Wednesday, November 30, 2016

More Veteran Recognition

Palm Beach Gardens Letter Carrier Nelson Urena celebrated Veterans Day.  
West Palm Beach Main Office Window Unit veterans include Lead Sales Associates Kenneth Perry and Sales and Services Associate Eileen Meginley.

 

The Boynton Beach, FL, postal family celebrated the contributions of veterans. Pictured from left, Supervisor, Customer Services Felisa Triana; Rural Part Time Flexible Carrier Raymond Lugo; Rural Carrier Enrico Adderly; Letter Carrier Anthony Paoletto; and Manager, Customer Services Edith Roundtree. Back row, from left, Rural Carrier Lewis Moore; Supervisor, Customer Services Kenneth Arbour; Lead Retail Associate Brian Ter Horst; Letter Carrier Steven Ringel; and Supervisor, Customer Services Michael Stewart.

Palm Beach Gardens veterans were recognized and thanked for their military service.

Photos: West Palm Beach Customer Relations Coordinator Curlita Rogers-Saunders  

Shipping Prices Update

The Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) has approved the Postal Service’s proposed price changes for some shipping products.

The changes, which USPS announced October 19, include adjustments to Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes and Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelopes.

The changes represent a price increase in Priority Mail of 3.9 percent and an average increase of 3.3 percent in retail prices.

The adjusted prices are included in a report on the PRC’s site.

The price changes will take effect January 22.


Earlier this month, the PRC approved the Postal Service’s proposed price changes for First-Class Mail, USPS Marketing Mail, Periodicals and Package Services.

Source: LINK

Celebrating 30 Years in Haverhill



Haverhill Station Supervisor, Customer Services Suzette James (left) and A/Manager, Customer Services Othir Torres, Jr. (right) presented Letter Carrier Daniel Lammers (center) with his 30-year Service Award and Pin. Photo: West Palm Beach Customer Relations Coordinator Curlita Rogers-Saunders 

Riviera Beach Shows BCR Support

 
Riviera Beach employees posed in their Breast Cancer Awareness shirts. Front row, from left, Letter Carriers Charlene Phillips, Jessica Castro, and Lisette Martinez. Back row, from left, Jennifer Gallagher and City Carrier Assistant RayShawn Owens.
 

Riviera Beach employees showed their support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Top: From left, Rural Carrier Associate Cathy Lurry, Clerk Sharon Shufford, and Letter Carriers Kathy Vittone-Wascheck, Adele Asbury, and Jessica Castro. Below: Riviera Beach employees pose for a group photo and then enjoy some refreshments in the breakroom. Refreshments were part of an employee engagement activity.

 

Photos: West Palm Beach Customer Relations Coordinator Curlita Rogers-Saunders

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Promoting Pumpkins


Boca Raton Retail Associate Khalid Sial (right) recommended jack-‘o-lantern (a.k.a. pumpkin) stamps to a customer who was mailing hand-made Halloween cards to her loved ones. Photo: West Palm Beach Customer Relations Coordinator Curlita Rogers-Saunders

Supporting Breast Cancer Research


West Palm Beach, FL, employees gathered to recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month at the Haverhill Branch. Front row, from left, Letter Carriers Henry Chen, Susan Nunez, Lacrystal Johnson, Nina Woodward and Iris Perez. Second row, from left, Letter Carriers Elvin Diaz-Rodriguez, Nikki Polcari, Linda Soto, and Frank Cordero; Lead Retail Associate Ann Milton, Letter Carriers Larry Williams, Vanessa Voss, and Aron Christiansen; and Supervisor, Customer Services Suzette James.


West Palm Beach Palms Central Carrier Annex employees showed their support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Front row, from left, Letter Carrier Karen Baker; Supervisor, Customer Services Laurie Gaetano; and Letter Carrier William Franks. Second row, from left, Letter Carrier Rail Gonzales; Clerk, Montel Cooley, Jr.; City Carrier Assistant Kelvin Fajardo;  and Letter Carriers Tomasito Caraballo, Christian Diaz, and Karen Deluca.
 
Palms Central Carrier Annex employees in West Palm Beach took a moment to pose for a picture during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
 
 

West Palm Beach City Place employees posed for a photo during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Photos: West Palm Beach Customer Relations Coordinator Curlita Rogers-Saunders 

Monday, November 28, 2016

Employee Benefit Fairs Start Today

The South Florida District has scheduled five Employee Benefit Fairs the week of November 28. Employees throughout the district are invited to attend an Employee Benefit Fair as an off-the-clock activity. Remember to bring your employee identification badge. 
 
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28
West Palm Beach P&DC Cafeteria, 3200 Summit Blvd, West Palm Beach
6:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Contact: Wanda Brown at 561-697-2011

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29
Miami P&DC Cafeteria, 2200 NW 72 Ave, Miami
6:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Contact: Sheia Wright at 305-470-0477

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30
Royal Palm P&DC Cafeteria, 5500 NW 142 St, Opa Locka
6:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Contact: Sharon Bragg at 305-953-5604

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1
International Service Center Cafeteria, 11698 NW 25 St, Miami
6:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Contact: Karen Mastroianni at 305-718-7475

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2
Fort Lauderdale Main Post Office Employee Breakroom, 1900 W Oakland Park Blvd, Fort Lauderdale
6:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Contact: Juanita Kingcade at 954-527-2020
Please note that there will be no healthcare representatives at the Fort Lauderdale Main Office --- only healthcare information will be available.

Sunday, November 27, 2016

Miami BMEU 'Delivers the Cheer'

Miami Business Mail Entry Unit (BMEU) captured the holiday spirit and decorated their office with our Priority Mail product line as the theme. Below is a sampling of their collective creativity. Thanks for "delivering the cheer" this holiday season! Photos: Barry Artiz
 
 


 

SFL Leaders Reach for New Heights

South Florida leaders reach for new heights in training class.

Article & Photo by: Dr. Sharon Johnson, Employee Engagement Ambassador, Southern Area
 
The South Florida District EAS Leadership Development (ELD) team experienced the Live2Lead leadership conference via simulcast where they learned from four worldwide leadership experts. 
 
District Manager Jeffery Taylor and Human Resources Manager Jann Miller welcomed the leaders and spoke highly about taking leadership and the team to new heights. 
 
The focus of the training from the experts provided new perspectives from the world-class leadership experts, practical tools, and key takeaways.  The leaders gained insights on motivation and confidence necessary to lead the organization the next level. 
 
The training included principles from John Maxwell, world leadership expert identified practical principles that can be applied in one’s personal grow.  Simon Sinek, Optimist and Author in Leadership Authority helped the leaders understand how to create an ideal environment in which people can be their best. 
 
Liz Wiseman, Executive Advisor and Researcher taught the 5 key disciplines that turn smart leaders into genius makers,  Dan Cathy, President and CEO of Chick-fil-a shared how strong leadership and unwavering principles can create a recipe for tremendous reward in business. 
 
The day was full of learning and added value to the leadership.   

Saturday, November 26, 2016

10 Ways to Protect Mail and Packages

1. Avoid sending cash by mail. Checks and money orders are safer than cash and may be cancelled or reissued in the event of theft.

2. Don’t leave delivered mail and packages unattended. Just as wallets and purses shouldn’t be left on the front seat of an unlocked car overnight, mail and packages shouldn’t be left uncollected in mailboxes or front porches for any length of time.

3. Consider an alternate shipping address. Customers can arrange to have packages delivered to neighbors who are home during the day or get packages delivered at work, if permitted.

4. Change the package’s address --- while it’s in transit! Customers who know they won’t be home when their package is delivered can try USPS Package Intercept. Prior to delivery, most domestic package shipments can be redirected back to the sender, to a new address or to the Post office to be held for pickup.

5. Customize the delivery. If the package doesn't fit in the mailbox, and the customer won’t be home to receive it, they can provide delivery instructions online and authorize their carrier to leave it in a specified location. Visit www.usps.com , enter tracking number and select "Delivering Instructions." Customers also can request the package be left with a neighbor or held at a Post Office for pickup.

6. Plan ahead. Ship using Hold or Pickup. When shipping packages, customers can choose the Hold for Pickup option and the recipient can collect the package at their local Post Office. For customers receiving packages, they can redirect incoming packages to their local Post Office by selecting Hold for Pickup using USPS Package Intercept.

7. Going out of town? Hold mail at the local Post Office. Instead of risking leaving a package unattended for an extended period of time, customers planning on being away from home for a few days are encouraged to take advantage of the Request Hold Mail service. Letters and packages will be held securely at the local Post Office until they return.

8. Secure the shipment using USPS Signature Services. Signature Services help ensure the package ends up in the right hands by requiring a signature at the time of delivery.

9. Choose the most secure form of delivery. For the most valuable, packages, customers can opt for Registered Mail service. Registered Mail receives special-handling from the time it’s mailed until it’s delivered, documenting the chain of custody.

10. Post Office Boxes might be the answer. Customers concerned about the security of their mail can consider renting a Post Office Box at their local Post Office. The mail remains secure within the Post Office, accessible only when using the right key or combination. Many Post Office lobbies are open 24/7, allowing customers to retrieve mail on their schedule. 

Friday, November 25, 2016

More 2017 Stamp Announcements

The Postal Service today announced more subjects that will be featured on Forever stamps in the new year. Here are some of the latest additions (more to be posted next week):
Dorothy Height (Black Heritage series)
The 40th stamp in the Black Heritage series honors Dorothy Height (1912-2010), the tireless activist who dedicated her life to fighting for racial and gender equality. Although she rarely gained the recognition granted her male contemporaries, she became one of the most influential civil rights leaders of the 20th century. The stamp features artist Thomas Blackshear II’s gouache and acrylics on board portrait of Height. The painting is based on a 2009 photograph shot by Lateef Mangum. Art director Derry Noyes designed the stamp.
Nebraska Statehood (Statehood series)
This stamp celebrates the 150th anniversary of Nebraska’s statehood. Known for agriculture, the Cornhusker State became the 37th state on March 1, 1867. Nebraska photographer Michael Forsberg set up among prairie grasses on the riverbank between the small cities of Grand Island and Kearney to capture the image shown on the stamp. In the photograph, sandhill cranes fly low to scout for shelter from nighttime predators. This mid-migratory rest for half a million birds along the Platte River is unique to Nebraska. Forsberg captured this image as winter thawed into spring around the year 2000. Art director Derry Noyes designed the stamp using Forsberg’s existing photograph.


Celebration Boutonniere
This new Forever stamp is similar in design to the two-ounce Celebration Corsage stamp and can be used for weddings and RSVP cards. It also is perfect for party invitations, thank-you notes, announcements, birthday cards, Father's Day cards and other occasions. The stamp art features a photograph of an arrangement of ranunculus, with floral accents of succulents, Astrantia, Berzelia, and clubmoss greenery. The ribbon wrapping the stems harmonizes with the colors and textures of the plant material. The boutonniere was arranged by floral designer Carol Caggiano and photographed by Renée Comet. Art director Ethel Kessler designed the stamp.


Celebration Corsage
This new 2-ounce stamp is perfect for many of life’s special moments, as it can accommodate the weight of heavy invitations for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, and other celebrations; oversize greeting cards for all occasions; and mailings such as small gifts that require extra postage. Celebration Corsage is similar in design to the Celebration Boutonniere Forever stamp, and the two form a natural pair.  The corsage was arranged by floral designer Carol Caggiano and photographed by Renée Comet. Art director Ethel Kessler designed the stamp.

Mississippi Statehood (Statehood series)
This stamp celebrates the 200th anniversary of Mississippi statehood. Mississippi became the 20th state on Dec. 10, 1817. The stamp features a 2009 photograph showing a close-up of a guitar player’s hands. Mississippi is the birthplace of many legendary blues artists who created a uniquely American genre of music. Among states, the Magnolia State is 32nd in size, and with nearly three million people, it ranks 31st in population. Art director Greg Breeding designed the stamp with an existing photo taken by Lou Bopp.  

Robert Panara (Distinguished Americans series)
The 16th stamp in the Distinguished Americans series honors Robert Panara (1920-2014), an influential teacher and a pioneer in the field of deaf studies. The stamp features a 2009 photograph of Panara. He is shown signing the word “respect.” During his 40-year teaching career, Panara inspired generations of students with his powerful use of American Sign Language. Panara taught at Gallaudet University in Washington, DC for nearly 20 years at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (part of the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York state). Art director Ethel Kessler designed the stamp with an existing photograph by Mark Benjamin, official photographer of the National Technical Institute for the Deaf in Rochester.
Have A Ball!
The U.S. Postal Service celebrates our nation’s passion for athletics with Have a Ball! The stamps feature colorful illustrations of eight different sports balls: baseball, basketball, football, golf, kickball, soccer, tennis and volleyball. Millions in the U.S. participate annually in the sports represented on the stamps. Mike Ryan designed the stamps and Greg Breeding served as the art director. Daniel Nyari created the colorful, stylized stamp art. 

Coral Springs Wins mPOS Contest


Congratulations to the Coral Springs Branch which won the mPOS contest. Photo: Beth Bowness

The competition was based on both revenue and non-transactions. Coral Springs Sales and Services Associates sold $22,000 worth of stamps in Quarter 4.  Coral Springs Branch now has won the contest for two consecutive quarters.

Front Row (squatting): Manager, Customer Services Richard Elam. Middle Row, from left: Pompano Beach Postmaster Ed Coppola; Sales and Services Associates Margarita Garcia Romero, Patricia Williams, Carolina Wilson, and Jose Lopez; and Retail Manager Sue Walker. Back Row, from left: Sales and Services Associate Abraham Joseph; Supervisor, Customer Services Marcus Williams; Sales and Services Associates Rosily Panikulangura, Veronica Montenegro, and Diann Root; and Marketing Manager Juan Nadal.

#PostalProud

 

Thursday, November 24, 2016

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Veterans around the District

Palm Beach Gardens Maintenance employee Larry James is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. Photo: Courtney Roundtree


Hollywood Flamingo Branch Manager, Customer Services Gretta Stone thanked veterans for their service as Letter Carrier Nina Hayes distributed pins to (from left) Letter Carriers Jonas Jean and Robert Cooney and Maintenance employee Dwight White. Photo: Linda Harmon
Flamingo Branch Manager, Customer Services Gretta Stone (left) recognized Letter Carrier Robert Cooney (center) for his military service. Also pictured: Letter Carrier/Veteran Richard Piniero (right). Photo: Linda Harmon

Flamingo Branch employees enjoyed this cake in honor of Veterans Day. Photo: Linda Harmon

'Show Some Love' for the 2016 CFC



As part of the fabric of every American community, the U.S. Postal Service and its employees demonstrate good corporate citizenship each and every day. Our collective commitment to the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) is a prime example.

"Show Some Love" is the theme of this year's campaign.
The CFC is the only authorized charitable organization solicitation in our workplace. Throughout the years, the CFC has become a powerful way for our employees to make donations to charities to help others in need.
 
There are more than 4,000 approved charities eligible to receive your donation --- organizations that provide human services, health care, medical research, disaster relief, housing, youth development, and much more. How much you give and whether you wish to designate your support to a specific charity is your decision. Most employees elect to pledge an amount to be withheld regularly from their paycheck while others give a one-time gift during the CFC. Your participation is strictly voluntary.  

There’s still time to "show some love" and pledge to this year’s campaign. A CFC keyworker can provide a copy of the 2016 Catalog of Caring and a pledge form.

#PostalProud

 
 

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Holiday Facts

¯  Busiest MAILING day for greeting cards and packages
      Monday, December 19 

¯  Busiest DELIVERY day for greeting cards and packages
      Thursday, December 22

¯  December 19 also will be the busiest day for usps.com with more than seven million customers predicted to visit on that day alone.

¯  The U.S. Postal Service is projecting about 16 billion total pieces of mail and packages will be delivered between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve.

¯  The U.S. Postal Service is projecting a 12% increase in package volume this holiday season — roughly 750 million packages (660 million in 2015).

¯  On an average day, the U.S. Postal Service processes 508 million pieces of mail. During the holiday season, that volume increases to 525 million pieces of mail each day (536 million in 2015).

¯  More than 611 million pieces of mail will be processed on December 19, the busiest mailing day.

¯  More than 30 million packages will be delivered on December 22, the busiest delivery day.

¯  More than five million packages are expected to be delivered each Sunday in December.

¯  More than three million customers will skip the trip to the Post Office this year and use Click-N-Ship to mail packages.

¯  More than 208,000 delivery vehicles will be used to deliver cheer this holiday season/15,000 new vehicles deployed.

#PostalProud

 
 

Monday, November 21, 2016

Sunday, November 20, 2016

'Tis the (Open) Season

Open season, your once-a-year opportunity to make changes to your health coverage or choose a new plan, now through December 12.

Employees can choose from a variety of health, vision and dental coverage options through the following programs and plans:
  • Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHB)
  • USPS Health Benefits Plan (USPSHB) for non-career employees only
  • Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP)
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
To review your plan and explore your options, log onto the Open Season LiteBlue site, which includes Frequently-Asked Questions (FAQs), informational videos and a link to a comparison tool from Checkbook’s Guide to Health Plans.

To enroll or change coverage in FEHB or USPSHB, go to PostalEASE or call 877-477-3273 and select option 1. Additionally, some facilities offer self-service kiosks that allow you to change your coverage.

To enroll in an FSA, go to the FSAFEDS site or call 877-372-3337. The TTY number is 866-353-8058.

To enroll or make changes to your dental or vision coverage, go to the Benefeds site.

For assistance, call the Human Resources Shared Service Center at 877-477-3273 and select option 5. The TTY number is 866-260-7507.

#PostalProud


Saturday, November 19, 2016

Ivonne Gonzalez is A/Senior Plant Mgr


Ivonne Gonzalez, Senior Plant Manager, Suncoast District, is being detailed as Acting Senior Plant Manager, South Florida District, effective Saturday, November 19.
 
During her 28-year career, Gonzalez acquired extensive experience in Plant Processing Operations and Customer Service/Delivery Operations. She began her career as a Multi-Position Letter Sorting Machine (MPLSM) Clerk in Miami, FL. In the South Florida District, Gonzalez was promoted to several managerial positions of increased responsibility --- including Postmaster, Miami Beach, FL.

Gonzalez served as Manager, Customer Engagement and Strategic Alignment and Director of International Processing and Service Performance at USPS Headquarters in Washington DC. In the Gateway District in St. Louis, MO, Gonzalez served as Senior Plant Manager and Manager, Operations Programs Support.
 
Gonzalez earned a Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration from Florida International University, Miami, FL.  She is a graduate of the U.S. Postal Service's Advanced Leadership Program (ALP) and has completed Executive Training Programs at Stanford University, Stanford, CA.