Tours is Planning to Feature South Central Region        

Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Missouri (with stop in Branson for a couple of days of walks and sightseeing)  Approximate Dates: September 27th – October 5th, 2012.  Fly into Tulsa, Oklahoma, and out of St. Louis, Missouri. Walk in Tulsa and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and then onto Ft. Smith and Little Rock Arkansas. Head North to Branson, Missouri, for a couple of days of walking, sightseeing and shows! Stop in Jefferson City, Missouri, for a Capital Walk and then end in St. Louis, home of the ARCH.

Tater Tours Contact Information:

Mary T. Ptacek
             2748 Canarsy Ct.
           Henderson, Nevada  89052

(702) 260-7333

E-Mail Address: mtptacek@msn.com

I plan to contact Mary to coordinate having as many South Central Region Clubs and Walkers meet the tour group at the locations of the various walks scheduled for our area.  There will be more information available on this subject  on future AVA.SCRD Blogs.

In General -
 Florida Volkssport Association (FVA) has a new website

http://www.walkflorida.org


There are obviously times when caution cannot guard you or your loved ones.  In many environs volkssporting is among the safest possible sports in which to participate.  There are areas in which we should, however, be hyper-vigilant.  In spite of the fact that the walkers taken from us this past week could not have prevented that event, it illuminates the need for each of us to plan to prevent accidents and to exercise volkssporting friendship when taking all roles as volkssporters.

Ken

It Truly Was A Dark Wednesday

     

IN MEMORY

Carol Lansing, Green Island, NY

Rosemarie Hume, Waterford, NY

Fran Pallozzi, Waterford, NY

It's Monday Again!

Did You Have A Good Weekend?  Did You Walk, Bike, or Swim?

Club Officer Email Addresses - please insure that each Club Officer has a valid email address in the AVA database. When the AVA sends the Checkpoint or other announcements, it is imperative that every Club Officer and Point of Contact can be reached. Clubs should forward emails to your entire Club Membership. Communication is the key to helping our great organization grow.



REMEMBER!  2012 Starting Point Photo Contest – Postmark Deadline August 17th -   Walking and Trail related Volkssporting photos in 5" x 7" color formatting should be mailed to AVA Headquarters, Attn: Candace Purcell. The person(s) submitting the front and back winning cover photos will receive a free copy of the 2012 Starting Point Book.  Remember to include the photo location, a brief description of the photo content and who submitted the photo - name, phone number and email address.

Year Round Events 2012 -  I have entered the information for renewals of your Year Round Events for 2012.  We have until the end of August to make any corrections on the information.  I would appreciate if the POC of each walk (and any other who wishes) look at this information and let me know of any corrections to be made. Corrections such as typo errors, spelling, correct English, special events, times, directions, addresses and any thing that might look different to you. To check these entries, go to www.AVA.ORG , click on Find Walking Events on the left side of page. Then click on Find Walk Events at top of page. Under state, put in your own, and under Event type, put in YRE's and then search. Then look for the events that start January 1, 2012, and click on it. Then take a look at the information and correct that which needs corrected.  Let me know ASAP if you need my help to get something corrected.

Ken 

. . . And This is Just the First Week of August!

October is National Volkssporting Month – Clubs remember that if you are hosting an event in October, the AVA has the NVM Patch available for purchase.  Clubs may copy and use the following form is to order NVM Patches.  The form is also available as an attachment to the August Checkpoint.

2011 National Volkssporting Month

Patch design courtesy of Dorm Batson, Northwest Region

October is National Volkssporting Month. Below is a copy of the 100% embroidered patch. If your club is hosting an event during the month of October and would like to order the patches, please fill out and return the order blank below.  We need to receive the order at least 30 days prior to your event date. Orders will be filled on a first come first filled basis.

Mail form to AVA, 1001 Pat Booker Rd, Suite 101, Universal City, TX 78148, or fax form to 210-659-1212. You may also place your order by email at Kevin@ava.org. Be sure to include all information requested below.

__________________________________________________________________________

AVA Club Name and AVA Number

__________________________________________________________________________

Street Address (for mailing the patches)

__________________________________________________________________________

City/State/Zip Code

_________________________________________________________________________

Person to contact for questions/problem Telephone Number (please include area code)

__________________________________________________________________________

Email Address

Please reserve _________ patches for our event(s) to be held on ______________________________

Your club may place reorders on a first come first served basis until supply is exhausted.

I understand that our club account will be billed $2.00 each for these patches (20% discount does not apply). I further understand that there are no returns or refunds for unused patches. No shipping charges apply.

__________________________________________________________________________

Printed Name Signature Date

( ) Please bill my club ( ) Payment enclosed Amount $ ________________

Please charge my:( )Visa ( )Mastercard ( )Discover ( )AmericanExpress ( )DinersClub ( )CarteBlanche

Card#:____________________________________________________
Exp. Date:_________________

Signature:

__________________________________________________________________________

Submitting late "Traditional" ESRs -  If submitted less than 90 days prior to your Traditional Event, please contact the SCRD, Ken Miles, AND the Headquarters Events Coordinator, Marie Bebley, at Events@ava.org. Reports are run to assign Traditional Event stamps and if your Event is submitted late and misses that report, your Club will not receive an automatic event stamp. Clubs that do not contact the AVA in time for regular mailing will be charged the UPS fee to get the stamp to them in time.


     Ken



Think 70 Degrees!

E-Postcard Reminder -   must be completed between July 1 and November 15, 2011 if your club comes under the AVA’s 501(c)(3) umbrella. All clubs with income under $50,000 are required to file this postcard. Be sure to use the EIN# for your club and not the AVA’s. If you don’t know what it is, contact Events@ava.org. Information on how to file are posted to the home AVA web page www.ava.org under the AVA Clubs Only area, E-Postcard Filing Help link.

Convention Cow Race Final Final Standings  -  Late contributions had the lead changing hands a bit, but the final  contributions put Messy (Glen Conyers, SCRD) well into the lead.  Final standings - 1.Messy (SCRD) $1,171; 2.Bonnie Belle (NCRD) $875; 3.(tie) Kolorful Kow (SERD) & Dennis Van Gogh (Pres) $736; 4.Sammy (NWRD) $685; 5.The Colonel (SWRD) $664; 6.Dude (PARD) $470; 7.Mauvelicious (VP) $352; 8.(tie) Sarge (ATRD) & Moola (Treasurer) $255; 9.Mikey (RMRD) $185; 10.Cora Belle (MARD) $64; 11.Phil (NERD) $58; 12.Ghost (Sec) $0.

Post Convention Photos -  Share your convention fun and memories. Susan Pinneke has set up a shared album on the AVA 2011 Convention web site for you. The instructions for posting your photos are on the web site at http://www.ava.org/clubs/ava2011convention/index.asp

Ken

THE HOT, HOT, HOT SOUTH CENTRAL REGION

                  

TAW Deadline   for the October/November issue of The American Wanderer is August 25. All articles and photographs should be submitted directly to Laurel Parrott, Editor taw@bhi.com or mail to 3526 Humboldt Ave. N., Minneapolis, MN 55412. Be sure to include "TAW" in the subject line if emailing.

AVA/IVV Event Stamp -   A suggestion was made to remind Clubs of the impact of the motion approved that the "AVA Event Stamp may be placed in the AVA Distance Record Book each time an individual completes the distance of an AVA/IVV Event. The AVA Event Stamp may be entered in the AVA Event Record Book once each day an individual completes the distance of an AVA/IVV Event." This applies to each one of our events effective July 1, 2011. Remember to change the information sheet in your YRE binders to note event credit is available daily, and possibly tape brightly colored starbursts on each binder cover and inside the lid of each "walk box" with a similar message such as "AVA/IVV Credit now may be placed in your AVA/IVV event record book daily!". The more participation, the more we grow.



Annual Financial Report and Worksheet -  is required by November 15 from all Clubs to Headquarters. Recently the form was revised to include Name of Other Non-Profit Entity if not under AVA tax umbrella and Clubs EIN#.   Please include both pages of information and both President/Secretary must sign.

Ken