Let’s Keep Our Membership Initiative Going
By Jimmy Warden
NAPS Secretary/Treasurer
I want to wish all the dads and single-parent moms who have double duty a very happy and healthy Father’s Day. Enjoy the day with your family. We all are grateful for you and what you do!
I want to thank all the NAPS members who are recruiting new members to join our great association. Many of you are going above and beyond and increasing our membership by educating nonmembers about the importance of being a NAPS member and reaching out to newly promoted supervisors. This not only makes our association stronger and more viable, but also increases our presence on Capitol Hill. Our elected representatives understand the strength and perseverance of NAPS. There is strength in numbers!
In recent months, many areas have been concentrating on building membership. Some area vice presidents have asked their respective branches to establish membership committees. This is an excellent idea. On the NAPS website, you can find the NAPS Officer Training Manual. Beginning on page 35, the manual discusses branch committees and has specific information on forming a membership committee. I strongly recommend all branches establish a membership committee and refer to this section in the manual.
A major issue we have experienced recently at NAPS Headquarters is nonmembers receiving adverse actions, then requesting to join NAPS. Article IX, Section 2, of the NAPS Bylaws specifically states:
Section 2. The DDF only is to be used for active and associate members, including individuals who were members in good standing at the time of retirement. To be eligible for representation through the DDF, an active member must meet the following criteria:
(a) the active member must have signed an application for NAPS membership sixty (60) days from the effective date of promotion from the craft, or
(b) the active member must have been a NAPS member no fewer than ninety (90) days prior to the charge being issued, and
(c) any additional criteria outlined in the “Disciplinary Defense Fund: Procedures and Guidelines for Branch Presidents” in the NAPS Officer Training Manual.
Paragraph (b) is important to convey to those who are not members. You must be a member no fewer than 90 days prior to the charge being issued—that is, receiving the action. It is extremely important for branches to monitor their DCO member and nonmember reports. Some nonmembers mistakenly believe they are a NAPS member because they have been erroneously informed and, instead, are a member of other associations, some of which are not recognized by the Postal Service.
In order to verify whether or not someone is an active member, contact NAPS Headquarters. We will verify their status. NAPS members have the code “S” stipulated on their pay stubs, which indicates NAPS dues are being withdrawn. If in doubt, ask!
This is why it is so important for branches to verify their nonmember lists. If a branch submits a request for DDF representation and it is determined the member does not qualify based on Article IX, the branch will be charged for all expenses. Better safe than sorry!
Thanks to our membership champions and members of the “High-Five Club.” Increasing membership demonstrates leadership!
Stay safe!
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