* Representatives from NARF and Devry University will be here during the convention to pass along important information.

Friday – 7:30 – 8:15 – Registration

7:50 -8:00 – Early bird drawing

8:00 – 8:30 – Opening ceremony (color guards and National Anthem)

– President’s Welcome Lynn Kent, CO President

– PM Welcome, Walt McBain OIC Pueblo

8:30 – 9: 00 – Nancy Trautman, National Retiree President

9 :00 – 9:30 – Bennett and Udall representatives

9:30 – 10:30 – Mark Strong, National President
State of the Union

**** League nominations and business

10:30 – 12:30 – Windows 2010 training with Kerrie Yeoman

– EDDM training with Diane Brown

12:30-1:30 – First Timer’s lunch – everyone welcome!!

2:00 Golf Tournament @ Walking Stick

6:30 – Food and refreshments
(?) AUCTION!!! (Bring an item…this benefits the Retiree Organization and League alike!!)

Saturday – 7:30 – 8:15 – Registration

7:50 – 8:00 – Early bird drawing

8:00 – 8:30 – Selwyn Epperson, District Manager

8:30 – 9:30 – Mark Strong, League President
SOV

9:30 -10:00 – ****Nominee’s speeches and voting for new League board members

BREAK

10:15 – 12:00 – Human Resources training with Kathy Jackson

12:00 – 12:30 – Congressman Scott Tipton

Free Afternoon (some planned events available to those interested)

6:00 – Dinner and awards at Rosario’s Restaurant

Sunday – 07:15 – 07:45 Registration and welcome prior to retirement seminars

08:00 – 1:30 – FERS and CSRS Retirement seminar with the Snow Agency

She brings a lot of experience to the position, from front line supervisor to being a PM of a SCF. She has been a League active member for some time.

She will be joined by:

• Christie Bauer – Executive VP
• David Kitzman – VP
• Susan Luck – Secretary
• Mario Madrid – VP
• Ellie Jeffers – VP
• Dick Cucarola – Treasure
• Virginia Hawkins – VP

Please join me in congratulating these outstanding Postmasters.

-
Richard Sprague
Immediate Past President

This past weekend we elected a new President, Lynn Kent Postmaster of Salida. This ends my ten years as your President. I have been honored to serve this excellent organization and its family of member’s. I thank you for your support and friendship which has meant the world to me during my time as your president. I thank all those who have served on the branch boards or served on different committees with me. I will retire sometime within the next year. As I ride off into the sunset, know this, having the title of Postmaster associated with my name is an honor. Having this title puts me into a very select group of the most dedicated public servants I have ever met, you.

Please give Lynn and the rest of the board the support you gave me as we all move thru these ever changing times. In the end, it will be Postmasters who save the USPS, keep doing what you do best and give excellent customer service.

-
Happy Trails!!!!!

Richard Sprague

Dear Award Committee Members:

We have among our membership, someone who holds the Auxiliary near and dear to their heart, a person who has given hours of service to the Auxiliary at the state and national levels, a person who is deserving of special recognition. It is an honor and with great pleasure that I, along with the support of many others, nominate Renate Edstrom of the Colorado Branch Auxiliary for the National Auxiliary Distinguished Service Award.

Renate was elected to the office of Vice President on the National Auxiliary Executive Board at the 2005 National Convention in Puerto Rico. It soon became evident that she was a leader and devoted to giving her very best to the Auxiliary, and to supporting the National League of Postmasters. What a benefit to the Auxiliary – a quiet leader had emerged!

Serving four years as Vice President, one of which as Executive Vice President, Renate served on many committees at the national level. But there were two committees that Renate seemed to enjoy the most – the Ways and Means Committee and the First Timer Committee. She chaired the Ways and Means Committee for three years and did a fantastic job at raising funds. She possessed the rapport and knowledge needed to work with hotel catering to arrange two “Ice Breaker Events” and one “Super Bowl Party” at the League’s Legislative Forum. Every event was a success, and Renate’s outstanding work ethic is the reason for the success.

She was always thrilled to be able to recognize First Timers and did so with grace and sincerity. She always had a gift for the first timers, sometimes it was her personal contribution. Renate also devoted many hours to the League in assisting their committee with the First Timer event recognizing Postmasters at Forum. She helped with the pick-up, delivery, and preparation of food, and with room set-up and clean-up. I believe she did this for four years. What great representation of the Auxiliary supporting the League!

The 40th Anniversary of the Auxiliary was celebrated at the 2007 National Convention in Las Vegas. Renate had wonderful ideas to make it special. The Auxiliary Board approved her suggestion to provide each Postmaster on the convention floor a cookie. Researching companies in Las Vegas, Renate found the best pricing for the best cookie and placed the order. She had the Auxiliary Logo made into 40th Anniversary stickers which were placed on each cookie along with a note from the Auxiliary.

It is a given, that Renate would be a devoted and hard worker for the Colorado Branch Auxiliary as well. At the state level, she has worked tirelessly to support the joint conventions with Colorado and Wyoming. She has served in every office on the Colorado Auxiliary Board, organized the Auxiliary books, and seeks out new officers and members. These are sometimes difficult tasks, as we all know, and finding volunteers is not easy. But, as mentioned earlier, Renate holds the Auxiliary near and dear to her heart, works hard, and her enthusiasm spills over to others.

The examples given in this nomination only touch lightly the surface of Renate’s contributions. She is a leader, a friend to all, and highly deserving of the National Auxiliary’s Distinguished Service Award. It is with great pride that I submit this nomination on behalf of many.

Sincerely,

Charlene L. Wendt, President
National Postmasters Auxiliary to
The National League of Postmasters

As you know, we are all fortune to be working for this great organization and there is no question about the commitment and dedication of our Postmasters, OIC’s and PMR’s. As we continue our journey through 2011 we face many challenges. Unfortunately, the US Postal Service in not good with sharing information about changes in a timely manner and in most cases the press is privileged with information concerning changes before we are!? This does not comfort the stresses many of our Postmasters, OIC’s or PMR’s are feeling with the uncertainty in our organization.

Mark Strong our National League President has established a broadcast email (See email below) that automatically filters informational emails that address the most recent updates from HQ’s to our membership. In order the receive the broadcast email, first you must be a League Member, then you will need to submit a request to receive the broadcast email at information@postmasters.org. Also, be sure to visit the Colorado League of Postmasters website for updates effecting membership in the CO/WY District at www.coleague.org.
 
Many blessings,
 
James A. Ramirez

Postmaster

13055 Bradshaw Rd

Peyton, CO 80831-9998

(719) 749-2958 W
(303) 358-2706 BB

This is nothing new. And yet I am finding myself representing Postmaster’s that tell me they didn’t know the policy, wasn’t properly trained, or just chose to not follow the regulations. Postmasters, I am writing this article because, as the new Adverse Action Counselor, I am seeing a rash of Postmasters being investigated for a variety of serious matters. Most of which are financial in nature. When you become a postmaster, you assume the major responsibility of maintaining the financial well-being of your office. More than two thirds of all disciplinary actions against postmasters are the direct result of failure to ensure the financial accountability of their office. Several Postmasters in this district are currently on Administrative Leave pending investigation for financial infractions. If OIG Agents audit your office and ask you to sign an Acknowledgement of Rights document, I highly recommend you let them know you want a representative prior to signing such a document. As the Leagues Adverse Action Counselor, I can be reached at the number listed at the bottom of this article.

Please. If you are having a difficult time performing your daily tasks, talk to your POOM, a fellow Postmaster, anyone that will get you the resources and training in this time of change and SOX compliance. Do not wait for it to snowball. Granted, I will represent you, and I will represent you with everything I have, but I can’t defend your actions.

Understand your Core Requirements: Familiarize yourself with the Postmaster Training guide.  Every office should have one. If not, I highly recommend ordering one.

1. Ensuring Financial Security. As Postmaster, you must collect all receipts to which your office is entitled, account for all funds entrusted to it, and ensure that accounting objectives are met.
2. Maintaining Sanctity of the Mail. Postmasters must preserve and protect the security of all mail in its custody from unauthorized opening, inspection, reading of contents or covers, tampering, delay or other unauthorized acts.
3. Applying principles of Ethical Conduct. The Code of Ethical Conduct is a guide for all postal employees to follow when performing official duties and when off duty. All postmasters should become familiar with the code.
4. Maintain Facility Security. Postmasters are ultimately responsible for the security of your post office. Protect all supplies, equipment, funds, postal stock and other postal property entrusted to you.
5. Maintain a Safe Working Environment. Postmasters are responsible for providing a safe and healthful working environment for your employees. You must follow the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Standards.

In closing I want to add the Core Values of the Cadets here at the USAF Academy.

• Integrity First. (Always be honest and forth coming)
• Service Before Self. (work with the customer in mind)
• And Excellence in All We Do. (Do your job to the best of your ability)

Should you need representation, call me at 719-244-2071.
 
Vickie Clute
Adverse Action Counselor
CO/WY National League of Postmasters

• Download “LEAGUE Wins Holmes EEO Class Action Case” article here (PDF)