FBG - Newsletter

	FREE BEACH News
	May - June, 1997
	FREE BEACH GROUP Inc
	PO Box 30 099 LOWER HUTT

Nominations & Remits Now is the time to submit nominations for the 1997/98 National Committee and Remits for the 1997 AGM. Our Constitution includes provision for the election of members of the National Committee by postal voting, and this begins by the calling for nominations. Enclosed with this newsletter is a Nomination Form for the purpose of submitting nominations for the National Committee. Positions to be filled include President, Secretary, Treasurer, and up to five other committee members. As stated in the Constitution, the Vice President(s) are appointed by the new Committee. All nominations must include the name of the person nominated, the nominator and the seconder, and the signatures of all three members. If you wish to submit a remit for the 1997 AGM, now is the time to submit it. Remits should be supported with an explanation, name and signature of the proposer and seconder. To ensure that all members have an opportunity to participate in the affairs of The Group, the Constitution states that the quorum includes proxies, which enables members who cannot be present at the AGM to express their wish by a postal vote. So that all members have equal rights, only published motions will be accepted for voting at the AGM. Nominations and Remits must be received no later than 31 May 1997. Any nomination or remit which does not meet these requirements will not be accepted. Remits, valid nominations, and short biographies will be published in the July-August newsletter plus voting slips. The results of the election will be published in the September-October newsletter in time for the Annual General Meeting. Proxies and votes will be carried over to the AGM.		*National Committee* President John Groombridge 04 589-5461 Vice PresidentJackie Caldwell (North Island) Vice PresidentJoyce Fleming (South Island) 03 322 7990 Secretary [ Barry Marten ] 04 567 5216 TreasurerJohn Groombridge 04 589-5461 Members Ian Bushett04 237-0193 Linda Geeves04 478-4820 John Lowe06 752-7915 George North06 Correspondence should be mailed to the official FBG address

		LOCAL CONTACTS Auckland Alison & Graham 09 817 8266 Tauranga Ted Lidgard 07 542 2344 Waikato Roger Morris 07 856 8857 Taranaki John Lowe 06 752 7915 Hawkes Bay Murray Ennor 06 879 6988 Sthn Hawkes Bay Hugh Bowles 06 374 6238 Wellington Meryl Baker 04 528 7010 Linda Geeves 04 478 4820 Christchurch Joyce Fleming 03 322 7990 Robin Gray 03 389 1919

It is intended that this Newsletter will be the forum for the expression of ideas, opinions, and criticism; and therefore may not represent official policy.


FREE BEACH News	May - June, 1997				Page 2

Comment

The editorial in the last issue showed that a few basic legal matters need to be re-emphasized.

In an Incorporated Society, the society itself becomes a legal identity ie the society as a whole is responsible for its actions as against the individuals/officers being personally responsible. It also means that the officers speak for the group.

There are legal requirements, one of which (Section 22 of the Incorporated Societies Act 1908) requires that every society shall keep a register of all its members. It must show the name, address, and occupation of each member, and the date they became a member.**

The officers (and members) of an incorporated society are protected by the society as long as they carry out the wishes of the members. These are usually defined by the constitution and resolutions at an AGM etc. If any officer/member breaches the rules, they are not protected and are personally liable.

A good example of this is the members' directory. This states quite clearly "Confidential to those members listed". If anyone causes either directly or indirectly for anyone not listed to see it, they are acting against the society and personally responsible if legal action etc. was taken. Having said this, I regard the members list as interesting and invaluable in contacting like souls and would want to see it retained in its present form.

In one of the organizations I am in, the treasurer released the members list to another organization. She was personally responsible for that as she had not even obtained permission from the committee for her action.

Unless an action is extremely serious, a motion of censure is usually appropriate. Anyone can have his/her objection to a motion/action recorded in the minutes, but having said that, they are bound to carry out the wishes of a duly constituted meeting.

Quote of the week:
"I've always figured that if the Good Lord had meant us to be naked, he would have sent us into the world that way."

Gordon Sim

** This paragraph has been edited to conform with Clause 22 of the Act.

October 1996: Mr Sydney Rewhiti (Registrar Wellington) confirmed that a persons' address on legal documents only requires the name of the town/city where me person lives; ie the street etc. is not required. In fact, there is other legislation (eg domestic violence) which specifically provides for the privacy of all other address details. Mr Rewhiti also volunteered that the occupation was required only of those members who applied for the initial incorporation of the society.

April 1997: I phoned me Registrar again to question the requirement for recording members occupations, and in the absence of Mr Rewhiti the Assistant Registrar, Donna Cherrington read the Clause and confirmed what Mr Rewhiti had told me.

John Groombridge, Editor

Members' Directory

Elsewhere in this newsletter, John Lowe proposes changes to the Members' Directory, and his desire to develop a new computer database program.

The Members' Directory is a list of members who have elected to be listed in the Directory. The information sought for inclusion in the Members' Directory is additional (voluntary) data which is not "essential" to the administration of The Group.

The business of The Group requires a minimum of essential information, namely:

the name of the member
the postal address of the member
the name of any sun club the member is also a member
the year the member joined
the financial (subscription) status of the member

The Privacy Act requires that we give an explanation for any personal information sought by The Group, and requires that we do not reveal any of this information without the member's consent. The information listed above is used by the Treasurer and Secretary to record new members, subscription renewals, mail newsletters, to conduct elections, and any other administrative duties. This data is mandatory and confidential. The additional data for the Directory is voluntary and is supplied only by members who have applied to be listed in the Directory.

It would appear that now would be an appropriate time to have two separate databases, one a simple administrative (confidential) database for the use of the Treasurer and Secretary, and another dedicated database (containing voluntary information) which can be designed and modified to suit John's ambitions.

Separate databases would have the added advantage of reassuring members who wish to have their data be kept confidential.

Members are encouraged to comment on John's proposal. For example, do you agree with the idea of classifying members by age and/or marital-status? Some male members have a spouse/partner who does not belong to The Group; is this member a single or couple? ... a spouse could be excused for being dubious about either designation.

John Groombridge

Are you a Knurd or a Neerd?

Back in the late '60s and early '70s there became a need to define a type of person who was anti social, study nut, non drinker - in fact, the total antithesis of the partying type. A reverse drunk - spell it backwards and you get knurd. Within ten years this term, which was later re-spelt "nerd', became part of the language.


DEADLINE for the next FREE BEACH News will be 10 June, 1997


FREE BEACH News	May - June, 1997				Page 3

CHRISTCHURCH NEWS

The Woodend Beach get-together was the best we have had this season, maybe because of having had few FBG events on the calendar, or maybe because of uncongenial weather conditions. That pesky wind just kept on blowing: cold north-easterlies or gusty nor'westers blowing the sand about. Better luck next year!

About thirty people turned up at Woodend on March 15th, including seven children belonging to three different families. Next year we will have some of our outings on Sundays to provide for people who have other commitments on Saturdays.

Has it been so windy in other parts of New Zealand? I think the best sport for us Cantabrians would be kite-flying, so we'll put that on the agenda. You think I'm joking? ...

Saturday April 5th was another warm but windy day. The journey to Tumbledown Bay was well worthwhile. Eleven of us with Fred Bear occupied the western side of the bay, while two families of "textiles" plus a large dog cavorted happily on the opposite side. We thought we sighted a fellow nudist among them, but a closer look through the binoculars revealed the person in question to be a woman wearing a flesh-coloured one-piece bathing suit.

Role-reversal joke:

One nudist to another: "Hey, Fred! Take a look through these binoculars. There's a woman wearing flesh-coloured togs!"

At low tide we played petanque on the firm sand. Steve generously brought along his canoe and life jackets, but the only one who had the nerve to use it - besides Steve - was Ken who, on the outgoing tide, paddled away into the distance and disappeared beyond the headlands, never to be seen again. No, I'm only kidding. Let's just say we were glad when he re-appeared. The water was cold. Ten- year-old David was the only one who ventured in further than the knees.

Some of our members report having missed each other at the car-pool meeting place, or having failed to connect at Taylor's Mistake. The answer is simple: the yellow flag is our visual password. So if you haven't yet got a flag, I have them for sale at $6 each.

Some of us have been to Mapua Leisure Park during the summer and made new friends. The hoped-for FBG forum did not materialise as people went at different times. Being clothes-optional, Mapua is the ideal place to advertise FBG. I had permission to put up a home-made poster which included a photo of a woman on the beach at Camp Bay, wearing nothing but a very large hat and displaying a Fred Bear flag. The poster gives contact phone numbers in Christchurch as well as the North Island FBG address. I was somewhat taken aback to receive a phone call from a bloke on the west coast wanting to meet the woman on the poster. I replied that we are an incorporated society, not a dating agency! Looks as though I'll have to change the poster to something more representative. In the meantime, it has brought in a few other enquiries, but of course we are at the wrong end of the season. An FBG (S.l.) report has been submitted to the NZ NATURIST magazine to appear in the "Club News" section.

WINTER PROGRAMME, 1997

Saturday, 7 June: Get-together 6.30-8.30pm at the Wharenui Indoor Pool & Recreation Centre, Elizabeth St., Riccarton. Includes AQUACISE session at 7.00-7.45pm and use of supper-room facilities. Please bring a "plate." Adults $4, Child $2, Family concession $10. We will be inviting Sun Club members to join us for this recreational evening. Family & friends welcome. Clothes optional.

Our regional committee has been tossing around other ideas for the winter programme. Robin will be organising a fun evening at the BOWLERAMA, Sockburn - a great opportunity to bring along partners & friends for a "textile" social evening. The cost of $15 a head includes two games (10-pin) & a tasty supper.

We hope to enjoy the hospitality of the Canterbury Sun Club for spa/sauna/table tennis when this can be arranged.

How about a day trip to Hanmer hot pools? No definite dates as yet, but we'll be phoning round everybody to estimate your support.

HOWEVER, the WHARENUI POOL session is DEFINITE, so please mark it on your calendar now - 6.30pm, 7 June.

Joyce


FREE BEACH News	May - June, 1997				Page 4

Wellington Notes

Swim Nights

There has been a change in the date of some of the "regular" monthly swim nights. The May, September and November swim nights will be on SATURDAY nights.

Otherwise be there every second Sunday of each month until November. Bring a friend, food for the barbecue, and have a good time.

Upside-Down Christmas

This years winter solstice celebration will take the form of an out of season Christmas, hence the Upside-down Christmas title.

The upside-down festivities will be preceded by a midwinter swim for those wishing to brave the elements. This event will take place at the East end of Petone Beach around 6pm.

The festivities will take the form of a Pot-luck shared meal; so bring something for the table, and if it has a Christmas touch, all the better.

Also, each person is requested to bring a small novelty gift-wrapped present (no more than $3 - $4) for Santa's sack; the presents will be drawn at random from the sack during the evening. This could be very amusing entertainment, so use lateral thinking when choosing you offering.

During the evening you may enjoy a soak in the spa pool, or sunbathe in front of the fire, sipping mulled wine; the choice is yours, but do come along, bringing something to hep add to the evening.

Where? 27 Porutu St, Lower Hutt

(refer to map on the Wellington Calendar)

When? Saturday, 21 June

For more details, phone: Barry Marten, 04 567 5216

Easter at Rotota

An early Easter, and perfect weather saw FBG invaders (18 in all), converge on Rotota Sun Club from all over the North Island. Some of us arrived Thursday night to enjoy an extra day.

On Saturday night we enjoyed musical entertainment including an old favourites sing along around the piano. Sunday night, after a magnificent shared tea, a PJ called PJ staged a pounding of the boards by young and old alike, to the sound and flashing lights of an amazing disco.

Thanks to all at Rotota for their hospitality, a lovely holiday.

Meryl Baker

PS: I heard a rumour that with renovations, Rotota needed to move and relocate a "Loo" - with an FBG member still in residence!

Auckland Activities

Swim Nights

Hibiscus Coast Sun Club swim nights on the last Saturday of each month, 6pm 'till midnight at Palm Springs, Parakai, near Hellensville, $8 per adult. Take your own food and drinks, or buy it there.

Spa and Sauna

The Auckland Sun Club invites visitors to their spa and sauna evenings, held every Sunday from 4pm to 7pm; cost $2-50 per person. Take your towel and FBG membership card. For more information phone 09 814 9973.

Fernland Hot Pool

Reminder that Rotota Sun Club invites members to the Tauranga Hot Pool Day at the Fernland Hot Pool, Cambridge Rd, Tauranga, 11am to 3-30pm Saturday 10 May.

Cost $4 per adult and $1 for school children. FBG membership card or INF Passport will be required for entry. Lunch and refreshments may be taken into the pool area, and a pot-luck dinner will follow in the evening, (a $2 donation per adult to cover costs of hall hire).

For more details phone Graham Macgregor at 07 578 1302 (evenings) or fax 07 587 1822.

Queensland News

Traven Searle, past President of FBG-NZ, has been elected Secretary/Treasurer/News Editor of the Free Beach Association of Queensland.

In the latest issue of The FREE BEACHER, Traven reported on the positive response he has had from his use of the NZ FBG Fred Bear flag at the beach. The interest is generating enquiries which could easily be converted into new members for FBAQ by handing out information brochures.

The recent AGM spent considerable time discussing various logo ideas and these will be further refined by the new committee. A stylized sand crab with Akubara hat and sunscreen at the ready seemed to have much appeal.

Remember, when you are getting kicked in the rear, it means you are out in front.


FREE BEACH News	May - June, 1997				Page 5

Notice of a remit for the next AGM

It is intended to set up a new (Windows^TM) membership database system ready in time to avoid the year 2000 problem! This presents an excellent opportunity to re-think the value and use of our whole system as it has evolved over the years. The committee would like to hear the views of the members, in this venture.

To this end, the committee give notice of the presentation of a remit to the next AGM, on which everyone will have the opportunity to vote - by post.

Please note that an entry for EACH item in the Directory will be VOLUNTARY (except for name and phone, of course).

So everyone can see how the information may appear in the Directory, a sample page of fictitious data is included. It anticipated that the page would be reduced to A5 (that is: reduced to fit sideways on a sheet this size, as is currently done with the Members' Directory.)

The proposed Directory Information Form, which would accompany a new, much briefer, Application Form, is also included for comment.

Please send your comments or suggestions to:

Free Beach Group Inc

PO Box 30-099

LOWER HUTT

The remit:-

Members are to be allowed to include the following details in the Members' Directory.

Category	Young	Family	Mature	Senior
Single	YS	FS	MS	SS
Couple	YC	FC	MC	SC

A new form of social-group category indication, after the name.
A change to the pre-selected interest categories to:-

(Swimming, Tramping, Boating, Photography, Conversation, Reading, Music, Computers).

Inclusion of the preferred beach; that is: the place the member most commonly uses - if any.
The children (names and ages) under 16 that may accompany the member(s) to the 'beach'.
A new entry: the member's 'occupation' (subject to confirmation via the next renewals).
A new entry: an e-mail address (which could be broadened to an alternate phone, etc.)
A box to request a Membership Card (for the Application or Renewal Form).

Commentary on the items.

1. We used to have age groups, as a means to roughly hint at a social category. The new categories were suggested as a more empathetic method of indicating one's social situation.

2. Given the purpose of the Directory to be the promotion of communication among members, especially for outings; it was felt that more socially oriented options, reflecting members' actual interests; would be better than the current set. (Sunbathing, in particular, was a bit redundant!)

3. Some years ago, there was an attempt to group those in the Directory, by beach. (Here 'Beach' includes riverbank, lake-shore, backyard; etc.) This is intended to:-

• Help new people find out where, locally, they might be able to find a friendly face.

• Let us know where people go, especially if it's not on our current list.

• Facilitate: first contact - someone to go with - car pooling.

4. The list of children under 16 that may accompany you, is already included. (This item is specifically to encourage families to get in touch.)

5. The 'occupation' has been diligently collected since the inception of the FBG. We propose to check with each member intending to be in it, at the time of the next renewal, that it is okay to include our current record of this item in the new look Directory. The default will be: 'NOT included'. Note that this entry can be:-

• what you actually do;

• what you'd like to do (assuming some competence!) or

• what you may've done (not just: 'Retired' or 'Unemployed').

6. It is becoming more common for people to want to specify cell phones, e-mail and so on. This allows for that.

7. We wonder how many actually need the Membership Cards - so we want to trial making them available: on request; rather than automatically supplied, as at present.

In the new Directory Form, provision has been made for gathering as much information as may be helpful. However, in the shadow of the Privacy act, we will require the member to individually confirm each item's inclusion in the Directory. There are two exceptions: the name(s), obviously; and phone number. If either of those are blank, the default for that item will be used; providing, of course, that we have a signed form returned.


FREE BEACH News	May - June, 1997				Page 6

SUN LOVER: Making the most of a quiet day on North Shore's only nudist beach.

Council turns the other cheek on nudity

More than a blind eye is being turned to a North Shore beach used by nudists.

The beach is inside Auckland's most popular regional park - Long Bay.

The Auckland Regional Council put up a sign condoning nude sunbathing at the beach - despite its own by-laws prohibiting nudity on beaches.

Operations manager Digby Whyte confirms the regional council has a no-nudity policy, but says Pohutukawa Bay, a 30- minute walk into the reserve, has a long history as a nudist beach.

"In essence we have no official view," Dr Whyte says.

"We are open to most forms of recreation so long as they can work compatibly together.

"We don't rigorously look to prosecute people. Where people are able to participate compatibly then all we look to do is help facilitate that."

Dr Whyte says the sign makes it clear to beach-goers Pohutukawa Bay is the park's only "clothing optional" place and includes restrictions about walking on-the track.

"I suppose it is a warning for people walking along that track that they could come across naked people in Pohutukawa Bay.

"It is so they can make choices ... I guess it is saying we are not going to rigorously police an area that no one minds and is well Out of the way."

Police monitor behaviour on beaches in North Shore and confirm they have been turning a blind eye to Pohutukawa Bay.

However, two women officers who make up a mounted-patrol do take their horses through Long Bay Reserve, police say.

One sun-lover on. the beach says he thinks the sign is a good idea although he is unsure what motivated it. He always covers up if women or children venture near and says it is up to beach-goers to be discreet.

He has been using the beach for around seven years and says that on a hot week day around 30 people could be sun-bathing without clothes at any one time, although that number would swell to around 100 in a weekend.

SELF EXPLANATORY: A warning for unsuspecting visitors.

FREE BEACH News

This Newsletter is intended to be an open forum and has been compiled from information supplied by members. If you have any topics of interest to share with others, or if you have any ideas or concerns, now is your opportunity to express them. All material contained in this Newsletter is Copyright. Editors wishing to reprint any item in part or whole are invited to contact the Editor for permission, and conditions which apply.

Contributions/correspondence may be sent to the Editor,

John Groombridge, PO Box 30-099, LOWER HUTT

Fred Bear