The Boy Scouts of America celebrated its 100th anniversary on February 8, 2010, and the Postal Service™ will celebrate this milestone by issuing the 44-cent First-Class Mail® Scouting stamp on Tuesday, July 27. The first-day-of-issue dedication ceremony takes place during the Boy Scout Jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill, near Bowling Green, Virginia.
Postmasters are encouraged to coordinate with local Boy Scout troops and elected officials that day to conduct first-day-of-sale ceremonies. If that’s not convenient, “special dedication” ceremonies can take place anytime after that. (The term “second-day-of-issue dedication ceremony” is no longer used as it erroneously implies that dedication ceremonies are limited to the day following the first day of issuance.)
Included in this kit are elements that can be used to conduct and promote an event:
n Sample media advisory (for distribution no later than 3 days prior to event).
n Sample news release.
n Sample speech.
n Contacts for obtaining a Scouting stamp poster-sized enlargement for event use and for obtaining a high-resolution image of the stamp for media use.
n Government Relations contacts for assistance in contacting elected officials.
n Corporate Communications managers listing for assistance with event publicity.
For more information on the Boy Scouts of America, visit www.scouting.org. Postmasters can obtain local scouting contact information at this link: http://www.scouting.org/localcouncillocator.aspx.
Scouting Background
Since the creation of the international youth scouting movement some 100 years ago, hundreds of millions of children have benefited from opportunities for adventure, skill building, leadership, personal development, and community service provided by scouting organizations. These groups offer young people communities in which they can learn collaboratively and have fun in partnership with adults.
Historically, scouts had to find their way by the stars or map, to notice tracks and interpret their meaning, and to fend for themselves. Many of today’s youth scouts continue to learn these and other skills, both outdoors and indoors, and enjoy hobbies made accessible to them through scouting.
Sample Media Advisory (for distribution no later than 3 days prior to the event)
Contact: (NAME)
(O) (XXX-XXX-XXXX)
(C) (XXX-XXX-XXXX)
(E-MAIL)
(NAME) Post Office
Salutes Scouting With Stamp
WHAT: (FIRST-DAY-OF-SALE OR SPECIAL DEDICATION) ceremony for the 44-cent First-Class Mail® Scouting stamp. The event is free and open to the public.
WHEN: Time, Date
WHERE: Location Address (Provide web site link of location if available)
WHO: Name(s) and title(s)
BACKGROUND: The U.S. Postal Service® honors 100 years of the U.S. scouting movement by issuing the Scouting stamp to coincide with the Boy Scouts of America’s 100th anniversary.
(PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE EVENT SUCH AS THE NUMBER OF BOY SCOUTS THAT WILL BE ATTENDING, ETC.)
# # #
A self-supporting government enterprise, the U.S. Postal Service® is the only delivery service that reaches every address in the nation — 150 million residences, businesses and Post Office™ boxes. The Postal Service™ receives no direct support from taxpayers. With 36,000 retail locations and the most frequently visited website in the federal government, the Postal Service relies on the sale of postage, products and services to pay for operating expenses. Named the Most Trusted Government Agency five consecutive years and the sixth Most Trusted Business in the nation by the Ponemon Institute, the Postal Service has annual revenue of more than $68 billion and delivers nearly half the world’s mail. If it were a private sector company, the U.S. Postal Service would rank 28th in the 2009 Fortune 500.
Sample News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE USPS Contact: (NAME)
DATE (O) (XXX-XXX-XXXX)
(C) (XXX-XXX-XXXX)
(E-MAIL)
Local Scouting Contact (if applicable): (NAME)
(O) (XXX-XXX-XXXX)
(C) (XXX-XXX-XXXX)
(E-MAIL)
(CITY, STATE) — The (NAME) Post Office™ celebrated the adventure and spirit of scouting during a special dedication of the Scouting stamp to honor the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America.
“The (NAME) Post Office is proud to celebrate scouting’s role for boys and girls alike for more than 100 years,” said (TITLE AND NAME). “Scouting builds confidence and self reliance and develops tomorrow’s leaders. We’re here today to raise awareness of this fine institution by dedicating the Scouting stamp.”
Joining (NAME) at the dedication ceremony were (TITLE AND NAME) and members of (SCOUT TROOP NUMBER IF APPLICABLE).
(INSERT QUOTE HERE FROM PARTICIPANT(S) HERE).
Stamp artist Craig Frazier of Mill Valley, CA, worked under the direction of art director Derry Noyes of Washington, DC, to create the image. The 44-cent First-Class Mail® stamp depicts two different scouts in clothing and accessories that are often part of the outdoor scouting experience — hats, packs, boots, and binoculars. At first glance, one sees the large silhouette of a scout peering through binoculars. Within this figure is another scout perched atop a mountain taking in the vista.
Since the creation of the international youth scouting movement, hundreds of millions of children have benefited from opportunities for adventure, skill building, leadership, personal development and community service provided by scouting organizations. These groups offer young people communities in which they can learn collaboratively and have fun in partnership with adults.
Historically, scouts had to find their way by the stars or map, to notice tracks and interpret their meaning and to fend for themselves. Many of today’s youth scouts continue to learn these and other skills, both outdoors and indoors, and enjoy hobbies made accessible to them through scouting.
The Boy Scouts of America celebrated its 100th anniversary Feb. 8, 2010. To mark this milestone, the organization has undertaken nationwide celebration efforts that reintroduce the organization to today’s young people and families, reinforce the value of scouting and reconnect with the millions the organization has impacted. For more information on the Boy Scouts of America, visit www.scouting.org.
Ordering First-Day-of-Issue Postmarks
Customers have 60 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at Post Office™ facilities, at The Postal Store® website at www.usps.com/shop or by calling 800-STAMP-24. They should affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes to themselves or others and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:
Scouting Stamp
Postmaster
117 Milford Street
Bowling Green, VA 22427-9998
After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark. All orders must be postmarked by September 27, 2010.
Ordering First-Day Covers
Stamp Fulfillment Services also offers first-day covers for new stamp issues and Postal Service stationery items postmarked with the official first-day-of-issue cancellation. Each item has an individual catalog number and is offered in the quarterly USA Philatelic Catalog. Customers may request a free catalog by calling 800-STAMP-24 or writing to:
Information Fulfillment
Dept. 6270
U.S. Postal Service
PO Box 219014
Kansas City, MO 64121-9014
Philatelic Products
There are four philatelic products available for this stamp issue:
n 465461, First-Day Cover, $0.82.
n 465465, Digital Color Postmark, $1.50.
n 465491, Ceremony Program, $6.95.
n 465499, Digital Color Postmark Keepsake, $10.95.
Note: For broadcast quality video and audio, photo stills and other media resources, visit the USPS Newsroom at www.usps.com/news.
# # #
A self-supporting government enterprise, the U.S. Postal Service® is the only delivery service that reaches every address in the nation — 150 million residences, businesses and Post Office boxes. The Postal Service receives no direct support from taxpayers. With 36,000 retail locations and the most frequently visited website in the federal government, the Postal Service relies on the sale of postage, products and services to pay for operating expenses. Named the Most Trusted Government Agency five consecutive years and the sixth Most Trusted Business in the nation by the Ponemon Institute, the Postal Service has annual revenue of more than $68 billion and delivers nearly half the world’s mail. If it were a private sector company, the U.S. Postal Service would rank 28th in the 2009 Fortune 500.
Sample Special Dedication Speech
Thank you all for joining us for today’s event. (OPTIONAL: ADD A BRIEF COMMENT ABOUT HOW THIS LOCATION RELATES TO SCOUTING).
I also want to thank all of our special guests for joining us in beautiful (CITY/TOWN/LOCATION/TYPE OF SETTING].
In particular, I’m glad that our good friend (NAME OF ELECTED OFFICIAL) is here, along with (ANY OTHER INDIVIDUALS THAT SHOULD BE RECOGNIZED).
On behalf of the United States Postal Service, I am delighted to be here as we feature the Scouting commemorative stamp — a stamp that celebrates the adventure and spirit of scouting.
Early in their scouting experience, boys and girls learn many important lessons about life — lessons about serving others, healthy living, teamwork and building character.
And these lessons stay with scouts throughout their lives.
Scouting also teaches the importance of protecting the environment –– something the U.S. Postal Service knows all about, as it has a long history of environmental leadership and innovation.
In fact, our history of environmental efforts goes back more than 100 years — even longer than scouting!
We were testing electric mail delivery vehicles when horses were still being used for transportation.
And we were recycling long before there was a universal symbol for it.
Scouts are famous for serving others and helping their communities. At the Postal Service, our own sustainability efforts are benefiting our families, friends and neighbors in the communities where we live and work.
When we re-use, recycle and reduce, we help lower greenhouse gas emissions. And that’s good for everyone.
From its modest beginnings, scouting has grown into an organization that serves more than 28 million youth and adults, boys and girls . . . in more than 160 countries.
Girl Scouts, of course, know there’s no better way to raise money for a good cause than to sell those delicious cookies –– and we at the Postal Service know that there is no better way to raise awareness for a cause than to feature it on a postage stamp.
That is why today, I’m pleased that the United States Postal Service is helping honor and celebrate the service and spirit of scouting with a new stamp.
Since we issued our first commemorative stamp more than 100 years ago, our stamp program has been a unique platform for recognizing our country’s educational, artistic, historical and professional accomplishments.
And I’m pleased that in that span of time, the scouting movement has become part of that legacy.
On the Scouting stamp here today, artist Craig Frazier shows a large silhouette of a scout peering through binoculars, and, within this figure, another scout on top a mountain, taking in the view of the surrounding countryside.
[PAUSE]
And now, on behalf of the United States Postal Service, I would like to ask _________ to join me as we showcase the Scouting commemorative stamp!
(unveil stamp, pose for photo ops)
Ordering Stamp Images for the Event and Media Use
Postmasters can order poster-sized enlargements of the stamp image by contacting Victor Pulupa of Dodge Color at victor@dodgechrome.com or by calling 240-247-1815. For easy online ordering, visit www.dodgechrome.com/uspsstampart. Postmasters should contact Mark Saunders, mark.r.saunders@usps.gov, 202-268-6524, to obtain high-resolution images of the stamp for media use.
Postmasters wishing to invite elected members of Congress should contact their Government Relations representative.
Government Relations Congressional State Representative Listing
(202-268-XXXX)
Corporate Communications Representatives
Following are contacts to request Corporate Communications assistance in publicizing events.
Maureen Marion
(A) Mgr., Northeast Area Corporate Communications
Telephone: 315-452-3582 (O)
860-539-0649 (C)
New York, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Jersey, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont
Paul Smith
Mgr., Eastern Area Corporate Communications
Telephone: 215-931-5054 (O)
215-519-5757 (C)
Kentucky, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Indiana
Deb Yackley
Mgr. Capital Metro Area Corporate Communications
Telephone: 301-548-1465 (O)
410-963-8426 (C)
Maryland, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Washington, DC
Debbie Fetterly
(A) Mgr., Southeast Area Corporate Communications
Telephone: 954-436-4451 (O)
954-249-6040 (C)
Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Florida, Tennessee
Jim Mruk
Mgr., Great Lakes Area Corporate Communications
Telephone: 630-539-6565 (O)
630-853-8694 (C)
Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, Indiana, Wisconsin
Earl Artis
Mgr., Southeast Area Corporate Communications
Telephone: 214-819-8704 (O)
404-915-5877 (C)
Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma,
Teresa Rudkin
Mgr., Western Area Corporate Communications
Telephone: 303-313-5130 (O)
303-877-3844 (C)
Alaska, Arizona, Montana, Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Nevada, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah
Don Smeraldi
Mgr., Pacific Area Corporate Communications
Telephone: 858-674-3149 (O)
858-349-9834 (C)
California, Hawaii
— Community Relations,
Corporate Communications, 7-1-10
