The “Official Family” Policy
February 1993
Amended February 1994
Amended August 1999
Amended January 1999
Amended September 2007
Amended August 2008
Amended September 2012
A concern for fairness in all facets of NAPUS business reflects the need for guidelines that can be understood by officers and committee persons of the National Association of Postmasters serving at the national level. These guidelines are presented to avoid any possible charges of bias or conflict of interest and shall be considered as part of the rules of serving as a national officer, appointed officials, or appointed committee persons. These rules will apply to all current and future officials of the National Association of Postmasters. Any change to this Policy requires a two-thirds vote of the National Executive Board.
In as much as elected officers, appointed committee persons and other national representatives of NAPUS are in a peculiar position to aid and abet in campaigns of candidates for national office, it is imperative that a set of guidelines be followed to provide all NAPUS members with leadership above reproach.
1. With the exception of their home state, national officers, appointed officials, and appointed committee persons in official pay status will refrain from participating in or advocating a candidate for national office. Nothing in this directive shall take away from the rights of members and associate members of NAPUS by participation in these political activities while on their own time and money.
A. Examples of violations outside home states would be providing transportation for candidates or allowing candidates to room with those on official travel orders. The intent of this article is to prohibit any funds provided by dues money to benefit any candidate for national office. Any questions regarding this mandate should be referred to the Ethics Committee.
2. National officers, appointed officials, and appointed committee persons in official pay status may run for a national office. The above mentioned cannot campaign while performing their official duties. The candidates would be allowed to campaign only when the convention coordinator designates the time for him/her to address the body at a state convention.
3. All individuals declaring their candidacies for any National Executive Board position shall be prohibited from announcing their intentions to run any earlier then the first day of the first month following the election of the officer or officers for which positions the candidates wish to announce. The measure would not affect “exploratory” campaign activities, such as prospective candidates making telephone calls to individuals to ask for their support if they later decide to run.
4. Facilities of the NAPUS National Office, including, but not limited to, the telephone, internet, website, e-mail, mailing lists, mailing room or computer, will not be used to enhance any candidate, unless the appropriate fees have been paid by the candidate. The fees will be established by the Executive Director based on actual costs.
5. Violations of this policy will be reported by a member of the Executive Board to an ethics committee. The ethics committee will be selected annually at the Leadership Conference. It will be comprised of four members of the National Executive Board selected as follows: Two members appointed by the national president and the other two members by random drawing of the remaining members of the National Executive Board. These members immediately will select a committee chair. This committee will be charged with investigating violations and reporting results to the National Executive Board for any necessary action. Necessary actions could include, but not be limited to, removal from an elected or appointed position and/or monetary remuneration.
6. The Ethics Committee will be selected annually at the Leadership Conference. It will be comprised of four members of the National Executive Board selected as follows: Two members appointed by the National President and two members by random drawing of the remaining members of the National Executive Board. These members will immediately select a committee chair. This committee will be charged with investigating violations of this Policy referred to them by the National Executive Board.