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The Time of Year When We Really Shine

The Time of Year When We Really Shine
By Jimmy Warden
NAPS Secretary/Treasurer

The season of joy and thanks is here once again—the holiday season! It’s the season that helps define the Postal Service. Delivering for America brings joy and happiness to so many people.

That said, many of us dread peak season. It is a tough time of year with the additional volume and long lobby lines of customers wanting to mail packages and greeting cards. I always found it extremely gratifying when I saw a smile on the face of a customer when I was a carrier delivering mail or as a supervisor/manager helping in the lobby. That made the extra effort all worth it.

Yet we should keep in mind that the holiday season also can be a challenge for many. I’ve always been a glass-is-half-full believer, which has helped me get through tough times. One shouldn’t complain about their glass being half empty. Remember, many don’t even have a glass!

In a previous columns, I quoted the famous poet Maya Angelou. Her quote is worth reiterating this holiday season: “When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed.”

Good news continues on the membership front! In the September DCO, NAPS reached 27,000 members strong. In September, we had 25,608 active members and 1,460 associate members, totaling 27,068. Great job, everyone!

Special recognition goes to New York Area Vice President Dee Perez, joined by New England Area Vice President Bill Austin, who established a 30-day new membership blitz challenging their branches. This effort resulted in a combined total of nearly 200 new members. New Jersey State President Jonathan Kofsky signed 25 members in a 90-day period. Fantastic job!

Although the time frame for processing Form 1187s has greatly improved, we have been receiving some requests on the process. When a Form 1187 is received at NAPS Headquarters, it must be a clear, legible copy. An original is greatly preferred. No photos of 1187s please!

It is recommended that you scan the original copy and send it to Join@NAPS.org. Once received at NAPS Headquarters, the copy is reviewed to ensure all the necessary information has been provided. Caitlyn then enters the information into our database. This is done either on the day received (depending on time of day) or the next day.

The 1187s then are mailed via Priority Mail, with tracking, to HRSSC in Greensboro, NC. Once received and processed by HRSSC, the forms are sent to Eagan, MN, where a dues deduction is activated. Dues must be deducted for a pay period within a month to reflect membership in that month.

Keep in mind that when a branch receives its DCO report, the data reflects the prior month’s membership deductions. This is why it usually takes two months before you see a member on your DCO. If a branch has mailed or emailed a Form 1187 to NAPS Headquarters and, after three or more months, it is not reflected on the DCO, email Patrick and he will respond to you with the status—naps.pg@naps.org.

Also, do not send Form 1187s in a USPS Official Penalty Envelope. Postal envelopes are for official postal business only!

On behalf of my family to yours, I wish everyone a happy and blessed holiday season and a happy and healthy New Year. Stay safe and remember, increasing membership demonstrates leadership!