I think on-stage nudity is disgusting, shameful and damaging to all
things American. But if I were 22 with a great body, it would be
artistic, tasteful, patriotic and a progressive religious experience.
--Shelley Winters
Who starts a
naturist club?
While naturist clubs have sprung from
a wonderful variety of beginnings, and many have not survived, the
surest start is with a small and dedicated group. And this approach
holds true whether the club is to be a co-operative or an ownership
venture.
But then, who starts this group? That
is where you need a few dedicated naturists, ones who feel sure that ,
if there is ever to be a club in their locality, it is up to them to
get it started. These are the ones that are thoroughly convinced that
naturism is an important part of their lives – a lifestyle that is
well worth whatever sacrifice and effort is necessary to live it as
fully as possible. Others will then become interested when it becomes
apparent that something is really going to happen. A group of a dozen,
more or less, would be about the best number for a start. You will
certainly need ability to share and, as well, possess among you some
talents for organizing, writing, keeping records and, above all, a
good measure of common sense. You will also need to be able to accept
that, as your group develops, there will come others who will build on
your efforts and in time assume leadership roles.
Founding members will therefore need
some time together to get to know each other, to assess talents and
resources and to find out who are the leaders and who prefer to be
supporters. And just who will be your leaders? They will be the ones
who readily assume responsibility, who will find the needed
information and are prepared to act on it. They too will be the ones
who will draw others into discussions and activities, and as well make
sure that they also have their share of fellowship and fun.
But to avoid domination by a few
strong individuals through this process, your group should utilize a
"round table" discussion format at which each person is in an equal
position to comment on any topic. This is a very successful
arrangement for group participation, especially for integrating new or
not so outspoken members. And only when general consensus on any issue
is not apparent, should a vote be taken.
You will certainly need some persons
who are willing and feel quite comfortable to go fully public with
their support of
the naturist lifestyle. This may not
be possible for all members, even of a founding group – some are bound
to have certain limitations. Nor can there be any resentments within
the group over this matter. It's like working on a high building –
some enjoy the heights and its challenges, others do great work in
laying the foundations.
Very important too, for your naturist
group to prosper, there must be a prominent and integral proportion of
females, especially in leadership roles. Not only does an equal
balance of men and women present your most publicly acceptable
appearance, it offers by far the best prospects for good and balanced
judgements within your group. Equally important, especially for a
founding group, is real experience in social nudism. Preferably this
should be some time spent in naturist resorts, a vacation or two at
least. The more clubs, resorts and nude beaches you have visited, the
better you will be equipped to decide what will be the most suitable
prospect for your group and your locality.
Out of all this must come an
indication of what type and size of club should be your ultimate aim.
Certainly this training period in simple democracy is much needed
before engaging in the stress of making this choice and then going on
to the more demanding matters of developing and maintaining the club
operations in an orderly and financially competent manner.
The experience of the past decade has
shown that the most readily accomplished form of organization is a
travel club. This is also by far the simplest and least costly form
and requires no assets other than the group's personal talents.
Financial costs are usually limited to a petty cash fund to cover
costs of mailing and reservation charges for use of commercial
facilities. All other costs are covered by the membership on pay as
you go charges for each activity. Of the five latest groups to form in
Ontario, three have been travel clubs and, although a new phenomena to
this region, they have been instantly successful and are enjoying
rapid growth.
Then, as any travel club grows and
matures, it has established a solid membership base which is vital if
the ultimate wish is to find land and develop and maintain permanent
club facilities.
While operating a co-operative club
demands more personal and financial commitment from its membership,
there is no problem of owner succession or unwelcome changes in its
naturist concepts or business operations. And nothing more brings a
membership together in good fellowship than the necessary working and
sharing for the common good of the club.
For an ownership club, the time spent
as part of a group will be most useful to the prospective owner in
assessing the group's commitment to becoming a stable supporting
membership and its potential for future growth. It will be the owner's
most important market survey to evaluated whether all the necessary
investment and work will be worthwhile. And it will provide him/her
with valuable training cooperating with a group and understanding
their interests.
Even if the owner should consider
developing a club as something of personal activity/hobby of sorts, it
still must be financially stable. Continued financial losses will
surely lead to early discouragement for even the most dedicated and
enthusiastic naturist. Equally important, potential owners should
realize that operating a naturist park will never be a high profit
venture at the best of times. Their efforts should, of course, be
adequately rewarded, but the simplicity of naturist recreation leaves
little scope for high profits.
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