Category: Alliance Report

  • Asking For Important Data

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    by

    Steve Kearney
    in

    Congress and the Postal Regulatory Commission are attempting to make important decisions on the future of the U.S. Postal Service, its mailing industry partners, and its customers. Representing an important segment of customers who rely on the mail for their funding, the Alliance continues to make the case that better data is needed to make…

  • Member Spotlight: AARP

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    by

    Steve Kearney
    in

    We continue to recognize members supporting the Smithsonian National Postal Museum and their online exhibit, “America’s Mailing Industry.” This week, we would like to recognize AARP – a top 20 U.S. mailer, with the largest circulation magazine in the world – and the invaluable role that USPS mail plays in the success of their mission.…

  • USPS opposes and PRC agrees to deny customers’ requests

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    by

    Steve Kearney
    in

    The people who will be most affected by the Postal Regulatory Commission review of pricing this year, the customers, respectfully asked for a couple of changes to the process and additional information. The monopoly provider, USPS, objected vehemently, and the monopoly regulator, PRC, went along in denying all customer requests. Procedures To recap, the Alliance…

  • Alliance stands up against discrimination

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    by

    Steve Kearney
    in

    Recently, the USPS proposed new regulations governing the images and text that would be acceptable on customized postage issued by authorized vendors like Stamps.com and Zazzle. The proposed rule would impose glaring discrimination against nonprofit mailers who would like to continue using their images on customized postage. The Alliance of Nonprofit Mailers delivered a letter…

  • PMG: Trust us

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    by

    Steve Kearney
    in

    At the February 7 hearing on the House postal bill, Postmaster General Megan Brennan gave a very clear description of her policy toward future postage rate increases: trust us. As defined by Dictionary.com: Monopoly [muh-nop-uh-lee]  exclusive control of a commodity or service in a particular market, or a control that makes possible the manipulation of prices. an exclusive privilege to carry on a business, traffic, or service, granted by a government. the exclusive possession or control of something. something that is the subject of such control, as a commodity or service. a company or group that has such control. the market condition that exists when there is only one seller Ms. Brennan said more than once that she hopes the Postal…

  • It’s all about mail supporting good causes

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    by

    Steve Kearney
    in

    January 24, 2017 It’s all about mail supporting good causes Here at the Alliance, we like to remind ourselves often of our main purpose: helping nonprofits achieve critical missions. We also know that our readers are already bombarded with too much information, so we try to share important messages without overloading our members and supporters.…

  • Alliance motions

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    Steve Kearney
    in

    January 24, 2017 Alliance motions made on January 17, 2017 Alliance and MPA Request Changes to PRC Procedural Schedule RE: STATUTORY REVIEW OF THE SYSTEM FOR REGULATING RATES AND CLASSES FOR MARKET DOMINANT PRODUCTS The Alliance of Nonprofit Mailers, along with MPA, filed a motion to modify the procedural schedule that the Postal Regulatory Commission…

  • USPS pricing regulatory review

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    by

    Steve Kearney
    in

    January 6, 2017 Let the regulatory review begin–could have a big impact on nonprofit mailers We reported in our last issue that the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) began its review of how postage is regulated in the U.S. on December 20. Because postal mail is so critically important to the funding and missions of so…

  • Marketing Mail

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    by

    Steve Kearney
    in

    January 6, 2017 Marketing Mail change will be phased, have less impact After surprising mailers with the news that it intended to change the name of Standard Mail to Marketing Mail as a part of the 2017 rate change, the USPS has listened a bit to its customers. It issued the following announcement before Christmas:…

  • Important stamp information for nonprofits in 2017

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    by

    Steve Kearney
    in

    Stamps: Buy Forever by Jan 22; consider trying custom stamps; relief may be on the way for low denominations Postage stamps are important tools for many nonprofits. People tend to assume that stamps are only used by the ever-diminishing personal letter writer and bill payer. But nonprofits use First Class stamps on outbound letters and…