Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1987 - 2000 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
3.66 m of textual material
Context area
Name of creator
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Subseries consists of correspondence (letters and e-mails) relating to a variety of topics, but primarily concerning membership, donations, policy issues, Party expansion, and administrative matters. The communications coordinator or staff in the department the correspondence related to – i.e. policy – wrote the majority of the responses to incoming mail. Also includes macros for caucus and national office use with templates for specific correspondence topics.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Files are arranged in rough chronological order. Records are primarily arranged alphabetically by name of correspondent within each month and year.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Records may contain personal information.
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Note
The correspondence function of the Reform Party from its inception until July 1991 was handled mainly by the Leader’s Office under the management of the Leader’s personal secretary. All correspondence addressed to the Leader was answered by his office. Letters requiring special attention by specific departments or those that were addressed to the Party rather than a specific individual were directed by the Leader’s Office to the relevant department or individual.
Note
As the Party expanded, the increase in membership and in the demand for information increased, resulting in the hiring of a correspondence coordinator in July 1991. Thereafter, all correspondence, except that specifically identified for the personal attention of the Leader or other officer of the Party, was drafted by the correspondence coordinator. The volume of mail requiring a response varied from 50-200 pieces per week during the period 1991-1993. Several part-time correspondence assistants were employed in 1992 to deal with the steadily increasing volume of correspondence. Party volunteers were also used to assist with this function.
Note
In 1992 Bob van Wegen, the correspondence coordinator, created a variety of computer macros to increase the efficiency and speed of the response process.
Note
There is limited correspondence from December 1993-February 1995 and April-December 1996.