The Postal Customer Council (PCC) program began more than 40 years ago with the formation of local mail users councils. The Post Office Department organized the councils to improve communication between postal customers and local postal managers. The councils' rallying call was a "Mail Early" campaign, designed to regulate the flow of local mail.
Postal volume in 1961 was characterized by large swells after 5 p.m., when most of the business mail was deposited. This evening rush was getting larger and straining processing capacity. The concept of working with customers to get mail earlier in the day was realized through the Mail Early campaign and the creation of mail users councils, also known as "citizens advisory councils." The name "mail users council" lasted for nearly a decade until it was changed in 1971 to "postal customer council."
Once postal customers and local postal managers began working together under the council framework, both groups found that many problems could be resolved easily. Processing and delivery improved, postal/customer resources and equipment were used more productively and customers learned more about effectively generating revenues and cutting costs using the mail.
The importance of postal customer councils has grown since the early 1970s. Today, more than 250 councils with some 150,000 members are active across the nation. Through regular meetings, mailer clinics, and seminars, PCC members keep abreast of the latest postal developments and work closely with local post offices to make mail service more efficient.
The Postal Service stands behind the PCC program, an important avenue for improving service and understanding mailers' needs. The Postal Service supplies speakers and resources for PCC presentations and, because we share the members' interest in efficient and economical mail service, we encourage business mailers to take part in PCCs whenever they can.
The PCC provides a forum for mailers to discuss and resolve local mailing issues with their local postmaster. Postal customer council members can interact regularly with local postal managers. They also meet other mailers and learn how the Postal Service can meet their needs and solve their mailing problems.
The PCC also serves as an avenue for its members to exchange ideas and suggestions on new Postal Service products and services. Members interacting at PCC meetings and seminars have developed many revenue-generating and cost-saving ideas. PCC membership is worth the effort.
A working relationship with mailers from other councils often results from PCC membership. Many members who meet at PCC gatherings form close bonds of cooperation. Some communicate regularly to seek and provide insight into various postal processing, delivery, transportation and marketing issues.
PCC members have also helped one another by sharing equipment and knowledge at critical mailing times. Some PCCs have even established a Postal Improvement Committee to provide advice to their members for improving their mail center operations.
- Foster and maintain a close working relationship between mailers and the United States Postal Service.
- Share information about new and existing Postal Service products, programs, regulations, and procedures.
- Facilitate the interchange of ideas among mailers and Postal Service officials.
- Help members and their organizations grow and develop professionally through focused educational programs.
