Thanks to everyone for your professional knowledge and
resources.

We seem to have bad luck with the USPS.  I am hearing
from a co-worker that in the past when we collaborated
with for-profit businesses (what we in the biz call
donors) for a specific event, thus the donors were
acknowledged on our direct-mail piece, the USPS
threatened to take away our non-profit bulk rate
permit if we try to do it again.  Even though there
are no "ads", and it is a fundraiser for the museum,
the USPS seems to think we are advertising for the
businesses. For those of you interested, I have
attached the disputed text of the denied piece below.

The final answer we received from the USPS on my post
to the list is that since every org. on the mailing is
a non-profit and has a bulk permit we are fine.  That
is the last time I listen to the person at the
counter.

Again, thanks for your comments,
Amy

"Join the SBRMA For...A Fine Sampling
Fine Art, Fine Wines and Fine Food
Fine wines and beer provided by CITY WIDE LIQUOR
30 Different Wineries & 25 Different Breweries
Represented
Gourmet delights provided by LA SALLE GRILL"

-The USPS would have been fine if we would have
switched "provided by" with "supported by".  However,
the main attraction of the event is that these very
reputable businesses PROVIDED the refreshments.

--- [log in to unmask] wrote:
> This sounds absurd--they are not "profiting" by
> charging admission.
> Charging or not charging admission does not define a
> non-profit
> organization, generating income that exceeds
> expenditures does.  Can't the
> postmaster in your area set them straight?  Or will
> it take the IRS?
>
> Carolyn Breedlove
> Kent Plantation House
> Alexandria, LA
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Amy Kleinert <[log in to unmask]>
> To: [log in to unmask]
> <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: Thursday, February 01, 2001 7:02 PM
> Subject: US post office&non-profit bulk rate
>
>
> >I am not the postal expert in our office, but find
> the
> >policies to be confusing and, at times,
> contradictory.
> >Here is my question, and I would love it if someone
> >could help us to find the right answer -- not the
> >answer that the postal person working at the time
> we
> >bring the mailing in thinks it should be.  And,
> with
> >this latest mailing, two of them could not agree!
> >
> >I am sending out a direct mail piece that promotes
> the
> >events of a community-wide collaboration.  About 20
> >organizations are participating, all non-profits.
> >They are social, religious, and cultural
> >organizations.  The events are symphonic and choral
> >performances, film series, plays, exhibitions,
> >workshops and more.  Some charge a fee for tickets
> and
> >other events are free. The Post Office claims that
> >because the others are profiting off the mailing,
> we
> >cannot use a non-profit bulk mailing rate.  I did
> not
> >list ticket prices, only the info to call for
> ticket
> >information.  Any thoughts?  The other
> participating
> >organizations will want to use the bulk rate for
> this
> >piece as well.
> >
> >TIA.
> >Amy Kleinert
> >South Bend Regional Museum of Art
> >
> >
> >=====
> >Life beats down and crushes the soul and art
> reminds you that you have one.
> >-- Stella Adler
> >
> >__________________________________________________
> >Get personalized email addresses from Yahoo! Mail -
> only $35
> >a year!  http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/
> >
>
>=========================================================
> >Important Subscriber Information:
> >
> >The Museum-L FAQ file is located at
> http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may
> obtain detailed
> information about the listserv commands by sending a
> one line e-mail message
> to [log in to unmask] . The body of the
> message should read "help"
> (without the quotes).
> >
> >If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one
> line e-mail message to
> [log in to unmask] . The body of the
> message should read "Signoff
> Museum-L" (without the quotes).
>
>
=========================================================
> Important Subscriber Information:
>
> The Museum-L FAQ file is located at
> http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may
> obtain detailed information about the listserv
> commands by sending a one line e-mail message to
> [log in to unmask] . The body of the
> message should read "help" (without the quotes).
>
> If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one
> line e-mail message to [log in to unmask]
> . The body of the message should read "Signoff
> Museum-L" (without the quotes).


=====
Life beats down and crushes the soul and art reminds you that you have one.
-- Stella Adler

__________________________________________________
Get personalized email addresses from Yahoo! Mail - only $35
a year!  http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/

=========================================================
Important Subscriber Information:

The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes).

If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).