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You Heard it on NAPS Chat

You Heard it on NAPS Chat

Do you have an interest in postal history? Do you want to stay up to date on Congress’ concerns regarding the “Delivering for America” plan? Have you ever wondered about the life of a lobbyist and the differences in promoting interests to Democratic, Republican and Independent members of Congress?

There’s one place to go for those and more! NAPS Director of Legislative & Political Affairs Bob Levi hosts the NAPS Chat most Fridays. Bob’s inaugural chat was on Oct. 29, 2018. He told his audience his aim was to provide a weekly legislative/political podcast to highlight events on Capitol Hill and the Washington, DC, area that impact NAPS members and the Postal Service. In his first podcast, Bob focused on the upcoming elections, the recently enacted Opioid Prevention Act and the country’s withdrawal from the Universal Postal Union.

Now, almost 5½ years later, NAPS Chat is going strong. Bob recently explained that podcasts are a growing, innovative and effective way of communicating and engaging with NAPS members. “My intent was not for NAPS Chat to replace Postal Supervisor articles and columns,” he said, “but to complement the written word. NAPS members don’t have to wait for the next issue of the magazine to get the latest news that might interest them.

“My millennial children explained that, while they may not have the time or solitude to sit down and read an article, they can listen to a podcast on their mobile device while driving, jogging or just hanging out. Podcasts are a convenient way to gather information and easily can be shared with others.

“A side benefit of posting NAPS Chat online (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, LinkedIn, etc.) is there are thousands of listeners who learn about NAPS and its priorities by simply listening to our podcast. In fact, this enlarged audience includes members of Congress and their staffs, USPS Headquarters personnel, postal industry leaders and folks who are just interested in postal issues.”

Topics are varied and run the gamut; the chats average 25 minutes. For the July 2 episode—in honor of Independence Day and continuing the chat’s tradition of exploring our consequential postal past—Bob joined newly appointed Postal Historian Steve Kochersperger in the Postal Service Library to talk about Postmaster General John A.J. Creswell who served during post-Civil War Reconstruction.

The episode piggybacked on Bob’s Postal Supervisor column in the August issue where he highlighted Creswell’s accomplishments that included integrating the postal workforce, improving postal expenses, reducing expenses and introducing new products and innovations. Steve noted at the start of the chat that the Postal Service has a lot of history—its brand is 250 years of service. “We can learn from the past,” he declared, “and help build toward the future.”

On the June 21 episode, Bob chatted with Frank McCarthy, founder and principal of McCarthy Advanced Consulting, about his approach in representing multi clients before Congress. Frank generally lobbies on behalf of labor unions, primarily before Republican members of the House and Senate. He and Bob talked about the differences in talking to members of the different parties and coalition building.

NAPS members are well aware of the challenges surrounding the rollout of PMG Louis DeJoy’s “Delivering for America” plan. On May 17, Bob talked to Postal Regulatory Commission Chairman Michael Kubayanda regarding the April Senate hearing on the Postal Service and the PRC’s regulatory activities directed toward the plan.

Bob uses his access to Capitol Hill lawmakers and chats with those serving on committees that have jurisdiction over the Postal Service. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA), former chairman of the Subcommittee on

Government Operations, joined Bob to talk about the second anniversary of enactment of the Postal Service Reform Act, focusing on performance and accountability to what’s next to ensure the agency remains vital.

Bob also chatted with Rep. Kweisi Mfume (D-MD), ranking member of the House Oversight and Accountability Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce. Mfume talked about Congress’ oversight in USPS operations, his postal priorities and how the agency is viewed by others on Capitol Hill.

NAPS members who attended this year’s LTS got to see that week’s episode live with Kevin Kosar, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. Among the issues discussed were the importance of measuring performance, the need for constructive congressional oversight, the transition to package delivery and more.

NAPS Chat is not limited to outside luminaries of the postal realm. NAPS Executive Vice President Chuck Mulidore has been a guest multiple times to discuss
the latest issues. On the April 5 episode, Chuck talked about the recently concluded LTS and NAPS members’ lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill.

Late last this year, Bob was joined by Jay Fritz, the Office of Personnel Management executive tasked with coordinating the most recent year’s open season and what’s new for active and retired postal and federal employees.

As you can see, there is a lot to learn! Take a moment in your day—while you are driving home, taking your lunch break (hopefully you get one!) or going for a walk around the block—and tune in to NAPS Chat. Episodes are available at www.naps.org under the “Legislative Center” tab.