CFC's "Stanley Cup" Travels the District

CFC's "Stanley Cup" is on tour in South Florida. Today's stop is at the Quail Heights Post Office in Miami. Photo: Rose M. Castro Thanks to postal employees’ generous contributions, the South Florida District won the Traveling Trophy Award for the 2010 Atlantic Coast Combined Federal Campaign. The Traveling Trophy, also known as the CFC’s “Stanley Cup,” is the premier award. This trophy travels from federal agency to federal agency based on award criteria that includes the winning agency exceeding its goal, the dollar amount increased from the previous year, and the increase in participation. The cup is on tour throughout the South Florida District for all employees to share in the team's success.

Rural Carrier Veiga Saves the Day

By Lee Upfold Supervisor, Customer Services North Lauderdale Annex Serving as a member of the United States Postal Service, is a time honored tradition. Like police, fire and the military – many generations of family members serve side-by-side each other. Pride, dedication, technical expertise and selfless service are common traits among our ranks. Most of our customers have no idea of our 24-hour process and unique challenges we overcome each day, just to put the mail in the box. They know if the Post Office is delivering and the mail is somewhat on-time, there is some normalcy to their lives. Although many of our members serve behind the counter and in the back, the letter carrier is our ambassadors to the local community. We hear on the news of the letter carrier from Coral Springs that saved the babies life that drowned in a kiddie pool in the front yard, with an adult a sleep next to the pool. The carrier revived the baby, handed him back to the woman and drove off, without so much as giving his name. There are many stories like the one above and every letter carrier hopes that they too, will be prepared to act as quickly and bravely. Every story doesn’t always have a happy ending. Every letter carrier has to be ever vigilant on their routes. Something that looks so innocent can be very dangerous and life threatening. Such is the case of Rural Letter Carrier Ismary Veiga. Ismary was on her route and noticed an elderly lady, looking kind of lost. Ismary asked if she needed any help but the lady said no – that she was only handing out flyers. Ismary noticed that the lady didn’t have any flyers in her hand, but she continued on her route anyway. On the way back up the other side of the street, the same elderly lady was still in the same place, still looking confused. Ismary wanted to do something, but what. She remembered seeing a police officer in the park. She went and told the officer what she had seen, and the officer responded. It was a good thing he did, the elderly lady was actually the lookout for her fellow crooks inside the house, and the officer walked in on a robbery in progress. Let’s be helpful, yet safe.

Grow Your Business Days

Building on the success of its integrated ad campaign promoting Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelopes and the value of direct mail advertising, the Postal Service next quarter will revive its “Grow Your Business Days” program — an effort designed to educate small businesses about USPS products and services.

President and Chief Marketing/Sales Officer Paul Vogel says growth and revenue are the keys to the Postal Service’s future and the future of its customers. He also says if their business doesn’t grow, neither will the Postal Service’s.

While USPS does a good job of keeping its large-volume commercial customers updated, notes Vogel, it hasn’t always connected with smaller companies and local merchants to make them aware of postal offerings that make it easier and less expensive to do business with the Postal Service. And that’s where the new “Grow Your Business Days” campaign comes in.

Each quarter, beginning with quarter 3, USPS will focus on a different topic benefitting small business owners, with these events reinforcing the USPS core strategies to strengthen the business-to-consumer channel and to improve customer service. More than 1,200 events already have been booked across the nation. Currently, the South Florida District has 16 scheduled events being hosted by Level 21 and above Postmasters/Station Managers to educate customers and promote EDDM.

All offices are encouraged to host events, supported by Business Connect. Postmasters/Station Managers interested in hosting an event should contact the South Florida District Grow Your Business Day Coordinator, Lillian Castro, at (954) 436-4417.

Today is "Welcome Home Vietnam Vets Day"

The U.S. Senate declared March 30th “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.”

On March 30, 1973, U.S. troops withdrew from Vietnam under the terms of the Treaty of Paris.

Senator Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, introduced the legislation saying, "Our soldiers served honorably and bravely in Vietnam. Unfortunately, they arrived home to a country in political turmoil, and never received the recognition they deserve. By setting March 30th aside as a day to focus on our Vietnam veterans, we can show our unified gratitude for their service and the sacrifices that these veterans made on our behalf."

Source: VFW

Stamps and All That Jazz

To celebrate America’s musical gift to the world, on Saturday the U.S. Postal Service issued the Jazz Appreciation Forever stamp during a ceremony at the Contemporary Arts Center in New Orleans, LA.

Inspired by vintage jazz record-album covers, Pasadena, CA, artist Paul Rogers captured the eclectic nature of jazz music and the spontaneity and improvisation of jazz artists in creating the art for the stamp.

“With this evocative Jazz Appreciation stamp, we celebrate the music and the musicians who play it in studios, clubs and concert halls and on festival stages,” said Thurgood Marshall Jr., Vice Chairman, Board of Governors. “I can’t think of a more perfect place to dedicate this new stamp than here in New Orleans, the birthplace of so many legendary jazz performers and the place where jazz first flowered near the dawn of the 20th century.”

Marshall added jazz is a pastime that brings people together, regardless of race, ethnicity or background.

“It’s a lot like the Postal Service, which has been bringing people together for more than 235 years, through the power of the mail,” he said.

Joining Marshall and Rogers at the dedication ceremony were Guy Cottrell, Chief Postal Inspector; Nancy Marinovic, President, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation; Shamarr Allen, leader of the funk band Underdawgs; and Louisiana District Manager Jeffery Taylor.

New Deputy PMG is Ronald A Stroman

The Postmaster General today announced the appointment of Ronald A. Stroman as Deputy Postmaster General (DPMG). Stroman, who most recently served as staff director, Committee on Oversight and Government Relations at the U.S. House of Representatives, will bring more than 30 years of professional experience in government, legislative affairs and leadership when he joins USPS as DPMG April 4.

As DPMG, Stroman will lead all outreach and communications with congressional and mailing industry leaders, as well as help ensure that every customer experience is a positive one. The DPMG position, like the Postmaster General position, is hired by the USPS Board of Governors. As DPMG, Stroman will serve on the board and on PMG Pat Donahoe’s Executive Leadership Team. The vice presidents of Government Relations, Corporate Communications and Consumer and Industry Affairs, and the Judicial Officer will report to Stroman.

“The board is pleased that Ron has accepted this appointment,” said Board Chairman Louis Giuliano. “His depth of understanding of the legislative process, as well as his demonstrated ability to work with members on both sides of the aisle, makes him an important addition to the USPS team as we work through the many issues facing us today.” As DPMG, Stroman will play the lead role in continuing to work with Congress to restructure the prefunding of retiree health benefits, adjust delivery frequency, and gain greater flexibility in aligning the Postal Service processing, distribution and retail networks. He will work closely to help strengthen relationships with the mailing industry and identify opportunities to improve interactions with postal customers.

Stroman has held senior positions at the U.S. House of Representatives, the General Accounting Office and the U.S. Department of Transportation, among other positions. He earned his Juris Doctorate from Rutgers University Law Center.

“A manager and a leader, Ron’s career is a testament to his ability to work in a bipartisan fashion and communicate effectively through challenge and change,” said Donahoe. “I look forward to working closely with Ron as we continue our evolution as a forward-thinking, fast-acting company with outstanding service as its foundation.”