July 18, 2024
Western Region Training Highlights
By Marilyn Walton
NAPS Western Region Vice President
The 102nd California State and 89th California Auxiliary conventions were called to order on Wednesday, April 24, at the Red Hawk Hotel & Casino in Placerville, CA. The Presentation of Colors was performed by local representatives of Veterans of Foreign Wars. The national anthem was performed by Roxanne Brandley from host Sacramento Branch 77. The convention theme was “Take Your Ride to Excellence.” “Yee, haw!” was the call to action.
NAPS guests were Executive Vice President Chuck Mulidore, Past President Brian Wagner, Pacific Area Vice President Chuck Lum and me. USPS guests bringing greetings were John DiPeri, USPS Regional vice president, Processing Operations, Western Region; Shawna Camerena, manager, Integration, Sacramento District; and Tom Lewis, senior MDO, West Sacramento P&DC.
Our postal guests gave positive and uplifting remarks. Their message was the agency is focused on teaching, training and development.
We had two full days of training. Marilyn Jones, California State president, called the official business to order and presided along with her Executive Board. Over 13 committees were involved in 16 resolutions that were considered for up or down review and votes. Marilyn stressed we focus on training and sharing information. Each state board member provided training on a current relevant subject.
Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-CA) was a special guest speaker. He thanked postal employees for the job they do. Kiley is co-sponsor of postal bills H.R. 82, GPO/WEP, and H.R. 5995, Retirement Fairness Act. Our legislative representative provided some additional NAPS bills we would like Kiley to co-sponsor; he said he would review our requests.
John Aceves, former NAPS secretary/treasurer, provided training on resources for responding to appeals and filing EAS grievances. Delegates showed up in their Western gear. A lot of fun was had by Rufus P. Justice, aka Ralph Petty, Branch 77 president, who issued wanted posters and locked up delegates in his makeshift jail.
Judge Roofless Bainer Gensburg, aka Karyn Rahming, set bail. We all had to scramble to gather funds to bail each person out of jail (including myself). All proceeds went to SPAC. There were SPAC auctions, 50-50 raffles and bake sales. The total contribution to SPAC was $15,000.
Special thanks to Felecia Pennington and her assistant, Yvette Profit, who oversaw the SPAC table and vast array of donated gifts on which to bid. Additional training by each state board member was presented on various subjects.
We had great fun, learned a lot and raised a lot of money for SPAC. Debbie Baker and her Greetings Committee presented a great Western theme greeting. The stars of the presentation were Chuck Mulidore as “The Gambler” and Brain Wagner as Willie Nelson (braids and all). There were other great performances of country hits; a raucous good time was had by all.
The Auxiliary team, led by California Auxiliary President Yunina Graham, is to be commended for their assistance in helping NAPS with their outstanding effort of fundraising for SPAC. This year’s state convention took care of business and focused on training, sharing information and enjoying good, hearty food.
Northwest Area Five-State Training Seminar
The five Northwest states delegations—Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington—met in Boise, ID, on Friday, May 17, at the Stueckle Sky Center on the campus of Boise State University. Idaho State Branch 915 hosted the event. The training room was on the fifth floor and offered a panoramic view of the university campus and downtown Boise.
Before the start of the meetings, delegates were invited out to Albertson Stadium’s famous blue turf for a group photo. Immediately after the opening ceremony, we had a Zoom presentation on the Postal Service Health Benefits program hosted by Karla Kirby, USPS Headquarters. The information was important regarding all the changes that will occur this year with Postal Service Health Benefits.
Boise Postmaster Dan Corral, Vice President, Regional Processing Operations, Western Region, John DiPeri and new Boise Plant Manager Resse Stillman all shared positive messages with the group. They have continued their NAPS memberships.
Northwest Area Vice President John Valuet took time to recognize the branch presidents representing the northwest states. The seminar included one and a half days of training and information sharing.
I reviewed my NAPS Training Tool Kit. John presented “Why SPAC?” and membership stats and recruitment tips and techniques. John Lahmann, Oregon Branch 276, discussed mitigating NPA. Ramon Gutierez, postmaster of Grants Pass, OR, presented “Understanding the Technology of Integrated Route Evaluation & Adjustment Process.” Kaylinn Hoyt, ID-MT-OR Safety Manager (A), Branch 66, presented “Safety & You.” Rick Kindsvatter, Montana State Branch 929 president, reviewed the IMIP Process.
John and his Seminar Committee did a fantastic job catering to all our needs. He also recognized many of the members for their commitment to NAPS. Cassandra May, delegate from Seattle Branch 61, was recognized for signing the most new members and was given a special gift. Additional special recognition was presented to Allison Taylor for her Auxiliary support and her work with decorations and planning to ensure a successful event.
We had an exciting time in a beautiful setting with a full schedule of training. Boise was a great location.
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