In the Mailbox Newsletter Volume 63

IN THE MAILBOX
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF POSTMASTERS RETIRED
JACK IS BACK
The Preamble
of the Retiree
Constitution
states the Retiree
Organization should
work cooperatively in
the advancement of
the Aims and Goals
of NAPUS. Many Retirees had many
years working for the betterment of
Postmasters and that continues today.
Several states have made Constitutional
changes that allow a Retiree to serve as
an officer in the active ranks. That is a
positive move capturing the wealth of
knowledge and years of experience.
On behalf of our Retiree Organization,
I have submitted letters to PMG Donahoe
requesting our Retirees serve as trainers.
Proper training is so desperately needed,
especially with the POStplan.
I have submitted a request for a
Single Plus One rate for health insurance.
President Obama has that as part of his
Health Care Plan also.
I have requested to establish a
Liaison between the Office of Personnel
Mgmt. and retirees so we may have a
better line of communication.
We have established a Training
Seminar, initially for retirees. It has grown
to become well attended by both active
and retirees. At National Convention
we will offer training on Parliamentary
Procedures and Travel Tips.
Since the Legislative Conference I
have had many discussions relative to
the Constitution & By-Laws proposed
changes. The PMR change from Associate
Member to Active is an issue that
President Bob and I have discussed
several times. We have a resolution that
I will present to our Retirees that, in my
opinion, will be of benefit to both actives
and retirees.
The 22 Ar ea Vice Pr esidents
established in 1985 was during a time
when membership was over 90%. Today,
at 48%, the number of VP's needs to be
reduced.
(see Jack Is Back - back page)
Vice President's Report
NATIONAL CONVENTION 2013
Thank you President Jack, members
of the executive board, and fellow
postmasters retired. It has certainly been
an interesting year serving as your National
Vice President. I want to thank you again
for giving me that privilege, and I hope I
served you well.
After attending the Leadership
Conference in March, I attended my
first state convention in Atlantic City,
New Jersey. The New Jersey postmasters
are excited about hosting the National
Convention next year. Although we were
not able to view inside the facilities, we
were able to see the layout of the hotels and
the convention center. Chairman Jimmy
Fusco and his team are planning some great
events. In fact, the Miss America Pageant
will be held while we are there. We may
have to have our own "beauty pageant".
Other state conventions I attended
were Missouri (where I had the privilege
of swearing in the new president, Margie
Edmonds), Pennsylvania (where we
celebrated Sally Robinson's surprise
birthday party), and Kentucky (where I
became an official Kentucky Colonel).
New Orleans for the Southern Officers
Conference was my last meeting and well
attended by retired postmasters. Believe
me, no one went hungry in New Orleans.
I gained four pounds!
At each convention, there were more
retired postmasters in attendance than
active postmasters, much as it is here in
Bellevue. The upcoming constitutional
changes for the active postmasters were
the main topic of discussion. Many were
concerned that retired postmasters were
not going to be allowed to vote on the
PMR issue and moving the National
Convention section to the By-Laws. It is
my understanding that the issue was agreed
upon by the parliamentarians. In each state
I visited, the members voted to change
their state constitutions to allow retired
postmasters to hold state officer positions
if no active postmaster could be found with voting rights of the office held. It is
VOLUME 63
JUL-AUG 2013
SALLY ROBINSON, National Editor
obvious that changes are being made at
the state level, and maybe sometime in the
future, we will see it at the national level.
Thank you again for allowing me the
privilege of representing and serving you.
Ann McDorman
Vice President
NAPUS Retirees
From the
Editor’s Desk
- My Story As your National
Editor, I try to encourage
all of you to write personal stories and
memories, but rarely tell any of my own.
But today I am going to share a special
moment in my life. I always spend my
February birthday with Claire Babin in
Louisiana, as we share the same birth
date. Friends of mine from home came
to Mississippi, and Claire, Andrew and
I traveled there to meet them and share
a celebration dinner. On Easter Day, my
family had a cake and presents and we
celebrated again, and so my story begins.
Well, it finally happened. I passed
the 80 mark in February and 47 years
in NAPUS in July. I always said that if
I could make it to 80, I hoped someone
threw me a BIG Party, and Pennsylvania
NAPUS threw a big one at our State
Convention. They kept it a surprise for
over a year (you know how nosy I am),
not a word was ever spoken!
On the night of the President's
reception they said, as National Editor,
I had to march in with all the other
National Officers. I kept trying to get into
the room to make sure the DJ had all
the right names in the right order for the
entry march (I am the VIP chair), but they
kept saying the room wasn't ready yet.
WELL, when I arrived and my name
was announced, I never heard them say
BIRTHDAY GIRL! I saw one Postmaster
I thought looked a lot like my son-inlaw Ken. I realized it was him when my
daughter Cheryl peeked her head around
him. What a surprise! They had traveled
all across the state to surprise me. My
(see Editor’s Desk - next page)
- ELECTED -
- ELECTED -
Ann McDorman
CLARA McCULLAR
PM Retired, TX
PM Retired, TN
National President
NAPUS Retired
2014-2015
Nat'l Vice President
NAPUS Retired
2014-2015
It is an honor and a privilege to thank
you for electing me your next National
President. It is an awesome responsibility
and a challenge which I embrace. I have
enjoyed serving as your National Vice
President the past two years and working
with our excellent executive board. I
can't remember a time when the future
of NAPUS was more at risk.
However, I want to recognize a few
special people who have helped to make
my campaign a success. Many thanks to
Kim Arsenault, my campaign treasurer
and confidant. And to my friend, Sally
Robinson, who epitomizes the word
"Friend". Her advice and assistance have
been invaluable.
A special "Thank You" to Jean
Richardson, Area 13 Rep from TN, who's
been responsible for all the details of
our "Meet the Candidate" receptions in
Washington, DC and here in Bellevue.
Plus, the other ladies - Linda Jones,
Mary Bolton, and Martha Lujan - who so
graciously gave of their time and effort to
see that everything was just right. And, I
appreciate you for attending and getting
an opportunity to meet you one on one.
"Thank You" to my Texas postmaster
family, especially our state president,
David McKee, who stood by me to
welcome you. And, to those who wore
the "Ann Can" t-shirts to show your
support of my campaign. There are
many others who have offered advice
and encouragement along the way. I
appreciate each one of you.
A special "Thanks" to my family who
continue to support me in whatever I
choose to do, even though none of them
could be here today.
We have much to do to meet the
challenges ahead for NAPUS and for
postmasters, active and retired. Please
feel free to discuss your concerns with
me or offer advice. I would appreciate
your continued prayers for our success.
Thank you again for your support
and confidence. I pledge to give you my
best as your National President of NAPUS
Postmasters Retired.
(Editor’s Desk - from page 1)
son Dave and wife Lori were helping a
relative with treatments and could not
be there.
Then National Retiree VP Ann
McDorman spoke on behalf of President
Jack and the Board. Then State Editor
Nancy reported that Past Editor had dug
into the ARCHIVES and they SHOWED
PICTURES OF MY LIFE in Pennsylvania
NAPUS! Then Nancy read a letter of
congratulations from PMG Pat Donahoe
(How thoughtful. Awesome as Pat is
from Pennsylvania). And to top it all off,
they played Mustang Sally and made me
dance (Oh my)! Evidently this has become
my signature song. The room was a sea of
balloons, banners and table decorations
with big 80's on them (there was no doubt
how old I was). I was so humbled that so
many put such an effort into this special
moment in my life.
Then, when I attended the Louisiana
Convention, where I served as MC for
the Retiree Luncheon, Dale got up to
announce that they had a special tribute
written by Kathy Herring to honor this
milestone (Her letter is printed below
along with the poem).
My life has been truly enriched by
so many who left their footprints in my
heart and my memories. Each time I
think that's all there is, life gives me
so much more. I close now, by saying
"When life gives me lemons", I am going
to remember all the lemonade that always
keep me Smiling.
Sally Robinson
National Editor
Reminder: all articles by retirees or
about retirees come to me for review!
MILESTONE HONOR
Dear Sally:
It was great having you in Louisiana
for our state convention and S.O.C. You
are such an inspiration to me and so many
other NAPUS members. You are always
"at the ready" with your words of wisdom
and your insight. I wanted to pay a small
tribute to you for inspiring me to become
active in my chapter, serve on the executive
board and have a voice, so I wrote this
little poem.
I also wanted to thank all those who
attended the Southern Officer's Conference
in New Orleans. You helped to make this
conference a great success. The weather
cooperated and the food was never ending.
Thanks also to Benny for putting on such
a successful S.O.C.
Kathy Herring
A Tribute To
Mustang Sally!
Sally is a friend of NAPUS true to her
core,
I've never met anyone quite like her
before.
Sally's will to serve our organizations'
members
is like no other that I can remember.
Sally carries herself with dignity and
grace,
Who keeps up with NAPUS's ever
changing pace.
Sally is a special friend who lends a
helping hand,
Who takes the time to care and to
truly understand.
Sally, a friend such as you is honest
and true,
A friend that is precious and that
certainly is you.
Sally you are the one that NAPUS can
always depend,
A friend such as you is a friend
beyond end.
– – – – –
Dear Kathy:
I was and am completely overwhelmed
that you would take the time and provide
me with such a beautiful and heartwarming
poem to be read to all. I have been deeply
humbled by the outpouring and love
extended to me on this the year of my 80th
celebration of life.
My life has been filled with blessings
untold and you are indeed one of those
rare blessings. God Bless you always and
thanks. Much love.
Sally Robinson
Article V. Section 1: Officers
2013 Changes to the Constitution
Previous Reading: A president shall be elected to one (1), two-year term in an odd numbered year, and shall be prohibited from succeeding himself or
herself (see exception in Article VIII, Sec. 1).
Change: A president shall be elected to one (1), two-year term in an odd numbered year or until his/her successor is elected. The president shall be
prohibited from succeeding himself or herself (see exception in Article VIII, Sec. 1).
Article V. Section 2: (Vice-President)
Previous Reading: One (1) Vice-President shall be elected concurrently with the election of President for a two-year term (see exception in Article VIII, Sec. 3).
Change: One (1), Vice-President shall be elected concurrently with the election of President for (1), two-year term or until his/her successor is elected
(see exception in Article VIII, Sec. 3).
Article V. Section 4:
Previous Reading: Executive Board: This board shall be composed of the President, who shall serve as chair thereof; the Vice President; the Secretary/
Treasurer; who shall serve as secretary thereof; the Immediate Past President; and the Immediate Past Secretary/Treasurer.
Change: Executive Board: This board shall be composed of the President, who shall serve as chair thereof; the Vice President; the Secretary/Treasurer;
the Immediate Past President; and the Immediate Past Secretary/Treasurer, who shall serve as Recording Secretary thereof.
Reasoning: For several years, the duties of recording the minutes of the executive board meetings and the business meetings have been assigned to the Immediate
Past Secretary/Treasurer. That individual provides the minutes to the secretary for distribution at the following executive board and business meetings. This allows
the current Secretary/Treasurer to focus on the budget and expenditures of the chapter. At times, the Immediate Past Secretary/Treasurer has been responsible for
collating and publishing the new directory each year and coordinating their distribution with the current Secretary/Treasurer.
Article 11: Order of Business
2013 Changes to the Bylaws
Previous Reading: The order of business at the annual convention, and all meetings in-so-far-as possible, of this organization, shall be as follows:
1. Call to order
2. Appointment of temporary Committees
a) Credentials
d) Finance and Audit
b) Resolutions
e) Nomination of Officers
c) Constitution and By-laws
f) Rules Committee
g) Special Committees
Change: The order of business at the annual convention, and all meetings in-so-far-as possible, of this organization, shall be as follows:
1. Call to order
2. Appointment of temporary Committees
a) Credentials
d) Nomination of Officers
b) Constitution and By-laws
e) Rules Committee
c) Finance and Audit
f) Special Committees
Note: Removed "b) Resolutions" and reassigned the designations (b-f). Reasoning: Resolution committee is no longer in existence.
UNITED STATES POSTAL INSPECTION SERVICE - Houston Division
April 4, 2013
Following these Preventative Measures (DO'S and DONT'S) will assist you from becoming the victim of Identity Theft or falling for an Identity Scam.
1. Have all information removed from you personal checks except your INITIALS (for your first and middle name) and your LAST NAME. It is the
merchant's responsibility to request this information. Use a "Permanent Marker" when writing your checks to help prevent "check washing".
2. Purchase a CROSS CUT paper shredder for your home and do not throw any documents in the trash that might subsequently be used to steal your
identity. Pre-approved credit applications, financial statements, billing documents and any other records with any account or personal information.
3. Do not give out your personal information to anyone (over the phone or in person) unless you are sure how it is to be used. Same for ANY credit
card numbers or information. Banks/Credit Card companies WILL NOT ASK for this information.
4. Request a copy of your credit history AT LEAST once a year from one of the three credit reporting agencies, www.annualcreditreport.com:
a. EXPERIAN 1-888-397-3742
b. EQUIFAX 1-800-685-1111
c. TRANSUNION 1-800-916-8800
5. Tear out and destroy/shred the back page of any catalogs received showing your name/address with a customer number and/or catalog number.
Remember the same for the middle mailing/billing section.
6. Place any OUTGOING mail in the Collection Boxes at the post office and not in your home mailbox and empty your mailbox daily. PO Box customers
should take home and dispose all unwanted mail.
7. Avoid ANY lotteries, mystery shopper or other "job" offers where cashing USPS money orders or any checks and WIRING money or sending any
money to claim a prize. This includes any calls from someone claiming to be a relative and needing bail money or other assistance.
Go to https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/ for additional information or to file a complaint.
8. Photocopy the front/back of the contents of your wallet and keep in a secure place. In the event your wallet/purse is lost or stolen, you'll have this
as reference for any police reports and to contact the appropriate credit card companies etc.
Chuck Wagner, Postal Inspector
Baton Rouge Domicile, P.O. Box 1229, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-1229
Reports from Leadership
Sec./Treasurer Report
2013 has been a very busy year.
Preparing for the Leadership conference
was my first big job. I have attended
four (4) state conventions, Alabama,
Mississippi, Tennessee and Louisiana. It
is a learning experience to attend other
state conventions.
Throughout the year dues are
posted, bank statements are balanced
and vouchers paid. Then along comes
August, where did the year go? I have
been really busy preparing for the
National Convention.
Committee members: Your vouchers
are in your packet, please sign and give
them to me. President Jack will sign
them and I will write the checks and mail
them to you.
Area Reps: In your packet are the
states that have not submitted their
new officers for 2014. Please make sure
these are done and submitted to Clara
McCullar. There are 14 states that have
submitted forms and 3 Area Reps that
have submitted all their states.
Dues income is down about $6500
thru August and by the end of the year we
will be about $9000 less than last year.
I anticipate we will lose the PMR's next
year, which will reduce the dues income
by another $10,000.
A special thanks to Jim Willett, First
Maketing Financial Group for the $500
donation for coffee and tea for the retiree
business meetings in Bellevue.Thanks
to Mickey Scamoffa, Area 3 Rep. for
getting the D.J and selecting the music
for the dance sponsored by the Retirees.
Everyone had such a great time!
I am honored to be your Sec/
Treasurer and enjoy working for each
of you.
Janiece Taylor
Sec./Treasurer
Hospitality/Past President
Serving as Co-Chair of the Hospitality
Committee has been a great experience.
You really don't have any idea of the
work involved until you attempt the job.
However, we have thoroughly enjoyed
every bit. Oklahoma City was so unusual
since we had a full kitchen and could
actually cook meals. At Legislature we
had to go back to simple snacks but we
hope you still had a good time being able
to visit with each other. Following the
conference we sent 24 "Thinking of You,
Get Well or Sympathy" cards to Retirees
unable to attend.
Thanks to my Co-Chair Charley
Peters, who made the job so much easier.
We have enjoyed Charley and Anita's
company for years. I think I would be
remiss if I did not also publicly thank
Joann and Anita for the hard work they
have done to help us have, what we hope
were considered, successful Hospitality
Rooms. Thanks to all who have brought
items for the hospitality room or who
made monetary donations. The price of
supplies seems to increase every year and
that definitely helped keep the cost down.
To say this year has flown by would
be an understatement. Since Leadership
Conference in March, I have attended
Indiana's State Convention in Warsaw,
IN. It was so good to see our friends that
were there and I also missed those friends
who could not or did not attend. If they
only knew how much I would have loved
to see them.
I have participated in teleconference
calls with our Board on several different
issues, such as PMR dues, etc. I also
attended Kentucky's State Convention
held in Florence, KY. We were so proud
to see our granddaughter, Alexis, receive
a John D. Miller Scholarship. We also
attended the Kentucky District Meeting
held in Elizabethtown, KY. There was a
nice attendance at this meeting.
Joann and I, along with our son,
Kevin, and his wife, Jennifer, and
daughters Alexis and Chandler, had to
leave following the banquet Saturday
night so we could be home the next day
for the celebration of our 50 Wedding
Anniversary. Our sons, Dale and Kevin,
along with their families had a big
celebration for us on June 23, which was
really our anniversary.
I would like to thank each of you
Retirees for your support while I served
as your VP, President and the last two
years as Past President. It has been a real
pleasure and I hope I have represented
you in an admirable way. Thank you and
God Bless each of you,
Paul Edd Butler, Past Pres.
& Hospitality Co-Chair
Hospitality Report
These last two years have been great
working with Paul Edd and Joann (and
Anita) in the Hospitality Room. I would
like to thank the wonderful retired
Postmasters and their spouses for all the
kind words and support that they have
expressed to us.
During this past year, I have had the
opportunity to help a retired Postmaster
with a problem she was having getting
her dues changed over from cash paying
to dues withholding. I have also written
articles for both the Retiree's newsletter,
In The Mailbox, and for the Postmasters
Gazette.
As Kentucky NAPUS Retirees State
President and a member of Kentucky's
John D. Miller Scholarship Board,
I am proud to report that we gave
14 scholarships to children of KY
Postmasters, both active and retired,
($17,000 total).
My community activities have
included serving as a City Councilman,
Secretary/Treasurer of the Park Board,
City and County Events Committee,
President of the Chamber of Commerce,
Vice Chair of our Museum Board, local
Baptist Association Executive Board,
Sunday School Teacher, and about
anything else that I haven't learned how
to say no to.
Again, it has been an honor to serve
as Co-Chair for Hospitality and to work
with our NAPUS Retired organization.
Charley Peters
Hospitality Co-Chair
Area 8 Report
I serve the states of IA, AR, & MO.
April 26-28 I attended the Iowa NAPUS
Convention in Marshalltown, IA and
spent most of my time promoting NAPUS
Retired among recent retirees, and those
considering retirement in the near future.
I shared the need to keep their elected
officials in formed of what was happening
with Post Offices of Iowa and how to write
members of Congress. I was unable to
attend the Arkansas Convention this
year, as Arkansas & Iowa had theirs
on the same week. Last year I attended
Arkansas', so this year I went to Iowa's.
June 7-10, I attended the Missouri
Convention in Springfield, MO. On Sat.
I picked up National VP Ann McDorman
at the Branson, MO airport and escorted
her to the host hotel. I introduced her to
as many Postmasters as I could in an
effort to make her feel at home.
On Sunday I addressed the general
session on what was going on in the
retiree ranks and items of interest to
them from your email of talking points.
We then attended the Retiree Luncheon
where VP Ann spoke to the Retirees and
I made short remarks.
I continue to write the Senators &
Congressmen from Missouri concerning
the issues of the Postal Service. It has
been an honor to serve you the past two
years as Area 8 Rep. of PMs Retired.
Richard Skaggs, Area 8 Rep.
Area 9 Report
Wow! What a ride! Thank you
President Jack for appointing me as
Area 9 Rep. for PM Retired for MN, WI,
ND and SD.
You provided me with the opportunity
to expand my area of friendship and
family. A National appointment is quite
an honor and I thoroughly enjoyed the
experience - from the plains of ND and
SD to the tree lined countryside of WI
and the land of 10,000 lakes in between.
I want to thank all my old friends
and the many new friends I've found. I
have been treated with kindness and felt
truly welcomed.
I was fortunate to be able to ride my
Harley-Davidson to all state conventions
except for one - another pleasurable
bonus!
Thank you again my fellow NAPUS
members. Keep the rubber side down
and safe travels. Its been "quite a ride"!
Bruce Nelson, Area 9 Rep.
Area 10 Report
Since the National Convention in
Oklahoma City, I have attended the
Kansas State Convention (I was unable
to attend the Oklahoma State Convention
as I was in the process of moving).
I also attended the Nebraska State
Convention. I traveled with Nebraska
NAPUS to Washington, DC in March
of 2013 to take part in Leadership
Conference. It has been a rewarding year
and a frustrating year.
I wrote articles for the Postmasters
Gazette and In the Mailbox newsletters.
I attended the P.O. closing meeting in my
community and spoke with many other
communities on what would be taking
place as those meeting were held. I tried
to give encouragement to Postmasters
across the state. I have kept in contact
with my Congressmen and Senators. I
am proud to have been able to serve as
a National Representative.
Betty Mapes, Area 10 Rep.
Area 11 Report
Mar ch 25, 2012 - Served as
presenter/moderator for training class
given at Legislative Conference.
June 8-10, 2012 - Attended Texas
State convention held in Tyler, TX
and spoke to retirees, served on the
chapter audit committee and assisted
the chapter President by providing
contact information for the banquet
entertainment. I also provided name of
person conducting worship service.
June 20-22, 2012 - Assisted NAPUS
National Attorney & PM Rep Chair with
depositions.
July 8-10, 2012 - Attended Louisiana
State Convention in Houma, LA. I spoke
to all delegates during business session.
July 31, 2012 - Attended 754 active/
retiree postmasters meeting at Bonham,
TX.
September 1-6, 2012 - Attended
National Convention, Oklahoma City, OK.
Served as Moderator for retiree's class
consisting of membership information
and public relations training.
March, 2013 - Attended Legislative
Conference. Attended training class,
supplied information outline for new
chapter presidents given to attendees.
June 6-9, 2013 - Attended Texas
Chapter Convention. Provided update on
my activities and proposed constitutional
changes to national active Postmaster
Constitution. Discussed potential effects
to retiree organization. I was awarded
Texas Lifetime Achievement.
January 2012 - February 2013 - I
mailed a total of 342 membership letters
to newly retired postmasters and those
members from Louisiana and Texas listed
on the purged report for nonpayment of
dues.
Linda R. Jones, Area 11 Rep.
Area 15 Report
My attendance at the Leadership/
Legislative Conference was chronicled in
the Postmasters Gazette and Montana's
Treasure State Postmaster. MT Senator
Jon Tester got the credit from Bob Levi
for reserving the Capitol Auditorium. It
seems I am the lone Postmaster Retired
coming from Montana.
My duties as Area 15 Rep began
to really get interesting in April when I
drove to the Idaho State Convention 1057 miles round trip. It was held at the
Coeur d'Alene Casino Resort and Hotel
in Worley, ID on April 18-20, 2013. I
made the Meet & Greet Icebreaker on
Thursday evening. I got to sit by Retiree
President Dan Bosse. We had some
general conversation and a supper.
Conversation was lively.
On Friday, we sat thru the opening
of the Convention and a few speakers
that Dan wanted to hear. After the break,
the Retirees adjourned to the Hospitality
Room. Eleven Retirees were present. Dan
ran the meeting by passing out materials
that he deemed important at that time.
He discussed Legislative issues. The
officers stayed the same, except that Dan
took over Membership and a new PAC
Chair was appointed. That information
will be available to the 2014 Directory.
I shared my information on the 2013
Leadership/Legislative Conference and
other current issues of importance.
My next adventure took me to Alaska.
With frequent flyer miles, I headed to
Alaska on April 24, 2013. I landed in
Anchorage and stayed over until Marcia
Shea, Editor and Jerry Nassen, President
came to pick up two Alaskans, their
National VP Kevin Romeyn and me. We
spent the day driving to the Convention
in Tok.
The Convention started on Friday
April 26th. Retirees participated in
the opening ceremonies and then we
adjourned to another room for the Retiree
Meeting.
President John Borg opened the
meeting. He passed around the obituary
and memorial notices. Jon Ness, PM
Retired of Petersburg, passed June
2012. He had retired in 2009. There was
discussion of the candidates for NAPUS
National President. Minutes were read.
It began snowing!
There was discussion about the
Postal Service and their relationship
with Senator Begich. I gave best wishes
from President Jack and presented Dan
Carper with his Certificate of Retirement
from 2012. I captured the new officer
information for our NAPUS Postmasters
Retired 2014 Directory. I attended the
entire Convention and was given time
on the second day to address the body.
Then back to Anchorage on April 28 to
board the plane home at 1:20 AM. It was
a great experience!
Montana State Convention was held
in Red Lodge on June 12-15, 2013. (Only
60 miles from home - one way!) National
President Bob Rapoza was in town for a
day. He sat through the Dakota District
presentation and was able to straighten
out some incorrect information that
the HR Manager had. Area 20 NVP
Darlene Winterer and Bob presented the
Constitutional changes.
The retirees adjourned to another
room to hold the Retiree Meeting.
President Earline Oset called the meeting
to order. The officers were to remain for
one more year. The Membership Chair
was the only thing changed. I presented
the letter from President Jack regarding
the Constitutional changes. The business
meeting included the reports, discussion
of our only fundraiser, the Retiree Lunch,
which keeps the members in the building
and a quick return to business in the
afternoon. Discussion with the Retirees
about a Retirement Panel gave insight
into what is coming when you retire.
Jeff Jewett of FedHub and I then went
through some of the things the Retirees
thought were important. We covered the
HR and Financial roadblocks that have
been experienced by others.
The Washington State Convention
was held in Bellevue at the Hyatt on
Saturday June 22, 2013. The Retirees
attended the opening ceremonies and
went to the Retiree Meeting after the
10:00 AM Break. After visiting with Bob
Rapoza, I went with the Retirees who
adjourned to the Hospitality Room.
President Louise Soles called the
meeting to order. The meeting was
opened with Business announcements.
I gave greetings from President Jack
Wilkins and went over the Constitutional
Changes that he had emailed concerning
our retiree vote at National Convention.
Reports were given. The Leadership/
Legislative Conference was discussed.
Louise encouraged the 18 attendees
to not miss this opportunity to make
a difference. Old Business topics were
discussed. The Vendor Booth that the
Retirees will be manning at the National
Convention included many homemade
and handmade items. Samples of the
handiwork of the retirees were available
for preview. New Business topics included
election of officers. I gathered the new
officer information to be included in
our NAPUS Postmasters Retired 2014
Directory (816 miles from Billings to
Bellevue).
The Oregon State Convention was
held at the same time as Washington's
at the Best Western Plus Agate Beach
Inn in Newport on the coast. I left WA
and headed south and arrived in time for
the Saturday night Banquet (311 miles).
On Sunday morning there was a Brunch
and a Chapter Business Session. With
the Retirees sitting at a round table, 5
plus me (some had already left), Doug
Gray and I went through the list of new
officers. Since Kevin Romeyn, National
VP, covered the Constitutional changes,
I shared President Jack's email with his
thoughts as to how the retirees would be
affected and what we would be able to
vote on. I had roomed with Sally Mann
and Vicky Brown. They caught me up on
what I had missed. The hospitality was
outstanding!
Headed home to Billings, tired
but feeling good about the many
wonderful Postmasters and families I
had gotten to meet, some old friends
and new acquaintances. Hopefully I
brought something to them because I
sure received a great deal from them.
Thank you President Jack for letting
me represent you. It has been a very
rewarding experience.
Janice Erfle, Area 15 Rep.
Humor in the Post Office
One day while working the service
window, a young boy, no more than seven
or eight years of age, came in and stated,
"I need a stamp with an envelope on it."
Then there was the instance when a mother
and her young son, much younger than
the one cited above, came in to purchase
some stamps. After making the purchase
she went out to her car but the youngster
remained at the service counter. The
woman returned and called, "Johnny, come
on, this isn't the bank, they don't have
candy here." Needless to say, we began
stocking some candy there after.
Another somewhat humorous incident
involved the delivery of mail. In early
October of this particular year we were
granted authority to begin house to house
delivery to an outlying area of the city. The
residents of this area had been required
to rent a post office box. There weren't a
lot of customers involved that we notified
each of the change, asking them to turn in
their keys and get a small refund on the
box rent fee paid. One elderly gentleman
affected came up to the service counter for
an explanation of the action. He seemed
satisfied and when I asked that he turned
in his key, not mentioning the small fee
refund due him, he gave me a scornful look
and said, "The rent is paid until Jan. 1" and
walked out. So, periodically for the rest of
the year, the man came in and checked out
his empty post office box. On New Year's
Eve, after we had closed for the day and
were preparing to leave for home, we heard
something clang on the floor near the box
section. The man had come in, opened the
box, threw the key on to the work room
floor and walked out.
And there was the case of the missing
Social Security check on the third day of
the month. A man came in wanting to know
why his check was not in his mail box. We
explained that sometimes there could be a
delay and that it probably would show up
the next day. Well, no check the next day,
or two or three days following, each day
the gentleman becoming more and more
concerned. This prompted us to make a
double check of post office boxes that mail
was not being removed daily, thinking
perhaps the check may of mistakenly been
put into one these boxes. No success, so
after about five days I informed the man
that he should check with the Social
Security office as to the reason his check
was not sent out. He went out to his car,
then came back in and asked, "Do you
think that the reason my check is not here
is because I signed up for direct deposit?"
Walt Borla, Historian
Know your code: 9-digit ZIP
needed for mobile FPOs
(reprinted from Navy Times, 7/29/13)
If you've sent mail to a ship or other
mobile Navy unit and didn't include the
full nine-digit ZIP code, keep an eye on
your mailbox - it's coming back.
The Navy announced July 12 via a
fleetwide message that the entire code the traditional 5-digit ZIP and the "+4"
numbers, separated by a dash - must
be included for mail to reach any mobile
fleet post office.
"Mail not addressed correctly,
including mail already en route, will be
returned to sender as undeliverable"
according to a July 15 Navy news release.
The change comes as a result of
new U.S. Postal Service military mail
processing procedures, according to
the release. The nine-digit ZIP on all
correspondence will be read by "USPS
automated equipment," the release said
- anything without all the numbers gets
sent back.
Affected commands received notice of
the change via a February memo from the
USPS and were asked to pass the word to
sailors. The memo says Marine and Coast
Guard mobile units also will be affected.
"Commanding officers will provide
the correct ZIP codes to sailors so they
can notify their correspondents about
the new address requirement," Thomas
Rittle, postal policy division director of
Naval Supply Systems Command, said.
- submitted by Carl Dennis
Love Box Contents
• Copy of Will with a note as to where
the original can be found. It is a good
idea to provide a copy to the executor
of your Will.
• Provisions for children...be sure they
are clearly identified. It is especially
helpful for a guardian to leave a
note regarding younger children and
any special needs or desires they
may have. Keep school info up to
date, shot records, name/phone and
location of doctors, etc.
• Copy of life insurance policies and
where the originals can be found.
• Copy of beneficiary page from life
insurance policies
• List of all banks with account
numbers, locations, phone numbers
and names of personal contacts at the
bank. Check into a "payable on death"
form at your bank.
• List of Investment Accounts, names
and phone numbers of personal
contacts.
• Copy of beneficiary page for
investment accounts.
• Location of Safe Deposit Box and the
location of the key. Ask your bank
how they would handle access to your
box to have your will removed upon
your death.
• Copy of Health Directive. If you do
not have one, go to your local hospital
and obtain a blank one and complete
it.
• Any preplanning funeral arrangement
information.
• Copies of auto and boat titles, and
where the originals are held.
• Important papers for pets, vet info.
• A personal note that could eliminate
stress about other things, for example:
where is the key to the lawn mower,
how the gas and oil is mixed for the
weed eater, where the check register
is kept, etc.
• Any other important information a
loved one would need.
Note: This is not intended to provide legal or
financial advice. Please seek the assistance of the
appropriate professional for your personal needs.
Ann McDorman, Nat'l VP
P.R. POTPOURRI
Delivery Like Nowhere Else
Although some city carriers on dog
infested routes may think their days
are challenging, the teens and college
students who work summers to deliver
mail along Wisconsin's Lake Geneva
really take risks.
The Lake Geneva cruise line, a tourist
sightseeing operation, is paid $1 per year
by the postal service to deliver mail to
about sixty lakeside homes while taking
customers on cruises. The line hires the
youthful, and presumably athletic, "Mail
Jumpers" to hop off the moving boat, run
to dockside mail boxes, then run back
and jump onto the still moving boat,
without falling in. The unique delivery
method has been in operation mid June
to mid September since 1916, and the
boat's current Captain has been making
the run for forty years. So apparently the
process works.
The Aging Postal Service
To put some perspective on the
USPS's prospects for retirements as they
represent both vacancies and pension
liability, based on a June report:
• The average employee age is 49
• 202,318 employees (40.9%) are
55 or older; 295 are 80 or older
• 162,012 have 25 years or more
of service, and 198 have 50 or more
Unions push for P.O. Banking
James Sauber, NALC's Chief of Staff,
announced that the NALC and APWU will
partner with the institute to campaign for
the reinstatement of basic checking and
savings account service at Post Offices.
The Postal Service offered simple banking
services from 1911 to 1967, when the
system was dismantled.
Sauber noted that in other countries,
including Germany, Great Britain, New
Zealand, Brazil, and Italy, Postal Banks
remain important institutions, although
Japan is beginning to privatize its Postal
Bank, the largest in the world.
Reportedly, the Postal Unions
see banking services as a potentially
significant revenue stream for the Postal
Service, but major commercial banks
may not be pleased with the possible
competition.
Frank Goldie
Public Relations Chair
Time Flies
Where is the time going??? We are
more than half way through the year
(by the time you read this probably 2/3's
through) and it seems like it just begun.
That is not supposed to happen when you
are retired! You're supposed to slow down,
enjoy and reap the benefits of your years of
work. Right? I'm sure we are no different
than you. If it isn't parents, its children or
its grandchildren, or... You get the picture.
Everything easy!
We've all heard a little about the ruddy
shepherd boy, David. Remember the one
tending the sheep and then suddenly (well
maybe not suddenly) he is on the battlefield
getting ready to launch a smooth stone
from his sling shot for Goliath, the giant
that is defying the army of the children
of God.
Well David's life took off from that
point. I and II Samuel and the first 2
chapters of I Kings give us a good view
of his life. It was tumultuous to say
the least. He was a victorious warrior,
hiding fugitive, conniving, manipulating,
questionable father figure, doing wrong
but always desiring to seek and to serve
God. In just over 70 years, he lived out
his life and probably like us thought, what
happened?
Keep in mind that the Bible tells us
that David was a man after God's own
heart. Even with all the problems he caused
and had? Yes, so that is why he is a good
example for us. I Kings, Chapter 2 gives a
pretty good summation as he admonishes
his 3rd son, Solomon. "Now the days of
David drew near that he should die, and
he charged Solomon his son, saying: I
go the way of all the earth; be strong,
therefore, and prove yourself a man. And
keep the charge of the Lord your God: to
walk in His ways, to keep His statutes.
His commandments. His judgments, and
His testimonies, as it is written in the Law
of Moses, that you may prosper in all that
you do and wherever you turn; that the
Lord may fulfill His word which He spoke
concerning me, saying. If your sons take
heed to their way, to walk before Me in
truth with all their heart and will all their
soul. He said, you shall not lack a man on
the throne of Israel".
Well we know that didn't happen for
long, but God has still been faithful to
David's lineage. And as the days of our
lives "fly by", we can trust that God will
be faithful to us and our family. There
are conditions as stated in the previous
verses. Let's keep our heart right and that
should help as we 'enjoy' these "lightning"
retirement years.
May God's Blessings, Protection, and
Favor overtake you.
James Gillispie, Chaplain
Letters - We Get
Letters
Hi Sally:
I just read through the
NAPUS Constitution changes
in the Gazette.
The Editor, Drew Martin
endorses these changes
because they will save
money. This is equivalent
to the US Government doing
away with all elections
because it would save
money.
Taking away the vote
of the membership sounds
like Tyranny to me. If you
agree, maybe you could
point that out at the
National Convention.
I think the whole
Executive Board should be
removed. They are trying
for a power grab unheard of
in any organization that
elects it's officers.
It was good seeing you
in Houma at the Louisiana
State Convention.
Joe Tanet
• • • • •
Dear Sally:
I swore that I would
never move again, but here
we are again in the process
of moving our 56 years of
stuff. My husband likes
to move but maybe this
move will cure him of it.
It gets harder as we get
older!
Unfortunately I had
to cancel my National
Convention registration due
to the move and some health
issues.
Always enjoy getting
your In The Mailbox
newsletter. You do a
good job with it. Enjoy
Washington state!
Agnes Eaton
• • • • •
Dear Sally:
Once again I want to
tell you how much I enjoy
your newsletter.
My husband, Jim, and I
have moved. I will not make
it to National Convention
this year, hopefully next
year. Warm regards to you
and all our friends in
NAPUS.
Ann Bennett
• • • • •
To All:
Received the below sad
news from Nancy. Our PA
Postmasters and Retirees
will remember Eileen as one
who had attended almost
every national convention
for around 50 years. Our
sympathy goes to Garry and
the entire Horvath Family
from our NAPUS Family.
Stan Ostwinch
- - - - To All:
Eileen Horvath, retired
PM of Commodore, PA passed
away late last night. Our
prayers are with her family
as we remember Eileen.
Nancy Isenberg, Editor
The Pennsylvania Register
Donald & Deane Nelson celebrated 60
years of marriage on August 11, 2013.
They currently reside in Coeur d'Alene, ID.
6.We started a T raining Session
originally intended for newly elected
Retiree Of ficers. The sessions
are conducted at both Legislative
Conference and National Convention.
The sessions have now grown with
both active postmasters and retirees
in attendance. Our last session hosted
approximately 100 attendees.
7.A complete set of Position Papers
were established for Area Reps,
Committee Chairs and Committee
Members, describing the duties and
responsibilities of the positions.
I am very proud of our
accomplishments during these past
two years. I sincerely say "THANK YOU"
to our Executive Board, Committee
Chairs and Committee Members, Area
Representatives and Associate Member
Representative, and to all of you for
making my term as your President a most
enjoyable opportunity and experience.
I will close with a quote from Ebony
Mikle, "To the world, you might be one
person. But to one person, you might be
the world". As I have said many times,
I LOVE BEING PRESIDENT!
Jack Wilkins
National President
NAPUS Retirees
The views expressed in the
Retiree In The Mailbox are
those of the writer, and not
necessarily those of the
USPS or of NAPUS.
National Editor - Retirees
325 Garfield Street - Unit 102
Kittanning, PA 16201
newly elected Retiree State Presidents
to discuss duties and responsibilities
of the office.
7.Establish position papers for
Area Reps, Committee Chairs and
Committee Members
Achievements
1.As Vice-President I began writing
names of Retirees who had an interest
in doing a particular task in our
organization. I looked for people who
were excited about trying new ideas
to help because our people to attend
our meetings with interest. I am very
pleased about the selections that were
made.
2. We began asking for input in an effort
to get new ideas and suggestions as to
how we could improve our meetings.
I am glad to report that we have
received many responses and many
have been implemented.
3. Due to the excellent responsiveness
of all our speakers and presenters, we
have been successful in getting our
business completed in approximately
two and one half hours, which is a
significant reduction.
4. I and all our Executive Board members
have been very participative at many
state conventions and conferences
during these past two years.
5.Our people quickly respond to
requests from the National Office
relative to Legislative issues and we
certainly led the way during potential
Post Office Closings with the Post
Office Preservation Committee.
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nge o r
d Cha
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Pleas s Forms t ove
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Addr Address A
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(Jack Is Back - from page 1)
The Postal Service is ever changing
and our NAPUS Organization is changing
as well. By working together I am
confident we will find the best solutions
for these changing times.
When I was elected as your National
President for the years 2012 - 2013, I set
goals for myself and for our organization.
I would now like to share those with you
and provide you with responses as to our
success in achieving the goals.
GOALS FOR 2012 - 2013
1. Involve people who are not as familiar
with the benefits of the Retiree
Organization in an effort to get them
involved through appointments to
various positions.
2.Continually seek input from all our
members to improve the functioning
of the Retiree group.
3. Develop new ways of doing business
in our business meetings to foster
an atmosphere of enjoyment and
learning.
4.Share our wealth of knowledge and
experience with not only our retirees
but with active Postmasters as well
through active participation on a State
and National level.
5.Work closely with President Bob
Rapoza and the Executive Board,
continually offering our assistance
in Legislative matters, Post Office
Preservation, and other issues that
affect all Postmasters, both active and
retired.
6. Provide a Training Session intended for