Stuart Post Office Joins Pow Wow

The Stuart FL Post Office participated in the  annual “Spirit of the Dance” Pow Wow on Martin County Fairgrounds September 14-16.  The Pow Wow is an annual event featuring arts and crafts and inter-tribal dancing.  SSA Tina Brennan sold a limited silk cachet envelope with a special pictorial stamp cancellation at a postal booth.  Also at  the event, USPS helped Boy Scouts earn a merit badge on stamp collecting.  

Photos:  Ann Marie Tighe

PMG Message on 'State of the USPS'

PMG Pat Donahoe characterizes his latest message to employees as “a general overview on the state of our business.”

During the video, Donahoe brings employees up to date on several topics. Among them is the strategy to keep nation’s smaller Post Offices open for business. He also discusses the importance of Political Campaign Mail and Election Mail.

Donahoe thanks employees for their hard work, which has resulted in record serviceperformance during the past two fiscal quarters. And he points to the encouraging growth of the package business — helped in part by employee commitment to upgrading scanning performance.

The PMG reviews the progress of postal legislation, noting that action in the House isn’t likely until after the November elections. He also assures viewers that “employees will be paid and our suppliers and vendors will be paid,” in spite of the Postal Service’s financial problems.
“There’s still quite a bit of noise out there on our finances,” he says, noting that employees can’t control those outside messages. He says instead, they should focus on what they can control — “doing the best job you can possibly do.”
Above all, Donahoe says, he’s proud of the record levels of service and scanning performance that employees have achieved, and he urges them to maintain it. “Keep up the great work,” he concludes.  
--- NewsLink 9/18/12

9/21: It's National PCC Day in Miami

Nationwide each year, more than 200 Postal Customer Councils (PCCs) plan an annual activity to recognize and celebrate the partnership between the U.S. Postal Service and the mailing industry.  The Miami-Dade County Postal Customer Council (PCC) invites  South Florida business mailers to participate in its “National PCC Day” event on Friday, September 21. 

"It’s a great opportunity to network with U.S. Postal Service officials and mailing industry professionals in South Florida," said A/Customer Relations Coordinator and PCC Liaison Briggett Glinton.

The PCC event will take place at the Florida Power and Light Company, 9250 W Flagler Street, Miami. For only $30, you’ll get a half day of educational presentations (not to mention a continental breakfast and lunch buffet) between 8:30 am to 1:00 pm. To register, visit www.miamipcc.com. 

"Together Toward Tomorrow" is the theme of this year's event which will showcase the work of the PCCs and includes a series of National PCC Leadership awards recognizing outstanding service and individual achievement. Among the honors are PCC Industry Member of the Year and PCC Postal Service Member of the Year.  PCCs help member organizations grow professionally through focused educational programs and information sharing about new USPS products, services and programs that affect business mailers.

Postmaster General and Chief Executive Officer Patrick R. Donahoe will deliver a pre-recorded video address on the state of the U.S. Postal Service.  Our featured USPS speaker, Giselle E. Valera, Vice President and Managing Director, Global Business, will share the latest postal global network news.  Networking with USPS officials and industry professionals (including local vendors), will help you discover many new ways to make your mailings more efficient and profitable. 

The PCC leadership hopes that you’ll to invest your time in your business and attend “National PCC Day.”  

West Palm Beach Kicks Off CFC

   

Employees participating in the first session kick off were (pictured left to right) Linette Sperraza, Steffick Barclay, Raeko Ilimaleota, James Parsons, Megvill Johnson, Julio A. More, Evelyn Price, Bonnie Adams, Starr Hunter, Donald Brooks, Dave Huggins, Denise Tims, Annmarie Bordis, and Lorenzo Stinson.   Photo:  LuAnn Warner  

      By LuAnn Warner, Customer Relations Coordinator, West Palm Beach

West Palm Beach Customer Service Representatives were on hand Wednesday, September 12, to kick off the first session of the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) class. The 2012 Campaign will be led by Denise Tims, loaned executive to the CFC Program.  Tims will be part of the CFC team to help steer the MPOO 6, MPOO 8, and the West Palm Beach P & DC toward their 2012 goal of $294,515. 

Year after year federal employees across the United States answer the call to support the CFC.  These West Palm Beach key workers proudly support the 51^st year of caring through their participation in the 2012 campaign and will be part of the team to change the lives of those in need.  They are the heart and soul of the campaign, and through their efforts, will be affording all West Palm Beach employees the opportunity to participate.

For further information or to search the online database of charities, please visit the website of the Atlantic Coast CFC at www.atlanticcoastcfc.org.

September 11: National Day of Service

Dolphin Alumni Jed Weaver fills out Customs form.

Photo:  Mailin Donahue

Today, September 11, is a National Day of Remembrance to honor those who were killed in the 2001 terrorist attacks.  In South Florida, Miami Dolphins Special Teams staged at Sun Life Stadium packed care packages to ship via USPS Priority Mail to troops serving overseas.  
Operations Support Specialist Mailin Donahue and her children, Samantha and Robert, were three of approximately 100 team members  who filled donated items from the community into APO/FPO Priority Mail boxes.  Mailin coordinated the logistics, transportation, and fulfillment of Priority Mail boxes and Customs forms with the Opa Locka Post Office.  Postmaster Manny Ferrer, Letter Carrier/Shop Steward Marilyn Ray, Letter Carrier Nathan Johnson, and Vehicle Operations and Maintenance Assistant Nemesio Montoto picked up  700 Priority Mail boxes.  

The official website of the Miami Dolphins quotes Leslie Nixon, manager of volunteer services as follows:

“The families that lost members in the attacks on 9/11 actually formed an organization called 9/11.org. So what they’ve done is they’ve turned September 11th into a National Day of Service,” said Leslie Nixon, manager of volunteer services for the Miami Dolphins. “They ask that the way you remember what happened on 9/11 to be a day of service and by you doing some sort of community service around your neighborhood in you’re area. 

“So what we decided to do is turn this into a time where we actually say thank you to the troops. Since they’re serving for us we can do a little community service by packing some care packages to send over to them. We have lots of representation from the community and some wonderful groups that have come out and donated and brought thank you cards to send to the troops. Here we’re just putting them together in boxes and mailing them out. We have the Post Office here, who has been a wonderful partner and it lets the armed forces know we haven’t forgotten about them.”

Below is the link to the official website of the Miami Dolphins; be sure to click on the “Photo Gallery” in the middle of the page:

http://www.miamidolphins.com/news/article-1/911-Anniversary-Sparks-Big-Community-Effort-At-Sun-Life-Stadium/9edb0cf9-b557-4d15-a93e-969d5fcfd6c3

Operations Support Specialist Mailin Donahue and son Robert proudly wear their orange "Special Teams" shirts while Dolphins Jed Weaver and Nate Garner sport their teal jerseys.  Photo:  Debra J. Fetterly

Samantha Donahue (right) supervises Mom (Mailin) while Dolphin alumni Jed Weaver fills out a Customs form for a Priority Mail shipment.  Photo:  Debra J. Fetterly

(L to R) "Team Opa Locka" includes Letter Carrier Nathan Johnson, Postmaster Manny Ferrer, and Letter Carrier/Shop Steward Marilyn Ray.   Photo:  Debra J. Fetterly

OSS Mailin Donahue (right center) oversees the Priority Mail packaging operation with personnel (L to R) Jed Weaver, Robert Donahue, Samantha Donahue.   Photo:  Debra J. Fetterly

The Miami Dolphins Special Teams is a unique volunteer organization created to enlist and mobilize the ongoing services in the community with Miami Dolphins staff, players, alumni, and volunteers.  The mission of the Special Teams is to offer hands-on services to communities and families in need, to partner with existing organizations on worthwhile social, civic and charitable programs, to provide assistance at Miami Dolphins Foundation events and to support community efforts in times of emergency. 

Batter Up! Postal Service Hits Homer At Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital

Joe DiMaggio had an outstanding baseball career complete with 10 pennants and nine World Series titles, a collection of awards, and a Baseball Hall of Fame induction.  Yet there was another part of his life that brought incredible meaning to him in his later years.  In 1992, DiMaggio gave his name and fundraising efforts to support a children’s hospital at Memorial Regional in Hollywood FL, making clear the one caveat to all of his support:  No child will ever be turned away because of inability to pay. 

On Saturday, September 8, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital hosted a birthday party celebrating 20 years of world-class healthcare.  A highlight was District Manager Jeffrey Becker and Hollywood Officer-In-Charge Michael Lloyd who presented an enlargement of the Joe DiMaggio stamp to hospital administrators Nina Beauchesne and Sharon Kaplan and to Morris Engelberg, DiMaggio’s friend and confidante.  During the stamp dedication, Engelberg praised the man behind the legend who was admired for his skill and grace as a fielder and 
base runner.

District Manager Jeffrey Becker and Hollywood Officer-In-Charge Michael Lloyd get ready for stamp presentation.  Photo:  Eileen Cescon

(L to R):  Morris Engelberg, Jeffrey Becker, Michael Lloyd, and Nina Beauchesne on stage.

Photo:  Eileen Cescon

Mr. and Mrs. Morris Engelberg pose with DiMaggio stamp framed artwork.  Photo: Eileen  Cescon 

Hospital administration and a host of celebrities gather onstage for the lighting of the cake.                                     Photo:  Eileen Cescon

Sparky the Fire Dog shakes on a promise to Hollywood OIC Michael Lloyd that the neighborhood dogs will respect their letter carrier.  Photo:  Debra J. Fetterly

(L to R) Hollywood OIC Michael Lloyd and wife, Jo; Miami Customer Relations Coordinator Briggett Glinton; Fort Pierce Customer Relations Coordinator Ann Marie Tighe; Hollywood Supervisor, Customer Services Alyce McMahon; and Hollywood Clerk Robin Stewart.  Photo:  Debra J. Fetterly

Morris Engelberg, Joe DiMaggio's friend and confidante, takes a closer look at the special cachet envelope commemorating the hospital's 20-year anniversary.                                             Photo:  Debra J. Fetterly

Special cachet envelope is available at $4.00 each at Hollywood Post Offices.

Mrs. Engelberg (in green) chats with CRC Ann Marie Tighe (right) while Eileen Cescon (background) takes a break from photography duties to chat with Mr. Engelberg.  Photo:  Debra J. Fetterly

Giant Golden Oreo cookie and friends can't wait to taste the birthday cake.  Photo:  Briggett Glinton

(L to R) Hospital Administrator Sharon Kaplan; Joe DiMaggio's good friend, Morris Engelberg; District Manager Jeffrey Becker, Hollywood Officer-In-Charge Michael Lloyd; and Hospital Administrator Nina Beauchesne.  Photo:  Briggett Glinton

Batten Down the Hatch Act

During this election season, remember to review provisions of the Hatch Act which applies to all postal employees.  The Hatch Act prohibits employees from engaging in political activity while on duty, in any government office, wearing an official uniform or using a government vehicle. That means no shirts and no hats, buttons or other items displaying the name or likeness of a candidate or political party. The law also prohibits employees from distributing partisan political messages at work.

Using a USPS computer or telephone to make a political contribution also is illegal, as is making political contributions while on the clock. Employees who use USPS email to send partisan political messages violate federal law and risk losing their jobs. Employees who receive email containing such messages should immediately delete them.

Employees can place political bumper stickers on their personal vehicles. If an employee’s car is parked on postal or other government property, the Hatch Act limits to one the number of visible bumper stickers that can be placed on the vehicle. If the vehicle is used for postal business, the employee must cover all political bumper stickers during the time the car is used for official work.

Employees aren’t completely prohibited from participating in the political process. They can register to vote and support their favorite candidates by voting on Election Day. Employees can participate in registration drives and contribute money to political organizations. They also can be candidates for public office, but only in nonpartisan elections.

For “Frequently Asked Questions about the Hatch Act:   

https://liteblue.usps.gov/news/link/2012/09sep/hatchact_faqs.htm.  Employees also may contact their local Field Law Office for more information, call the Ethics Helpline at 202-268-6346, or send an email to ethics.help@usps.gov.