NARA Press Release

Press Release Tracking

Singapore November 8, 2004
Baltimore November 11, 2004
NORTH AMERICAN RESTROOM ASSOCIATION (NARA) LAUNCHED
WILL PRESENT AT WORLD TOILET ORGANIZATION (WTO) MEETING IN BEIJING

ASIA, UK ALREADY HAVE ASSOCIATIONS; US; CANADA PLAY “CATCH-UP”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
November 8, 2004 Steven Soifer, Ph.D. 443-756-0670
Jack Sim. President WTO

Singapore – – The World Toilet Organization (WTO), sponsors of the World Toilet Summit in Beijing Nov. 17-19 and World Toilet Day November 19, has a new member – the North American Restroom Association (NARA), just founded in Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
“It’s about time that the U.S. and Canada caught up with the rest of the world,” states Steven Soifer, Associate Professor of social work at the University of Maryland, and co-founder of the new organization. “Many countries, especially in Asia, have associations sponsoring better, cleaner toilets, and yet North America has never had such a group,” says Soifer. The mission of the new organization is to advocate for improved, modern restroom design and availability for the general public and in institutions like schools. Its goal is to change restroom design and availability in North America to provide more privacy, comfort, and sanitation by keeping abreast of the newest technology and design for toilets/restrooms. It hopes to serve as a clearing house for companies and individuals promoting these products and designs and to develop lines of communication with mall and building managers, architects, builders, manufacturers, vendors and other groups which can change restroom design.

Robert Brubaker, Executive Director of Metroped’s Public Restroom Initiative, and Jasmine Schmidt, Director of Education for the Simon Foundation for Continence, will present a paper entitled “The Code and Practices of Toilets in the U.S.A.” at the Beijing Summit. David King, an executive board member of the International Paruresis Association, will represent NARA at the conference.
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NORTH AMERICAN RESTROOM ASSOCIATION (NARA),INC.
1609 Sulgrave Avenue, Floor 2
Baltimore, MD 21209
www.americanrestroom.org
1-800-247-3864 / 410-601-0027 / fax: 410-601-0035

NORTH AMERICAN RESTROOM ASSOCIATION (NARA) LAUNCHED
WILL PRESENT AT WORLD TOILET ORGANIZATION (WTO) MEETING IN BEIJING

ASIA, UK ALREADY HAVE ASSOCIATIONS; US; CANADA PLAY “CATCH-UP”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 11, 2004

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Steven Soifer, Ph.D. 443-756-0670

Baltimore – – The World Toilet Organization (WTO), sponsors of the World Toilet Summit in Beijing Nov. 17-19 and World Toilet Day November 19, has a new member ? the North American Restroom Association (NARA), just founded in Baltimore, Maryland, USA (website: www.americanrestroom.org).

“It’s about time that the U.S. and Canada caught up with the rest of the world,” states Steven Soifer, Associate Professor of social work at the University of Maryland, and co-founder of the new organization. “Many countries, especially in Asia, have associations sponsoring better, cleaner toilets, and yet North America has never had such a group,” says Soifer.

The mission of the new organization is to advocate for improved, modern restroom design and availability for the general public and in institutions like schools. Its goal is to change restroom design and availability in North America to provide more privacy, comfort, and sanitation by keeping abreast of the newest technology and design for toilets/restrooms. It hopes to serve as a clearing house for companies and individuals promoting these products and designs and to develop lines of communication with mall and building managers, architects, builders, manufacturers, vendors and other groups which can change restroom design.  Robert Brubaker, Executive Director of Metroped’s Public Restroom Initiative, and Jasmine Schmidt, Director of Education for the Simon Foundation for Continence, will present a paper entitled “The Code and Practices of Toilets in the U.S.A.” at the Beijing Summit. David King, an executive board member of the International Paruresis Association, will represent NARA at the conference.

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AMERICAN RESTROOM ASSOCIATION (NARA) FACT SHEET

1. What is the North American Restroom Association (NARA)?

The North American Restroom Association (NARA), is a nonprofit organization that is presently a tax-exempt (501c3) subsidiary of the International Paruresis Association (www.paruresis.org). Its mission will cover issues relating to:

· Restroom Design
· Restroom Availability
· Health Impact Clearing house
· Restroom Technology
· Municipal Friendliness rating.

2. When and Where was NARA Formed?
NARA was incorporated in the state of Maryland, USA in September 2004. The organization held its formation meeting in October 2004, and has been meeting monthly since then.

3. Who belongs to NARA?
Current Principles of NARA include:

Steven Soifer Ph.D., LGSW: Exec. Dir International Paruresis Assoc, Co-Founder, NARA Bio Baltimore MD

Jack Sim President World Toilet Organization Singapore
Robert Brubaker, Director Metroped’s Public Restroom Initiative Alexandria VA
David King, pharmaceutical executive and Director International Paruresis Assoc
Tim Evans Leupold & Stevens restroom design Beaverton OR
Tom Keating: Coordinator, Project CLEAN Georgia
Tom Achatz: President International Paruresis Association
Millard Brooking Graphics Design and Computer support
Cheryle Gartley, President, Simon Foundation for Continence Chicago IL
Kathryn H. Anthony, Professor, Univ of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

4. How Can I Get Involved in NARA?

ARA’s website is www.americanrestroom.org.  To make a tax-deductible contribution, please go to or and specify your donation for NARA, Inc.