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USPS Resources
TAWPI has coordinated with the United States Postal Services to provide the following USPS resources/information links to important postal information that may affect TAWPI members. Information at these links is maintained by USPS.
Visit the New Remittance Mail Web site at: http://www.usps.com/remittance mail/welcome.htm
Federal Register Notice on standards for Intelligent Mail Barcode.
The Postal Service published advance notice of revised of standards for Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMB) in the April 30, 2008 Federal Register (Volume 73, Number 84). Comments must be received on or before May 30, 2008. Click here to Read more.
Please join us for the Remittance Mail Advisory Committee (RMAC) meeting and luncheon
Date: Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Time: 12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m.
Location: TAWPI 2008 Forums & Expo, Pastoral 1-Main level of Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Orlando, FL
The RMAC meeting is an occasion for the Postal Service and industry experts to come together to discuss ideas, challenges and strategies and to share new information. This session will include several informative presentations on proposed postal initiatives and mailroom security.
The RMAC is an organization that collaborates with the USPS by providing short- and long-term recommendations for improving mail float and for identifying emerging needs in the remittance industry. If you are interested in attending the meeting, please RSVP by Monday, August 6 and provide the names of those from your organization that plan to attend.
If you have any questions please contact Susan Dudley at (202) 268-7438 or susan.dudley@usps.gov .
Invitation to become a Subcommittee Chair
The Remittance Mail Advisory Committee (RMAC) is an organization that collaborates with the USPS by providing short and long-term recommendations for improving mail float and for identifying emerging needs in the remittance industry.
Recently, the RMAC formalized the committee’s structure and expanded its membership. To better channel our efforts, we have identified three key areas of focus (1) communications, (2) performance metrics/certification, and (3) new technology, products and service. These subcommittees will be tasked with identifying and promoting the interests and needs of the membership.
We are currently seeking qualified individuals willing to chair the communications or new technology, products and services subcommittees. As the chairperson of a subcommittee you will be in the position to play a major role in improving the flow of information between the remittance industry and the Postal Service.
Your main function will be to guide discussions with subcommittee members leading to an open exchange of ideas and ecommendations for appropriate action. Meetings may be conducted at geographically diverse locations, via Web meetings or teleconferences. Each subcommittee will have a Secretary who will be responsible for the administrative tasks of the group.
Your commitment and enthusiasm will produce outcomes that are significant.
If you would like to know more about these opportunities, please contact Susan Dudley at susan.dudley@usps.gov or 202 268 7438.
We look forward to hearing from you soon!
Sincerely,
Charles Kelly
RMAC Co-chairperson
Prat Shah
RMAC Co-chairperson
REMITTANCE MAIL ADVSIORY COMMITTEE ESTABLISHES 3 SUBCOMMITTEEES
Meeting Notes
April 28, 2008
Industry Attendees:
Phil Ahwesh, Manager, Receivables Management Operations Network, PNC
Jody Berenblatt, Senior Vice President, Postal Strategy, Bank of America
Mike Bichler, Director, Solution Consulting, Symcor USA
Michael Freeman, Enterprise Network Operations Manager, Bank of New York, Mellon
Charles Kelly, President, RemitPros Consulting, LLC
Lex Litton, Senior Vice President, Phoenix Hecht
Robert Mancini, Vice President, Wells Fargo Bank
Clem Mazgelis, Senior Vice President, Product and Innovation, Bank of America
Frank Miles, Strategic Partner Manager for Remittance Processing, American Express
Ernie Rojas, Director, Postal & Industry Affairs, Pitney Bowes
Deb Slater, First Vice President, Bank of New York, Mellon
Wendy Smith, Assistant Vice President, Publishers Clearing House
Tim Sturman, Director, Operations, Alliance Data
Tynika Wilson, Manager, Remittance Processing, Navy Federal Credit Union
USPS Attendees:
Donna Coburn, Marketing Specialist
Karen Key, Manager, Expedited Operations
Robert Moore, National Accounts Manager
Mary-Anne Penner, BSN Service Improvement Team Leader
Lyn Seidler, Marketing Specialist
Prat Shah, Operations Specialist/Program Manager Remittance Certification
Chuck Steinau, BSN Service Improvement Team Analyst
Karen Tucker, Manager, Transactions & Correspondence
Ray Van Iterson, Strategic Planning Specialist
Welcome/Opening Remarks:
Charles Kelly, Industry Co Chair provided a brief overview of the RMAC and the meeting’s purpose including:
- Providing updates,
- Forming subcommittees,
- Selecting subcommittee chairs, and
- Determining the subcommittee initiatives.
Prat Shah, RMAC Postal Co-chair provided a brief update on the remittance mail processing site certification process. The validation of the proposed certification methodology is targeted for early June in Dallas. Once the process is finalized, 12 of the top 34 high volume remittance mail processing sites will be certified using local and area teams and the remaining 22 through self-audits. Other details include an action plan to correct any deficiencies with specific periods to correct identified items, seeding of mail pieces to track performance, audit processes and de-certifications and re-certification procedures to ensure that standards are consistently met.
Subcommittee Standards and Practices:
Mr. Kelly discussed the Subcommittee Standards and Practices including the responsibility for making recommendations for appropriate action and to carry out actions in their area of responsibility in promoting the interests and needs of the membership. It was emphasized that it is the responsibility of each individual subcommittee member to attend meetings, study agenda items, and contribute his or her own ideas to the committee's deliberative process.
Overview of Proposed Subcommittees:
An outline of each of the three subcommittees’ purpose and primary focus was presented by Mr. Kelly and Mr. Shah. Proposed topics for each group are listed below:
Communications Subcommittee
Proposed topics include:
- Communication of operational changes
- Area and District contacts
- Communication on PO Box procedures
- Identify and communicate remittance mail issues escalation process
- Suggestion of topics for future RMAC meetings
- Reaching out to American Bankers Association (ABA) and Financial Services Roundtable (FSR) via RMAC
- Publishing list of local Remittance Mail Councils (RMCs) and encouraging two-way communications
- Communication on Processing Site Certification process
- Office of the Inspector General (OIG) Disaster Recovery report
Performance Metrics/Certification
Proposed topics include:
- Review of Processing Site Certification process
- Share results of the Planet Code testing and seeding of the 34 highest remittance mail volume processing sites
- Compile and share a processing profile for the 34 sites noted above.
- Develop standards of remittance mail processing
New Technology, Products and Services Subcommittee
Proposed topics include:
- Unique identification and tracking of customer envelopes, including possible image scanning at each postal operation
- A USPS Courier Service
- Enhanced delivery scans, including confirmation of when a courier picks up the mail and also Express Mail scans
- Business reply Mail (BRM) processing and accounting improvements
In addition, this subcommittee requested presentations from postal experts on activities which could affect new products and services, such as the IMB, Seamless Acceptance, and Electronic Verification System (EVS)
Open Discussion:
Karen Key, USPS Manager of Expedited Products, delivered a presentation on enhancements planned for Express Mail and Priority Mail Reshipment Service.This service facilitates the redirection of mail from one address to another. Significant points of the enhancements include:
- Reshipment from a street address as well as a PO Box
- Frequency of reshipment established by mailer
- Assigned service type codes, Intelligent Mail Barcode, active and passive scan events, extract file for customer
- Web site
The group also discussed guidelines for future meetings. Suggestions include:
- No Mondays,
- 10am-3pm is a good time slot,
- At least one presentation on a postal initiative at each meeting, such as the IMB, new prices, PO Boxes, or Service Standards
- Subcommittee meetings will generally be held via Meeting Place.
Selection of Subcommittee Chairs and Members:
The following members were appointed to committees as noted below. Committee’s are still forming and are open to additional members. A final list will be shared once members and executive subcommittee members are selected.
Communications
- Chairperson-not appointed
- Secretary-not appointed
- Members- open
Performance Metrics/Certification
- Chairperson-Lex Litton
- Secretary-Lx Litton
- Members-open
New Technology, Products and Services Subcommittee
- Chairperson- Deb Slater
- Secretary- Lyn Seidler
- Members-open
Wrap Up and Next Steps
A number of items were noted for future action including:
- Committee members will email Susan Dudley at susan.dudley@usps.gov to indicate which subcommittee group they are participating in.
- Communications committee will work with Susan Dudley on developing content for next RMAC meeting scheduled at the TAWPI Forum in August in Orlando, FL.
- Committee chairs will provide committee schedules
- When available, USPS will provide committee members with the new service standards.
- Susan Dudley will create and provide a national list of local Remittance Councils and contacts.
By working collaboratively, this committee and postal management will be able to provide short-and long-term recommendations for improving mail processing and performance and for meeting the emerging needs in the remittance industry.
Subcommittee Standards and Practices
Authority
The Executive Board is the elected governing body of the Remittance Mail Advisory Committee membership. Subcommittees derive their authority directly from the Executive Board, and are advisory to it.
Committees perform specific functions mandated by the Executive Board. No committee has any authority beyond these limits without approval from the Executive Board. The Executive Board is responsible for, and has the authority necessary to supervise and correlate the work of every committee for the benefit of the membership.
Subcommittee Advisory Panels
Mandate
The Subcommittee Advisory Panels and Chairpersons are appointed by the Executive Board.
Responsibilities
Subcommittees are appointed to make recommendations for appropriate action and, under the direction of Executive Board, to carry out actions in their area of responsibility in promoting the interests and needs of the membership. It is the Executive Board’s responsibility to assess committee recommendations and to authorize action under the overall mandate of the RMAC Executive Board
.
Procedure for Recommendations
Subcommittee reports and recommendations shall be sent to the Executive Board in written form. If the Subcommittee Chairperson determines that a report must be presented in person, an appearance before the Executive Board will be arranged.
Committee Self-Rule and Regulation
The work process is a matter of mutual agreement; a Subcommittee must determine its own methods of working productively. A quorum, consisting of half of the subcommittee's roster plus one, is required for meetings of the subcommittee. Work may be completed and committee members may meet in an open quorum as determined by the Subcommittee chairperson. Each subcommittee is responsible for assignments, meeting places, agendas, minutes, etc.
Composition
Each designated Subcommittee Advisory Panel has four-eight members, including a subcommittee chairperson. Members serve two-year terms but may be selected to serve more than one term consecutively. If the committee is terminated for any reason, members may be requested to serve on other committees.
Chairperson
The Subcommittee Chairperson is appointed by the Executive Board. S(he) acts as liaison between the Executive Board and the committee and RMAC membership. The Subcommittee Chairperson is expected to have a reasonable knowledge of parliamentary procedures. A committee meeting should, however, be informal in nature. Chairpersons should encourage individual discussion leading to an open exchange of ideas. The Subcommittee Chairperson is responsible for appointing/electing a Secretary.
Secretary
The Secretary is responsible for taking notes at each meeting and forwarding them monthly to the Executive Board. In addition, the Secretary will maintain records of attendance, agenda items for follow-up, and sub-committee members assigned to specific tasks as part of the minutes.
Subcommittee Membership
It is the responsibility of the individual Subcommittee member to attend meetings, study agenda items, and contribute his or her own ideas to the committee's deliberative process. If a committee member fails to attend three consecutive committee meetings without being excused, s(he) may be dropped from the committee.
Remittance Mail Advisory Committee Meeting Notes
Nearly 30 senior industry executives and postal managers met at Postal Service Headquarters in Washington DC on February 1 to kick off the first meeting of the newly reorganized Remittance Mail Advisory Committee (RMAC).
The Postal Service provided an update to the recommendations previously submitted by the RMAC. Several of these recommendations were implemented, including the new remittance mail Web site on usps.com
http://www.usps.com/remittancemail/welcome.htm and a new USPS resources page on The Association for Work Process Improvement (TAWPI) Web site
http://www.tawpi.org/usps.html . One key RMAC recommendation under review is a process to identify, standardize and certify "Best in Class" remittance mail processing facilities. Postal Operations discussed the details of the process and a tentative implementation plan. In addition, Lex Litton, Senior Vice President, Phoenix-Hecht discussed the bi-yearly postal study.
Click here to download pdf of meeting notes
Remittance Mail Advisory Committee Recommendations Update
On July 17, 2006, the Remittance Mail Advisory Committee (RMAC) presented to the Postal Service several
recommendations to improve the alignment between the Postal Service and the remittance industry. RMAC
has three sub-committees: Communications, Performance Metrics, and New Products & Services. The
following table lists the sub-committees’ recommendations and the status of each.
Click here to download pdf of Recommendations
Remittance Mail Advisory Committee Election Results
The Remittance Mail Advisory Committee (RMAC) held an organizational meeting at Postal Service Headquarters in Washington, DC on December 4. The meeting included a call for nominations and elections of the Executive Board members. The RMAC Executive Board is comprised of both industry and postal representatives and is chaired jointly by the Postal and Industry Co-Chairs. Election results are as follows:
Postal Chairperson-Prat Shah, Operations Specialist/Program Manager Remittance Certification, USPS
Industry Chairperson-Charles Kelly, Senior Vice President, Remittance & Cash Vault Operations, Huntington National Bank
Secretary-Susan Dudley, Program Manager, Remittance Mail, USPS
Executive Board Members:
Lisa Caufield, Senior Vice President, GTS Product & Innovation, Bank of America
Lex Litton, Senior Vice President, Phoenix Hecht
Steve Nugent, Director, First Data Corporation
Karen Tucker, Manager, Correspondence & Transactions, USPS
Click here to download pdf of meeting notes
To learn more about the Postal Service's remittance mail efforts visit the USPS Remittance Mail Web site http://www.usps.com/remittancemail/welcome.html .
Remittance Mail Advisory Committee Releases Official Charter
The members of the Remittance Mail Advisory Committee (RMAC) Executive Board are pleased to announce the release of the committee’s official charter. The RMAC is an organization that collaborates with the USPS by providing recommendations for improving mail processing, performance, consistency, and for meeting emerging needs in the remittance industry.
Click here to review the RMAC's Official Charter
RMAC Meeting at the TAWPI 2007 Forums & Expo in Boston, 8-13-07
Click here to download pdf of meeting notes.
Remittance Mail Website
As part of our efforts to improve communications and share information, the Postal Service launched a new remittance mail Web site. Visitors to the Web site will find the latest remittance mail news and a seamless view of postal-related resources and related links. Commonly used information, including Post Office locations and weather related closings, is now easy to find online by visiting www.usps.com/remittancemail.
Fingerhut outbound billing and collection processes incorporates
the USPS’s Origin Confirm® service.
Click here to download pdf details.
Machine-Readable Postmark Date
Question: Some states are considering requiring utilities to use the postmark date as the date of receipt of a consumer's payment, presumably to protect the public from late fees if the utility delays processing and posting the payment in a timely fashion (and possibly if the USPS delays delivering the payment). Does the USPS have any initiatives under way to put a machine readable barcode containing a postmark date on an envelope when it is received by the USPS?
Answer: At this time, the Postal Service does not have any initiatives under consideration to place a machine-readable barcode containing a postmark date on an envelope when it is deposited into the mail stream. A possible solution for a machine-readable postmark is the data obtained from origin Confirm® service. With origin Confirm service the subscriber prints a barcode on the mail piece. Barring any mail piece quality issues, origin Confirm service can provide a scan showing the date/time at the first point of automated sorting of the mail piece. This is not a postmark but rather a way to obtain visibility of the mail piece. I cannot say whether this data will meet the requirements set forth by the pending legislation but it may provide you with an alternative.
Industry leader Praises USPS Remittance Mail Efforts
A representative from the Remittance Mail industry has praised progress by USPS in meeting service needs since a series of recommendations was issued by a joint Postal Service/industry group last July. "The industry is surprised at how far and how fast USPS has progressed since the initial RMAC recommendations presentation last summer," said Charles Kelly, Remittance Mail Advisory Committee Chairperson and Senior Vice President, Processing Services, Sky Financial Group. "It is clear that this effort is sponsored and supported at the highest levels."
USPS Conducts Second Review Meeting with
Remittance Industry Executives
On February 22, 2007, the Postal Service hosted its second review meeting with the remittance industry. More than 20 senior representatives from the industry and several officers from the Postal Service attended. This review included a presentation and open discussion on the National Remittance Certification Program for significant designating Remittance Mail processing plants as well as an update on several of the recommendations made by the Remittance Mail Advisory Committee (RMAC) in its report to the Postal Service in July.
The Postal Service is committed to strengthening its partnership with the Remittance Industry by developing service improvements and product innovations that are beneficial to our mutual customers.
Click here - Remittance Review Meeting Notes, 2/22/07 - to review meeting notes.
USPS Concludes First
Industry Review with
Remittance Mail Executives
More than 20 industry executives met in November with senior USPS officers during the first Remittance Industry Review.
Last July, the Remittance Mail Advisory Committee (RMAC) suggested the establishment of regular strategic business reviews. The advisory panel said the meetings would be an excellent way for the industry to share its ideas and concerns with USPS. The Postal Service saw the reviews as a means to strengthen its ties to the industry and to help generate new products and services tailored to its needs.
The initial meeting included a presentation by Postal Operations on the new Remittance Mail Processing Site Certification Program. Postal Operations is developing a standard certification process, which follows "best practices" for mail processing sites with significant Remittance Mail volume.
To review the Remittance
Review meeting notes and information,
click on below links.
Resource Links
| USPS Main Site |
http://www.usps.com/ |
| Rapid Information Bulletin Board System | http://ribbs.usps.gov/ |
| Intelligent |
http://www.usps.com/intelligentmail/welcome.htm |
| Business Service Network | http://www.usps.com/ncsc/locators/find-bsn.html |
| Glossary Postal Terms | http://pe.usps.com/text/dmm200/reference.htm |
| Quick Service Guides | http://pe.usps.com/text/qsg300/q000.htm |
| Postal Customer Councils | http://www.usps.com/nationalpcc/ |
| Service Updates | http://www.usps.com/global/serviceupdates.htm |
| USPS News |
http://www.usps.com/communications/news/welcome.htm |
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