The number of new people calling in response to "The WORLD TOMORROW" program remains high. In 1984, 380,000 names were added to our files from WATS calls. About 70% of the callers 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 careful 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 relatively small amount of postage. For example, if the recent semiannual letter 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.
DTE enables routine phone calls, such as literature requests and simple address changes, to be processed entirely by computer while the operator is speaking to the person calling in.
A pilot DTE program began in September 1982, and its first regular use was approved in February 1983. Since that time, more and more operators have been trained. Big Sandy began using DTE in July 1984. Currently, about 30% of all weekend TV calls are taken by DTE operators. During the week, as many calls as possible are handled by this method.
DTE has several important benefits. It eliminates the need for filling out WATS cards, which must go through numerous handling steps. Typing names and addresses directly into the computer terminal is much faster. Also, the date, time of the call, and operator's name are automatically recorded. Even the TV stations are automatically identified and tallied for our records.
With DTE, error rates have dropped. The computer, for example, will not accept an incorrect zip code or a request for outdated literature. Since the operator has the person on the line, any problems or questions can be resolved on the spot. Our ultimate goal is to expand DTE to accept nearly all calls in response to the Church's media programs.
Children's Interest in The PLAIN TRUTH
A surprising number of youngsters age 12 and under are avid readers of The PLAIN TRUTH. Some even subscribe on their own. Like our adult readers, these children not only appreciate the informative articles but also the fact that the magazine is sent without subscription price. They have their own unique ways of saying "thank you," as the following letters show:
My mother subscribes to The PLAIN TRUTH. But she doesn't let me read hers. That's why I subscribe too. I hope you understand. I like subscribing books from you. You learn a great deal from your magazines. You sell them for no price. You have the lowest price, lower than READER'S DIGEST or anything you can name. I am very interested in your marvelous books. Can you please send me The GOOD NEWS? So let it be written, so let it be done. D.S. (Rockland, MA)
I don't expect you to answer this letter. I just wanted to tell you I really thank you for sending the Word of God. You are a fantastic man. You and The PLAIN TRUTH have made me understand more about God.
Before, I hardly ever went to church. Then one Sunday, I went to my grandmother's house. She asked me some Bible questions. I couldn't answer them. I was only ten and confused. She gave me a subscription to The PLAIN TRUTH. I read the first copy and so did my mom. I started to understand. Then we started going to church and have been for almost a year.
When the title says The PLAIN TRUTH, a magazine of understanding, it's the truth. I thought it needed to be passed around so I gave a subscription to my friend, Sandra. She loves it. May God be with you. C.M. (Weaverville, NC)
I'm a Christian and I love to read The PLAIN TRUTH. I'm ten years old. I thought I'd write and tell you how blessed I am. I have never had nothing real bad happen to me. Well, God bless you. T.E. (Fay, AR)
I love your magazine. I'm sending away for it. My name is Steven, age eight, grade three in Clifford School. I get it whenever I can, but I don't go to the stores that often, so I'm sending away. I only have one issue. I had four, but I lost three. I still like it. S.R. (Portland, ME)
I am a new subscriber and eleven years old. Even though I don't understand all of your articles, I enjoy the ones I can understand. Please put more articles about science in. I like them the most. S.N. (Cincinnati, OH)
I think your magazine is a neat one. Every issue has interesting articles and informative pictures. I think that it takes a real nice person to collect all the material and put it out for free.
I am only twelve and don't know much about politics, but I want to learn and The PLAIN TRUTH helps me with that. I learn about the world and the people who live in it.
I'd like to thank Mr. Herbert Armstrong and all the people working to make mine and other people's lives better. May God bless you and keep you doing your wonderful job! J.R. (Seattle, WA)
I'm very sorry for not replying to you before. My fifth grade teacher gives me too much homework and I just can't find the time. I want to thank you for all the issues of the magazines you already sent us. My mother, brother, and I love every page of The PLAIN TRUTH. I feel bad for not sending any money, but I will as soon as my mother pays me some of the money she owes me. My brother is a subscriber, so you can take me off the list since I can read his. M.P. (Winter Park, FL)
I'm probably the youngest subscriber to your magazine. I've been getting your magazine for two years and I've never been bored with The PLAIN TRUTH magazine yet. It's unique. It's the first magazine I've ever read that has no ads or commercials. It tells the "plain truth" about problems and famine.
Whenever I find a subscription of The PLAIN TRUTH in my mailbox, I rush into the house and read it before I do anything else. It helps me with my history, because it not only goes into time, it also tells about the past as well.
The reason I'm really writing is to congratulate you understanding people on what an A+ job you did on your magazine and with my history as well. That's right! I was making D's and E's until your magazine came along. So keep sending them. A.S. (Thomasville, NC)
I was recently reading an article on nuclear war. The one thing I can't understand is why one man would want to hurt or even kill another. It's so destructive. What would God say if He saw the people He made committing a sin. Thou shalt not kill, but man still does. It's just like when Israel was freed from Egypt, they promised God they would follow His commandments and as soon as God freed them, they were back to worshipping a golden calf. I truly feel sorry for God, seeing His people sin, kill, lie and destroy one another. I truly hope God can help His people on this problem.
I'm eleven years old and I care about my world I have to grow up in and possibly have a wife and kids in. I don't want them to be in danger by a nuclear war. S.W. (Westlands, MI)
I have to admit I am only ten years old, but your messages are getting through my mind and I read all the books you have sent. I even take them to school and read them in my spare time. I know you expected me to be a grownup. I hope you won't stop my subscription to your magazines, because I really enjoy them. C.H. (Color ado Springs, CO)
UPDATE FROM MAIL PROCESSING
Worldwide Church of God