PHILLIP MANESS
RETAIL ASSOCIATE AT LOWELL POST OFFICE REACHES OUT TO NEWTOWN, CT



Phillip Maness - Lowell Retail Associate

 Phillip Maness, Lowell Retail Associate wanted to send encouragement to the children of Sandy Hood Elementary school in Newtown, CT.  Phillip offered to pay the postage for any customer that bought the Postal Bear; they sold out of the bears and every customer that participated sent the bear from either their child or grandchild.  Phillip placed a letter inside the box to distribute where needed. 

The Arkansas District has so many kind, generous and thoughtful employees, Phillip is great example of compassion in action.

TERRA HOOD HUNTSVILLE POSTMASTER

SUPPORTS "ADOPT A SOLDIER"

Postmaster Terra Hood of Huntsville, AR brings in revenue, as well as supporting her local church, Evangel Assembly of God.  Terra works on the "Adopt a Soldier" mission.  The mission started out with plans to send one box per month.  Within the first month, the mission had grown to 15 boxes per month.  The congregation is encouraged to donate items for the boxes.  Terra then packs the items, prepares custom forms, and ships the boxes.  Postage is paid for by cash donations to the mission.  The boxes pictured contain personal hygiene items, snacks, Christmas Cards, stationary, reading material, and other useful items for soldiers stationed in Afghanistan. 

WAYNE BECK ALMA POSTMASTER
HONESTY AND INTEGRITY- ENOUGH SAID

ALMA POSTMASTER - WAYNE BECK

Keep true, never be ashamed of doing right, decide on what you think is right and stick to it. — George Eliot

Wayne Beck is a fine example of what it means to "do the right thing".  Recently, Wayne found a bag of money on the Alma exit ramp of I-40. When he opened the bag, to his amazement, there was about $1,100.00 cash in the bag plus several checks.  He knew he had to find the rightful owner and return the money. 

Wayne contacted the local bank for assistance to verify the owner (a local antique store) and was able to deliver the bag personally.

"The money that was found was not mine. The right thing to do was to get it back to the person that lost it," stated Wayne Beck.  "The smile on Mr. and Mrs. Ellis' face was priceless, they were so appreciative."

Wayne said, "I'm sure you've heard of paying it forward. After speaking to Mr. Ellis, I found out that his wife, at one time, found a wallet with $1,700.00 cash. She turned it over to the police for them to find the owner. I think this was God's way of rewarding them for their Good Samaritan act years ago."

It is refreshing to know we work with ethical, honest people. Thank you Wayne for doing the right thing!

Southern Area

uspsnewsbreak

UNIQUE POST OFFICE BOX CREATED FOR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS AFFECTED BY NEWTOWN CT TRAGEDY

The U.S. Postal Service has established a unique Post Office Box to allow employees and the public to send condolences to those affected by the tragedy in Newtown CT last week.

Those who wish to send expressions of comfort should address them to:

Messages of Condolence for Newtown
PO Box 3700
Newtown CT 06470

USPS understands that there is an outpouring of support for everyone in the Newtown area and hopes to make it easier for those who wish to send encouragement and messages of compassion to those affected. Thousands of letters are pouring in from around the world and this will make it easier to isolate this mail for efficient distribution.

The Postal Service wants to express its support not only to the residents and others in the Newtown area, but to our employees who are working hard to ensure efficient delivery of this mail. Through letters and cards, families will be able to hold that friendship in their hands and to read those kind words at a time and place that supports their pace of healing.

POST OFFICE SETS UP P.O. BOX
FOR SANDY HOOK CONDOLENCE LETTERS

A mourner takes a picture of 26 teddy bears, each representing a victim of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, at a sidewalk memorial, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in Newtown, Conn. A gunman walked into Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown Friday and opened fire, killing 26 people, including 20 children. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

The shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown on Friday has broken hearts around the globe and the U.S. Postal Service has established a unique Post Office Box for people to send letters of condolence to the community.


“We understand that there is an outpouring of support for everyone in the Newtown area and we hope to make it easier for those who wish to send encouragement and messages of compassion to those affected,” Kimberly J. Peters, Connecticut Valley District Manager for the U.S. Postal Service, said in a statement.“

Those who wish to send expressions of comfort should address them to:

Messages of Condolence for Newtown

PO Box 3700

Newtown CT 06470

A WIN FOR MAYNARD RURAL CARRIER MAUREEN VAN WINKLE
AND THE US POSTAL SERVICE




MAUREEN VAN WINKLE WITH THE EDDM FOR JOHNNIE'S AUTOMOTIVE

 Maureen Van Winkle's Rural Reach submission resulted in new, monthly revenue for the Maynard Post Office.  Officer-In-Charge Roger Smith and Maureen worked together to educate John Conway of Johnnie's Automotive about the benefits of utilizing Every Door Direct Mail to promote his business.  After the first mailing, Mr. Conway had hard evidence that EDDM works; within three hours of the mail being delivered he received numerous calls and had 8 new appointments. 

Mr. Conway plans to mail every month, adding the PO Box customers to his mailing and advertising new monthly specials, he is sure to realize more new business. 

The average new revenue  for the Maynard Post Office will be approximately $128.00 a month. "This may seem like a small amount to some people", stated Roger Smith, OIC, "but the way I see it, pennies add up to dollars."

TAKE THE LAST TRAIN TO CLARKSVILLE POST OFFICE
FOR A PERFECT TRANSACTION

L-R: MPOO Al Alexander, SSA Brad Alvey, Postmaster Margaret Carter, Supervisor Christina Spicer,
SSA Dianna Christensen, SSA Mike Snider (not pictured John Dollar)

 

Lamar AR SSA, Tonia Ralph

If you’re old enough to remember the Monkees – a pop band of the 1960’s and 70’s – you’ll remember they had a great little tune about taking the last train to Clarksville. Much more recently, Arkansas District team members Alphonso Alexander (Manager of Post Office Operations Area 3) and Patti Robinson (District Manager of Marketing) took I-40 to Clarksville to celebrate a big accomplishment.


There they recognized the outstanding customer service record of the Clarksville Post Office retail team; a premier group of retail sales professionals that just won their sixth GOLD STAR AWARD for conducting another perfect Retail Customer Experience Mystery Shop. This sixth Gold Star came after SSA Brad Alvey’s most recent RCE shop, and was commemorated with a lead crystal trophy, which will be displayed at the retail counter. Clarksville is one of only two offices in Arkansas to attain this premier status.

Over the course of the past few months every single clerk in Clarksville achieved that true “perfection” associated with the coveted Gold Star Award. Dianna Christensen, Mike Snider, John Dollar, and Tonia Ralph (a clerk they frequently borrow from Lamar) earned the award prior to Brad Alvey’s recent shop. These employees know what it takes to increase their office’s profitability, while providing top-notch mailing solutions to their customers. And they do it right, every single time, with every single customer visit.

Manager of Post Office Operations, Al Alexander, said, “These are some of the best sales associates in the entire District. They follow the Perfect Transaction to a “T” and get the customer taken care of and back about their business, as quickly as possible. If every one of my offices were this good, my life would be a lot easier!”

Yep, they are that good. And when it comes to wait times at Clarksville, these fine folks follow another line from that old Monkees song; “And don’t be slow, ah no, no, no!”

HEBER SPRINGS POST OFFICE
FIRST GOLD STAR FACILITY IN THE STATE



Pictured L to R – Sr. MPOO Mike Hart, SSA Stephanie Giunta, MPOO Mark Merritt, Supervisor Eric Stafford, SSA Tacie Schmidt, Postmaster Briant Derrick, SSA Larry Winter, DM Kim Quayle, SSA Doug Privitt

 When you walk into the bright and beautiful lobby at the Heber Springs Post Office, the door cling tells the story: “You are entering a GOLD STAR POSTAL FACILITY. This facility has been recognized with the Gold Star Award for Excellent Customer Service.”


And it is true! Every Sales & Service Associate and member of management at Heber Springs know the importance of treating their customers very well. So well, in fact, they have become the first office in the Arkansas District to have six 100% Gold Star Perfect RCE Shops. That means every retail employee in Heber Springs know what products to offer their customers, they give a brief description of our premier services, and they make purchasing and shipping suggestions giving the customer the best value for their dollar, and providing the USPS with handsome profits.

It is that ability to provide “perfect” retail transactions that prompted the Arkansas District Manager, Kim Quayle, to travel to Heber Springs to personally thank SSAs Larry Winter, Tacey Schmidt and Stephanie Giunta for their consistently perfect Gold Star performance. “In Arkansas, our Retail employees are held to a higher standard than most others in the nation, with every aspect of a “perfect transaction” required, before one of these awards is given to a retail employee and office. So to see an office that has received 6 of these awards, is truly exceptional!”


ARKANSAS POST OFFICES SHARING
THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT IN THE LOBBY

Little Rock Chenal Post Office



Little Rock Industrial Station



Little Rock Asher Station



RICHARD NAYLOR FARMINGTON RURAL CARRIER RECEIVES ACCOLADES FOR SAFE DRIVING 

Richard Naylor' Safety Awards



Richard Naylor, Farmington Rural Carrier recently received two awards from the National Safety Council:  AREA BEST for the Southern Area and the 2012 Joseph M Kaplan Safe Driver of the Year.

Mr. Naylor has driven for 24 years without a preventable accident. He has had the same route for 24 years driving about 39 miles a day. His actions exhibit safe work/driving habits and demonstrates how safety depends on each of us. 

Congratulations on your outstanding accomplishment and many thanks Richard from your Farmington postal family and the Arkansas District.

BATESVILLE POST OFFICE IS A WINNER!

 GOLD STAR TROPHY WINNERS


Congratulations to Heber Springs and Clarksville Post Offices!  Each office has attained SIX GOLD STAR AWARDS!  They will each receive an engraved, lead crystal trophy to commemorate their outstanding customer service.

CONGRATULATIONS

GOLD STAR WINNERS!!



Bradley Alvey
Clarksville Post Office

Tamala Archer

Marion Post Office

Daniel Mearns

Russellville Post Office





Tamala Archer - Retail Associate Marion Post Office

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus

Letters from Santa program helps fulfill dreams

The Postal Service’s Letters From Santa program is helping keep the allure of jolly St. Nick alive.

Letters From Santa allows a parent, grandparent or any person to mail a letter to a child in their life from Santa postmarked at the North Pole.

This is how the program works:

• Write a letter from Santa Claus to the child and sign it “From Santa.”
• Place the letter into an envelope addressed to your child; use “Santa, North Pole” as the return address.
• Affix a First-Class Mail stamp to the envelope.
• Place the envelope into a larger envelope, affix the appropriate postage and address the larger envelope to:

NORTH POLE POSTMARK

POSTMASTER

4141 POSTMARK DR

ANCHORAGE AK 99530-9998

•  Your letter from Santa will be mailed back to the child with a North Pole postmark.
• Multiple letters from Santa to different children can be mailed together in the larger envelope.

Letters from Santa must be mailed to the Anchorage, AK, Postmaster no later than Dec. 10. Santa’s helpers in Anchorage will take care of the rest.

IT’S TIME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

IT’S TIME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

TOP 10 EXPERT TIPS FOR

FLAWLESS HOLIDAY MAILING

Wrapping and gifting done — or at least almost! Be sure to help your family and friends avoid the last-minute mailing and shipping rush to keep the season merry. Take note of these common tips sure to keep the season bright — and Santa busy!

1. Print addresses clearly and in all CAPS and be sure to include all address elements —apartment numbers, suite numbers, directional information for streets. For example: 123 S Main St. or 12456 Elm St. N.

2. Include both “to” and “from” information on packages — and only on one side. Mark packages, “Fragile,” in large print on the outside of the box when shipping breakable materials.

3. Never guess a ZIP Code. Visit usps.com to find all ZIP Codes.

4. Select a box that is strong enough to protect the contents. Leave space for cushioning inside. Do not reuse mailing boxes — they weaken in the shipping process. Customers can purchase ReadyPost boxes at a local Post Office. Express Mail and Priority Mail boxes, envelopes and

tubes are free. With Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes, if it fits, it ships.

5. Cushion contents with shredded or rolled newspaper, bubble wrap or foam peanuts. Plain airpopped popcorn also is good for cushioning — it’s inexpensive and environmentally friendly. Pack contents tightly to avoid shifting during transit.

6. Always use tape that is designed for shipping, such as pressure-sensitive tape, nylonreinforced

craft paper tape or glass-reinforced pressure-sensitive tape. Do not use wrapping paper, string, masking tape or cellophane tape.

7. Place an extra label or notice with the delivery and return address inside the package. This

ensures the safe return of an item that could not be delivered should the outside label become

damaged or fall off.

8. Remove batteries from toys. Wrap and place them next to the toys in the mailing box. Customers should include the new batteries in the manufacturer’s packaging.

9. Stuff glass and fragile, hollow items, like vases, with newspaper or packing material to avoid damage. When mailing framed photographs, take the glass out of the frame and wrap it separately.

10. Customers preparing international packages can complete customs forms, pay postage, print

a shipping label and receive a discount, too, online at usps.com/clicknship. And don’t forget — Express Mail delivery occurs on Christmas Day in many metropolitan areas.

Dec. 22 is the mailing deadline to most locations.

Arkansas Welcomes Donald Williams

as Senior Plant Manager

Donald Williams has been named Senior Plant Manager for the Arkansas District. He has been serving in this position since August 2012.

In this role, Donald will coordinate the efforts of more than 670 employees in the Little Rock, Fort Smith, and Fayetteville Processing and Distribution Centers, which together process and sort more than 6.5 million pieces of mail annually.

Donald is a 34-year Postal veteran who comes from the Great Lakes Area, where he was the Mail Processing Operations Manager for the Cardiss Collins Processing and Distribution Center in Chicago, Illinois. He began his Postal career in November 1978 as a Distribution Clerk in Chicago. He was promoted to his first supervisor position in 1986.

During his career, Donald has held a variety of managerial positions in Chicago including: Supervisor of Mail Processing and General Supervisor of Mails at the Old Chicago Main Post Office; and as Supervisor, Manager and Senior Manager of Distribution Operations at the Irving Park Road Processing and Distribution Center in Chicago.

He has earned his Green Belt in Lean Six Sigma training and is a graduate of the Career Management Program.

Donald is married and has three children.

Helping Hand
PERF offers aid to Sandy’s USPS victims

  

Donations by credit card or check — as well as quick contributions by texting just a few numbers on a cell phone — can go a long way towards directly helping postal employees whose homes have been damaged and families uprooted by Hurricane Sandy.

The Office of Personnel Management has authorized a “Special Solicitation” beyond the normal Combined Federal Campaign procedures to assist Hurricane Sandy’s victims. PMG Pat Donahoe has designated the Postal Employees’ Relief Fund (PERF) as the charity to receive these contributions.

One-time credit and debit card donations to PERF to specifically aid Postal Service victims of the devastating storm are accepted at the fund’s website (www.postalrelief.com) or by sending a check to the following address:

Postal Employee’s Relief Fund
PO Box 7630
Woodbridge, VA 22195

Postal employees also can text 50555 on their cell phones to make a one-time donation of $10 to PERF.

Employees may make donations specifically to aid Hurricane Sandy victims through Nov. 21.

PERF provides assistance grants to employees who are victims of natural disasters, such as hurricanes, floods, wild fires and earthquakes. Established in 1990, PERF has distributed more than $16.2 million in grants to employees in need.

Southern Area takes first in end-to-end scanning scores

Southern Area takes first in end-to-end scanning scores

The Southern Area has captured first place in the end-to-end scanning performance ratings. Its score of 95.2 percent (as of Nov. 7) was almost two points higher than the national average for the week ending Nov. 2.

Arkansas was NUMBER ONE in the nation at the end of  FY 2012, with a score of  99.26 percent.

“I applaud every employee in the Arkansas District for this outstanding performance,” stated Kim Quayle, Arkansas District Manager. “It takes every person doing the right thing to achieve this level of excellence. Thank you.”

ELECTION DAY MAIL PROCESSING

The Postal Service plays a crucial role in the processing and delivery of Election Mail, which is critical to the American democratic process. On election night — Tuesday, Nov. 6 — employees must follow strict guidelines when turning over Business Reply Mail (BRM) ballots to voter registration officials.

Managers should make sure employees are aware of and adhere to these guidelines. Click here for a stand-up talk outlining these rules.

Additional information on Election Mail is available at Election 2012 on Blue.

NEVER TOO EARLY TO MAIL
2012 HOLIDAY SHIPPING DEADLINES

USPS has released its suggested mail-by dates to help customers make sure their packages, cards and letters arrive in time for this year’s holiday season.

The first holiday mailing deadline is Nov. 13 for customers sending Parcel Post packages to APO and FPO addresses. Space Available Mail must be mailed by Nov. 26, regardless of the APO or FPO address.

Last-minute shoppers have until Dec. 22 — the deadline for Express Mail packages — to send mail in the U.S. But they would be wise to send their mail earlier. “We suggest customers mail domestic and international holiday gifts early to beat the rush and avoid the lines,” said Domestic Products Vice President Reblin.

Reblin recommends using Priority Mail products. “The Priority Mail Flat Rate Box is available in a variety of sizes and is always free,” he said.

DON'T DELAY THOSE BALLOTS

USPS is reminding employees to deliver all Election Mail ballots to election officials, regardless of whether postage is due.

According to Postal Operations Manual 171.3, absentee ballots materials are handled differently than other unpaid or short-paid mailpieces. According to the policy, absentee ballots addressed to an election office — with or without sufficient postage — must be delivered and cannot be held for postage payment.

In addition:

• Short-paid and unpaid absentee balloting materials must not be returned to the voter for additional postage. Postage is collected from the election office upon delivery or at a later date.

• Account for absentee ballots with insufficient or no postage using existing procedures for postage-due mail. Try to collect the postage due from the election office at the time of delivery. However, absentee ballots must be delivered even if the receiving election office refuses to pay.

• Military and overseas absentee ballots bearing indicia “US Postage Paid 39 USC 3406” are not short-paid. No additional postage is needed.

• Willful delay of absentee balloting material or other election material is a violation of policy, ethics and the law.

For additional information, read the stand-up talk on the handling of absentee ballots with insufficient or no postage. Also refer to the stand-up talk for Business Reply Mail ballots for information on delivering ballots and collecting unpaid or short paid fees at later dates.

Combined Federal Campaign

What is CFC (Combined Federal Campaign)?

CFC is a yearly pledge drive that is available to all federal employees. The pledge runs for 1 calendar year. You, as an employee, gets to determine who you pledge to and how much.

Pledges can be made via payroll deductions or a one time pledge. When you pledge you can chose up to 5 different charities/organizations your pledges can go to.

There are two ways to pledge: pledge form or at https://www.cfcnexus.org/_cfcgreaterarkansas/ Charities and Organizations can be found in the Organization Booklet or at the website listed above. The website is super user friendly.

If you or your employees need a book(s) and pledge form(s), please let me know and I will get you them ASAP. I am in the Little Rock area this week and travelling for the next few weeks to various parts of the state.

Charities and Organizations have to request via the CFC application process in order to be eligible for the Campaign.

The Charities and Organization listed (1000+) are local (to your respective areas), state wide, national, and international. Most of your common causes are eligible.

And depending on the size of your pledge there are incentive awards that you may receive. All pledges need to be made by December 1st.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email me or call. We can make a difference and I believe we will.

Thank you all,

John Putt, III
AR District CFC Coordinator
109 Main Street
Swifton AR 72471-9998

870-485-2627 (office)
870-897-1113 (cell)
870-485-2740 (fax)

SOUTHERN AREA EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENT

Kim Quayle has been named District Manager for the Arkansas District in Little Rock, Arkansas. As District Manager, she will manage more than 5,400 employees, oversee the processing of more than 2.7 billion pieces of mail annually at the Little Rock, Fort Smith, and Fayetteville Mail Processing and Distribution Centers, and manage all delivery operations in 614 Post Offices /stations /branches with a budget of $375 million.

Kim will replace David Camp who has been named District Manager of the Dallas District in Dallas, Texas. She has been in the position of Postmaster, Milwaukee, Wisconsin since December 2010. Kim began her postal career in 1983 in Fort Worth, Texas as a City Letter Carrier. In 1995, she was named Supervisor, Customer Services in Fort Worth, a position she has held in Burleson and Weatherford, Texas, and Placerville, California. She also has served as Postmaster at Rocklin, California and Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been Manager of Customer Services in Hollywood, Florida and Wyoming, Michigan. She was named Postmaster at Kalamazoo, Michigan, and then promoted to Manager of Post Office Operations for the Greater Michigan District in 2009.

Kim has held detail assignments as Officer-in-Charge at the Citrus Heights, California Post Office; AMSOP Coordinator for the South Georgia District; Manager of Post Office Operations for the Sacramento and South Georgia Districts; Station Manager in Columbus, Georgia; an as a member of the Service Improvement Team in Chicago, Illinois.

Using her vast experience in delivery operations, Kim has developed a comprehensive and effective approach to reducing overtime at the delivery units she has managed. These techniques are now being taught to delivery unit managers and supervisors throughout the Southern Area. She earned Vice President’s Awards in 2008 and 2011. Kim is a certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt.

Please join me in welcoming Kim to her new assignment.

Gold Star Winners

Three Little Rock Stations have been added to the Gold Star Program. This recognition is for Retail Associates who while serving the customer, complete a perfect transaction. Congratulations for to the following: Brady Station – Larry Johnson Chenal Station – Larry Dollar Industrial Station – Margaret Simpson Thank you for your efforts to generate revenue and provide outstanding customer service!