Your Voice Should Be Heard

Your Voice Should Be Heard
By Jimmy Warden
NAPS Secretary-Treasurer

I'm pretty sure most of you have heard of Herb Brooks. He was the coach of the U.S. Men's Hockey Team in the 1980 Olympics. He led a team that was heavily looked on as the underdog.

We all know the outcome! Team USA won the gold medal, defeating the heavily favored Soviet Union team. But Brooks was more than a coach of this great team. He was a motivator whose words could light a fire in the hearts of his players.

Brooks' quotes continue to inspire not just athletes, but anyone needing a push to overcome challenges and strive for success. Just before his players went onto the ice for that great game, he said, "Great moments are born from great opportunities. This is your moment. You are meant to be here!"

When I read this quote, I thought of our upcoming 70th National Convention. After attending many NAPS state conventions and listening to the business being conducted, I reflected on the importance of our national convention.

Many NAPS delegates will be traveling to the iconic, beautiful city of San Francisco. This is a great opportunity for branch delegates to have their voices heard and offer directives to the Executive Board on issues of concern that you—the member—want NAPS to pursue on your behalf over the next two years. These decisions could change the livelihood of many of our members, including their families. This opportunity afforded to NAPS delegates can and will result in great moments.

As a delegate, you are meant to be at the convention as a representative of your branch's membership. This is yourmoment! I urge everyone to take advantage of this opportunity and let your voice be heard—not only during business sessions, but also by networking with delegates from other branches during the week.

Another quote by Herb Brooks is, "You are looking for players whose name on the front of the sweater is more important that the one on the back." This is so true about our association! We wear the NAPS logo on the front of our shirts with pride, displaying the inclusiveness of our great association.

We are a unified team working for a common goal—the betterment of all supervisors, postmasters and managers and to ensure our United States Postal Service always will be there, serving the American people. NAPS is not about one person.

Brooks said, "It's amazing what you can accomplish when nobody cares who gets the credit." NAPS is about a united group of people representing access to a long-standing network of representation, resources and professional development. Brooks' method of coaching and leadership brought out the importance of unity, the value of hard work and the amazing results of believing in a common goal.

When our 70th National Convention comes to a close, we will be thanking Ivan Butts as he retires as our president. It has been a pleasure and an honor serving alongside Ivan these past five years as a resident officer. Ivan has served 12 years as a national officer.

He has served with dignity and honor and always has put our members first in the forefront. Ivan has been the voice and vision of NAPS; I truly appreciate how his work has changed life in a positive way for so many.

Remember, increasing membership demonstrates leadership. Also, it's about the name on the front of our shirts—not the back!

Stay safe.