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New national naturist organisation for the 21st century

A new national naturist organisation will come into operation in January 2007.

"Committed to representing all UK naturists — club members, sun-worshippers, ramblers, cyclists and lifestyle advocates — and campaigning for ‘Nude Acceptance' on all beaches, and open spaces, Naturists UK will meet the needs of naturists and clothes-freedom advocates for the 21^st century", says founder Richard Collins.

"Principally web based, Naturists UK will provide comprehensive online facilities to promote beaches, clubs and swims through interactive guides where members can publish their own visit reports, comments, rate facilities, and raise awareness when a problem arises such as those experienced on Ainsdale, Fraisthorpe and Perran. It will even boast a comprehensive database of MPs and police forces to facilitate lobbing and reporting problems, and keep members informed of developments in our campaign to have our freedom recognised consistently across the country."

"While not necessarily encouraging everybody to go naked to their local supermarket, we have to ensure that when 900 naked cyclists are given a police escort in London, a lone individual naturist on a deserted Merseyside beach is not persecuted unfairly."

"Freedom with responsibility not repression"

"Too many perpetuate the myth that "other people will be offended", when in reality this is seldom true. We want to dispel these myths and ensure our rights are respected"

Working with existing clubs and other organisations — corporate membership will be the same low £40 pa as for families and only £20 for swim clubs and individuals — Naturists UK will facilitate effective communications, provide information and support. We will aim to channel available effort to where it's most needed and propagate the BUG — beach user group — model, that has worked so well on Studland and Eastney, around the entire UK coast.

Through a custom designed database, fully-integrated with a forum/personal messaging system, it will be possible to set up a BUG within minutes of a pro-active beach user — a BUG ‘champion' — coming forward, and alert other members to its existence. Each BUG will be autonomous with its own area on the Naturists UK website and with funding available where needed. Localised leaflets based a national model will be available printed direct from the site or sent out for local distribution. Leaflets will be designed to ‘educate' — alert the reader to beach etiquette — and provide information on who to contact when a problem arises. That means our members can work with local authorities — rather than be their target!

As mentioned, individual membership will be a low £20 pa, and those joining online will save the £4 joining fee. In response to feedback, members will also be able to pay monthly to spread the cost. We're already listening to our prospective member's ideas!

Naturists UK is a company limited by guarantee with a constitution closely based on a model produced by the new Community Interest Companies Regulator — thereby adopting ‘best practice' governance. All members can take part in the running of the organisation through the planned ability to vote online on the organisations business and proposals — throughout the year and not just at the AGM which will be open to all!

By volunteering to take on one of the many roles that will be created as the representation, campaigning and services develop, officers will also be voted in via the web site and all members encouraged to take an active interest. To ensure our officers have the member's best interests foremost in their minds, officers will be subject to election by ‘single transferable vote' each year; and nominations invited from all members, with existing officers required to declare their intention to stand before the close of nominations, to give other members the chance to consider standing.

Members can remain anonymous or choose to have their details listed in their local beach users or ‘active interest' group — available either to all members or to only those opting to join the same BUG or ActIG.

"Recognising that our members are our most precious resource, Naturists UK welcomes offers of support from all members whatever their walk of life — the only requirement is enthusiasm and a passion to get on and further naturism in the UK."

"'Meetings' will take place online, thus cutting expenses and allowing greater involvement and effectiveness of members, and more time enjoy the lifestyle!"

"We are also considering a programme of non-exclusive events and ways to encourage more to enjoy their local facilities — like swims — more often, through a member discount scheme designed to boost numbers and revenue to the swim to better cover costs and avoid losses."

Want to review our accounts? You'll be able to do that too as they'll be published live on the web and update automatically each time a new member joins!

Transparency will be our byword. Nothing will be kept from our members. Have an idea? It will be shared, normally within 24 hours, and given the support it deserves.

Like a new swim in your area?  Let us know and we'll help you to make the initial enquiries, provide an information pack to ensure you're not fobbed off, and help coordinate support from others. We can't perform miracles — not yet — but we will make it easy for you to make an effective contribution and find what you want.

We hope to be attracting the many thousands who have been waiting to join a national representative and campaigning organisation in the UK.

Now they won't have to wait any longer.

E&OE