PCC Management Insights

“Sponsorship of PCC Meetings”

Meeting and Event Sponsorship Guidelines
December 2008

This summary of guidelines for sponsorship of Postal Customer Councils (“PCCs”) meetings is qualified by and subject to the Program Policies and Rules set forth in Publication 286, available through the national PCC Web site at www.usps.com/pcc.  This summary is a follow up on the PCC Management Insights summary on Fund Raising Guidelines that was distributed in October 2008.  

Meetings and events of the PCCs may not be jointly sponsored.  Please read on for a more detailed explanation of why not and of what PCCs can do to foster collaboration among members and business customers. 
Meeting Presentations.  A PCC meeting or event often includes subject matter experts from the mailing industry.  Many of the best PCC presentations discuss the postal and industry side of the issues and challenges that both the Postal Service and its business customers face.  These types of meetings and presentations are appropriate and encouraged.  However, the PCC must be careful not to endorse a company or its products during these presentations, other than the Postal Service or its products and services.  Also, eligible event speakers must not use the PCC function for personal gain or to promote their individual products, services or business.  PCCs must also avoid showing preference by using the same non-postal subject matter expert repeatedly to the exclusion of others who would also be eligible to speak on relevant topics.
Acceptance of Donations.  Industry members of the PCC may accept donations of cash, goods and services for the use of the PCC in fulfilling its Mission, but only if the donations are for the benefit of the PCC as a whole, are voluntarily offered, and if the donor receives no special consideration or favor in return for such donation.  A jointly sponsored meeting or event would provide a select donor or sponsor with unauthorized special benefits and status (for example, being publicly named as the joint sponsor), and the rules clearly prohibit this.   So, although appropriate donations in support of a meeting or event are acceptable and may be acknowledged as discussed below, joint sponsorship of a meeting or event is not acceptable.
Acknowledgement of Sponsorships and Donations.  As a reminder, acknowledgment of sponsorships and donations may take the form of a listing of business names and/or business logos, or individual names accompanied by basic contact information (physical address and mailing address, if different, general phone number, email address, and/or web site address) and must include the following statement:  “No endorsement by the Postal Service or the PCC is given or implied by this acknowledgement.”  Additionally, prior to publication of the acknowledgement, donors/sponsors must, in writing, confirm that the PCC has permission to use any trademark or logo, etc. and must warrant as to certain other matters.  To learn more and print a copy of the application, please go to http://www.usps.com/rightsandpermissions/logo-trademark-usage.htm.  Appropriate acknowledgment of donations or sponsorships may appear in PCC publications, mailings, materials or other communication media, including PCC event signage or individual PCC Web sites.  
One final cautionary note is that Publication 286 makes it clear that competitors of the Postal Service are not eligible to be event speakers or to exhibit at vendor shows or other PCC functions, and competitors may not make donations or be sponsors of PCC events.  Such competitors may be members of the PCCs.  
If you have any questions about these guidelines, please refer to Publication 286 or send an email to PCC@usps.gov.