District Seeks FEOY Nominations

It’s that time of year when we’re asked to nominate postal employees for recognition in the South Florida Federal Executive Board’s “Federal Employee of the Year” awards program  and luncheon. This is the only interagency awards program in South Florida. The program pays tribute to all dedicated federal employees and organizations that are a part of the public workforce.  

In the South Florida District, there are employees who consistently perform above and beyond their job requirements. The Postal Service counts on them to come to work and to contribute to the success of the district and the organization. There also are employees, including city and rural letter carriers, who perform heroic acts, and in some cases, save the lives of customers and/or co-workers.

This is your opportunity to honor outstanding postal employees in the following categories:

·       Administrative

·       Clerical/Administrative Support
·       Innovation
·       Law Enforcement
·       Management (except Agency Head)
·       Organizational Partnership
·       Professional
·       Scientific
·       Service to the Community
·       Technical/Information Technology
·       Trades & Crafts
·       Valor

The awards program/luncheon will take place during National Public Service Week in May.

Ask your supervisor for a copy of the nomination package. It also will be posted on the main page of the South Florida District website. Submit your completed nomination package(s) to Manager, Learning Development and Diversity Damaris Agrait, 2200 NW 72 Ave, Miami, FL 33152-9998 by Close of Business on Wednesday, February 15. If you have any questions, please contact Damaris at 305-470-0881.

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USPS Dedicates New US Flag Stamp

The U.S. Postal Service dedicated a new U.S. Flag stamp at the Southeastern Stamp Expo in Norcross, GA, continuing the organization’s tradition of celebrating patriotism through stamps that feature one of our nation’s most recognizable symbols. The stamp features a detail from a photograph of the billowing Stars and Stripes.

“A traditional take on an old favorite, the new U.S. Flag stamp adds a touch of majesty and patriotic grace to First-Class Mail correspondence,” said Jeffrey C. Williamson, the Postal Service’s Chief Human Resources Officer and Executive Vice President, who dedicated the stamp. “The elegant yet simple design of the stamp conveys the quiet dignity of Old Glory waving in the wind and calls to mind the values of liberty and justice the American flag represents.”

Williamson was joined at the stamp dedication by retired Brig. Gen. Mitchell Zais , president, American Philatelic Society; Mary-Anne Penner, director of Stamp Services, U.S. Postal Service; Edwin L. Jackson, senior public service associate emeritus, University of Georgia; and Beatrix Clark, philatelist.

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Lili’uokalani Gardens Stamp Released

Participants gather for a special dedication of the Lili’uokalani Gardens Priority Mail stamp in the gardens in Hilo, HI. From left are Hawaii County Executive Assistant Rose Bautista, Hilo Postmaster Alton Uyetake and Friends of Lili’uokalani Gardens President K.T. Cannon-Eger.

The Postal Service issued the Lili’uokalani Gardens Priority Mail stamp and the Gateway Arch Priority Mail Express stamp January 22.

The $6.65 Lili’uokalani Gardens stamp honors the landmark site in Hilo, HI.
The stamp features one of the gardens’ most iconic structures — a red wooden shelter on a stone bridge spanning a portion of the pond.

USPS is releasing the stamp to coincide with the gardens’ 100th anniversary.

The $23.75 Gateway Arch Priority Mail Express stamp depicts St. Louis’ famed stainless-steel arch as the sun sets on the banks of the Mississippi River. Towering above the city skyline, the Gateway Arch is reflected in the rippling water below, where a barge passes by.

Source: LINK

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Weston Retirements

L to R:  Weston Branch Manager, Customer Services Duane Hunt, Letter Carrier Micheal Gracia, Fort  Lauderdale Postmaster David Guiney, National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 2550 Recording Secretary Tammie Cadwell and NALC President Jerrel Kinloch. Not Pictured: Letter Carrier Ronald Vecchio. Photo: Fort Lauderdale Customer Relations Coordinator Kelly Worthman

Fort Lauderdale Postmaster David Guiney presented Retirement Certificates to Weston Branch Letter Carriers Michael Gracia, 31 years, and Ronald Vecchio, 32 years. Guiney praised both employees for their dedication to the Postal Service.   


“These individuals worked more than 30 years, and that is a great accomplishment," said Guiney. "Their retirement is well deserved."

Dominguez is A/Sr. Plant Manager

Henry Dominguez returns to the South Florida District as A/Senior Plant Manager, effective Saturday, January 28, 2017. In this position, Dominguez will have overall responsibility for mail processing operations at the Miami ISC, Miami P&DC, Royal Palm P&DC, and West Palm Beach P&DC.

Dominguez was named Senior Plant Manager for the Gulf Atlantic District in September 2015. In this position, he is responsible for overseeing mail processing operations at six facilities in the Gulf Atlantic District, including the Augusta P&DC, Gainesville P&DC, Jacksonville P&DC, Macon P&DC, Pensacola P&DC, and the Tallahassee P&DC.

His postal career began at the South Florida P&DC in 1991, where he worked as a Distribution Clerk, MPLSM Trainee, and later as a Flat Sorter Machine Operator. In 1996, he joined the managerial ranks as an Associate Supervisor at the South Florida P&DC. He then served as Supervisor, Distribution Operations at the South Florida P&DC and the Miami AMC. He continued building experience in mail processing, becoming a Manager, Distribution Operations at the South Florida P&DC in 2000.

In 2005, Dominguez was named Plant Manager, Fayetteville P&DC in Fayetteville, NC and later was selected for the same position at the South Florida P&DC.  In 2008, he became Manager, Bulk Mail Center in Hazelwood, MO. In 2012, he was named Senior Plant Manager, St. Louis P&DC and later served as Plant Manager, also at the St. Louis P&DC. Dominguez was Manager, Processing Center Operations at Postal Headquarters in Washington DC.

Dominguez is a graduate of the USPS Advanced Leadership Program (ALP), as well as the Processing Distribution Management Program and is a certified Lean Six Sigma (LSS) Green Belt. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Professional Management from Nova Southeastern University and earned an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration from Miami-Dade Community College.

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Above and Beyond the Call of Duty

From left, Postal Inspector John Walenda, Postal Inspector Jeremy Molberg, Postal Police Sergeant Nancy Petrofsky, Postal Inspector Daniel Borja, and Postal Police Captain Donald Martin in front of the Miami Division’s Mobile Command Center. Photo: Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) Deputy Kari Pallotto

Recently, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Miami Division participated in the annual Weston Winter Safety and Law Enforcement Expo. Postal Inspector Ivan Ramirez coordinates Inspection Service Team participation each year.

Postal Inspectors Daniel Borja, Jeremy Moberg and John Walenda, and Postal Police Captain Donald Martin and Sergeant Nancy Petrofsky drew large crowds of enthusiastic residents who visited the Mobile Command Center (pictured above).

Several young adults quizzed the Inspection Service Team not only on its mission, but on possible careers within the agency. Younger children had an opportunity to wear Inspection Service vests and hold its shield to pose for photos.

Many residents expressed their appreciation to the Inspection Service Team for engaging and involving their children in the event. City of Weston Mayor Daniel Stermer, as well as the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) Weston District Chief Kevin Butler and other members of the BSO Command staff also thanked the Inspection Service for its participation.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service Miami Division Mobile Command Center attracted a large crowd at the Weston Winter Safety and Law Enforcement Expo. Photo: Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) Deputy Kari Pallotto

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French Lessons in Las Vegas

Las Vegas Letter Carrier Paul Cosio, center, shares a laugh with French carriers Astrid Gaston-Labat and Julien Couradeau.

 

 

Call it the Tour de Vegas.

Six letter carriers from La Poste, the French postal service, recently accompanied some of their Las Vegas counterparts on their routes to learn how USPS delivers mail and packages.

It was an eye-opening experience.

“They were amazed at the volume, especially the parcel volume,” said Paul Cosio, one of the Las Vegas carriers who participated in the visit.

Packages are a smaller part of the mail mix in France, but that’s not the only difference between La Poste and USPS.

Most French carriers make deliveries on bicycle. Also, carriers are responsible for making scheduled checks on customers, among other civic duties.

The two organizations also share commonalities.

Like USPS, La Poste is experimenting with digital services, including an app that allows customers to send a package with a single click.

The six carriers who visited the Garside Station in Las Vegas were part of a larger delegation that participated in the Consumer Electronics Show, where

USPS also exhibited new products and services.

“The carriers were very impressed with the way we deliver mail,” said Consumer and Industry Contact Manager Marilyn Wassell, who helped organize the visit.

La Poste also arranged for the carriers to visit the Grand Canyon and the Las Vegas strip.

“But to many of the carriers, the trip to the U.S. Post Office was most impressive,” Wassell said.

Source: LINK

Service with a Smile in Davie

During a recent visit to the Davie Branch, Customer  John Daley  (left) was very pleased with the service he received from Retail Associate Melody Lockett  (right).  “Although this is a very busy station, I always receive great customer service. Today I am here mailing annual tax information to all my clients, and Melody was extremely friendly and was very helpful,” Daley said. Photo: Fort Lauderdale Customer Relations Coordinator Kelly Worthman

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Who's Your Most Valuable Player?

USPS is encouraging bargaining unit employees to nominate their peers for recognition through the new Engagement Most Valuable Player Program.

Do you know a co-worker who is always positive, enthusiastic and passionate about their work?

 

If so, USPS encourages you to nominate these individuals for a new recognition program: Engagement Most Valuable Player (EMVP).

 

“The Postal Service wants to recognize employees who are making positive contributions to their workplaces,” said Employee Engagement Executive Director Kelvin Williams. “Through this peer-to-peer program, we want to honor bargaining unit employees who consistently perform with high levels of energy and exhibit contagious smiles that reflect their upbeat, positive attitudes.”

 

The EMVP program is part of the Postal Service’s overall efforts to emphasize the value of engagement — including fostering employee enthusiasm, involvement and commitment — and its benefits to the organization.

 

Employees who are honored through the EMVP program will receive a certificate of appreciation, recognition in the Engage Weekly newsletter and opportunities to participate in engagement events.

 

You can nominate a bargaining unit employee in your work group for the program by completing a nomination form on LiteBlue. Nominations will be reviewed by local managers, who will provide concurrence on the final selections.

 

The Employee Engagement LiteBlue page has more information about engagement programs.

 

Source: LINK

WPB to Host Black Heritage Stamp Dedication Ceremony on February 8

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.

On February 8, West Palm Beach Officer In Charge Robert Weiser will dedicate an enlargement of the Dorothy Height stamp to local Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) officials. The dedication ceremony will take place at 9 a.m. in the Lassiter Student Center at Palm Beach Atlantic University, 901 S Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach. Employees are invited to attend as an off-the-clock activity.

Height was instrumental in furthering the causes of the YWCA nationally, as assistant executive director of the YWCA Harlem and, in 1939, as executive director of the Phyllis Wheatley YWCA, Washington DC. In 1944, Height joined the staff of the YWCA National Board where she worked until 1977, later serving as the first Director of the YWCA Office of Racial Justice.

She became president of the National Council of Negro Women in 1957, serving in that position for forty years and helped organize the March on Washington with Martin Luther King, Jr., in 1963.

President John F. Kennedy named her to his Commission on the Status of Women. She attended the 1963 White House ceremony at which he signed the Equal Pay Act. In 1971, Height helped form the National Women’s Political Caucus.

In 1977, Height officially retired from the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA), for which she worked for 40 years. In 1994, President Bill Clinton awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom. A decade later, President George W. Bush presented her with the Congressional Gold Medal.

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You're Hired!

Fort Lauderdale Supervisor, Customer Service Support Amy McCall (right) processed paperwork for newly-hired City Carrier Assistant Samantha Pendleton (left).  McCall contacted Pendleton and other employment candidates to finalize their paperwork and then to assign them to a station within the Fort Lauderdale area. Photo: Fort Lauderdale Customer Relations Coordinator Kelly Worthman 

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Sky King Sends His 'Love'

Skytypers Chief Executive Officer and Squadron Commander Greg Stinis displays his plan to replicate the Love Skywriting stamp image.

The pilot who dazzled attendees at the Postal Service’s recent Love Skywriting stamp dedication has been filling the skies with words for more than a half-century.

Greg Stinis flew a Grumman Tiger (AA5-B) at the January 7 ceremony and wrote the word “Love” in the sky above Chino, CA, replicating the image on the stamp. 

He’s proud to preserve a lost art form. 

“I think it’s safe to say more people have walked on the moon than are professional skywriters today,” Stinis said. 

Skywriting had its heyday as an advertising medium from the 1920s-50s. A message is created by a small airplane that emits vaporized fluid from its exhaust system to form letters in the air.

Stinis, chief executive officer and squadron commander of the skywriting firm Skytypers, began his career more than 50 years ago while working for his father Andy Stinis, the company’s founder.

Aviation is a family tradition: Stinis said his father was friends with Charles Lindbergh and helped him push the Spirit of St. Louis onto the runway for his historic 1927 New York-to-Paris solo flight.

“[Like] Lindbergh, Dad also flew mail for 20 years,” he said.

Stinis has created more than 2,000 skywritings during his career. He said his work at the stamp dedication was “one of the most challenging” assignments yet.

To replicate the stamp image, the “L” in “Love” was about 6,000 feet tall — more than four times the height of the Empire State Building. The remaining letters were about 2,000 feet tall.

“I usually create block letters, so the timing and visual queues and maneuvers are new,” Stinis said. “Time is against me. Once I start I can’t stop writing or the whole message will blow away.”

SOURCE: LINK

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Fort Lauderdale to Host Stamp FDOI

For the second time in a few short months, the South Florida District has been selected to host a national First-Day-Of-Issue (FDOI) stamp dedication ceremony. In November, it was the Hanukkah stamp at Temple Beth El of  Boca Raton, and in February, Fort Lauderdale will host the Patriotic nonprofit stamp dedication ceremony at the city's War Memorial Auditorium.

The non-denominated Patriotic Nonprofit stamp will be dedicated during the American Stamp Dealers Association (ASDA) Winter Postage Stamp Show at the Fort Lauderdale War Memorial Auditorium at 800 NE 8 Street. Plans for the three-day event (February 10-12) are being finalized. The date and time of the dedication ceremony will be announced in the blog and in a Newsbreak.

The Patriotic Nonprofit stamp features the letters “USA” in blue, accompanied by a bright red star on a white background with a blue border. To create the new design, the 2016 USA stamp art was rendered slightly smaller to accommodate the blue border. Intended for bulk mailings by authorized nonprofit organizations, this stamp will be issued in coils of 10,000.

In 1950, the Fort Lauderdale War Memorial Auditorium opened its doors as a multi-purpose facility owned and operated by the city. Shortly after the auditorium opened, the city decided that it would be a living memorial to the veterans and fallen of World War II. The names of hard-fought WWII battles radiate from the seal on the lobby floor. The Korean and Vietnam Wars are also remembered, and in the mid 1970’s, the Gold Star Mothers donated a statue of a Vietnam solider which was placed in the lobby. In November 2009, the City honored our men and women who served in the armed forces with the rededication of the Korean War-era F-86 Sabre Jet. 

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Wellness Partners Ensure All is Well

Through Wellness Partners, USPS employees can help promote healthy practices.

Want to help your co-workers improve their overall wellbeing?

If so, USPS invites you to join Wellness Partners, a program that aims to “build a foundation of health and wellness within the Postal Service.”

Participants will act as liaisons between the Wellness team and employees who work across the nation.

The partners will promote four dimensions of wellness — health, financial, social and career — and help employees manage their wellbeing year round.

As a Wellness Partners participant, you may:
·         Expand your knowledge of Postal Service programs
·         Be one of the first to know about upcoming events and new programs
·         Network and collaborate with other employees
·         Play an important role in improving wellness within your unit

Nomination forms are available on the Wellness Blue page. 

Source: LINK

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Who's the 'MVP' at Your Workplace?

 
USPS is encouraging bargaining unit employees to nominate their peers for recognition through the new Engagement Most Valuable Player Program.

 

Do you know a co-worker who is always positive, enthusiastic and passionate about their work?

 

If so, USPS encourages you to nominate these individuals for a new recognition program: Engagement Most Valuable Player (EMVP).

 

“The Postal Service wants to recognize employees who are making positive contributions to their workplaces,” said Employee Engagement Executive Director Kelvin Williams. “Through this peer-to-peer program, we want to honor bargaining unit employees who consistently perform with high levels of energy and exhibit contagious smiles that reflect their upbeat, positive attitudes.”

 

The EMVP program is part of the Postal Service’s overall efforts to emphasize the value of engagement — including fostering employee enthusiasm, involvement and commitment — and its benefits to the organization.

 

Employees who are honored through the EMVP program will receive a certificate of appreciation, recognition in the Engage Weekly newsletter and opportunities to participate in engagement events.

 

You can nominate a bargaining unit employee in your work group for the program by completing a nomination form on LiteBlue. Nominations will be reviewed by local managers, who will provide concurrence on the final selections.

 

The Employee Engagement LiteBlue page has more information about engagement programs.

 

Source: LINK

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Protecting Your Identity from Theft

Identity theft seems like a faceless crime — until you become a victim.

Hackers are constantly seeking ways to hijack personal details, including financial and work information, to create fraudulent identities that allow them to drain financial accounts and steal other data.

To prevent identity theft, the CyberSafe at USPS team offers these tips:

• Use strong, unique passwords. Use different passwords for each of your accounts. Passwords should have a minimum of 15 characters that include upper and lowercase letters, numbers and special characters, such as !, @ and $.
• Monitor your financial accounts. Regularly check your credit and debit card statements for unauthorized activity.
• Protect your personal information. Hackers seek personal information to build a fraudulent profile. Be cautious of posting pictures, videos and messages online.

Employees are encouraged to report identity theft incidents to the CyberSecurity Operations Center. 

Additionally, make sure to contact the agencies or companies that oversee your stolen credentials. For example, if you suspect your Social Security number has been compromised, contact the Social Security Administration.

Source: LINK

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday

Reaching Resolutions with the EAP

Making a new year’s resolution is easy — but keeping it may be more difficult.

Whether your goal is to lose weight, quit smoking or achieve something else, the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) can help you stay on track.

Through EAP’s life coaching service, you can receive feedback and develop strategies and action steps for moving yourself toward your goals.

Life coaching can also be used to help managers and supervisors with issues such as managing stress and time, improving communication, handling conflict and balancing home and work.

To be assigned a coach who will assist you in developing your personal plan, call 800-EAP-4-YOU (800-327-4968). The TTY number is 877-492-7341.

Coaching appointments can be in-person, over the phone or through a combination of both. Follow-ups can be done via e-mail.

The EAP website offers other resources, including online counseling and self-help tools.

 

Source: LINK

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JFK Stamp Debuts on Presidents Day

The U.S. Postal Service will commemorate the centennial of President John F. Kennedy’s birth by dedicating a Forever stamp in his honor at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston on Presidents Day, February 20. The Forever stamp, available only at the event on Presidents’ Day, will be available nationwide in Post Offices February 21.

 

Born May 29, 1917, John Fitzgerald Kennedy was the 35th president of the United States. He remains for many a captivating and charismatic personality — one who appealed to the nation's higher ideals and inspired young Americans to engage in public service.

On January 20, 1961, Kennedy, at age 43, became the nation’s first Catholic president and the youngest person elected to the presidency. In his Inaugural Address, he famously called upon Americans to “ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.”

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Key West Carriers Deliver for Kids

Key West employees have hearts of gold. Just ask a family who lives on the route delivered by Letter Carrier Patty Boney.

On Christmas Eve, Santa had made his list and checked it twice, but he should have checked it a third time before leaving the North Pole to deliver gifts to good boys and girls around the world.

Santa arrived in Key West, but when he unpacked his sled, there were no gifts for this family, and that morning, the children, ages 6, 8 and 16, were heartbroken.

Boney got in touch with Santa who was distraught over the situation. She told him not to worry, and that she and her co-workers would protect his brand and purchase and deliver some gifts (pictured right) on his behalf.

And that’s just what the Letter Carriers did. And Boney told the children that Santa had stopped at the Post Office to ask for their help.

“The generosity of Patty and her co-workers gave these kids a Christmas to remember,” said Key West Postmaster Larry Cowan. “And Santa remains on their good list.”