Missouri Branch – NLPM Jan/Feb/Mar 2015
Transcription
Missouri Branch – NLPM Jan/Feb/Mar 2015
MISSOURI BRANCH – NLPM JAN/FEB/MAR 2015 ] MISSOURIAN POSTPLAN COMPLETE APWU COMES OUT BIG WINNER After a couple different extensions, Friday, February 6th marked the end of many postmaster’s postal careers – and most NOT by choice. These loyal, knowledgeable, dedicated employees were released from their duties – either by retirement (some forced and some by choice) or by RIF, which hasn’t happened very many times in the history of the USPS. While we, as an organization, succeeded in saving the rural post offices from closure – we were in fact, only saving the buildings. Those postmasters who were very much respected in their communities will be sorely missed. The positions left in the reduced hours offices will be APWU employees in the Level 4’s. The 2’s are the only ones who will still have the position of PMR – and the 6’s will also belong to the APWU once the current postmaster moves on or retires. So, did POStPlan save the money it was intended to? Of course not! Now those brick and mortar buildings will cost the USPS even more money with the career clerks, not to mention the extra workload for the APO postmasters trying to remotely manage them. We were somewhat relieved that a final offer to the remaining postmasters to stay on as PTF clerks in the 4-hour offices was given. And to those postmasters, we hope that you will remain a part of our League family as an Associate member so that you’ll continue to receive our educational publications and be a part of our events. Thank you to those of you that are still here – and an even bigger thank you to those UPCOMING EVENTS Missouri/Kansas Joint State Convention April 10th, 11th and 12th Ramada Inn - Branson, MO National League of Postmasters Convention June 28th – July 2nd Renaissance Washington, DC Downtown Hotel who decided it was time to start anew! Again – you will be missed…. Understanding the MOU's HRSSC forms - understaning webcoins & hiring Listed are just a few of the items on the agenda for this year’s Scanning explanations State Convention. Besides the Latest information from our District Managers educational value, the fellowship and sharing with other Information provided by National Exec VP Shelly Stigall Inspection Service postmasters is PRICELESS! Won’t you decide to join us in Branson? Motivational Speakers E1412 info and tips & tricks In Honor of President’s Day: Abraham Lincoln - Born February 12, 1809 – Died April 15, 1865 “We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.” Happy President’s Day! 1 Missouri Branch – NLPM Jan/Feb/Mar 2015 POSTMASTERS & MANAGERS OF AMERICA…? A message from our President – Mike Daugherty Dear Leaguers, NAPUS to create one organization for Postmasters, WOW! So much to talk about Managers and Supervisors. today. I think I will start with State This organization would hopefully be the best of both Convention. Your Executive Board organizations creating a NEW organization named met and went over several proposals for out State Postmaster and Managers of America, or PMA. We Convention this year. We came to the conclusion that were told the reasons for it and who had been in on the best deal for us was at Branson MO. We will have the negotiations and were sent the Bylaws as well as a the convention on the 10th, 11th and 12th of April at the transition document. There was a lot of quiet on the Branson Ramada Inn. We were able to secure a room telecom as we tried to digest what we had just heard. rate of $59.00 a night, which includes a breakfast I will also say even though I have had a couple of buffet. You will find your registration form in this weeks now to think about this I still find it hard to newsletter so fill it out and send it in. The room rates believe. The Executive Board of both organizations is are good from 4/5 to 4/14 so you could make it a full to put these proposals out to their membership and to week if you so desired. This is one convention you will try to get a feel for whether or not – we as a State – not want to miss and I will explain why. feel that we should go in this direction. Those First, I would like you to know that we will be having a discussions will take place at State Conventions of joint convention with the great state of Kansas. This will every state and then delegates will be voting at the help both states save some money on convention, National Convention in June, based on the State’s give us the opportunity to be with more friends, and decision. So now you know the importance of this receive the same message from our National Board year’s State Convention. member in attendance. As your President, it is imperative that I get your input Now for the hard part. We will have a major need for on this extraordinary happening and the input I need as many members to attend as possible. Why? is from educated members. That education will also Because we will be deciding the future of the National be a major part of the convention. We will have Shelly League of Postmasters. Shortly after our meeting I Stigall, National Executive VP there to present the received a message that all State Presidents be on a proposals and to answer questions we all will have. telecom for important information from our National These have been trying times for all Postmasters. The President, Sean Accord. Anticipating answers to ones affected by the downgrades, moving to new questions we had been sending up to HQ my thoughts offices, losing friends to retirement and many who are were that these would be the reason for the telecom. I no longer Postmasters. The one thing I have always couldn’t have been more wrong. leaned on is the National League of Postmasters, so Sean gave us a history lesson on the number of this is important to me and I hope it is important to you. Postmasters from the time the League started to what Important enough for all of us to meet, learn, and the numbers will be within the next couple of years. make decisions together for the benefit and These numbers were enough to get your attention betterment of us all. After all, it is you the Postmaster when you consider that there may be only about we represent. 10,000 Postmasters left by 2016. Please join me and the executive board as well as our This still did not prepare me for what was said next. We Kansas membership for the State Convention April 10th were then told that we had been in negotiations with through the 12th at Branson, Missouri. We need you! 2 Missouri Branch – NLPM Jan/Feb/Mar 2015 Please NOTE – there is a new requirement for the scholarship recipients this year. In order to receive either of these scholarships, the applicant must be PRESENT at the State Convention banquet on Saturday, April 11th and be accompanied by the active League member who also must be fully registered for the State Convention in Branson, MO. Mark Rosenbaum Scholarship Application Name ___________________________________________________________ Sex __________________ Address_______________________________________________________________________________________ Social Security # _________________________ Telephone # ____________________________________ Name of High School ______________________________________ GPA_______ College you will be entering (Fall 2015) ___________________________________________________ Major (if known) _______________ Name of League Member _________________________________Relationship ___________________ Address_______________________________________________________________________________________ Activities you have participated in: _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Please provide three letters of reference and send with application to: David Dyer, 2600 NW Stonecrest Ct., Blue Springs, MO 64015 Signature of Applicant ______________________________________ Date _______________________ On a separate sheet, please write a short narrative why you feel you should be considered for this scholarship. Must be postmarked by March 31, 2015. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ McKinley/Mallette Auxiliary Scholarship Application Name _________________________________________________________ Sex __________________ Address______________________________________________________________________________ Social Security # _________________________ Telephone # __________________________________ Name of High School ______________________________________ GPA________ ________________ College you will be entering (Fall 2015) ________________________ Major (if known) ______________ Name of League Member ____________________________________ Relationship _________________ Address ______________________________________________________________________________ Activities you have participated in ________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Please provide three letters of reference and send with application to: Pam Crowden, 32720 Southwest Outer Road, Harrisonville, MO 64701-7400 Signature of Applicant __________________________________________ Date _____________________ On a separate sheet, please write a short narrative why you feel you should be considered for this scholarship addressing factors such as financial need, character, leadership ability, service history, and scholastic achievement. Must be postmarked by March 31, 2015. 3 Missouri Branch – NLPM Jan/Feb/Mar 2015 NATIONAL LEAGUE OF POSTMASTERS Missouri & Kansas Joint State CONVENTION April 10th – 12th in Branson, MO Name___________________________________________________________ Postmaster ____OIC ____PMR ____Retiree ____Auxiliary ____ Post Office: ______________________________________________________ Additional Registrant(s):_____________________________________________ Are you a First Timer? Yes _____ ______ $55.00 Registration postmarked by March 20th ______ $65.00 Registration postmarked after March 20th ______ $25.00 BRATS and other children under 12 Registration includes two lunches and one dinner. Please send your completed registration form & payment to: Pam Payne, 25707 Highway 5, Gravois Mills, MO 65037-9998 Ramada Branson Hotel & Resort 1700 W Hwy 76, Branson, MO, 65616 Book By Phone: 1-800-641-4106 For room reservations call 1-800-641-4106 or 1- 417-334-1000 and refer to National League of Postmasters to get our group rate of $59.00 + tax for 2 people (each additional person is $5) and this includes a free hot breakfast. Hotel is located at 1700 W Highway 76, Branson, MO 65616. Check-in time is 3:00 p.m. and checkout is 12 noon. We have been given an extension period for this great room-rate from Sunday, April 5th – Tuesday, April 14th for anyone interested in turning this into a fun-filled family vacation in beautiful Branson, Missouri! 4 Missouri Branch – NLPM Jan/Feb/Mar 2015 Vice President Tammy Cummings Don’t Forget! If you are contacted by your boss and fear that it is not for a good visit, your first question should always be, “Could Hello there. I am again trying to think of something you this possibly lead to discipline?” If the answer is YES, do not would be interested in reading about. One thing I thought go to any meeting without representation and most of was the Postmaster Finder. Have you ever wondered certainly do not sign any type of written statement. who has been in charge of your office or the town you live in over the past 100 years or so? Here is your answer. Go to : about.usps.com/who-we-are/postmasterfinder/welcome. There are all kinds of things there for you. It will go back The person you want to call is listed below. He is the representation that you will need! Adverse Action Counselor – David Dyer, Postmaster Oak Grove, MO to the beginning of your office or town. I love looking at it. Cell: (816) 645-6134 You might be surprised what you find out. In these ever- Office: (816) 690-3500 changing times it is nice to know who came before you. [email protected] or [email protected] Next- SPRING IS COMING and with that is the League State Convention. This year it will be held April 10-12, 2015 in Branson, MO at the Ramada Inn on Hwy 76 across from the Dixie Stampede. The registration form is in this issue. Please plan on coming even if it is for one day. We will have lots of great training and information. Also we will have National EXVP Shelly Stigall with us to talk about issues and the possible combining of League and NAPUS. This is something that we need to seriously talk about. It will be voted on at the National Convention in June in Washington DC. Come to State Convention and fellowship with us and learn what is changing in the Postal Service. Change is a continuing thing and must for us to survive. Sometimes, however, I wonder at what cost. A warm body is hard to find these days if you need to find someone to fill in for your office. We lost a lot of good employees over this mess and we are suffering for it. Hopefully the future will be better. Again don’t forget State Convention. Go to your calendar right now and mark it down. You won’t be sorry. See you in Branson!!!!!!! In 1913 it was legal to mail children. With stamps attached to their clothing, children rode trains to their destinations, accompanied by letter carriers. One newspaper reported it cost fifty-three cents for parents to mail their daughter to her grandparents for a family visit. As news stories and photos popped up around the country, it didn't take long to get a law on the books making it illegal to send children through the mail. The NATIONAL Retirees of the National League of Postmasters also offer a scholarship for a qualifying senior of an active League member. Please see either the NLPM website at postmasters.org or the Missouri website at missourileagueofpostmasters.org. The deadline for submission is May 30th. 5 Missouri Branch – NLPM Jan/Feb/Mar 2015 How Well Do YOU know your Legislators? Building a relationship with your legislators is very important, not only to you personally but in many different aspects of your life. Your legislators are there to serve you; you are the ones that voted them info office to represent you, your community, your area and your state on matters that affect you in many different ways. You should know your state and federal legislators and have a good relationship with them so when you contact them they are receptive to what you want to discuss. They oversee policy and law on how your community, area and state are governed and they propose changes that will affect how much you pay in taxes to how your children are educated. They deal with many issues and concerns on a daily basis and they rely on you and their constituents to keep them informed and updated about issues and concerns that affect you and others in a negative or positive way. Your legislators at the state level cannot make changes to federal law but they can let their federal legislators know how the people they serve will be affected by any changes to the federal rules and regulations. Each of the federal legislators will have someone on their staff that handles certain topics such as Postal Issues. You should know who that person is and how to contact them when changes occur so you can keep them in the loop on what changes are taking place and how they affect you and others in the Postal Service. If we don’t tell them, many times they are unaware that changes have taken place or the impact it has had on someone in their District. It is your constitutional right to talk to or contact your legislators about anything. You can find contact information on both state and federal legislators by searching for their website on the Internet. Each site will have contact information on where they have offices and a phone number to contact that office. Any one of the offices can put you in touch with the person that deals with Postal Issues and I highly suggest you get in touch with them today. Do not wait till something happens that adversely affects you, many times it is too late to change something after the fact. They need to know about your issues and concerns before the change happens so they can address it before it gets too far. It does make a difference! If the legislators hear from hundreds of Postmasters in the State of Missouri they will sit up and take notice. It cannot come from just one or two as that will have no impact on votes but 100 or more will have a greater impact and get the issue out in front of them where it can be addressed. Don’t just rely on your legislative contacts to speak for you, you need to step up and speak for yourself and let your voice be heard not only in the State of Missouri but also in Washington, DC. I ask you to consider attending the combined National Convention and National Legislative Forum in Washington, DC from June 28 to July 2nd and let your voice be heard by your US Senators and US Representatives. They serve you and your future depends on how well you know your legislators. Please contact me by email at [email protected] or by phone at 660-254-1833 if I can help you find your state or federal legislators contact information or if you have a legislative issue you would like to discuss. Debbie Roach, Vice President and Legislative Chair for the Missouri Branch of the National League of Postmasters and National Legislative Committee Member 6 Missouri Branch – NLPM Jan/Feb/Mar 2015 MOMENTOUS DECISION COMING Attention all retirees – It is a possibility that LEAGUE and NAPUS after all these years will combine to form a new Postmaster’s organization. Whether to go forward will be voted on at National Convention this year. Please be at state convention where this will be discussed in depth and a national officer will be there to explain and answer our questions. To many of us “old timers” this is a very emotional subject that requires a practical resolution. We need to hear your thoughts. I suggest that you go to the League’s website, www.postmasters.org, to read what is proposed for both active and retired members so you will be informed. If you see something or question something you can get clarification by coming to the state convention in Branson and speaking out. I will remind you that just because this has been proposed it doesn’t mean that it is final and won’t require some adjustments. I believe we must keep in mind that what is needed is protection for Postmasters and this will possibly be an answer. Our Retiree meeting will be on Saturday, April 11 immediately following lunch and door prizes. The Banquet will be that evening. Join us for both reminiscing and looking ahead. MO Retiree President Bob Frakes Convention Committees: Listed below are the Convention Committee Advisors. If you are interested in helping on a certain committee, please do not hesitate to contact them: Registration – Kathy Mills, PM, St. Thomas; Auditing – Janet Brock, PM, Braymer; Sergeant at Arms – Dave Weber, PM, Adrian; Door Prizes – Debbie Roach, PM, Sheridan; First Timers – Tracy Fillpot, PM, Rich Hill; Memorial – Kelly McCartney, PM, Liberty; Banquet – Tammy Cummings, PM, Butler; Hospitality – Auxiliary Branch; Scholarship – David Dyer, PM, Oak Grove; and Nominating – Pam Payne, PM, Gravois Mills. Also, please bring a $5 to $10 door prize with you to Convention! THANKS!! Postmaster of the Year Award Public Service Award Nominations Do you know a postmaster who goes above and beyond for the Postal Service and for the League? We want to recognize him/her at our State Convention. Please send your nomination with a brief statement as to why to Debbie Roach, 809 S Briggs, Grant City, MO 64465 by April 6th. Postmasters have always given to their communities in ways that go above and beyond their jobs. If you know someone who spends time helping others, nominate him/her for this award. Please send the nominee’s name, office and number of person to contact for more info to Mike Daugherty, Postmaster, Clinton, MO 64735-9998. Final Words from out-‐going Vice-‐President Kathy Mills… To those who are still employed by USPS -‐ stick together -‐ you need each other. Call, email, drop a line, whatever ... Keep in contact -‐-‐ you never know when someone needs a laugh, or a hug through the phone or computer....To those of you who are no longer employed but retired -‐ may you have better health and happiness and may you still support our organization. Try to forget the unpleasant memories and get back in the game of being a helper of those who need you. We are not an island -‐ we need each other -‐-‐-‐ I am so grateful for the shoulders/ears/wisdom that got me through the last four weeks. And, -‐ remember most of all to KEEP LOOKING UP -‐ HE is always there!!! Kathy L. Mills, RETIRED Postmaster, St. Thomas, MO 65076 7 Missouri Branch – NLPM Jan/Feb/Mar 2015 Missouri Branch – NLPM Jan/Feb/Mar 2015 President Mike Daugherty Clinton MO 64735 W: (660) 885-5221 H: (660) 686-2758 Email: [email protected] Executive Vice President David Dyer Lexington MO 64065 W: (660) 259-3612 C: (816) 645-6134 Email: [email protected] Secretary/Treasurer Tracy Fillpot Rich Hill MO 64779 W: (417) 395-2135 H: (660) 643-7458 Email: [email protected] Vice Presidents Kelly McCartney Liberty MO 64068 W: (816) 792-2630 H: (785) 393-5266 Email: [email protected] Debbie Roach Sheridan MO 644876 W: (660) 799-2695 H: (660) 564-3698 Email: [email protected] Tammy Cummings Butler, MO 64730 W: (816) 899-2558 H: (660) 267-3353 Area Coordinators Dave Weber – W2 Adrian MO 64720 W: (816) 297-2210 H: (816) 297-2843 Email: [email protected] Pam Payne - GLA Gravois Mills MO 65037 W: (573) 372-6509 H: (660) 298-3439 Email: [email protected] RETIREE OFFICERS President Robert Frakes Clinton MO H: 660-351-2434 Email: [email protected] Executive Vice President Steve Best Blue Springs MO 64015 H: 816-224-2189 Email: [email protected] Vice Presidents Toni Koch Bosworth MO 64623 H: 660-534-7723 [email protected] Kathy Lutjen Clinton MO 64735 H: 660-890-2225 Email: [email protected] Secretary/Treasurer Cathy Bowe Laredo MO 64652 H: 660-286-6675 Email: [email protected] AUXILIARY OFFICERS President Pam Crowden Harrisonville, MO 64701 H: 816-729-7953 Email: [email protected] Executive Vice President Lee Cummings Amsterdam, MO 64723 C: 660-200-5470 Email: [email protected] Vice President Alberta Weber Archie, MO 64725 C: 816 830 3163 Email: [email protected] Secretary/Treasurer Deena Frakes Clinton MO 64735 660-351-2444 [email protected] The Missourian is published quarterly and mailed by the Missouri Branch of the National League of Postmasters. The opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily express the views of the NLPM of the United States. 8