To $hip or not to $hip: Hazmat is the Question

Puget Sound PCC Success Story

Chandra L. Smith- Customer Relations Coordinator/PCC Administrator
34301 9th Ave S #304
Federal Way, WA 98003
(253) 214-1732
Hazmat: To $hip or not to $hip: Hazmat is the Question: May 30th, 2024,

During the cessation of group activities due to Covid-19, it became evident the Puget Sound PCC has been revitalized. I worked sedulously to spread the word- via emails, flyers and in person visits to Postal business and PCC members that the Puget Sound Postal Customer Council are having zoom, in-person educational events and vendor mailing touring events!

During the Puget Sound PCC Hazmat Event, it brought out past, current and future PCC business customers since there has been changes pre & post covid-19 for Hazmat.
The Puget Sound PCC attendees/members were engaged and asked our headquarter speaker: Dale Kennedy, District Sales Territory Patrick Fullmer and Jason Sawdye from Homeland Security for USIPS for Hazmat (local level) many questions on what to ship & what not to ship that applies now to you as a postal business customer.

One participant commented:
The Puget Sound PCC shows the USPS cares deeply about partnerships with its clients. It's refreshing to be able to give input and learn. You don't often see an approach that searches for solutions where everyone wins...
Thank you for including Artful Ashes- Greg Dale (Puget Sound PCC member).

The zoom & in-person session was also offered to Postal employees.
USPS employee commented:
Thank you very much for hosting the PCC event “To Ship or Not or Ship - Hazmat is the Question?”.
I wanted to share with you my experience at the event. The people presenting were very knowledgeable, engaging and the presentations were very informative. I learned a lot of valuable information! I am a visual person, and the folder you provided was very helpful!
As aways the food was great!! I can’t wait to attend your next PCC Event!!
Thank you very much for inviting me!
-Galina Dragomirova Business Lead Development Specialist Washington District
After the event I personally went around and asked each person what went right and what can be improved. One of the suggestions for the next time is “Speak on low-cost for mailers since things have changed post Covid-19”. I said that we are having a Rate Cost event on June 11th, 2024, and the customer was very interested in this event and will be attending virtually.

As a result of the Hazmat Event, Puget Sound PCC has successfully completed its first zoom & in-person event (combined) and will have many more in the upcoming months!

PCC Insider Success Story - Postal Professor

Oops, Goofs and Flubs to avoid before printing!

Co-hosted by: Arizona Desert Skies, Albuquerque, Greater NorCal, Greater Spokane, Heart of Northern California, Inland Empire, Pikes Peak, Puget Sound, San Diego, and Santa Ana District PCCs.

Arizona Desert Skies and Albuquerque PCCs reached out for help from the Westpac Area to co-host an upcoming educational meeting that was experiencing low RSVP responses. The speaker, George Heinrich known as the “Postal Professor” was flying out to Arizona at his own expense and we wanted to make sure it was worth his time by having a full house.

The Arizona Desert Skies and Albuquerque PCCs proposed this challenge to other PCCs in the Westpac Area. Six other PCCs discussed this with their membership and decided to join forces. This was a hybrid event, live on our end with the other PCCs inviting their members through Zoom.

San Diego and Inland Empire PCCs created the invite.

• Included all the PCCs logos.
• Hashtags to post on PCC Voice
• QR Code to join the meeting.

The Heart of Northern California PCC

• Created a PowerPoint and added each PCCs Photo
• Photo included their board members.
• The Industry Co-Chair John Millet provided remarks along with Phoenix Postmaster Tina Sweeney.

The session contained upcoming events.

• Dates and locations of upcoming PCC Boot Camps
• National Postal Forum (NPF) along with discounts available

The material presented by the “Postal Professor” was created around real mistakes with live samples for review. The BMEU Manager David Stone and Supervisor Aprodite Gkigki-Petropoulos were available to answer questions.

The class was well received with over 54 people attending and 14 requesting the Certification Certificate signed by the “Postal Professor” and Phoenix Postmaster Tina Sweeney. This is part of the certificate process used to document industry participation.

After the session we reviewed the surveys and had a brief ‘go-around’ listing what went right and what could be improved on. One of the comments for next time is to check IT, PowerPoint set up to avoid time delays.

This could be accomplished by early set up and have backup options.

By viewing the process, the customers/mailers would gain a better insight of the rules and regulations.

Comments:

“The most valuable part of the course was the cost savings available if the piece is correctly designed before being printed.” Theresa Thompson from ARO.

“The size and marking of a postal card. Not sending a postal card with round edges or like cell phone (clever) postal card.”

“Thank you for allowing us to join your PCCs for this event. It was awesome. I wish we could have been there in person. Great Job Arizona.”

Ms. Chandra L Smith, Customer Relations Coordinator from Puget Sound, WA.

National PCC Week Event: September 20th, 2023

During the cessation of group activities due to Covid-19, it became evident the Puget Sound PCC needed to be revitalized. I worked sedulously to spread the word- via emails, flyers and in person visits to Postal business and PCC members that the Puget Sound Postal Customer Council has resumed operations.

I found that in person and direct phone calls were the most effect method to reconnect.

The National PCC Week held at Seattle P&DC was well received with over 30 people. The members and potential new members were engaged and asked our headquarters speakers Carla Anderson and Robert Dixon many questions on Innovations of Technology and Ground Advantage that applies now to you as a postal business customer.

One participant commented:

“The best part of the event was being in person, seeing new faces, the professionalism of the speakers and getting new PCC information. When is the next event”, - Miranda “Mandy” Cavender. Consolidated Mail Services.

The in-person session was also offered to Postal employees.

USPS employee commented:

“I love that I can use this vital information and bring it back to my business customers and hopefully they can be a part of the Puget Sound PCC since its back open to in person events, this is awesome” - Troy Smith, Business Network Specialist.

After the event I personally went around and asked each person what went right and what can be improved. One of the suggestions for the next time is “Speak on low-cost for mailers since things have changed since Covid-19 first happened”. I said that we are having a PCC meeting in October, and you are more than welcome to voice that question and hopefully we can have a solution to your question.

The Puget Sound Postal Customer Council is back and would love for you to come back home and resume our beautiful working relationship with the postal service. The Puget Sound PCC wants to offer their membership and potential members educational events such as new postal incentives for the year 2024.

As a result of the National PCC Week Event, Puget Sound PCC has gained 25 new members during and after this successful PCC Day event.