Winter 2012

Thank you to this editions contributors:

Joy Bailey Tim Dow Krystal Flores David Graunke Alan Jania

Michael Jania Susan Jania Gina Michalak John Mikelenas Debbie Peterson

We welcome any comments or article suggestions. Please send them to our editors. Krystal Flores krystalf@diamondenvelope.com Debbie Peterson debbiep@diamondenvelope.com Please contact our team with any questions or inquiries Tim Burgess David Graunke A.J. Jania Alan Jania Michael Jania Susan Jania Karen Johns-Wrobel Gina Michalak Debbie Peterson Julie Shauman Sandra Vahl Tony Waters

DIAMOND ENVELOPE CORPORATION 2270 White Oak Circle Aurora, IL 60502 Phone: 630-499-2800 Fax: 630-499-2801 www.diamondenvelope.com
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NEWSLETTER

Diamond News is a publication of Diamond Envelope Corporation published in our main office in Aurora, Illinois It is directly available to our Employees, Customers, and Vendors.

WINTER 2012 Edition

12/28/12 3:09 PM

Winter 2012

Winter 2012

Letter from the President

How disappointing would this Christmas season be if every time you visited your mailbox there were no Christmas cards in envelopes? Admit, at least to yourself, that you glance at the return address as you enter the house to see who thought enough of you to send a Christmas greeting.
Are we grateful for the things we have? Are we grateful that we live in a country where the government cannot seize our businesses, where there is no threat of rebellion and where we can go home to the comfort of our family and modern homes? Many people of this world do not have any of these luxuries. Some cannot even look forward to a good meal or clean drinking water. Most of us here in the United States do not have to worry about such problems because the people who came before us worked hard to create a nation that has an amazing standard of living. The generation before us rose from the troubles of the Great Depression, led the fight against Nazi aggression and returned home to finish making America into a superpower. Do we ever take a moment and think about the contributions our mothers and fathers made to make things easier for us today? They lived in small houses or apartments, often sheltering multiple generations and worked very long hours to make a better life for their children and grandchildren and selflessly went off to war to protect our freedoms. Gratitude is in danger of becoming a lost art as we focus on accumulating money and possessions, always looking to be better or richer than the next person! The current world may be built on information, but wisdom is definitely lacking. Everything is boiling down to statistical analysis and quarterly earnings reports while people have become nothing more than another line on the budget. There is often little room for gratitude or a simple thank you and that is truly a shame. In this season of giving thanks, we should take a moment and think about those who came before us and helped us get to where we are. Take a moment and thank those around us for a job well done and even consider reaching out to someone who could use a helping hand.
before Congress, the Inspector General of Social Security Administration said that it had received more than 19,000 reports about questionable or unauthorized changes to recipients direct-deposit information. I dont trust computers, I dont trust the Internet, said Taylor. I had a computer given to me several years ago, and it was so frustrating I gave it away. AARP has not directly endorsed the new mandate. But Cristina Martin-Firvida, AARPs director of financial security, told ABC News that Retirees and other Social Security beneficiaries need to know that they can trust their earned benefit will be safely delivered without risking loss of benefits or high fees. But Smallwood is unconvinced. He is even willing to have the Treasury Department subtract a dollar from his benefit check to cover the fee it costs to mail him his check. Theyre telling me I have to get a bank or card in order to keep my benefit, he said. For 40 years its been my choice not to have any of that. And I dont intend to do so any time in the near future.

Michael Jania michael@diamondenvelope.com

Did You Know?

The first postal envelopes were nothing more than folded sheets of paper. Postage in Europe and the United States was charged according to the distance and size of the letter. For example, in 1775 it cost Scotland Adams 11 pence, or 22 cents, to send a single letter from Boston to Philadelphia. A single letter was one considered one sheet of paper. A double letter, which cost twice as much for postage, was two sheets and so on. A letter was simply a sheet, written so that when folded its outside was blank. On completion, it was folded, sealed upon itself with wax, or a wafer (small disk of adhesive), and addressed upon the blank side.

Michael Jania michael@diamondenvelope.com

Riddle Me This!
What word starts with an E and ends with E and has a letter in it? Please email your answers to Krystal Flores at krystalf@diamondenvelope. com for a chance to win a special prize.

We will find the only thing worth accumulating is good will and happiness. I would like to wish everyone a Happy, Healthy, Holy and Prosperous New Year!

Alan Jania
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Winter 2012

Winter 2012

Some Seniors Resist Electronic Social Security Payments Some Seniors Resist Electronic Social Security Payments By: Abby Allin By: Abby Allin www.abcnews.go.com www.abcnews.go.com
Glenn Smallwood does not have a cell phone, computer or credit card. Nor does he have a bank account. And thats exactly the way he likes it. I guess you could say Im an old fuddy duddy, Smallwood, 63, a semi-retired insurance salesman in Clearwater, Fla., told ABC News. Im set in my ways. I dont want my money in a bank. I keep my money in my pocket. So when Smallwood received a notice from the U.S. Treasury Department informing him that as of March 2013, his Social Security checks would be directly deposited into his bank account or he could enroll in the governments Direct Express Debit MasterCard program he was decidedly unhappy. I dont think the federal government has the right to tell me that I have to have a checking account or a debit card, Smallwood said, adding that he cashes checks at Wal-mart, pays is rent by money order and has no plans or desire to stop. Smallwood lives in one of the nations 10 million households that are unbanked, according to the figures from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). While waivers are automatically granted for anyone who was 90 years old or older on May 1, 2011 as well as people living in remote locations or those who are mentally incapable of handling their own affairs Dick Gregg, the fiscal assistant secretary of the Treasury, acknowledged that these waivers are rare. Most individuals that receive checks will drive to a local bank to cash them and individuals with mental impairments will designate a representative payee that will sign up for electronic payment, he said. He added that the initiative to have all benefit payments made electronically will save an additional $1 billion in taxpayer money over 10 years. It is also safer, faster, and more reliable than receiving paper checks, which can be lost, stolen or delayed. But John Runyan, executive director of Consumers for Paper Options, an advocacy group funded by paper-based communications interests which includes the Envelope Manufacturers Association, the American Forest & Paper Association and paper companies believes the mandate is unfair to seniors like Smallwood who dont want to change. Our goal is to get the federal government to recognize fully that there is certain type of information that should continue to be provided on paper if the consumer wants them, and that should be the consumer choice, he told ABC News. Nancy Taylor, 77, a former printer in Ypsilanti, Mich., agrees. A few months ago Taylors daughter suggested her mother switch to direct deposit to avoid the last minute rush in February. Taylor did so begrudgingly. I didnt want to change, Taylor told ABC News. Im still uneasy with it. It may be that Im a crotchety old woman, but its a change to my routine that I dont like. Its my money and its an infringement on my rights by the government, saying I have to change. Taylor also worries about fraud. The treasury Departments Gregg said that the proportion of fraud in the Direct Express card payments is significantly lower that paper checks. But in a September 20 testimony

VELOPES
THONvelopes is a term coined by a non-profit, student run organization, known as THON. THONvelopes are used for a mailing campaign the philanthropy utilizes to generate donations from across the nation that the traditional fundraising techniques of this organization would not access. In the push toward a paperless society, this organization finds that by using the mail they are exposed to a much larger fundraising opportunity. The Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, also known as THON, is a year-long fundraising and awareness campaign for the fight against pediatric cancer. This effort engages more than 15,000 students across the state of Pennsylvania in hopes of finding a cure. The year culminates with a 46 hour, no-sitting, no-sleeping dance marathon known as THON Weekend. In 2012, THON raised a record-breaking $10.68 million and was able to donate 96% of funds raised directly to the Four Diamonds Fund. For those of you that dont know, I graduated from Penn State and had the opportunity of getting involved with THON. I danced representing Gamma Phi Beta as well as serving as a "Moraler", THON Chair, and Supply Logistics Captain during my years at Penn State. Getting THON to order envelopes was not an easy task. Think of the audience that runs the organization, mainly students who thrive on instant, electronic media for communication. I explained that by collaborating all of their marketing efforts and supplying personalized THON envelopes as advertisement for the campaign, the mailings would become more personalized. I finally convinced the Overall Committee to take a chance for THON 2008. THON runs a very basic outer and return style envelope with their logo and a slogan. By THON 2011, I had convinced the Donor Relations overall to run a test envelope, that included a 4-color process image of the last minutes of THON where the total is revealed. At this time I introduced the idea of tracking their success with the mailing campaign to gauge effectiveness. In the first year they began tracking they calculated $600,000 had been contributed through the mailing campaign, increasing on an annual basis in the years to follow. Taking lessons from some of our best customers, and providing THON with samples of successful mail pieces, I was able to help THON become more creative and personalized to their audience.

THONvelope Usage by Year

800,000 700,000 600,000 500,000 400,000 300,000 200,000 100,000 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

THON has continued to use the mailing campaign with their largest test-runs and overall distribution this year. As of November they had distributed all of the mailing supplies and for the first time are looking to order more. As you can see in the graph above, the growth opportunity with this non-profit organization environmental myths of using paper, a non-profit like THON, makes a responsible choice in their has been tremendous. While certain institutions continue to push the paperless society and harmful fundraising efforts, using a renewable resource & one of the most recyclable products on the planet.
Susan Jania FOR THE KIDS FTK! If you would like to learn more about THON or ways to donate, feel free to contact me directly or go to their website at: www.THON.org.

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Winter 2012

Remembering Our Military During The Holidays

Each year our company selects a charity or organization in need of donations. Last year we collected over 100 toys for the Walter and Connie Payton Toy Drive. The recipient for this year was OPERATION GRATITUDE. Operation Gratitude in based out of California and annually sends 100,000 care packages filled with snacks, personal care products, batteries and health and beauty supplies to U.S. service members in the military deployed in hostile regions. Our employees graciously donated items from food and snacks to toiletries to games and essentially every item we use on a daily basis that we may take for granted that they may call a luxury. Our employees continue to amaze us with their generosity and giving spirit. We are proud to be able to provide a bit of home to the many men and women who sacrifice so much so we may enjoy our freedom. We ask that you include a soldier on your shopping list this Christmas and visit their website at www.operationgratitude.com to learn more about this wonderful organization.

Steps Toward a DirectMail Fundraising Program Program Steps Toward a Direct Mail Fundraising
Non-profit organizations are among the largest customers for Diamond Envelope. They rely on direct marketing to efficiently reach and create response from an ever-shrinking marketplace of available funding. Before our customers start their direct marketing program, Diamond is often called to consult on their strategies. Direct marketing can be costly, thus it is imperative each dollar spent on solicitation delivers a solid response. While email and websites provide many attractive platforms for a donor to learn more about the organization (and hopefully donate a large sum), direct mail is still the most profitable channel to market these messages. Compelling graphics, privacy of response, and staying power of the message on paper, all contribute to maximum ROI. Basic procedures and regular mailings are key. Here is a sampling of strategies for programs we have worked with customers to develop: Newsletters Develop and mail a newsletter (such as the one youre holding now) to communicate with donors, volunteers and board members. Keep everyone in the loop. Include articles about donors and what their donations have helped to accomplish within the organization. Drive traffic to your website for further information and donation options. Tie information from the newsletter to the website within your graphics. Thank You Letters Dont rely on impersonal emails to thank your donors. Make the donor feel a part of your organization. Mail a personalized thank you letter every time you receive a donation. Include a reply envelope, but dont solicit another donation in the thank you letter. Many times, the donor will respond with another donation anyway! Make sure your message is a heart-felt appreciation for their support. Utilize end of the year holidays for unique methods to thank donors, including emphasis on tax-deductions. Diamond Envelope provides many formats for you to communicate through these channels, including remittance envelopes, bangtail formats, as well as standard stationary, outer envelopes, and BREs. Contact your Diamond sales representative for more information. Thank you for all your business this year!!

Excerpts from The Soldiers Night Before Christmas by LCpl James M. Schmidt, USMC Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone, in a one bedroom house made of plaster and stone. I had come down the chimney with presents to give and to see just who in this home did live. As I looked all about, a strange sight I did see, no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree. No stocking by the fire, just boots filled with sand. On the wall hung pictures of a far distant land. With medals and badges, awards of all kind, a sobering thought soon came to my mind. For this house was different, unlike any Ive seen. This was the home of a U.S. Marine. Id heard stories about them, I had to see more, so I walked down the hall and pushed open the door. And there he lay sleeping, silent, alone, curled up on the floor in his one bedroom home. I couldnt help wonder how many lay alone on a cold Christmas Eve, in a land far from home. Just the very thought brought a tear to my eye. I dropped to my knees and I started to cry. He must have awoken, for I heard a rough voice, Santa, dont cry, this life is my choice. I fight for freedom, I dont ask for more. My life is my God, my country, my Corps. I didnt want to leave him so quiet in the night, this guardian of honor so willing to fight. But half asleep he rolled over and in a voice clean and pure Carry on, Santa. Its Christmas Day, all secure.
Joy Bailey Human Resource Director

David Graunke davidg@diamondenvelope.com

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