BOSTON — The Mailing Industry Task Force reviewed its activities of the past year in a progress report at the Fall 2002 National Postal Forum here.
The task force was created to improve collaboration between mailers and the U.S. Postal Service and ensure continued growth and relevancy of the mail. The co-chairmen — deputy postmaster general John Nolan and Michael Critelli, chairman/CEO of Pitney Bowes — gave a joint presentation that included a recap of recommendations made last October in a task force report and the actions that have been taken.
Nolan said the task force has completed a test of the National Change of Address database. The test showed opportunities for improvement in identifying the differences between temporary and permanent as well as family and individual moves.
In addition, he said several recommendations have emerged on how the USPS uses its address database to forward mail, and how address correction information is solicited and captured. The recommendations include changes in field procedures, additional training for carriers and clerks and encouraging NCOA licensees and Coding Accuracy Support Software vendors to improve their address-matching software logic.
Critelli discussed the Mailing Industry CEO Council, a nonprofit group formed in June from a task force recommendation. He said the council would focus “on influencing public policy, and a coordinated approach to shaping the agenda for industry reform.” One of its first agenda items, Critelli said, is to take a position on the formation of a presidential commission on postal reform.
The council will do limited advertising and public relations in the future, Critelli said, targeting legislative and governmental decision makers.
