USPS: 'Yes, I Do' to Wedding Stamps

The U.S. Postal Service continues its celebration of weddings with its most recent issuance to the popular wedding stamp series — the 70-cent Yes, I Do stamp. 
First issued in 2013, Yes, I Do is being sold at the 2-ounce stamp price and accommodates the heavier weight of a wedding invitation, as well as other mailings such as oversized cards or small gifts that require extra postage.
The stamp design highlights the words, “Yes, I Do” nestled in a bouquet of flowers in the shape of a heart on a white background. A similarly designed companion stamp, Where Dreams Blossom, issued in 2013, is available for response cards, save-the-date notices, thank-you notes and other correspondence. 
To learn more about the stories behind the stamps, visit uspsstamps.com or view the Yes, I Do stamp, as well as many of this year’s other stamps, on Facebook at facebook.com/USPSStamps, on Twitter@USPSstamps or at USPSstamps.com.

Songbird Stamps to Sing in Dallas

You don’t need a smartphone to tweet once the Postal Service issues 10 colorful Songbirds Forever Stamps. The dedication ceremony takes place at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 5, in Dallas at the Trinity River Audubon Center. 
“Songbirds have been singing and delighting humans for thousands of years, so it’s only fitting that today they receive their own postage stamps,” said U.S. Postal Service Southern Area Vice President Jo Ann Feindt, who will dedicate the stamps. “As you celebrate all of the upcoming events of spring — Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, graduations and weddings, or whatever the occasion, remember the Songbirds stamps.”
Scheduled to join Feindt in the dedication are Audubon Texas Executive Director Brian Trusty; Trinity River Audubon Center Director of Operations T. Hanson; and, Rogers Wildlife Rehabilitation owner Kathy Rogers.

Note: Hyperlinks from each bird name listed below link to chirping audio recordings, migration maps, nesting information and photographs from the National Audubon Society’s bird guide.

The stamps depict: the western meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta), the mountain bluebird (Sialia currucoides), the western tanager (Piranga ludoviciana), the painted bunting (Passerina ciris), the Baltimore oriole (Icterus galbula), the evening grosbeak (Coccothraustes vespertinus), the scarlet tanager (Piranga olivacea), the rose-breasted grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus), the American goldfinch (Spinus tristis) and the white-throated sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis).

Customer Feedback on Postal Forum

DPMG Ronald Stroman (L) and PCC of the Palm Beaches Vice Chair-Industry Jerry Neptune are engaged in conversation at the National Postal Forum.

During the week of March 16, Postal Customer Council of the Palm Beaches, Jerry Neptune, Vice Chair-Industry, had nothing but praise for the National Postal Forum held in National Harbor MD.   Mr. Neptune listened to 4 days of inspired addresses and instructional workshops networking with postal executives and NPF partner companies such as Deloitte, Canon, IBM, Hewlett Packard, Bell & Howell, and Harte Hanks.  “This was a truly innovative experience beginning on Sunday the first day right through to the closing event with the rock band “America” singing their iconic hits.   I was truly energized and pumped up after my conversation with Deputy Postmaster General Ronald Stroman who gave me his undivided attention to discuss our local PCC and postal products during a networking session.”

Submitted by Gale Jackson, West Palm Beach Customer Relations Coordinator

Women's History in Royal Palm Beach

Story & Photos By Gale  Jackson, West Palm Beach Customer Relations Coordinator

In celebration of Women’s History Month, an off-the-clock luncheon attended by management and craft employees in 334/349 areas was held at the Golden Corral in Royal Palm Beach, FL.

Karen Alleyne Means, Editor in Chief and Publisher of “Her Life” magazine was the guest speaker.   Means delivered a powerful expression of her life’s struggles with cancer which resulted in a double mastectomy, losing her corporate job, and dealing with her husband losing his corporate position soon after.   Means told the group “I was self-taught. I didn’t know the business but learned it along the way.  “My message to all of you is, if I accomplished all of this through adversity, you can do it, too!” 

“I was so inspired by her message,” said Gayle Jones, Training Technician, West Palm Beach.  “We all have our problems and hearing her story lets me know I can move forward and accomplish big things despite what I may be going through.”

Attendees included Procurement Clerk Mary Ayers, Palm Beach Postmaster Patricia Copeland, Supervisor, Customer Service Suzette James, Training Technician Gayle Jones, Labor Relations Specialist Jane Dilisio, Postmaster’s Administrative Assistant Elaine Gusse, Supervisor, Customer Support Leslie Miller, and Jupiter Postmaster Laconnia Watkins.

Postal Forum: 'Stronger Together'

Miami-Dade County Postal Customer Council Treasurer Cathy Brewer of Franklin Dodd Communications and PMG/CEO Patrick R. Donahoe take a moment to pose for the camera at the 2014 National Postal Forum.

By Mirtha Uriarte, Miami Customer Relations Coordinator

The 2014 National Postal Forum was held at the Gaylord National Hotel & Convention Center located minutes from downtown Washington DC.   The Forum, which took place on March 16-19, attracted many USPS executives and industry professionals who attended educational seminars and workshops.  They also had a great opportunity to network.

Miami-Dade County attendees included Miami Postmaster Enrique M. Suarez; Miami-Dade Postal Customer Council Treasurer Cathy Brewer, Franklin Dodd Communications LLC; Tony Issa, CEO/President of Daimner Fleet; and Steve Moreno, CEO, SKM Media Group.  

After the Forum, Miami-Dade County PCC members participated in a local telecon to hear firsthand news from Forum attendees.  Links to Forum presentations also were provided. In addition, Acting Manager, Marketing Arlene Sanchez, Business Service Network Specialist Iliana Valdes, and Sr. Sales Executive Helene Diaz answered questions.

Stamp is Jeopardy! Clue on April 2

A stamp will be featured as a Jeopardy! clue on the episode airing Wednesday, April 2. The stamp will feature a famous female tennis player who set many firsts in her sport.  Know the answer? Tune in to see if you’re right. Check local listings for time and station.

New MOPS is Janice Atherly

Janice Atherly, Manager, Delivery and Customer Service Programs, has been promoted to Manager, Operations Programs Support.  She had been detailed to this position in the South Florida District the past 10 months.

As Manager, Operations Programs Support, Janice reports directly to District Manager Jeffery A. Taylor.  She will be administratively and operationally responsible for more than 100 employees, including three managers who report to her.  Her responsibilities are managing the development and programs for address management, delivery, retail, and vehicle maintenance to ensure that 187 Post Offices from Fort Pierce to Key West are in compliance with national policies.  Atherly also monitors operational performance and recommends changes to improve overall production to senior postal leadership, as well as managers in field offices throughout the district.

 “Janice brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this position on the district leadership team,” said District Manager Jeffery A. Taylor.  “Please join me in wishing Janice continued success in her career.”