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PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT, JANUARY 25, 1985
PAGE 5
The average loss was 60 copies per month per church area. This
would result in a total loss of 24,600 copies per month, equaling
1.2% of the two million magazines distributed monthly.
Overall, the results of the survey were very encouraging. We plan to con
duct another, more comprehensive newsstand survey in 1985.
--Ray Wright, Publishing Services
UPDATE FROM MAIL PROCESSING
Majority of TV Calls Come From New Viewers
The number of new people calling in response to "The WORLD TOMORROW" pro
gram remains high. In 1984,
·3ao,ooo
new names were added to our files from
WATS calls. About 70% of the caller�each week (an average of well over
6,000) are making their first contact with God's Church.
The fact that these percentages are remaining fairly constant indicates
that the program's viewing audience is still expanding. Some reasons for
this growth include:
• The number of TV stations airing the telecast was increased by 31% in
1984.
• Better airing times were acquired for a number of stations.
• Mr. Armstrong's programs continue to stimulate audience interest.
How New Postage Rates Will Affect Church Mailings
U.S. Postal Service rates will go up on February 17 of this year. While the
rate hikes will result in increased postage for the letters and literature
we mail out, the overall impact on our budget will be minor due to the care
ful use of certain rates allowed by the Postal Service.
Our major publications and most other literature are sent by special third
class rates for nonprofit organizations. These rates are being increased
only slightly. For example, carrier presorted mail is going up by one
tenth of one cent. About 60% of PLAIN TRUTH subscription issues are sent at
this rate.
The cost of mailing a first class letter will go up from 20 to 22 cents.
However, the first class presort rate, which we use for about 85% of our co
worker letter mailings, will be only one cent higher than the current
charge.
Using the special nonprofit bulk rates available only in the United States,
we are able to send millions of pieces of literature annually for a rela
tively small amount of postage. For example, if the recent semiannual let
ter had to be sent by first class mail, postage for the 2.4 million letters
would have been approximately $485,000.
Instead, the actual cost was
$106,000.
"Direct Terminal Entry" Continues to Expand
Our special program called "Direct Terminal Entry" (DTE) has continued to
expand through the addition of computer terminals and trained operators.