Recommendations Arising From Seminar
To reduce stress and make friendship a number one priority in our Clubs
Common sense and courtesy are the only rules Clubs need most of the time
To arrange social functions outside the club with other compatible clubs (such as sports clubs. Free Beach Group, etc) and likewise to make our grounds and amenities welcoming to others
Align ourselves with, subscribe to and support other health conscious and environmental groups
Demonstrate our awareness of the implications of depletion of the ozone layer. "Our leaflet entitled 'Good and bad effects of sunshine' to be widely publicised and distributed, stresses care and education of children in this matter
'Going for goals.' Much more use could be made of free beaches and sun clubs as tourist facilities. Nudism is widely accepted in Europe. We are part of the International Naturist Federation, a world network of clubs.
New member package. Support for this package was unanimous.
NZNF to consider whether General Meetings at Rally times are needed anymore.
The NZNF bi-monthly supplement July - August 1989
"Are we really what we say we are?"
Our National President June in her opening remarks at the mid year Seminar held in Christchurch over Queens Birthday weekend brought our attention to the fact that we have a twofold lifestyle. The practice of social nudity without clothes, ie: sport, recreation, social activities etc and coupled with this, the awareness and practice of healthy eating patterns.
This is proving to have a great effect on our behavioural patterns. By expounding and sharing our knowledge of diet and nutrition in relation to health we can come somewhere close to sorting through the maze of information given on these aspects and using it to our best advantage.
Several years ago I, like others would have scoffed at some of this information and several of us are still sceptical at some of the terminology given by some of the so called "experts". Until we as nudists begin to understand that what we eat has a profound effect on our health and behaviour then we will still suffer many of the consequences.
The seminar was given the title "The Way Forward" and in his address Norm Wilkinson drew our attention to the pioneers of nudism who exercised to music. You may well think that this is rather silly. But look how jazzercise and aerobics have taken off.
Which brings me to the question "why aren't more members of the nudist movement interested in getting fit?"
I addressed this subject second to our diet, not because I think it's secondary in importance, but more that it is a harder habit to form if neglected for some time.
So many nudists see the club as an escape from everyday life. But yet we still have according to statements made earlier in discussion groups an undercurrent of stress and tension. This could be alleviated by attention to our diet and fitness levels.
Our newly elected Canterbury Sun Club President Merv, commented favourably on our Annual General Meeting held the week before the Seminar weekend.
The success of this was attributed in no small way to several factors. The main one being that we left personalities out and instead addressed the issues, not trivia.
Another one of the comments made is that the public have a distorted view of what a nudist is. Is it any wonder, when the majority of nudists have no clear idea themselves. When we can all treat nudism as an interest in the same way as we refer to our involvement with the local drama group or tennis club, then we will enjoy a wider acceptance of the general public.
Kay Burrows, Member of Canterbury Sun Club and a keynote speaker at the 89 NZNF Seminar
"The Questions People Ask?"
"The questions people ask about nudism are as idiotic as they were twenty years ago," says Norm Wilkinson, organiser of the NZNF Seminar in Christchurch this year and hosted by the Canterbury Sun Club. The first question asked by a Wellington Radio station was, "What are you wearing?" Next came an interview by a local media student. "Aren't you rather cold?" she wondered; thus indicating the archaic image still held by many people regarding those whom they have labelled "nudists."
Unless, of course, such questions are intended as a friendly, if somewhat predictable, joke.
Sun clubs find themselves in a 'catch-22' situation. Fear of ridicule or disapproval tends to inhibit people from revealing that they are members of a sun club. We want the clubs to be known and respected like any other club. Our reticence is self-defeating.
"Radical changes are needed in our own attitude." said Norm Wilkinson, leading the discussion. "Open communication and acceptance by society at large can't be achieved by locked gates, endless rules and restrictions."
It was unanimously agreed that free beaches and dress optional holiday resorts such as Mapua be inter-related with sun clubs. They are a great breakthrough in the acceptance of nudism and a means by which many more people may discover the benefits and enjoyment of such a lifestyle.
