Hope All Had A Happy Walking Mothers Day!

THERE IS A NEW AVA EVENT BROCHURE CHECKLIST - Major changes include:  (1)  AVA Special Programs must be listed in the brochure,  (2)  Grid Coordinates of the walk location must be in the brochure (when available),  (3)  YRE/Seasonal Event must now list the host business hours along with any days closed,  (4)   If there is an alternate POC (and there should be one), that person's phone and email address must be contained in the brochure, and (5) brochures must contain statement indicating access to internet resources at www.ava.org.  The new checklist is located at http://www.ava.org/forms/AVAForm405EventBrochureChecklist.pdf.

AVA NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS WILL REPLACE THEIR OLD OUTDOOR SIGN SHORTLY -

American Volkssport Association

Minutes of a Special Online Meeting

Agenda Item #2-12

April 12, 2012

At the request of the President, Heinz Johnson, a Special Online Meeting of the National Executive Council XVII was held on April 12, 2012.

Special Online NEC Meeting

Introduction of Business:

          "I move that funds be approved to install a new outdoor building sign to identify the location of the AVA National Headquarters."

Summary of Proposed Action:

A building location sign was erected on the front of the building that we occupy for our national headquarters in 1993 at a cost of $1,068. This was a lighted sign (night time) that has fallen into disrepair and it has not been used in many years. Also, two trees have grown up that now completely block the view of the sign from the main street (Pat Booker RD) and the front parking lot.

           Our Acting Executive Director learned in late February that the Universal City Industrial Development Corporation (UCIDC) has a Storefront Improvement Program. The UCIDC will allocate matching funds to help cover the cost of business identification signage.

           To take advantage of this grant, a bid was obtained from a local sign company (FASTSIGNS) to install a new building identification sign and remove our old one for $4809.27. The size of the sign will be 36” (H) x 240” (W) and it will not be lighted. 

            [The] building landlord gave us clearance to install a new sign near the top of the west side of the building that would not be obscured by trees. It will be clearly visible from the street by east bound traffic. Our landlord also told us that we had to bear the costs for any wall repairs and painting once the old sign was removed. This is estimated to be $500 and it is not included in the FASTSIGNS bid estimate.

          Our Acting Executive Director submitted a project application to the UCIDC asking for matching funds for our new sign on 24 February 2012. The UCIDC approved our application on 23 March 2012 for a maximum reimbursement of $2,655. A stated condition is that we must begin actual work within 90-days of their award letter.

          [The] cost for the sign is estimated to be $2654.27. This includes the wall repair estimated cost of $500. Funds for this project will come from our savings account and this expenditure will be treated as an increase depreciation expense for fixed assets.

Submitted By: Heinz Johnson, President

Seconded By: Bob Morrison

    

The vote was:

    11    Yes (for)
      0    No  (against)
      2    Abstain (Two affirmative votes were received after the voting deadline)

Motion carried.

Bonnie Johnson                                     

AVA Secretary     

   Ken
                                      

Spring Walking!

DON'T FORGET CRYSTAL BRIDGES - From 8:00 to Noon tomorrow, the Ozark Hill Hikers bring us a walk featuring the NEW Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas.  Orchards Park, Bentonville, will be the Start Location and your walk will be rated 1A and meander through wooded areas around and near Bentonville's newest art treasure, Crystal Bridges Museum.  You can even grab lunch in the museum and take a tour after an exhilerating walk!  See you there! 


IVV CERTIFICATION STAMP HANDLING REQUIREMENTS-  AVA Headquarters has begun to more closely enforce AVA Policies concerning IVV Certification Stamps.   Please handle all IVV Certification Stamps with care or a damage fee of $15.00 will be billed directly to your Club account.  Damage is defined as:

  Stamp handle stained with Excessive Ink
  Writing on IVV Certification Stamp handle with permanent marker
  Holes drilled in the handle
  Labels/Tape left on IVV Certification Stamp handle

     Failure to pay damage fees can also result in delinquencies to Club accounts, which can carry further administrative sanctions for the Club. 

LOUISIANA'S STATE CAPITAL WALK - The Baton Rouge Striders Assn. has ceased to do business and obtained permission from the AVA to close it's YREs, including the Baton Rouge State Capital YRE No. 0628.  Efforts to find another sponsoring Club for that event have been unsuccessful.  Current plans to revitalize the event involve it being sanctioned by the South Central Region Director (ME!).  An event coordinator in Baton Rouge or some close city or town is being sought.  Should you know or have a connection with a person (maybe a walker) in that area, please contact them or put me into contact with them regarding this extremely significant role.  Realizing that the 50/51 (States/Capitals) Program is being devalued by the absence of walks in two State Capitals, I hope each of us feels it important to revitalize the Baton Rouge State Capital Event as quickly and deliberately as possible!

  Ken

Walking MAY Help!

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



CLUBS NOT UNDER AVA’S GROUP EXEMPTION - There are  many Clubs under a tax exempt organization's exemption or under their own that have not provided proof to the AVA from the parent organization of their exemption or provided their letter of determination from the IRS. This has been a one-time requirement to ensure that all Clubs are in compliance with AVA requirements; not providing this proof may keep the Club from voting at the convention and could cause a late fee for non-compliance with policy.  Should yours be a Club that meets this description of a "free-standing tax-exempt organization," please assure that a copy of the required documentation has been provided to AVA Headquarters and do so as soon as possible.

Ken

AVA 2013 Biennial Convention

IT IS OFFICIAL! - The 18th AVA Biennial Convention will be conducted during the period from Saturday, April 27, 2013, to Sunday, May 5, 2013 (the General Membership Meetings to be on Wednesday, May 1st, to Friday, May 3rd)(NOTE THE CHANGE OF DATES), at a Marriott Hotel Property in Orland, Florida.  The Convention Agenda is still under discussion and will likely be finalized during the NEC on July 6th and July 7th, 2012, which will, incidentally, be conducted at a Marriott Hotel Property in Orlando.  Upon the Convention Agenda being finalized, Event Brochures will likely be prepared quickly and hotel reservations, travel arrangements, and Convention Reservations will be in order.

ONCE AROUND THE WORLD - Bruce Kirk of the St. Louis - Stuttgart Volksmarch Club is a walker.  In fact, so great have Bruce's walking experiences been that he has rolled up over 24,950 miles.  Internet sources state that the circumference of the earth at the equator is 24,901.55 miles (40,075.16 kilometers).  Hence, Bruce has figuratively been "Once Around the World" at the Equator.  CONGRATULATIONS BRUCE!

 Ken

Weekend in Small Town Missouri

3 EVENTS IN AND AROUND SMALL MISSOURI TOWNS - The Missouri (U.S.) Highway 60 Multi-Event Weekend, sponsored by the Dogwood Trailblazers of Joplin, Missouri, promises to take us where we would rarely go, to three small (smaller and smallest) towns in rural Missouri. 

     Saturday morning, things kick off at 8:00 (Start Time open until 11:00 a.m.) at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 320 NW Washington, in the Christian County town of Billings.  An afternoon walk (Start Times from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.) on Saturday will be at Ozark Methodist Manor, 205 So. College, Marionville, in Lawrence County and also on U.S. Highway 60.
     There will be a Meet & Greet at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday at the Super 8 Motel, Monett, MO, 201 So. Hess Drive.
     On Sunday morning, April 22nd, at 8:00 to 11:00 a.m., you can start an 11km/7km/5km (rated 2A) walk from Monett City Park, U.S. 60 & Mo 37.
      Beautiful weather is forecast, so get out, join the walking Dogwood Trailblazers, and thank them for all of the work making your weekend much more pleasant!

CELEBRATE NATIONAL PARKS WEEK, FOR FREE - From April 21st to 29th, all 84 million acres of America's National Park System will be free to explore as parks around the country waive their entrance fees. What better way to celebrate Earth Day and the entire week that follows than to visit some of the most breathtaking and historically significant places in the country? Visit the National Park Service website for events and planning resources.


     Ken

Oklahoma's "Spring Fling"

10 EVENTS IN EASTERN OKLAHOMA - If you hadn't already been planning to attend the Oklahoma "Spring Fling" this coming weekend, you certainly should!  FOUR VMs are being offered, the first (on Saturday 8:00 to 11:00 a.m.) at the Strawberry Festival Gazebo, 2nd & Division Streets in Stilwell (Adair County), OK, the second (on Saturday Noon to 3:00 p.m.) at Tenkiller State Park at Gore (Sequoyah County), OK, the third (on Sunday 8:00 to 11 a.m.) at the Courthouse Gazebo, S.E. 2nd & Main Streets in Stigler (Haskell County), OK, and the fourth (on Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.) in Chadick Park Shelter, 5th Street & Chadick Ave., McAlester, OK.  Additionally, SIX SWIMS are being offered, three on Friday evening from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. and three on Saturday from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. in the heated pool of the Blue Ribbon Inn (Magnuson Hotel), 706 South Kerr Blvd., Sallisaw, OK. 

     TEN EVENTS, over 25 Special Programs Credits and the Oklahoma Clubs are looking forward to welcoming a few Members of the AVA NEC as well, so don't forget your Special Programs and SNOB Books.

EVENT SANCTIONING - An  Event Sanctioning Request (ESR) is to be entered into the AVA Electronic Sanction System (ESS) no later than 90 days before the proposed event. The Sanctioning Authority (the RD) will review all Event Sanction Requests to ensure they are complete and correct. The Sanctioning Authority must approve an event no less than 60 days prior to the proposed event; before September 30 for Year Round Events (YREs). Sanctioning Authorities may approve Sanction Requests with less than 90 days lead-time on case-by-case basis to meet special circumstances/opportunities. Such deviation must be coordinated with the Events Coordinator at AVA Headquarters to ensure timely delivery of the IVV Certification Stamp(s). YRE and Seasonal Events must be sanctioned by August 31 midnight to be included in the IVV Calendar of Events book. September 30 is the deadline to be included in the Starting Point book for 2013.

Ken

Its April; Volkssporting Weather

PRESIDENTS' DAY WEEKEND 2013 - Feb 15-18, 2013, in Orange Beach, Alabama.  Sponsors:  Georgia Walkers AVA-0178 and Capital City Wanderers AVA-0261. 

    
     14 Events (7 walks, 4 swims, 3 bikes).  More information available at: http://georgiawalkers.homestead.com

   
       The Hampton Inn and Suites Orange Beach/Gulf Front is the new Presidents' Day Weekend headquarters. The rates start at $79.00 for a king or 2 queen bed inland, $89.00 for 2 queen bed sideview and $129.00 for a 2 queen bed beachfront plus taxes. This includes breakfast.

      You may reserve your rooms now. The Hampton Inn and Suites Orange Beach/Gulf Front has set up a web site for registrations for Presidents’ Day Weekend for Feb 2013. This must be done before Jan 24^th, 2013. You may click on this link:

http://hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hp/groups/personalized/M/MOBOBHX-GAW-20130212/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id=POG

Or call and ask for group code GAW for all these numbers: Hampton Inn Orange Beach: Direct Number 1-251-923-4400, toll free number 1-855-468-9884 or Central Reservation number 1-800-HAMPTON.

CALL FOR CLUB AGENDA ITEMS - AVA Clubs are called to submit to their Regional Directors agenda items for consideration at the July NEC meeting. Club agenda items are due to their Regional Directors by Monday, May 7th.

TAW DEADLINE -  The June/July issue of The American Wanderer deadline is April 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.

     Ken