GREETINGS: I hope each of you had a wonderful holiday season.
Things were very busy around our house, as I am sure it was with each of you. Did you
achieve your walking goals last year?? Have you set new goals for 1999??
We already have 80 weekend events scheduled for the year. Last year, we sanctioned
around 140 weekend events. I hope we can exceed that number this year. We must be sure we
are not just going for quantity. Quality events are what brings folks back. If you can put
on an event that makes each participant want to come back and walk again with your club,
you have achieved the quality event goal. The quality of your brochures continues to
improve. Very few of you get forms back requiring corrections. Maps on brochures are one
of the most important items. They should be detailed and clear enough for a person to look
at while driving down the highway. As you do your map, ask yourself if you could find the
start from it if you were not familiar with the area. If the answer is "yes,"
you have a good map. Another problem frequently encountered is folks using an outdated
form. The forms are available on the AVA Website, http://www.ava.org/forms/handbook.htm,
or you can e-mail me and I will send you the correct form. The "Event Sanction
Request" is AVA From 402E (February 1998). The "Club Officer Update" is AVA
Form 201U (February 1998) The "Year Round/Seasonal Event Sanction Request" is
AVA Form 402Y(February 1998).
Thanks to each of you for the hard work you do to make Volkssporting a success in
TEXAS.
MEMORIAL EVENTS: The Memorial events in Fredericksburg were a great success according
to reports from those in attendance. Dick Trautman asked me to express his appreciation to
all of the workers at the event. Thanks for your help to make this event a great way to
remember those that have passed on and to start the new year on the trail.
REUNION EVENTS: The ANNUAL TVA REUNION EVENTS are scheduled for March 6/7 at Lake
Georgetown. Dick Trautman is the event director. He has put together 2 trails for your
enjoyment and fellowship. Dick needs workers from the clubs to make the walks a success.
Please contact Dick at 512-789-6402 or e-mail dicknjo@ix.netcom.com to volunteer.
SEMIANNUAL TVA MEETING: Just a reminder that the February 6 TVA Meeting will be in
Huntsville, TX. The meetings will be at the Chamber of Commerce, 1327 11th St. This is
across from the First National Bank.
The TVA Board Meeting will start at 9:30 AM. The General Meeting will be at 1 PM.
On Sunday, the Heartland Volkssporters will host a walk starting from 8 - 10 AM from the
Chamber of Commerce building. They will need a few volunteers for check points, etc.
Contact Charlene Foerster at 409-295-7058 or e-mail: cfoerste@lcc.net or me at e-mail
rxwd57a@prodigy.com to volunteer. I am enclosing the revised agenda with items submitted
since the last newsletter.
REGIONAL DIRECTOR: We have to elect a new regional director before the AVA Convention
in June. I am serving as head of the nominating committee for this. Jan Wahrer ph
972-240-2544, Frank Demoli ph 505-473-7991, Elayne Barber ph 512-834-0492, Alan Bath ph
713-665-2663 are committee members. We will be seeking candidates until February 15. At
that time, we will send out a mail ballot that is to be returned by April 1.
If you are interested in this position, please contact one of us.
AVA NEWS: Each club should receive a copy of the AVA CHECKPOINT each month. Please be
sure to read it carefully for items that may require your action. Be sure each of your
club members know that they can get 2 event credits this year for the YRE events. Until
July 1, the stamp will have a + with the year. On July 1, the clubs must cut the + off the
date slug so folks can get the second credit. Another deadline approaching is the
submission of applications for the AVA Club STAR AWARDS. The application must be in by
April 30 for the 1998 award. Presentation of the awards usually takes place at the AVA
Convention in June. A couple of other items for your attention is the request for
Convention help by the AVA Convention Committee. If you are going to convention, and are
willing to help, please contact Ginny Drumm by e-mail at rdrumm@one.net to volunteer. The
nominating committee for AVA offices is seeking persons interested in running for
President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. If you know of someone that is
interested, contact one of the nominating committee. Elaine Samus is the committee
representative for our area. Contact Elaine at 940-691-0584 or e-mail RXWD57C@ prodigy.
com with the information. Finally, the AVA is offering a special subscription rate of $15
to sign up your local library for a subscription to TAW. This is another opportunity to
help publicize our sport by getting a copy of TAW out to the public.
TVA EVENT CALENDAR: The latest revised sanction list is enclosed for your use in
scheduling future events. Many clubs complain about schedule conflicts. Please use this to
help avoid the conflicts. Also enclosed are copies of the brochures for the upcoming TVA
events. Please make copies as needed for your club.
Texas Volkssport
Association 
