by Ronald E. Milliman
First, because of some tracking issues, we are delaying the official kick-off of the next promotional phase of our Monthly Monetary Support (MMS) Program until our convention in Louisville this summer. As you recall, I announced that we were going to move into the "Reaching Out Partnership" campaign after last summer's ACB convention. However, we have made some important changes in our computer software, and we are making certain it is ready before we launch that effort.
Second, we are using a new form for the MMS Program, designed by Lane Waters, our chief financial officer, with the assistance of the MMS Program Committee. This new form will be used when any new participants join the MMS Program. It will also be used to keep a record of any changes participants want to make to their contributions. For instance, if a current participant wants to increase or decrease his/her monthly contributions, this new form will be used to accurately record such a change. If someone needs to stop his or her contributions, that too will be recorded. Finally, to make it easier for our affiliates to take care of people who want to join the MMS Program, but don't have all of the needed information readily available, this same form will be partially completed and submitted to the Minneapolis office for completion and processing.
Since we are now using this new form, it is extremely important for all affiliates and chapters to throw away all of the old forms. We are no longer using those. The new form is available on our ACB web site, and I will be happy to send you the new form either by e-mail or by U.S. postal mail. Or you can contact the Minneapolis office and request the new forms from that office. The web site is www.acb.org; go down to the link labeled "Make a donation to the American Council of the Blind." Select the link in the paragraph for the Monthly Monetary Support Program; the next page explains the program in more detail, and connects you to the new form. If you don't have Internet access, just call the Minneapolis office toll-free at 1-800-866-3242 or contact me by e-mail at [email protected] or phone (270) 782-9325.
As always, if anyone needs any assistance with any aspect of the MMS Program, just contact me, and I will take care of whatever needs to be done.