Be Engaged and Involved — A Benefit of NAPS!

Be Engaged and Involved — A Benefit of NAPS!
By Jimmy Warden
NAPS Secretary/Treasurer

In my January column, I suggested a great New Year’s resolution would be that everyone approach a non-member and inform them of the benefits of being a NAPS member. In other past columns, I also have talked about getting involved and engaged with your association.

One of the benefits as a NAPS member is the ability to attend local branch meetings. In addition to speaking to one nonmember as a New Year’s resolution, how about trying to attend at least one branch meeting a year? One of the great benefits of being a NAPS member is the networking, especially at local branch meetings.

Many branches have guest speakers attend to address members. Speakers include the respective district manager, plant manager, HR manager or, possibly, the manager of Labor Relations, among others. At some branch meetings, a NAPS national officer is in attendance to speak.

Branch meetings are a great opportunity to network with Postal Service superiors and your peers to learn about upcoming events and what changes are on the forefront. Meetings also are a great time to present any questions or concerns you may have. By attending a local branch meeting, you will see that NAPS is not just about consulting with the Postal Service on your pay and benefits or representing you regarding corrective action.

All members need to get engaged with NAPS. This is a positive benefit of which many members don’t take advantage. Many branches hold meetings via Zoom to make it easier to attend. If you do not know when your branch has meetings, reach out to your branch president.

On the NAPS website (naps.org), click on the “Members Only” section. Under “Find Your Branch,” click on your state to find your branch and the name of your branch president and their contact information. Then, reach out to your branch president and let them know you want to become more engaged.

In just a couple weeks, NAPS will be holding our yearly Legislative Training Seminar (LTS). For those unaware, LTS is held at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Crystal City, VA, and run by Executive Vice President Chuck Mulidore with the assistance of Director of Legislative & Political Affairs Bob Levi. There always is talk on the Hill pertaining to privatization of the Postal Service, as well as legislation that could affect our well-earned benefits.

This seminar is when our members engage with their elected lawmakers in the House and Senate and ask them to sponsor or not sponsor specific bills that have a direct effect on you, the member. This opportunity allows you to become engaged and be a voice for change.

We encourage you to meet with your respective representative and senators not just at LTS, but also at their offices where you live. This is just another benefit of NAPS having a platform for your voice as a member in the legislative process.

Being engaged by becoming involved is a benefit that also can help you in your job. It will help you keep ahead of the curve and in the know when new programs are iplemented. Being engaged enables you to be proactive and part of the solution by offering suggestions rather than being reactive and becoming part of the problem.

I always have believed that to incorporate change, folks need the two Is: information and inclusion. Become a change-maker and remember, increasing membership demonstrates leadership.

Stay safe!