Snow Leopard Needed

To really sync Exchange (Email, Contacts and Calendar) with Mac OS computers we need them to be running Snow Leopard i.e. Mac OS 10.6.x  Cost of the 10.6 upgrade is $29 if you were at 10.5.  Not sure if it is more if your OS X install is too old.

Once that is installed much like iPhone/iPod Touch OS 3.x it just works like magic.

Signage

Finally was able to get my head back around to the Easter Signage.  Designed a sign myself as time was short and the graphic design firm I was talking to may not have been even able to slot us any longer in time to make a deadline for Good Friday.  We ordered an A-Frame/Sandwich board/Standee and an extra print to go into the case & over the current sign letterboard/felt.

We still need a temporary 4x8 pole pocketed banner for the front area with general church info to be there temporarily as we try and raise funds for the new permanent sign.

I had to deep six the other more ambitious Easter plans for time and money.  Saving those ideas for the next round.

A-FRAME FINAL COST for purchase of A-Frame and 3 - 24"x36" prints was: $350 including $135 of that being for the A-Frame itself and $80/for signs when done on a longer lead time.  The A-Frame is reusable we can either create a  standard design with a "blank area in the middle" that we can then print and post or run entirely new signs from time to time.

YARD SIGNS for weekend post/take down:

Yard signs & wire stake
(25)   $30.78 ea. (plus tax)
(50)   $22.80 ea. (plus tax)
(100) $15.75 ea. (plus tax)


TEMP BANNER/SIGN -- to sink the cement boots, buy the pipes and print a 4' wide by 8' double sided banner with pole pockets is 776.80.  Replacement banners would be $480+tax and we could run them as needed after the permanent sign is made and installed.


Temporary Banner & poles
$ 603.00   (1)ea. 4'x8' banner & poles
    58.80    tax
  115.00    Install labor
$ 776.80

Fellowship One

Still trying to get that discussion moved to contract.  I hope to connect to the sales director as I don't want to have to pay an arm and a leg of "implementation" to get the Standard Plus level vs. Growth Plus.  Standard Plus has some additional features we might not use out of the box -- but would/should upgrade too in 90-180 days.

We'll see how they roll.

Configuration Gyrations on WP Mu

So it has taken the better part of two days to get things on the server straightened out.  The original install was quick but flawed and we needed the tech support folks at the hosting service to really understand the problem/s.

By the end of the day today they had gotten it 90% of the way there and then after I was busy tweaking -- some plug-in busted and is causing a minor issue.  I need c-panel access to the server as my only way to do anything is through the WP Mu Admin side -- and both to edit bad *.php files and also to manually upload and troubleshoot some themes and plug-ins.

Went ahead and had to purchase access to MP Mu Dev site for 3 months/$159 which gave me access to several new pay plug-ins one of which we really needed to get the "Blog Network" side of things running. They also offer tech support and advice live and on forums in addition to the plug-ins and templates.

I also went ahead and spent $65 to license the "Grace" template as the starting point of St. A's site.  It is traditional but it seems to fit closest to the aesthetics and the functionality we are looking for in a template.  It should do until we get a real design done by a designer.

So there are 4 unresolved issues in with the Alchemy tech support and hopefully those will be solved ASAP tomorrow so I can get Grace installed and I can get working on getting content and information into and organized on the new site.

Another 8x8 issue -- Outbound Caller ID

If we want all outbound calls to show the same caller ID it takes 5 days for that change -- option hidden under Account Info.  Otherwise it will show the name associated with an extension.

Phone number was ported, last minute fixes to autoattendant

So we went with a very minimal message to start with separating the individual boxes.  When Fr. Williams returns we need to go through the matrix I setup and decide what the rules are.  However, it is functional now with very few options.  Had to go back and add a hidden key for getting to VM remotely.  I also had to find the "if no button is pressed" forward to which is at the bottom of the list of Press X in the autoattendant configuration and looks identical to the number press options - just at the bottom of the list.

I had to go in to record a temporary message for Fr. Williams as he is out of town.

Spent part of the day dealing with voicemail / autoattendants

I helped configure a rudimentary autoattendant setup so that when AT&T releases the church's main line people won't go into thin air.  I wrote a more complex set of behaviors/logic but need the Rector around to work through the logic/steps.

I also had to be in the office to answer the verification calls for the broadcast voice mail providers so it shows the proper office number in the caller id.

Met with Diocese today..

Met with both Cannon Michael Barlow and Jim Forsyth today to talk about the work I've been doing.  The vendors/options I've selected and how that work may dovetail well in the work of Congregational Development/Missions and/or with other churches nearby in Oakland to do the phase 1 pilot project.  I need to come back with a specific workplan/propal so they can react to that as they were generally agreeable and understand the needs very well.  I will work on that over the next week and try and schedule a follow-up/demo for soon after that.

Broadcast VM Providers

DialMyCalls.com (-20% non-Profit Discount)

Cost	Number Of Credits	Price Per Credit
$10.00	140 Credits	7¢ Per Credit
$25.00	380 Credits	6.5¢ Per Credit
$50.00	825 Credits	6¢ Per Credit
$100.00	1800 Credits	5.5¢ Per Credit
$250.00	5000 Credits	5¢ Per Credit
$500.00	11,100 Credits	4.5¢ Per Credit

==========================

http://www.onecallnow.com/Religious/unlimited-monthly.aspx?vw=1

phone numbers in your calling list		silver plans monthly pricing	sign up now!		gold plans monthly pricing	sign up now!
25		$6.99	sign up »		$12.90	sign up »
50		$13.99	sign up »		$22.90	sign up »
75		$23.99	sign up »		$34.90	sign up »
100		$33.99	sign up »		$44.90	sign up »
150		$43.99	sign up »		$54.90	sign up »
200		$53.99	sign up »		$64.90	sign up »
250		$63.99	sign up »		$74.90	sign up »
300		$73.99	sign up »		$84.90	sign up »
400		$83.99	sign up »		$94.90	sign up »
500		$93.99	sign up »		$104.90	sign up »

=============================

CallFire

$0.035/per call/minute

==============================

http://phonevite.com/help/freevspremium.php

$0.05/per call 2 minutes max.

Fun with Mu

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Email Marketing Providers / Survey Providers

http://www.mailchimp.com
FREE for under 500 members on a list
$30/unlimited everything

https://www.surveygizmo.com/new-account/?page=mailchimp&ap=25168
Mailing List & Survey solution integrated -- 50% non-profit discount.

http://www.myemma.com/pricing.php
$249/setup + $X/month for email

Network For Good (powered by Emma)
Constant Contact
Vertical Response

Communications Configuration

As the communications systems are either very ridged or very loose at this church it makes it tough to implement tools like email distribution lists, web site and configure things like the phone system.  Sometimes there are very ridged lines and committee/s oversight that only a few people know about, other times it is adhoc or the Vestry who oversee but they only meet once per month normally.  In developing a communications plan and simplifying the process for certain things like approving use of Church facilities by groups inside the church --  we need an online system that can function and handle facilities scheduling.

I created an org chart to try and make sure organizations fell under the right hierarchy but really need to have it blessed and get some additional feedback so I can help make sure I configure things to help facilitate better communications.

I did create a distribution "Action List" that send to the Vestry Ex-Com, Judy and for the short term myself so that we can clear out and take to a point of resolution long standing complaints/issues/ideas people in the church have so we can track them to resolution which in many cases will be the "why" we can't or are not able to move forward but in an official response.  My hope is that this will help clear the deck of baggage so that we can help people begin to move forward.

Update

It took 3 hours to complete uninstall all Office related products from the secretary's PC and reinstall Office 2003 without Outlook and then Outlook 2007 from Comcast and get it installed. -- it took several reboots between each uninstall and reinstall    Machine booted fastest with no Office apps installed.

First launch was still 2-3 minutes for Outlook to open and sat at not responding.  I had to go into the control pane; then mail to delete the previous files/location by removing the profile.  Create a new profile.  Finally it did respond and I was able finish configuration but it took another 5-10 minutes.  Once that was done exited/closed and restarted and it came up quickly.

None of the above would have been requires except there was a bad install of Office XP/2002 and/or Office Publisher separately that was creating problems especially on a Windows VISTA PC.  The PC itself has 2GB RAM and a fair processor so this sloooooooooooooowness was software based.

I switched the DNS servers for the LAN connection to Google 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 and that seemed to also help.

I still need to install the 8x8 plugin for Outlook and lastly configure the autologin script I found which will help get it opened faster as well.

I'd been thinking along these lines for a bit...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jose-antonio-vargas/jumo-chris-hughes-faceboo_b_503720.html

Need to see where this project is really at.

Another day, another system

The 8x8 phone system is now partially configured.  All the extensions are up and running and Fr. Williams iPhone has the 8x8 app running on it.  We need to continue to configure the ring groups, auto attendant and then record the VMs.  We need to finish configuring it and record the outgoing announcements then it will be ready.

The office PC continues to be problematic that yes it is "newer" but it really is bottom of the barrel in terms of spec and especially since it is running Vista -- it seems dog slow.  Turning all the bells off -- it has been running better until I tried to install Outlook 2007.  It continues to "fail install" but Outlook is there and working but VERY slow to load.  However being very slow to start makes it frustrating as Judy's normal method has been to open / close email vs. leave it running for the day.

To fix, I need the install disc for the version of Office currently installed so we can uninstall and I ran reinstall without Outlook 200X and then install Outlook 2007 again fresh -- hopefully that fixes the problem.

We really need at least a second PC in the office so that Judy or the volunteer or even the Rector if he does not have his Mac can connect.

I spent a few minutes tooling around with Wordpress Mu to now understand you do not make changes to the root blog - deactivate or delete.  Also had issues that some setting in my Chrome browser is keeping me from being able to log in properly -- it just reloads the sign-in page.  Firefox works ok but need to get to the bottom of this one.

More CBT / LMS Tool Info

http://www.edutools.info/item_list.jsp?pj=4

Things are rolling

Last Friday the install of the new Internet Connection went in.  Friday afternoon and again on Saturday installed and cabled (temporarily cabled) up the new VOIP phone system and to move the router out of Fr. Williams room to put it near the copier.

Friday night and Saturday day I spent organizing and converting us over to hosted Exchange that came with the service and getting the details to Fr. Williams on configuring his iPhone and webmail.

Sunday tested out uStream on the network from Trinity including both broadcast and broadcast/record.
Yesterday I got the order in for the new phone system and configuration is scheduled for Wed @ 10AM + Got new dedicated server to run WordPress Mu selected and Alchemy has just completed the setup of the server.  I also sent all the information across to a potential graphic designer to get the Easter Campaign going as well as broader discussion on St. A's for work at a later date.  Also had further discussions with Fellowship One -- it would seem to be the best vendor for our needs for now to replace ACS need to walk Fr. Williams through what that means.

Today looking into Moodle and LMS again.  Wordpress and Fellowship One work.  Follow up with Graphic Designer and Sign/Banner issues.  Look at vendor for broadcast VM.

Tomorrow. Setting up the phone system and starting the number porting process with AT&T.

Research on Moodle Alternatives

Here is a April 2009 article on alternatives to Moodle...

http://barrysampson.com/2009/04/open-source-lms-10-alternatives-to-moodle/
http://docs.moodle.org/en/Using_Moodle_book

Holy Week Info

http://www.crivoice.org/cyholyweek.html

The Days of Holy Week

Dennis Bratcher

 Palm/Passion Sunday  Maundy Thursday  Good Friday  Holy Saturday

Holy Week is the last week of Lent, the week immediately preceding Easter or Resurrection Sunday.  It is observed in many Christian churches as a time to commemorate and enact the suffering (Passion) and death of Jesus through various observances and services of worship. While some church traditions focus specifically on the events of the last week of Jesus’ life, many of the liturgies symbolize larger themes that marked Jesus’ entire ministry. Observances during this week range from daily liturgical services in churches to informal meetings in homes to participate in a Christian version of the Passover Seder.

In Catholic tradition, the conclusion to the week is called the Easter Triduum (a triduum is a space of three days usually accompanying a church festival or holy days that are devoted to special prayer and observance). Some liturgical traditions, such as Lutherans, simply refer to "The Three Days."  The Easter Triduum begins Thursday evening of Holy Week with Eucharist and concludes with evening prayers Easter Sunday.

Increasingly, evangelical churches that have tended to look with suspicion on traditional "High-Church" observances of Holy Week are now realizing the value of Holy Week services, especially on Good Friday (see Low Church and High Church). This has a solid theological basis both in Scripture and in the traditions of the Faith. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the German theologian who was executed by the Nazis, wrote of the Cost of Discipleship and warned of "cheap grace" that did not take seriously either the gravity of sin or the radical call to servanthood: "When Jesus bids a man come, he bids him come and die."

It is this dimension that is well served by Holy Week observances, as they call us to move behind the joyful celebrations of Palm Sunday and Easter, and focus on the suffering, humiliation, and death that is part of Holy Week. It is important to place the hope of the Resurrection, the promise of newness and life, against the background of death and endings. It is only in walking through the shadows and darkness of Holy Week and Good Friday, only in realizing the horror and magnitude of sin and  its consequences in the world incarnated in the dying Jesus on the cross, only in contemplating the ending and despair that the disciples felt on Holy Saturday, that we can truly understand the light and hope of Sunday morning!

In observing this truth, that new beginnings come from endings, many people are able to draw a parable of their own lives and faith journey from the observances of Holy Week. In providing people with the opportunity to experience this truth in liturgy and symbol, the services become a powerful proclamation of the transformative power of the Gospel, and God at work in the lives of people.

The entire week between Palm Sunday and Holy Saturday is included in Holy Week, and some church traditions have daily services during the week. However, usually only Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday are times of special observance in most churches.

Palm Sunday (or Passion Sunday)

Holy Week begins with the sixth Sunday in Lent.  This Sunday observes the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem that was marked by the crowds who were in Jerusalem for Passover waving palm branches and proclaiming him as the messianic king. The Gospels tell us that Jesus rode into the city on a donkey, enacting the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9, and in so doing emphasized the humility that was to characterize the Kingdom he proclaimed. The irony of his acceptance as the new Davidic King (Mark 11:10) by the crowds who would only five days later cry for his execution should be a sobering reminder of the human tendency to want God on our own terms.

Traditionally, worshippers enact the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem by the waving of palm branches and singing songs of celebration. Sometimes this is accompanied by a processional into the church.  In many churches, children are an integral part of this service since they enjoy processions and activity as a part of worship. This provides a good opportunity to involve them in the worship life of the community of Faith. In many more liturgical churches, children are encouraged to craft palm leaves that were used for the Sunday processional into crosses to help make the connection between the celebration of Palm Sunday and the impending events of Holy Week.

This Sunday is also known as Passion Sunday to commemorate the beginning of Holy Week and Jesus’ final agonizing journey to the cross.  The English word passion comes from a Latin word that means "to suffer," the same word from which we derive the English word patient.

In most Protestant traditions, the liturgical color for The Season of Lent is purple, and that color is used until Easter Sunday. In Catholic tradition (and some others), the colors are changed to Red for Palm Sunday. Red is the color of the church, used for Pentecost as well as remembering the martyrs of the church. Since it symbolizes shed blood, it is also used on Palm Sunday to symbolize the death of Jesus. While most Protestants celebrate the Sunday before Easter as Palm Sunday, in Catholic and other church traditions it is also celebrated as Passion Sunday anticipating the impending death of Jesus. In some Church traditions (Anglican), the church colors are changed to red for thefifth Sunday in Lent, with the last two Sundays in Lent observed as Passiontide.

Increasingly, many churches are incorporating an emphasis on the Passion of Jesus into services on Palm Sunday as a way to balance the celebration of Easter Sunday.  Rather than having the two Sundays both focus on triumph, Passion Sunday is presented as a time to reflect on the suffering and death of Jesus in a Sunday service of worship. This provides an opportunity for people who do not or cannot attend a Good Friday Service to experience the contrast of Jesus’ death and the Resurrection, rather than celebrating the Resurrection in isolation from Jesus’ suffering. However, since Sunday services are always celebrations of the Resurrection of Jesus during the entire year, even an emphasis on the Passion of Jesus on this Sunday should not be mournful or end on a negative note, as do most Good Friday Services (which is the reason Eucharist or Communion is not normally celebrated on Good Friday).

Maundy Thursday, or Holy Thursday

There are a variety of events that are clustered on this last day before Jesus was arrested that are commemorated in various ways in services of worship. These include the last meal together, which was probably a Passover meal, the institution of Eucharist or Communion, the betrayal by Judas (because of the exchange with Jesus at the meal), and Jesus praying in Gethsemane while the disciples fell asleep. Most liturgies, however, focus on the meal and communion as a way to commemorate this day.

During the last few days, Jesus and His disciples had steadily journeyed from Galilee toward Jerusalem. On the sunlight hillsides of Galilee, Jesus was popular, the crowds were friendly and the future was bright. Even his entry into Jerusalem had been marked by a joyous welcome. But in Jerusalem there was a growing darkness as the crowds began to draw back from the man who spoke of commitment and servanthood. There was an ominous tone in the murmuring of the Sadducees and Pharisees who were threatened by the new future Jesus proclaimed.

Even as Jesus and his disciples came together to share this meal, they already stood in the shadow of the cross. It was later that night, after the meal, as Jesus and His disciples were praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, that Jesus was arrested and taken to the house of Caiaphas the High Priest. On Friday He would die.

There is some difference in the chronology of these events between the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) and John’s account (see Synoptic Problem). In the Synoptics, this last meal was a Passover meal, observing the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt when death "passed over" the Hebrew homes as the tenth plague fell upon the Egyptians. Yet, in John’s account the Passover would not be celebrated until the next day. And while the Synoptics recount the institution of Communion (Eucharist) during this final meal, John instead tells us about Jesus’ washing the disciples’ feet as a sign of servanthood.

In any case, this Thursday of Holy Week is remembered as the time Jesus ate a final meal together with the men who had followed him for so long. We do not have to solve these historical questions to remember and celebrate in worship what Jesus did and taught and modeled for us here, what God was doing in Jesus the Christ. And the questions should not shift our attention from the real focus of the story: the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Traditionally in the Christian Church, this day is known as Maundy Thursday. The term Maundy comes from the Latin word mandatum (from which we get our English word mandate), from a verb that means "to give," "to entrust," or "to order." The term is usually translated "commandment," from John's account of this Thursday night.  According to the Fourth Gospel, as Jesus and the Disciples were eating their final meal together before Jesus’ arrest, he washed the disciples' feet to illustrate humility and the spirit of servanthood. After they had finished the meal, as they walked into the night toward Gethsemane, Jesus taught his disciples a "new" commandment that was not really new (John 13:34-35):

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, you also ought to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

The colors for Maundy Thursday are usually the colors of Lent, royal purple or red violet. Some traditions, however, use red for Maundy Thursday, the color of the church, in order to identify with the community of disciples that followed Jesus. Along the same line, some use this day to honor the apostles who were commissioned by Jesus to proclaim the Gospel throughout the world.

The sharing of the Eucharist, or sacrament of thanksgiving, on Maundy Thursday is the means by which most Christians observe this day. There is a great variety in exactly how the service is conducted, however. In some churches, it is traditional for the pastor or priest to wash the feet of members of the congregation as part of the service (John 13:3-15). Increasingly, churches are observing some form of the Passover Seder as a setting for the Eucharist of Maundy Thursday (see Introduction to a Christian Seder and Haggadah for a Christian Seder). Some churches simply have a "pot-luck" dinner together concluded with a short time of singing and communion.

In some church traditions all of the altar coverings and decorations are removed after the Eucharist is served on Maundy Thursday. Psalm 22 is sometimes either read or sung while the altar paraments are being removed. Since the altar in these traditions symbolize the Christ, the "stripping of the altar" symbolizes the abandonment of Jesus by his disciples and the stripping of Jesus by the soldiers prior to his crucifixion.  This, like the darkness often incorporated into a Good Friday service, represents the humiliation of Jesus and the consequences of sin as a preparation for the celebration of new life and hope that is to come on Resurrection Day.  Some churches only leave the altar bare until the Good Friday Service, when the normal coverings are replaced with black.

However it is celebrated, the Eucharist of Maundy Thursday is especially tied to the theme of remembering. As Jesus and his disciples followed the instructions in the Torah to remember God’s acts of deliverance in their history as they shared the Passover meal together, so Jesus calls us to remember the new act of deliverance in our history that unfolds on these last days of Holy week (see Remember! A Service of Communion).

Good Friday, or Holy Friday

Friday of Holy Week has been traditionally been called Good Friday or Holy Friday. On this day, the church commemorates Jesus’ arrest (since by Jewish customs of counting days from sundown to sundown it was already Friday), his trial, crucifixion and suffering, death, and burial. Since services on this day are to observe Jesus’ death, and since Eucharist is a celebration, there is traditionally no Communion observed on Good Friday. Also, depending on how the services are conducted on this day, all pictures, statutes, and the cross are covered in mourning black, the chancel and altar coverings are replaced with black, and altar candles are extinguished.  They are left this way through Saturday, but are always replaced with white before sunrise on Sunday.

There are a variety of services of worship for Good Friday, all aimed at allowing worshippers to experience some sense of the pain, humiliation, and ending in the journey to the cross. The traditional Catholic service for Good Friday was held in mid-afternoon to correspond to the final words of Jesus from the cross (around 3 PM, Matt 27:46-50). However, modern schedules have led many churches to move the service to the evening to allow more people to participate. Usually, a Good Friday service is a series of Scripture readings, a short homily, and a time of meditation and prayer.  One traditional use of Scripture is to base the homily or devotional on theSeven Last Words of Jesus as recorded in the Gospel traditions.

Father, forgive them . . . (Luke 23:34)
This day you will be with me in paradise (Luke 23:43)
Woman, behold your son . . .(John 19:26-27)
My God, my God . . . (Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34)
I thirst.  (John 19:28)
It is finished! (John 19:30)
Father into your hands . . . (Luke 23:46)

Some churches use the Stations of the Cross as part of the Good Friday Service. This service uses paintings or banners to represent various scenes from Jesus’ betrayal, arrest, trial, and death, and the worshippers move to the various stations to sing hymns or pray as the story is told . There is a great variety in how this service is conducted, and various traditions use different numbers of stations to tell the story (see The Fourteen Stations of the Cross).

Another common service for Good Friday is Tenebrae (Latin for "shadows" or "darkness"). Sometimes this term is applied generally to all church services on the last three days of Holy week. More specifically, however, it is used of the Service of Darkness or Service of Shadows, usually held in the evening of Good Friday. Again, there are varieties of this service, but it is usually characterized by a series of Scripture readings and meditation done in stages while lights and/or candles are gradually extinguished to symbolize the growing darkness not only of Jesus’ death but of hopelessness in the world without God. The service ends in darkness, sometimes with a final candle, the Christ candle, carried out of the sanctuary, symbolizing the death of Jesus. Often the service concludes with a loud noise symbolizing the closing of Jesus’ tomb (see The Empty Tomb). The worshippers then leave in silence to wait.

Some churches do observe communion on Good Friday. However, traditionally Eucharist is not served on Good Friday since it is a celebration of thanksgiving.  Good Friday is not a day of celebration but of mourning, both for the death of Jesus and for the sins of the world that his death represents. Yet, although Friday is a solemn time, it is not without its own joy. For while it is important to place the Resurrection against the darkness of Good Friday, likewise the somberness of Good Friday should always be seen with the hope of Resurrection Sunday. As the well- known sermon title vividly illustrates: "It’s Friday.  But Sunday’s a’comin’!"

Holy Saturday

This is the seventh day of the week, the day Jesus rested in the tomb. In the first three Gospel accounts this was the Jewish Sabbath, which provided appropriate symbolism of the seventh day rest. While some church traditions continue daily services on Saturday, there is no communion served on this day.

Some traditions suspend services and Scripture readings during the day on Saturday, to be resumed at the Easter Vigil after sundown Saturday. It is traditionally a day of quiet meditation as Christians contemplate the darkness of a world without a future and without hope apart from God and his grace.

It is also a time to remember family and the faithful who have died as we await the resurrection, or to honor the martyrs who have given their lives for the cause of Christ in the world.  While Good Friday is a traditional day of fasting, some also fast on Saturday as the climax of the season of Lent.  An ancient tradition dating to the first centuries of the church calls for no food of any kind to be eaten on Holy Saturday, or for 40 hours before sunrise on Sunday.  However it is observed, Holy Saturday has traditionally been a time of reflection and waiting, the time of weeping that lasts for the night while awaiting the joy that comes in the morning (Psa 30:5).

Moving project management over to Many Moons

As several of these projects move from research and ideation into planning and because I'm juggling so many different balls simultaneous --- moving over to ManyMoon.com to handle task management and next steps for implementation.  Trying to keep this blog going as well because of the existing "tagging" and ability more easily share/track thoughts vs. tasks.

Peter

Book Trading Network

Trying to get kids reading in the city.  Honor system based lending and exchange/trade points at churches and other spots of books that have been "tagged" with a simple sticker that could be printed from any laser/inkjet.  So anyone could tag their own / favorite books and leave them at an exchange site or someplace out into the community (bus / bart / etc) with a tag saying you can return this to the nearest exchange site go to the web address.

Goal would be to have kids who may not have access to kids books and new kids books get them into their hands.   If they really loved a book they could keep it.  If they liked it they could be encouraged to write a message to the next reader and leave it inside (possibly on a bookmark).

Bulk Mail H*ll -- Can someone

http://pe.usps.com/businessmail101/getstarted/bulkMail.htm

What is Bulk Mail? Is it Right for You?

The term "bulk mail" refers to larger quantities of mail prepared for mailing at reduced postage. In Business Mail 101, the term "bulk mail" means commercial First-Class Mail and advertising mail (called "Standard Mail" by the Postal Service). Commercial prices are available for other classes of mail, too. The Postal Service uses the terms "bulk" and "presorted" interchangeably.

Bulk prices are discounted from "single-piece". "Single-piece" means that you pay the full postage price; when you put a stamp on a letter, you're paying the single-piece postage. Many mailers pay single-piece postage even though they are doing large mailings. Why? Because they don’t want to do any extra preparation work—they don’t have the time, or it’s just not cost effective for their business. Business Mail 101 will help you make smart choices about your own mail to determine if commercial prices are right for you.

What Are Commercial Prices?

The Postal Service offers discounts for bulk mailings because you do some of the work that otherwise would have to be done by the Postal Service (for example, sorting the mail by ZIP Code or transporting the mail to a different postal facility). Everyone benefits from this "work-sharing." Mailers make an investment in time and technology, and the Postal Service’s costs are reduced and you pay less postage.

In order to mail at commercial prices, you need to:

  Get a mailing permit (permission to mail) and pay an annual mailing fee.
Pay postage using one of several convenient methods: precanceled stamps, postage meter, or permit imprint.
Make smart choices about the size, shape, and weight of your mailpiece.
Ensure that your addresses are accurate.
Presort the mailpieces (separate or sort your mail by ZIP Code).
Take your mail to the Post Office where you hold your mailing permit.


The choices you make can result in significant postage savings. Click here for a discussion about the postage prices you'll pay.

Minimum Quantities for a Bulk Business Mailing

To qualify for certain postage discounts, you must mail a minimum number of pieces:

  500 pieces for First-Class Mail.
200 pieces (or 50 pounds of mail) for Standard Mail.
50 pieces for Parcel Select.
300 pieces for Presorted or Carrier Route Bound Printed Matter.
300 pieces for Library Mail.
300 pieces for Media Mail (formerly called "book rate").

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Current Pricing:

First Class
Letter & Large Postcard - $0.44
Postcard (Small) - $0.28

First Class Commercial/Business:

Letter & Large Postcard - $0.335 (Automation + Zip5)

Postcard (Small) - $0.205 (Automation + Zip5)

Letter & Large Postcard - $0.414 (Presort + Zip5)

Postcard (Small) - $0.245 (Presort + Zip5)

Standard Mail Nonprofit
LETTERS—CARRIER ROUTE & AUTOMATION
No Entry Discount - Saturation - Carrier Route - $0.110
DSCF - Saturation - Carrier Route - $0.067

LETTERS - NONAUTOMATION
No Entry Discount - Machinable - AADC - $0.155
DSCF - Machinable - AADC - $0.112
No Entry Discount - Nonmachinable - 5-Digit - $0.229
DSCF - Nonmachinable - 5-Digit - $0.186



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--Applying for a MAILING permit is different from applying for nonprofit mailing privileges. If you are a nonprofit mailer, first decide how you want to pay postage. Then apply for your mailing permit. Then apply for nonprofit mailing privileges. A postal employee can help you make sure you're taking the right steps in the right order.

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Definitions:

Automation–Compatible Mail - Mail that is prepared according to USPS standards so it can be scanned and processed by automated mail processing equipment such as a barcode sorter.


Presort - The process by which a mailer prepares mail so that it is sorted to the finest extent required by the standards for the price claimed. Generally, presort is performed sequentially, from the lowest (finest) level to the highest level, to those destinations specified by standard and is completed at each level before the next level is prepared. Not all presort levels are applicable to all mailings.

Presorted First-Class Mailing - A nonautomation category for a mailing that consists of at least 500 addressed mailpieces and is sorted and prepared according to USPS standards. This mail does not bear a barcode.

Presorted Mail - A form of mail preparation, required to bypass certain postal operations, in which the mailer groups pieces in a mailing by ZIP Code or by carrier route or carrier walk sequence (or other USPS–recommended separation).

Presorted Prices - A discounted price. In exchange for this lower postage price, mailers must sort their mail into containers based on the ZIP Code destinations on the mail.




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Mail Rate calculator:
http://dbcalc.usps.gov/CalculatorSetPage.aspx

Nonprofit Enhanced Carrier Route Standard Mail allows nonprofit organizations to save even more for bulk mailings weighing less than 16 ounces. All you have to do is sort mailpieces to the individual carrier routes within a 5-digit ZIP Code™.

Standard Mail requires a minimum of 200 pieces or 50 pounds per mailing. It can not be used for sending personal correspondence, handwritten or typewritten letters, or bills and statements of account. Prices are based on weight, shape, preparation, and entry. Automation prices are lower than nonautomation prices.

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http://pe.usps.gov/text/qsg300/Q240b.htm

Applying for a Permit Imprint

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http://pe.usps.com/businessmail101/postage/applyPermit.htm


How to Apply for a Permit Imprint

1). Download a copy of Form 3615, Mailing Permit Application and Customer Profile. Copies are available from your local business mail entry unit or Post Office.

2). Take your completed Form 3615 to your local business mail entry unit or Post Office.
Tip: Most permit imprint numbers are given out through the main post office in your area, which may not be the place where you’ll take your mail. Before heading out, call your local Post Office and ask where you need to take your application. Use the Post Office locator to find phone numbers and addresses.

3). At the post office, submit your Form 3615 and pay the permit imprint application fee ($185). This fee covers the costs of setting up an account in your organization’s name. This is a one-time only fee, and it is separate from the annual mailing fee.


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http://pe.usps.com/businessmail101/postage/permitImprint.htm


Permit Imprint

Permit imprint is the most popular and convenient way to pay for postage, especially for high volume mailings. Instead of using precanceled stamps or a postage meter, the mailer prints postage information in the upper right corner of the mailpiece. This postage block is called an "indicia." Here’s a sample of what a permit imprint indicia looks like. The indicia is printed onto each mailpiece.

To use permit imprint, you set up a postage account (called an "advance deposit account") at the Post Office where you’ll be depositing your mail. When you bring your mailing to the Post Office the total postage is deducted from your account. It’s like having a checking account at the Post Office.


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http://pe.usps.com/businessmail101/postage/precanceled.htm

Precanceled Stamps


Precanceled stamps are special stamps that come in small denominations and are specifically for Presorted First-Class Mail and Standard Mail mailings. Mailers apply these special stamps to envelopes at a lower postage price (say, 10 cents) and pay the difference when they drop off the mail at the Post Office. The business mail entry unit clerk can help you fill out your postage statement to calculate how much you still owe. You can pay that difference with a check, a meter strip, or through a postage account.

Precanceled stamps are available in four denominations:

25 cents for Presorted First-Class Mail only
15 cents for Presorted First-Class Postcards only
10 cents for Regular Standard Mail only
5 cents for Nonprofit Standard Mail only




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http://pe.usps.com/businessmail101/postage/precanceledPermit.htm


How to Apply For a Permit to Use Precanceled Stamps

Get a copy of Form 3615, Mailing Permit Application and Customer Profile. Copies are available from your business mail entry unit or local Post Office.
2. Fill out Form 3615. Check the box that says "Precanceled Stamp Authorization."

3. Turn in the completed Form 3615 at your local business mail entry unit or Post Office. There is no application fee to get a permit to use precanceled stamps. Before heading out, call your local Post Office and ask where you need to take your application. Use the Post Office locator to find phone numbers and addresses. You don’t need to fill out a new form, and there is no fee to amend Form 3615.


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http://pe.usps.com/businessmail101/postage/tipsPrecanceled.htm


Tips for Using Precanceled Stamps

Use these tips to mail successfully with precanceled stamps:

  Some mailers believe that envelopes with stamps get noticed and opened before other pieces of mail. You can use that to your advantage by using precanceled stamps to send your promotional messages.
Using precanceled stamps on your mail is an easy way to get started with bulk mail. Many first-time mailers use precanceled stamps.
Precanceled stamps come preprinted with the required rate markings. First-Class Mail precanceled stamps say "PRESORTED FIRST-CLASS." Standard Mail precanceled stamps say "PRSRT STD" or "NONPROFIT ORG."
Postage Statement: When preparing your mail, use the "postage affixed" postage statement (because you’ve already put some postage (but not all of it) on your mailpiece). The postage statement will help you figure out how much postage you still owe when you drop off your mail at the post office.
Your mailpiece MUST have a complete domestic return address, preferably in the upper left corner.
Some mailers establish an advance deposit account to pay the postage they still owe on their precanceled stamp mailings.
Mailpieces bearing precanceled stamps must be brought to the post office where you hold your permit. They CANNOT be dropped in a collection box or given to a carrier.
There are self-adhesive precanceled stamps.



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http://pe.usps.com/businessmail101/misc/nonprofitApplication.htm


How to Apply for Authorization to Mail at Nonprofit Rates

Get a copy of Form 3624, Application to Mail at Nonprofit Standard Mail Rates. The form also is available from your postmaster or local business mail entry unit.
     Form 3624, Application to Mail at Nonprofit Standard Mail Rates.
Fill out Form 3624. Lines 1-8 and Lines 10-17 are self-explanatory. For Line 9, check the category (ONLY ONE) under which you are applying.
Required documentation. You must submit some documentation with your application to support your claim for nonprofit rates:
Formative papers—e.g., articles of incorporation, constitution, or charter.
IRS letter of exemption from payment of federal income tax.
Other evidence of nonprofit status—e.g., a financial statement prepared by an independent auditor substantiating organization’s nonprofit status (statement must include balance sheets, notes, etc.).
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http://pe.usps.com/businessmail101/postage/annualMailingFee.htm


Annual Mailing Fee

Regardless of the method of postage payment you chose, if you mail in bulk you must pay an annual mailing fee (sometimes called a "bulk mailing fee"). This fee is separate from any other application fees or account deposits. You can pay via cash or check at the Post Office or BMEU. There is no special form to fill out.

Paying the annual mailing fee gives you permission to mail a certain class of mail from a certain postal facility for 365 days. For instance, you would need two different permits to mail First-Class Mail and Standard Mail bulk mailings from the same office.

You cannot mail in bulk until you pay your annual mailing fee.

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http://pe.usps.com/businessmail101/postage/mailingPermit.htm


Mailing Permit

A mailing permit is permission to use a certain postage payment method for bulk and discounted mailings. Instructions for applying for a mailing permit are included under each method of payment.

There is no fee to apply for a permit to mail with precanceled stamps or a postage meter.

There is a fee to apply for a permit to mail with permit imprint. This one-time only fee pays for setting up your permit imprint account. The permit imprint application fee is due when you turn in your application for a permit imprint.

You must hold a permit and pay an annual mailing fee at every Post Office where you want to enter and pay for your mail.

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http://pe.usps.com/text/qsg300/Q703.htm


Eligibility Overview (703.1.0)

Only qualified political committees, voting registration officials, and organizations that meet specific standards for qualified nonprofit organizations and that have received specific authorization from the USPS may mail eligible matter at the Nonprofit Standard Mail prices. Except for previously accepted mailings being deposited under a plant-verified drop shipment program (705.15.0), nonprofit mailings presented for USPS acceptance must include a properly prepared mailing statement bearing the national authorization number of the approved nonprofit organization. Pieces mailed at the Nonprofit Standard Mail prices must meet the general standards for Standard Mail (243.2.0 for letters, 343.2.0 for flats, 443.2.0 for parcels) and the standards specific to any other discount or price claimed.

Qualified organization: the organization is not organized for profit, and none of its net income inures to the benefit of any private stockholder or individual. Types of organizations that may qualify (703.1.2): religious, educational, scientific, philanthropic, agricultural, labor, veterans, and fraternal. Voting registration officials and national and state political committees may be qualified without regard to their nonprofit status.

Ineligible nonprofit organizations (703.1.4): service, social, and hobby clubs; citizens' and civic improvement associations; state, county, and municipal governments are generally not eligible.

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