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Postal Explorer > Publication 417 - Nonprofit Standard Mail Eligibility > Appendix A Case Studies: Content-Based Restrictions > A-2 Case Study 2: Letter Soliciting Membership Renewals with Description of Member Benefits
Authorized association H (described in case study 1) mails a letter to
members requesting renewal of membership in the association at a cost of
$50.00. The majority of the letter reminds the member of the purpose of the
organization and why membership in it should be renewed, including a
discussion of some of the organization's significant activities during the past
year. A lesser portion of the letter also describes membership benefits,
including car rental discounts, an association journal that is paid for as part of
dues, the cost and terms of travel arrangements, insurance, and an affinity
credit card. Association H seeks to enter this mailpiece at the nonprofit rates.
The analysis of the mailpiece by the six-step process follows:
• Step 1: The mailpiece contains no products.
• Step 2: This step need not be considered because the mailpiece
contains no products.
• Step 3: The mailpiece contains descriptions, including costs and
terms, of various products and services available to members, such as
a journal, car rentals, travel arrangements, insurance, and an affinity
credit card. In most circumstances, such as the publication discussed in
Case Study 1, these contents would be considered advertising.
However, where such contents are included in a letter soliciting new
members or membership renewals, they will not be considered
advertising if the mailpiece meets the standards discussed in 6-3.3.8. In
this instance, the descriptions of the benefits constitute less than half of
the solicitation letter and are not considered to be advertising.
• Steps 4-6: Since the contents in the mailpiece discussed in step 3 are
not considered advertising under the standards in 6-3.3.8, these tests
do not need to be considered.
This mailpiece is eligible for mailing at the nonprofit rates.
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