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I think payment options are a great idea. Most people aren't able to visit a place often enough to justify yearly membership. Also, many places I don't think know how to market themselves. I have seen some that won't update their facebook page or even their webpage on a regular basis. I even question when owners allow media to visit to do a report for local broadcast news. Usually it's done at naturists expense ranging from not taking it seriously to some snide remarks from the anchorperson.
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It would be amazing to see more places like Vera. And permenant residency is a fantastic option and way of having year round money. Some campsites are able to exist within the rule/law that people can only stay for so long but there may be options to apply for changes in that rule through local authorities.
We do think member levels/payment options would be great. Clubs boards seem to almost paraliyse themselves with admin - over justifying themselves maybe? Admin and red tape should be something that is minimalised and hidden. Those using the sites should find it as relaxed and pain free as possible. This is their free time - it has to be a pleasure! We have chatted with so many clubs over the years and it is amazing how many seem to over admin themselves. "Any social media posts we make have to be OK'd by the board." Give some one a role, set some ground rules and then trust them to do it. There is a feeling sometimes that if a door needs closing that the board would have to meet a week next Tuesday to decide, who will shut it, at what time and day and in what manner it should be shut. Maybe some clubs do not work like this - but some definitely do and it would be interesting to compatre those who over complicate things in relationship to those that are flourishing.
We have had clubs who have said - "it is part of our contract with the land owner that we do not promote ourselves"
We have had some clubs say "we only get members/we only advertise with in our national body" - we feel this is incredibly short sighted - yes you can insist that all members become part of the national body but these clubs should see it as part of their job to bring awareness of naturism into the local community and the internet, encourage new naturists to want to join them and then once they have inspired them say "join us and our national body today and get all of these perks etc" Clubs should be reaching out into communities like ANW and not just to find members but to also be part of a raising of awarneess of naturism. By relying solely on advertising within their national body they are allowing naturism to move in smaller and smaller circles and putting total faith for their future in both the drive of the national body, the advertising opportunities with in it and the spending power of their members and if the national body fails them who will catch them.
The process has to be working in both directions. The national body promotes naturism and looks for new naturists and then guides them actively to their local opportunities. The local opportunities spread the word of naturism and shows the genuine nature of what they do and their members and then feeds people into the national body. So both sides are promoting naturism to support each other and most importantly promote and grow naturism. ANW can work as a great middle man and resource both for people and for information sharing events, ideas, interviews, articles etc but there are other way - connecting with local people to raise money for a local charity, open days, teaching about naturism, helping to clear local woods - so many options. How about allowing certain groups (like a local school or "special needs" centre) to use the pool for a couple of hours each week. The members can be dressed for a couple of hours without much effort but the kind offer creates great public trust in the club and maybe some people then think well maybe we should look at returning during naturist times.
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While we are on the subject of people not wanting to join clubs because of over zealous rules - or simply not liking rules at all - do take a look at this topic
https://www.anaturistworld.com/forums/topic/98/what-core-rules-should-exist-for-naturists-clubs and also share your personal experiences with clubs here
https://www.anaturistworld.com/forums/topic/225/are-you-or-were-you-a-member-of-a-club-tell-us-about-it
and do look at this club poll and cast your vote
https://www.anaturistworld.com/poll-item/view/54
and also look at this topic
https://www.anaturistworld.com/forums/topic/226/i-am-not-part-of-a-naturist-club-because
and if you cannot find a local club do tell us about it here and maybe the forum can help
https://www.anaturistworld.com/forums/topic/227/help-me-find-a-naturist-club-to-join
This post was edited by
Anna ANW
at May 18, 2023 10:56 AM BST