Get Active: Participate in Your Branch!

Get Active: Participate in Your Branch!
By Dan Mooney
NAPS North Central Area Vice President

Everyone who is a NAPS member should get this Postal Supervisor magazine. My hope is most, if not all, members read this magazine and this column.

Every NAPS member has something to offer and something to learn from its branch and the NAPS organization. No one knows it all. We are stronger when all participate; there is no “I” in team.

If you are sitting at home reading this, you are a member of a NAPS branch. What is holding you back from attending and participating in your branch meetings? Do you know when and where your branch meets?

Your NAPS branch needs and wants your participation! If you don’t know what branch you’re a part of, go to the NAPS website (www.naps.org) and look up your branch president contact information or call NAPS Headquarters (703-836-9660) and ask for that information. Contact your branch president and find out when and where your branch meets.

Go to a branch meeting and introduce yourself; your fellow members are waiting to see and hear from you. Share your contact information and get others’ contact information. Talk to others; listen to what others are saying.

Take advantage of the networking opportunities your branch meetings offer. If you are having issues with your manager, share that with others and listen to the advice offered. Most branch officers are experienced and can help you with those issues.

You also will get officer reports that give you updates from NAPS Headquarters and, possibly, what’s happening in your district and local area. There is valuable information shared at local branch meetings.

This is the time to discuss workplace issues, both positive and negative. It’s a time when we help each other overcome workplace obstacles, celebrate success and plan futures. NAPS is here to help you when you need it!

Perhaps you possess a particular skill or know someone who can benefit the branch; share that information. Being involved in your branch does not always mean representing members in need. A strong branch needs multiple members to be active and supportive.

A strong branch usually means it has multiple committees working behind the scenes to support it. These include committees such as membership, events, legislative, sickness and welfare, etc. A strong branch usually has multiple members working to support it. Everyone has something to share and give.

Mark on your calendar the dates of your next few branch meetings. Perhaps you will enjoy attending your branch meetings and start attending them regularly. Other doors most likely will open and additional benefits will come forward.

There are area and regional training seminars, state conventions, national legislative seminars and national conventions to which your branch will be sending members. Would you like to be the one who benefits from your branch sending you to some of those events? It happens when you start attending your branch meetings.

While you are at it, don’t forget your spouse or significant other. Bring them along to the branch meeting to join the branch auxiliary. Why not work together for the common good?

Your local branch meeting has a lot to offer, but you must attend. You have something to offer and something to gain from attending your branch meetings. Find out what that is!

As always, stay on the high road; the view and the people are much better!