Find Your Branch

Moving Our Association Forward

There are some moments in life where affirmation for the fruits of our labors seems so vast and overwhelming that we find ourselves at a loss for words. Knowing that when we are lost for words or at a loss for words, you are so amazed, shocked or sad that you do not know what to say or how to express your feelings.

I found myself experiencing this during our national convention in August in Uncasville, CT. Well, maybe not a total loss of words because you know I do love talking about NAPS. However, I consider it such a humbling honor to serve the members of our great association as executive vice president.

I know I must earn this right to serve every day. My leadership model that I have made my NAPS life’s work always has been merely to help somebody. So, I do not take it lightly to be re-elected to this position unopposed.

Before I get too far, I want to thank Lisa Douglas, president of NAPS Hartford, CT, Branch 5, and her team for hosting a fantastic convention—from the greeters at the airports, to the Sunday-night welcome reception, Monday’s opening ceremony and beyond. What a great job in hosting a great NAPS convention. Thank you for your attentiveness and leadership.

Now, back to the issue of service. To reach back, forward or to the side to serve the needs of someone other than ourselves helps us build reliable networks of connectedness that move our association further. According to prolific, forward-thinking, thought-architect Venessa Miemis, the future is networks. Our networks empower us; they connect us with resources. These resources give us security, freedom and more possibilities.

This commitment to service continues to drive me to give my utmost in leadership for our association. Anything less would be a disservice to the support you have given me as I have executed the duties of this position.

You have heard me speak of NAPS being at the top of the constituency pyramids of multiple legislators. You have helped us reach that goal by your generous support to our SPAC campaigns at the LTS and national conventions, as well as your general giving. We continue to see record-making growth in our giving to SPAC at national events.

This year’s national convention brought in $38,937.73 for SPAC. Your kind acts to memorialize Ann Konish contributed over $4,100 to this effort and are much appreciated.

In 2016, you voiced your concerns on how we announced the SPAC winners at the 2016 National Convention in National Harbor, MD. I heard you and changed the process to announce the winners before the end of Friday’s business session. This change was a daunting task for SPAC Manager Katie Maddocks to complete. But Katie handled it in the exemplary manner that has marked her work at NAPS Headquarters. The Legislative Team and I always will be receptive to constructive ideas that identify concerns and provide solutions to help us move forward.

At the end of August, Katie let me know she will be leaving NAPS Headquarters for a job opportunity with the APWU. I wish Katie the best of luck with her new job. I very much have appreciated her consistency and professional work ethic. I truly enjoyed Katie working with me to drive our NAPS initiatives to new heights.

However, it does not end here. I have committed my leadership model to the purpose of serving you—the members of our association—to the best of my ability. I appreciate the opportunity you give me to do just that.

I look forward to continuing to move our association and my leadership model forward.

In solidarity …

Ivan D. Butts
Executive Vice President