NAPUS Wraps Up Very Successful Convention
The final business session of the NAPUS national convention got under way Wednesday morning. Phil Jones, the NAPUS Legal Defense Plan attorney, was the first speaker. He talked about the dedication of the NAPUS national and state PM reps and mentioned some who are dealing with serious health issues, but still are fighting for Postmasters. He urged everyone to take a moment to thank their PM reps for the jobs they do.
He complained the USPS is being controlled by bean counters that only are concerned with the bottom line. He referenced the more than 3,000 vacant offices and said that some are being run by PMRs—noncareer employees—instead of Postmasters. “I’ve never seen an organization that was going to be successful base its employment on temporary, nonpermanent employees,” he said. “That is of great concern to me; hopefully some things will change.”
He went on to warn Postmasters of the risks computers pose. He strongly urged them to be careful what they post on their Facebook accounts. “You cannot expect any privacy on your Facebook page,” he said. “If you put something out there that can be viewed as derogatory toward the USPS, a customer or employee, you are opening yourself up to be disciplined.”
Jones also warned everyone of the danger of using their personal computers to check work e-mails from home. Once you use your personal computer to access your office account, the Postal Service now has access to your personal computer’s hard drive. He strongly suggested if you have to work from home, buy another computer with a separate account and dedicate it only to work.
He also said if you receive something via e-mail on your work computer that is not proper, you must immediately respond to the sender and insist he or she not send you anything like this and then you have to inform your MPOO and let him or her know you responded to the sender. “If you don’t,” he advised, “you are hung out there.”
“Help yourselves and help the Postmasters around you; you have to be united. Stand up, push back and keep your records straight. We’re here for you.”
Secretary-Treasurer Wayne Orshak and Jim Willett, president of First Marketing, presented the 2010 Jessie Harrison Memorial Award to William Judge, Postmaster of Greenville, OH. Willett presented him a check for $500. This award is given to a chapter secretary-treasurer who carries on the tradition of Jessie Harrison, a former Kentucky Chapter secretary-treasurer who dedicated her life to NAPUS and Postmasters. Previous Jessie Harrison Award winners present at the convention joined them on stage.
Postmasters Gazette Editor Eva Finley presented the prestigious John Fitzgerald Gold Shield Award to Bev Klein, Postmaster of California, KY, and editor of The Kentuckian. Finley, with California Chapter President David Eng, presented the Harold McCraw Award to Wisconsin Editor Georgia Angell, Postmaster of Cottage Grove.
Pam Boudreau, National Membership chair, presented the membership awards. Linda Carter, NAPUS PAC chair, then presented the PAC and Millennium Awards. Full coverage of all the awards will be in the October/November issue of the Postmasters Gazette.
Area 2 Vice President Tony Leonardi (CT) and Area 12 Vice President Linda Gurka (MI) recognized the more than 70 first-timers. They had been given piggy banks at the beginning of the week to help collect funds for PAC and meet people at the convention. Bruce Kelly, Postmaster of Pierson, MI, won a beach bag full of Michigan goodies for collecting the most.
Linda Carter gave an update on PAC collections at the convention. As of this morning, more than $30,200 was deposited in the bank. “And,” she exclaimed, “we’re not through yet!”
Newly elected 2011-2012 Secretary-Treasurer Ruthie Cauble addressed the convention. “I’m overwhelmed, humbled, excited and extremely honored,” she said, “to be elected again to serve you as the national secretary-treasurer of our great NAPUS organization.”
She told Postmasters she was anxious to start her second term and will work hard to improve NAPUS and its members’ abilities. “I wish I could tell you our jobs will get easier and less demanding,” she said, “but I can’t. I wish I could say you will have the tools necessary to adequately do your jobs, but I can’t. I wish I could promise you will be treated with dignity and respect, but I can’t.
“I can stand here today and pledge to work to improve the deplorable conditions some of us work in. Thank you for allowing me to grow and gain more Postmaster friends throughout this country. I pledge to serve with the professionalism and diligence you so richly deserve.”
Convention attendees selected Bellevue, WA, as the site for the 2013 National Convention. Puerto Rico Chapter President Reinaldo Ruiz invited everyone to come to next year’s convention in beautiful San Juan, Puerto Rico, Sept. 10-15.
Before adjourning the convention, President Bob Rapoza said, “At the beginning of the convention, I told you I expected you to leave with more knowledge than when you arrived. Have you accomplished that? (Chorus of yeses) I told you you would have the opportunity to meet with old friends and make the acquaintance of new ones. Have you done that? (More yeses) Then, this convention has been a great success!”