Merrill Joins the Volunteer Today Team

The Volunteer Today page, "Tech Tips" has a new writer, Scott Merrill. Michael Stills, who has been with the newsletter for several years, is taking time for family and professional obligations. No one can replace Michael, but Scott brings a fresh new approach to articles and ideas on all things technology. He will be working closely with the other writer for that page, Mary Lou McNatt to bring the world of technology within reach and understanding.

Scott is an information technology professional with demonstrated success in a variety of diverse environments, including healthcare, for-profit, and nonprofit organizations. He has participated in large-scale deployments for national and international corporations, and has successfully managed the introduction of a complete technology solution for a mid-sized nonprofit mental health facility.

In addition to technology implementation, he facilitates technology education and advocacy in a variety of ways. Scott currently sits on the technology advisory committee for a community nonprofit organization. He is a contributor to the technology section of CharityChannel.com, and has published several articles at Newsforge.com.

Scott is a strong advocate for GNU/Linux and Free Software, and is the Presentation Coordinator for the Central Ohio Linux User Group. He works hard to recommend and support creative, open solutions for budget-conscious, socially minded organizations.

Scott lives in Columbus, Ohio with his wife and twin daughters. He occasionally blogs his thoughts at http://skippy.net.

Anniversary Celebration Ends

Our 21st Anniversary Celebration is over. Thanks for your support and contributions to the time line and memories of things past. The six-month celebration has been fun for the writers, the Volunteer Today staff, and for you, the reader. We have received many nice emails about our endeavor. Thanks for your continued support.

Visit our online bookstore for more information and to buy our new books on international volunteering: Al Tatawae: Volunteering in the Arab World, by Dr. Lobna M. Abdelmagid and Mr. Izzat Abdul-Hadi, and isto da samba, Corporate Volunteerism: The Brazilian Way, by Monica Beatriz Galiano & Barnabe Medeiros Filho.

Revisions to Bulk Mailings for Nonprofits

Beginning in June 2005, the United States Postal Service (USPS) has revised standards for nonprofit organizations for bulk mailings. Apparently, questions had been raised based on new privacy laws, related to personal information that can be contained in mailings and still go at nonprofit bulk rates. The new rules say that you can include the amount of a previous donation, say, if the mailing is "solely to support an advertisement or charitable contribution." While the USPS has eased the rules, there is no "list" of what is permissible for the lower bulk rate. For more information on these guidelines consult the October 27 Federal Register at: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html.