Want Change? It's Resolution Time

Want Change? It’s Resolution Time
By Dan Mooney
NAPS North Central Area Vice President

Every two years, NAPS holds its biennial national convention. This year’s convention will be Aug. 9-14 in San Francisco; it will be my 16th national convention.

This is where the business of NAPS takes place. Yes, it provides a great networking opportunity and chances to renew friendships abound. But, most importantly, it’s where NAPS members decide how the organization will move forward.

NAPS members submit resolutions that are voted on to help establish the direction and path forward for the next two years for this great organization. There is a process to follow to submit resolutions.

Once resolutions are passed at state conventions, they should be submitted to NAPS Executive Vice President Chuck Mulidore to be included in the national convention One Book. Now is the time to start thinking about resolutions with many state conventions right around the corner.

Any previously passed resolutions dealing with pay issues have expired and were included in the most recent pay package this past fall. However, this current pay package expires May 2026, so, most likely, there will be another round of pay talks in late summer or early fall.

Is there something you would like NAPS to address? If so, write a resolution, get it passed and forward it to NAPS Headquarters.

Now is the time to start thinking about ways to help this great organization run better, help the members and create a stronger organization. Once resolutions are forwarded to Chuck, they are separated into two categories and submitted to the Constitution and Bylaws Committee and the Resolutions Committee. The proposed resolutions will be reviewed by the two respective committees at the national convention.

Get a copy of the NAPS Constitution & Bylaws (available from NAPS Headquarters) and read it carefully; your branch should be following this document. The Constitution has 15 articles; the Bylaws have 10 articles. Determine if any of them can be improved by making an update.

If so, write the change as a resolution and submit it to your branch to approve. At your branch meetings, work to develop and refine the resolutions. That’s what branches are supposed to do!

The same process applies to other resolutions. General resolutions can cover a variety of issues — working conditions, postal policy, NAPS direction/business and more. Of course, your branch has to vote on and pass any resolution to move it up to the next level. Resolutions must be submitted to Chuck by the deadlines (see page 27) in order to be included in the convention agenda.

This is the way NAPS does its business. It’s a two-year cycle supported by our biennial national convention. Do your part, with your branch, by actively participating in the resolution process.

Now is the time for individuals and branch leaders to start thinking about ways to help NAPS be stronger for its members and as an organization. Help lead!

Collectively, we are better together when everyone participates in the process. I look forward to seeing what members/branches submit that will be printed in the national convention One Book. As always, stay on the high road; the view and the people are much better!