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Springing Forward to the National Convention

Springing Forward to the National Convention
By Brian J. Wagner
NAPS National President

We are well on our way toward the 67th NAPS National Convention at the beautiful Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine, TX, Aug. 30 to Sept. 3. With daylight saving time in March, we will spring forward an hour closer for those who have been waiting for this convention, especially national convention committee members. Fortunately, because of early planning, it has not been madness as we march forward to August. However, you may be wondering how COVID-19 has impacted committee assignments. Here’s the scoop!

National convention committee assignments were announced in April 2020. Although the date of our 67th National Convention was changed to the last week of August 2021, committee assignments did not change. Those selected in April 2020 will remain on their respective committees unless they are unable to serve at this year’s rescheduled convention. In such cases, an alternate from that committee’s respective final 2020 list will be selected as a replacement.

Because it’s been almost a year since national committee members were selected, I thought a committee recap would be a good idea.

First, prior to the start of the national convention on Aug. 30, a small number of delegates will arrive to serve on various national convention committees. In the October 2019 issue of The Postal Supervisor, NAPS published the duties and responsibilities of each national convention committee, including the number of committee members that will be required. This provided selected committee members insight on what to expect when serving on a committee, including when certain committee members need to arrive at the Gaylord Texan Resort to be ready for their first committee meeting.

Second, those selected for a committee need to ensure they have registered for the national convention and have their delegate credential submitted. Double-check that you are registered. Don’t assume your branch president or other branch officer took care of this very important registration business.

Be proactive and check yourself. Actually, this is a good idea for all NAPS delegates to ensure they are properly registered for the national convention, especially if they have been relying on someone else to handle their registration.

Third, selected committee members need to ensure they have confirmed their room reservations and travel arrangements, as well. Committee members must stay at the convention hotel, Gaylord Texan Resort, to receive reimbursement for their room expenses and committee per diem.

Fourth, committee delegates will be required to arrive on the Friday or Saturday, Aug. 27 or 28, before the start of national convention for their scheduled committee meetings on either Aug. 28 or 29. By July 31, selected committee members will receive additional information regarding committee meeting times and room assignments at the Gaylord Texan Resort.

As a reminder, NAPS is all about building our committee bench by expanding the opportunity to serve. This makes our association stronger and members more actively engaged and efficient for years to come.

Therefore, just as at our 2018 national convention, approximately 20%or more of national convention committee members will be serving for the first time. To clarify, this means that delegates who have attended a national convention before or for the first time and never served on a national committee will have a greater chance to serve.

Fortunately, the demand to serve on a national committee was wonderful. Unfortunately, the demand exceeded the supply of available committee assignments. I understand some members have served on the same national committee for years. For those who have previously served, but were not selected this time, I truly appreciate and respect the time you have given to serve NAPS. Thank you for understanding as NAPS continues to build our national committee bench to make NAPS an even stronger association for the years to come.

Now, it is time to spring to my nutting March Madness ice-cream-flavor-of-the-month recommendation: PB&J swirl!