Policy on Use of Member Lists

August 4, 2000

Membership is Minnesota Public Radio's single most important source of support, and Minnesota Public Radio's relationship with its members is the highest expression of our mutual commitment to the Minnesota Public Radio mission: to provide radio and related services that enrich the mind and nourish the spirit; enhancing lives, expanding perspectives, and strengthening communities.

To the extent that Minnesota Public Radio is effective in raising funds by mail, it is able to limit the amount of time spent doing on-air fund-raising.

Providing Names of Minnesota Public Radio Members to Other Organizations:
To assist in its mail-based fund-raising efforts, Minnesota Public Radio regularly exchanges names and addresses of its members and former members with other organizations, principally in order to obtain names and addresses of other likely donors from these organizations. These organizations may solicit or otherwise contact Minnesota Public Radio's members by mail.

List exchanges are made under strict rules that provide for one-time use, consist of name and address only, do not allow for further retention of the name, and allow for continued use only when the member responds to the contact. No other information is made available to third parties.

Minnesota Public Radio does not rent or sell its member list for cash to any organization.

Minnesota Public Radio does not share the telephone numbers or email addresses of its members or former members with other organizations. Minnesota Public Radio uses the telephone numbers and email addresses of its members and former members only to communicate directly with them.

Minnesota Public Radio will not exchange its member list with any political party or candidate for political office.

Minnesota Public Radio members have the right not to have their names exchanged. Members who do not want their names exchanged may call MPR's Member Services Team at 800-228-7123 and request "no exchange," or may indicate this preference in making membership commitments by mail, phone or Internet. Members may also email their preference to mail@mpr.org.

Using Names from Other Organizations:
Periodically, in order to build membership, Minnesota Public Radio rents or purchases lists from other organizations to reach prospective members.

Minnesota Public Radio will not rent or purchase lists from political parties or candidates for political office.

Minnesota Public Radio will not rent lists from organizations where such an association may harm the goodwill and trust between Minnesota Public Radio and its members.

vComplying with Accepted Standards:
In list exchanges, as in other fund-raising practices, Minnesota Public Radio complies with the laws and regulations of the Internal Revenue Service, the Communications Act, the policies of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the laws of the State of Minnesota, and the regulations of the United States Postal Service.

Minnesota Public Radio adheres to the ethical guidelines of the Direct Marketing Association, including their Privacy Promise to consumers, their Guides for Ethical Business Practice, and their Guidelines for List Practices.

Minnesota Public Radio meets the accountability standards for the charitable sector as outlined by the Minnesota Charities Review Council.