April 2012 - Minnesota NAPUS

Volume 60, Number 4 April 2012Detroit LakesWelcomes you!Get ready for the2012 Minnesota NAPUSState ConventionHoliday Inn on the LakeJune 20-22Make your plans now!

SOV and Your FutureDan Heins, PresidentStewartville MN 55976Office: 507-533-4571Home: 507-437-6948Cell: 507-438-2676Email: postmasterdan@ymail.comWe had a very interesting and informative NAPUSLeadership Conference that ran from March 24-28.One of the things that we learned is that the PostalService has made the decision that one of the veryimportant criteria that they are going to use for futureclosings is the Small Office Variance (SOV). As a result,Anita and I have decided that we will be doing a sessionon SOV and eCareer at this spring’s District Meetings.In a number of cases theinformation that is used in thecurrent SOV program is notaccurate and unless you havethe correct information in theprogram it could have a verynegative effect on whether, ornot, your office is one of thosethat may be put on a closinglist. That is why it is essentialthat you be proactive inverifying the information and ifit is not accurate making surethat it is! So, I wouldencourage you to make everyeffort to attend the meetingthat is closest to you, or thatworks into your schedule.Some of the districts havemade the decision that they willbe holding evening meetingsto, hopefully, make the opportunityto network with other members that much better.As always one of the most important parts of our tripto Washington, DC, is the opportunity we have to go upon Capitol Hill and meeting with representatives fromour Congressional Offices. We did have a chance forface to face meetings with Senator Al Franken andCongressman Tim Walz. Also, two of our members hadthe thrill of going to a fundraiser for Senator AmyKlobuchar when the Minnesota Wild played theWashington Capitals. It gave them the opportunity totalk face to face with her while she was there. Fromthat standpoint, it was a great trip.We had thought that S. 1789, the Postal Reform Billthat has been introduced in the Senate was going tocome up for a vote while we were there; however, itturned out there was bipartisan support for an energybill and that took precedence. As a result, the soonestthat this bill will come up will be after the Easter/Passover break that Congress is taking the first twoweeks of April. At the present time there are a numberof Senators that are working on a substituteamendment to replace this bill and that is much morefavorable to the future of the United States PostalService, so NAPUS is much more supportive of thisamendment than we are of the original bill. Thissubstitute amendment does not address all of theneeds that we have for the future of the USPS, but itdoes appear to get us closer to financial stability thanany of the other bills that are currently being consideredin either House of Congress.We also spent time withour House of Representativemembers regarding thefuture of H.R. 2309, which isthe bill that has beenintroduced by RepresentativesIssa and Ross. This billwould put the Postal Serviceinto receivership if wedefault on our obligations tomake the annual paymentsfor pre-funding of retireehealth benefits. As a result,t h e r e w o u l d b e acommission formed thatwould take over operation ofthe Postal Service from thecurrent leadership; includingthe Postmaster General andhis staff and the Board ofGovernors. In addition, therewould be a separate commission formed with the goalof closing enough Post Offices to save $1 Billion peryear and enough processing facilities to save $2 Billionper year. This would be devastating to our future and tothe ability of the USPS to meet the needs of itscustomers. I would urge you to stay informed on all ofthe bills that have been introduced in Congressregarding the future of the USPS. At the present timethere are approximately 25 bills that have beenintroduced. At this time, S. 1789, and H.R. 2309, arethe most important. My fear is that if the Congressdoes not take some kind of action before May 15, thatPresident Dan Heins withPostmaster General Pat Donahoe(Continued on page 3)Page 2The Gopher Postmaster

(Continued from page 2)Postal Service Headquarters will move forward with their plans to close anumber of Post Offices and a number of Processing Facilities. Our veryfuture is hanging in the balance and we need to be vigilant and make surethat our opinions are known by our Congressional delegation. OurSenators are on board and understand the importance of the USPS to thecountry and especially to the rural areas that we serve. We have anumber of the members of our House of Representative delegation thatunderstand; however, there are a number of those members that do notunderstand and feel that H.R. 2309 is the way to go. If there is furtheraction on this bill in the near future, we need to make sure that we haveas many people as possible contact their offices to voice their oppositionto this bill’s passage. Please stay tuned and we may well be contactingyou via email to let you know of our needs and the need to act quickly.Thank you to those of you that have made contact in the past, it helps alot when they can hear from a number of people to let them know of theirconcerns. It is only by making sure our wants and needs are known thatwe can indeed help to have an influence on where the USPS goes as anorganization, serving all of the residents of our great country.You will find the information regarding your upcoming District Meetingelsewhere in this issue of The Gopher Postmaster. In addition to theinformation on SOV and eCareer, Anita and I will be sharing information onthe Legislative and Leadership Conference, the upcoming StateConvention in Detroit Lakes in June, and the world of NAPUS both in theState of Minnesota and Nationally. With the uncertainty of the future ofthe USPS and what will happen regarding plant closings and possibleoffice closings, we felt it was important that we give some information oneCareer should individuals need to look at different positions in the future.It is difficult not to get caught up in all of the rumors and innuendo that weseem to hear on a regular basis; however, I would encourage you to onlybelieve something when you see it in writing and then only when you knowit is from a reliable source. In the meantime, continue to collect, process,and distribute the mail as you have in the past and as we will be in thefuture. We cannot and must not worry about what is out of our control, asdifficult as that is sometimes.I leave you this month with a quote from inspirational speaker MarkVictor Hansen, “"You must be on top of change or change will be on top ofyou."Have a good month!MinnesotaFirst Timers performon stage with theDueling Pianosat thePresident’s Receptionand DinnerThe Gopher Postmaster is publishedmonthly by the Minnesota Chapter ofthe National Association of Postmastersof the United States. The annualsubscription rate is paid for frommembership dues. Periodicals postageis paid at Waterville MN and additionalmailing offices. The opinions expressedin this newsletter are those of thewriters and not necessarily those of theNational Association of Postmasters ofthe United States. ISSN # 0896-503XPOSTMASTER: Please send addresschanges to The Gopher Postmaster,Margie Jacobson, Editor, PO Box 3,Morristown MN 55052President: Dan HeinsPM Stewartville MN 55976507-437-6948 (home)507-438-2676 (cell)postmasterdan@ymail.comExec Vice-President: Greg GeherenPM Hugo MN 55038gig1022@yahoo.comCell: 651-808-7486Secretary/Treasurer: Anita PfieferPM Owatonna MN 55060amp2016@yahoo.comCell: 507-390-1164Editor: Margie JacobsonPM Morristown MN 55052margiepm@yahoo.comCell: 507-649-1034PM Represention Committee:Bill BiresPM Spring Valley MN 55975507-993-0134Mrbill_58@yahoo.comRenae IngersollPM Moorhead MN 56560701-866-4483 cellr.s.ingersoll@midco.netNational VP Area 14Michelle FeldhackerSouth Dakota605-660-1032mcfeld@iw.netThe Gopher Postmaster Page 3

Anita PfieferSecretary/TreasurerPO Box 1051Owatonna MN 55060Office: 507-451-3507Home: 507-451-4003Email: amp2016@yahoo.comissues that are important to Postmasters! It is a greatopportunity to meet new Postmasters, see old friends,and discuss Postmaster issues and concerns.When you plan on attending a District meeting, calla neighboring Postmaster or OIC and come together. Ilook forward to seeing you soon.Plan to attend a District Meeting!Cherry blossoms and politics were in the air inWashington DC while your Minnesota Postmasters werethere. While we were discussing keeping Post Officesopen and resolving the pre-funding obligation,Washington was experiencing unseasonably warmweather and looking forward to the 100 th anniversary ofthe Cherry Blossom Festival. I want to thank the firsttimers that attended this year: Gail Hustad and herhusband, Arlyn from Ottertail, Scott Billings fromGreenbush and Todd Brandon from Roseau. It wasgreat having you with us this year and I certainly hopeyou will attend again next year.Spring District meetings are scheduled in April andMay. President Dan and I will be providing training onSOV and eCareer. SOV is critical in having the correctinformation on your Post Office since the District onlylooks at this data in closing offices. eCareer needs tobe kept updated and current for any vacancies thatopen and close with short notice.Please seriously consider attending – take the timeto schedule coverage in your office so that you canattend. It is an opportunity to stay informed aboutPostmaster General Pat DonahoeAt the First-Day-Of-Issue Ceremony for theCherry Blossom CentennialCommemorative Stamps(Picture submitted by Anita Pfiefer)GREAT STRIDES!!!!We ARE making GREAT STRIDES!MINNESOTA NAPUSFinancial StatementAs of February 29, 2012Regular Checking $ 7,917.65Regular Savings $24,216.49State Conv Savings $14,909.97Legislative Savings $ 5,330.82Conv 2000 Savings $ 566.55Cert of Deposit $11,301.89Cert of Deposit $16,383.90TOTAL $80,627.27I have a favor to ask of you on behalf of mygrandsons, Rylee and Carter Hecker and everyCystic Fibrosis patient across the nation.Once again, I will be forming a team to walk inThe Great Strides walk to cure CF on May 5th atLake Calhoun in Minneapolis.I'd like to invite you to join us on the walk or tomake a donation to the CF Foundation.Please help us find a cure for my "Best Boys".Lynn Hecker, PostmasterEllendale MN 56026507 456 6965Page 4The Gopher Postmaster

Todd BrandonLegislative ChairRoseau MN 56751Office: 218-463-2243Email: lyntodd@wiktel.comCell: 218-689-9844What a great Leadership Conference!I was a first timer at the Leadership Conference andit was very fun and informal. On Sunday, myself andScott Billings had the opportunity to sit with SenatorAmy Klobuchar and watch the Minnesota Wild play theWashington Capitals in her suite at the Verizon Centerin Washington, DC, even though the Wild lost 3-0 it wasgreat to visit with the Senator and know that she islooking out for the best interests for the Postal Service.She is very supportive of S1789.Senator Joe Lieberman, Senator Jon Tester and SenatorBernie Sanders give us their support for the S1789 bill.While that was going on Dan, Anita and others werevisiting with Senator Al Franken who metpersonally with them and gave his support for S1789.The only one that we know that supports HR 2309-theIssa bill is Representative Michele Bachmann. So weneed to make those phone calls to her officeand let our voice be heard. This is not the right bill forthe Postal Service. Later Tuesday evening we wereinformed that the S1789 bill did not secure thenecessary 60 votes (51-46). Chairman Lieberman hasbeen advised that the motion will be reconsidered whenthe Senate returns from its two week recess. I think hewill gain more support and the bill will eventually bepassed in the Senate.On Monday the Conference opened with PresidentObama's very own US Marine Band playing and theywere very good. We then had the opportunity tolisten to President Bob Rapoza, Thurgood Marshall Jr.,Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe and Ruth Goldwayand they were all really good to listen to.On Tuesday were the Capitol Hill visits. I attended theCapitol Hill rally and had the honor to listen toMinnesota First TimersScott Billings, Gail Hustad, Todd BrandonLet us do togetherWhat we cannot do aloneAll I need to knowI learned from the Easter Bunny!Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.Everyone needs a friend who is all ears.There’s no such thing as too much candy.All work and no play can make you a basket case.A cute tail attracts a lot of attention.Every one is entitled to a bad hare day.Let happy thoughts multiply like rabbitsSome body parts should be floppy.Keep your paws off of other people’s jelly beans.Good things come in small, sugar coated packages.The grass is always greener in someone else’s basket.To show your true colors, you have to come out of the shell.The best things in life are still sweet and gooey.May the joy of the season fill your heart.And May God Bless You!The Gopher Postmaster Page 5

Tammy Dockter3rd District DirectorPO Box 100Wolverton MN 56594Work: 218-995-2062Experiencing Change!Email: tammy@wtc-mail.netAs I write this, our NAPUS friends are returning fromthe Legislative Conference in Washington DC. I amanxious to hear what they bring back to share withthose of us who were unable to attend. Please makeplans to attend your District Spring Meeting and our MNState Convention in beautiful Detroit Lakes Minnesota.Writing this article is difficult for me. I am so blessedto have my sister Jody, for support and advice. I sharedwith her my thoughts on how change within our PostalService is inevitable. Not knowing what the changeswill be or how the changes will affect us personally, isstressful. I asked her to share anything that may behelpful to me and my fellow Postmasters. She providedthe article below. I hope you find it helpful.___________________________________________People experience change in unique ways. Changesin one’s life can be stressful, both positive anddistressing. For some, impending changes may beviewed as exciting, filled with anticipation; for others,changes may bring unwelcomed adjustments in theirlives.means getting regular exercise, eating healthy, oradequate sleep. Mental health professionalsrecommend these avenues of self-care, along withavoiding excessive alcohol, drugs, and other factorswhich tend to take away from our overall well-being.Additionally, it is important to ask for support and reachout to family, friends, and professionals.We may not be able to control or influence thechanges that are happening around us, but we can takecare of ourselves and examine our own thoughtsregarding change. Cognitive restructuring or reframing,are terms used to describe seeing situations in adifferent light-in a way that is more helpful to a person.If you are interested in reading more about this idea,please consider these resources:Frankl, V. E. (2006). Man’s Search for Meaning. Boston,MA: Beacon Press.John-Roger & McWilliams. (1995). You Can’t Afford theLuxury of a Negative Thought (The Life 101 Series). LosAngeles, CA: Prelude Press.Dr. Jody Huntington earned her Doctorate of Philosophy witha major in Counselor Education and Supervision with anApplied Statistics and Research Methods minor. She is anAssistant Professor at Regis University and a Crisis Counselorat Kaiser Permanente, both in the Denver, Colorado area.In times of uncertainty and change, it can be helpfulto pay attention to our self-care. For some of us thatPostmasters scanning at the National Postal MuseumPhoto submitted by Anita PfieferThe Gopher Postmaster Page 7

Gail HustadPAC ChairmanOttertail MN 56571Office: 218-367-2130Email: brnidgrl_64@yahoo.comWOW!! Asking for your Support!If I had to choose one word to describeWashington DC it would be WOW!!The Legislative Conference in Washington DC issomething everyone should do at least once.I would like to share some of what I found onthe NAPUS.org website that was talked aboutduring the conference:1. President Bob Rapoza told Postmasters thatthe message they need to take to Capitol Hillis—it is time for our congressional leaders tocompromise, make concessions, settle theprefunding issue, refund USPS overpayments,protect rural Post Offices and get out of the wayand let Postmasters do their jobs.2. Postal Board of Governors Chairman ThurgoodMarshall Jr. said lawmakers on Capitol Hill needto hear from NAPUS members, here and backin their Districts. In an environment of decliningmail volumes, the Postal Service cannotcontinue with the status quo. "Unless wechange our business model," he said, "andadjust to the times, we won’t be able to survivein a form our country needs and deserves."3. NAPUS Director of Government Relations BobLevi said "Our goal is to push Congress to act. Abill may not be everything we want, butperfection cannot be the enemy of the good.You have to look for ways to move the balldown the field."Bob Levi compared NAPUS’ legislative programto riding a bicycle. Trying to ride a unicycle isalmost impossible. But the back wheel of thebicycle is our political operation: PAC.The common denominator from all threespeakers was that we need to make ourselvesheard. By contributing to PAC is one way we can beheard.I am asking for your support as your MinnesotaPAC chair. The need for all NAPUS members tocontribute to PAC is now. All of the PAC chairsreceived training during the Legislative Conference.Our goal this year is to ask all members whocontributed to PAC in 2011 to increase yourcontribution by $12 in 2012. Only $1 per month,I have a list of your contribution from last year. Ournext goal is to ask those of you who have notcontributed to PAC in the past to contribute $12 in2012 that’s only $1 per month.$1 per month may not seem like a lot but $1times all of the NAPUS members will make a realdifference. Please send your contributions today!!PAC ContributionsNAME:_____________________________NAPUS Member ID Number:___________ADDRESS:__________________________CITY____________STATE____ZIP_______Active PostmasterRetired Postmaster Associate MemberMake checks payable to:NAPUS PACSend PAC Donations to:Gail HustadPO Box 34Ottertail MN 56571-0034Page 8The Gopher Postmaster

Sheila Bodell-HoernerService OfficerWarren MN 56762Office: 218-745-4581Email: sheilabodell@hotmail.comneed to be prepared because there is a good chancethat in the next few months you may have an offer onthe table. Will you be ready?I look forward to seeing you at the State Conventionin Detroit Lakes in June. I will have more information onthe benefits that NAPUS has for YOU!The Benefits of NAPUSThis is my first article as Service Rep. I recently wentto Washington DC for the Leadership Conference andtook in some much needed training. I learned there areso many benefits that I knew very little about. Did youknow that PMR's can get benefits?The National Credit Union Youth Week is April 22-28and the promotion ...any deposit of $50.00 or moreallows the youth to be entered into a drawing for aniPod shuffle, plus each month that an automatic depositis set up to come into the youth account of at least $25,the youth is eligible to win a $25 iTunes gift card.Photo submitted by Sheila Bodell-HoernerThe credit union has great auto loan rates, plus ifyou have your auto financed at another institution ordealership call a representative and they many timeswill beat that rate. Have you thought about refinancingyour home? Maybe you could take out a home equityloan and pay off your mortgage. The rates are low, youdo not need an appraisal and you save all therefinancing costs.The NAPUS Credit Union also has Visa Cards (severaltypes) with low rates and certain cards offer cashrebates or points, no annual fees and no fees for cashadvances or balance transfers. There is a "Win a Trip tothe London Olympics" going on right now. Each timeyou use your Visa Card during the contest dates (4-1thru 5-31) you automatically are entered to win.Did you know that NAPUS has tons of insuranceplans: Supplemental Health Benefit, Term Life,Accidental Death, Supplemental Retirement,Oppenheimer Funds, Long Term Insurance, IdentityTheft Insurance, Liberty Mutual Auto Insurance andLiberty Mutual Home Owners Insurance. The website iswww.massbenefits.com or a toll free number1-800-221-3083.One more thing before I close, if you are thinkingabout retirement in the near future watch the newlyreleased videos and think about what you are going todo with your Thrift Savings and choices regardingsurvivor benefits. There are so many questions and youMinnesotaChapterWinsNot only onePAC AwardButTwoPAC AwardsFirst PlaceForMost NewContributorsAndSecond PlaceForTotal Contributionsin ourCategoryThe Gopher Postmaster Page 9

2012 MN NAPUS STATE CONVENTIONREGISTRATION FORMHoliday Inn on the Lake1155 Hwy 10 East, Detroit Lakes MN 56501June 20-22, 2012Name:________________________________________________(As it will appear on your name badge)Address:______________________________________________City, State & Zip:_______________________________________Office:________________________________________________(As it will appear on your name badge)Please check all that apply: Received by June 1st Received after June 1st______Postmaster $35.00 $55.00______OIC $35.00 $55.00______ Associate Member $35.00 $55.00______GuestName: ________________ $35.00 $55.00______Retiree $35.00 $55.00______Retirees Lunch only $20.00 $30.00Make checks payable to MN NAPUS CONVENTION.Send registration to: Anita Pfiefer, Secretary/TreasurerPO Box 1051Owatonna MN 55060-7051Hotel Reservations: Holiday Inn on the Lake Room rate: $79.99-$89.991155 Hwy 10 East (Ask for NAPUS room rate)Detroit Lakes MN 56501 Reservations must be received218-847-2121 by May 21stNo guarantee of room availabilityor rate after May 21st

Margie Jacobson, EditorPO Box 3Morristown MN 55052Office: 507-685-4545Cell: 507-649-1034Email: margiepm@yahoo.comStaying in tune with CongressI know each day you hear about more and morechanges coming in the Postal Service. There are nowapproximately 25 bills before Congress to aid the PostalService to become viable. These bills are not all goodand not all bad. Now more than ever you need to keepabreast of those bills in Congress. The fate of the U SPostal Service is in the hands of Congress. You need tokeep in touch with your Senators and Representative sothat they will understand your views on each of theaspects of those bills. Hopefully with this knowledgethey will vote favorably to move the Postal Serviceforward.Besides reading The Gopher and PostmastersGazette, there are a number of places that you can findthe information that you will need to stay informed. OurNAPUS website napus.org is a great source to findlegislative news pertinent to the Postal Service andPostmasters. This website also has links to other PostalNews Sources such as: postalnews.com; federaltimes.com;and usps.com/news. There is also a linkthere to the website savethepostoffice.com.Also on page 12 of this issue, I have listed thecontact information for the two Minnesota Senators andeight Minnesota Representatives. You can also go totheir websites to contact them and to find outinformation on what issues are before them.Take the time now to get involved. This truly couldaffect your job as Postmaster in the community yourepresent.If there is breaking news we will also try to get thatinformation to you by email. Make sure you have givenyour email address to us.Have a great month and stay tuned.NAPUS GOLF TOURNAMENTRegistration FormWednesday June 20th - 11:30 AMForest Hills Golf Course3 1/2 miles west of Detroit LakesOn Highway 104 person Best Shot eventPlease arrive on the course 30 minutes early.$55 includes Cart and prize fundGolfers 1. _________________2. _________________3. _________________4. _________________Please return withentry fee to:Mel MillerGolf Tournament808 Saint Lawrence DrNorthfield MN 55057Single players are welcome and will be put on ateam. Make checks payable to Mel Miller.KEN WINTER MEMORIALROLLE BOLLE TOURNAMENTRegistration FormThursday, June 21st 5:30 p.m.Holiday Inn On The LakeENTRY FEE: $15/person or $45/teamAll proceeds to be split betweenSCHOLARSHIP & PAC FUNDSTEAM NAME:_______________________Members 1. _______________2. _______________3. _______________Please return to:Mel MillerRolle Bolle Tournament808 Saint Lawrence DrNorthfield MN 55057Single players welcome and will be put on a team.First team of all First Timers to sign up will receivefree entry fee.The Gopher Postmaster Page 11

Take the time to visit with yourMinnesota Senators and RepresentativeStay informed and share your views.Senator Al FrankenDemocrat309 Hart Senate Office BuildingWashington DC 20510202/224-5641Web form: franken.senate.gov/?p=contactSenator Amy KlobucharDemocrat302 Hart Senate Office BuildingWashington DC 20510202/224-3244Web form: klobuchar.senate.gov/emailamy.cfmCongressman Tim Walz1st District of Minnesota1722 Longworth HOBWashington DC 20515202/225-2472Fax: 202/225-3433Congressman John Kline2nd District of Minnesota2439 Rayburn HOBWashington DC 20515202/225-2271Fax: 202/225-2595Congressman Erik Paulson3rd District of Minnesota127 Cannon HOBWashington DC 20515202/225-2871Fax: 202/225-6351Congresswoman MichelleBachmann6th District of Minnesota103 Cannon HOBWashington DC 20515202/225-2331Fax: 202/225-6475Congresswoman BettyMcCollum4th District of Minnesota1714 Longworth HOBWashington DC 20515202/225-6631Fax: 202/225-1968Congressman Collin C.Peterson7th District of Minnesota2211 Rayburn HOBWashington DC 20515202/225-2165Fax: 202/225-1593Congressman Keith Ellison5th District of Minnesota1027 Longworth HOBWashington DC 20515202/225-4755Fax: 202/225-4886Congressman Chip Cravaack8th District of Minnesota508 Cannon HOBWashington DC 20515202/225-6211Fax: 202/225-0699

MN NAPUS SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION 201218374 CEDAR LN, RICHMOND MN 56368Instructions:1. All applications must be returned to the above address and postmarked no later than MAY 1, 2012.2. The application is limited to ONE attached sheet of paper.3. All applications MUST include a certified copy of your High School Transcript AND the most recentcollege/technical school transcript if currently enrolled in a post-secondary program. No internettranscripts will be accepted.4. Applicants understand that if selected, the scholarship is contingent to the submission of theirPAID fall registration on institution stationery to the committee before DECEMBER 31, 2012.5. Applicants age limit is 23 years old by June 1, 2012.6. Only ONE award per person. Previous award winners are not eligible to apply in future years foradditional awards.INFORMATION RELEASE; Waiver for release of any educational information needed to process thisscholarship application, and allow the publication of your name, if you are a successful scholarshipwinnerI have read and agree to the above._________________________________________Applicant’s Signature_________________________________DateAPPLICANT’S NAME:_____________________________________________________________________MAILING ADDRESS:__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________DATE OF BIRTH:_________________________ PHONE NUMBER:______________________________PRESENT EDUCATIONAL STATUS: _______ HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR ______ POST-SECONDARYSPONSORING MINNESOTA NAPUS MEMBER: __________________________________________________POSITION OF SPONSOR: ______ ACTIVE POSTMASTER ______ RETIRED ______ ASSOCIATE MEMBERRELATIONSHIP TO APPLICANT: ______ CHILD _____ GRANDCHILD___________________________________ __________________________________ ________________NAPUS Member Printed Name Signature DateThe above signature certifies that you are presently a Minnesota NAPUS member and the applicant isyour child or grandchild.

NAME OF HIGH SCHOOL: _________________________________________________________________SCHOOL ADDRESS:____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________GRADUATION DATE:___________________________________________________________________POST-SECONDARY SCHOOL: _______________________________________________________________SCHOOL ADDRESS:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________**Please write about your school and community accomplishments, awards, degrees and activities:**Please write about your educational and/or vocational goals:**Please write about what you personally have done to make a difference in your community, in yourschool and at your work:NAME OF SCHOOL YOU WILL BE ATTENDING: _________________________________________________SCHOOL ADDRESS: __________________________________________________________________________________________________Any questions about the scholarship application can be directed to: 18374 Cedar Lane, Richmond MN 56368

Meeting with Congressman Tim WalzSenator Al FrankenSenator Amy Klobuchar’s visitChatting with Congressman Walz’s aideDiscussing issues with John Kline’s aideVisiting Congressman Keith EllisonDiscussion with Congressman Ellison’s aideCongresswoman Michelle Bachmanns OfficeTime at Congresswoman Betty McCollum’sVisit to Congressman Collin PetersonDiscussing the issues with Senator Al FrankenMinnesota Postmasters at theCapitol Hill EventVisitor’s Center AuditoriumRound table discussion with Michelle Bachmann’s aidePresident Dan with Betty McCollum’s aideThe Gopher Postmaster Page 15

Buzz SnyderRetired PM of St. CloudHome: 320-253-3516Cell: 320-250-4414Email: bzsnyder@charter.netMy Moment of Clarity:A RemembranceIt was while driving alone through Royalton, MN at 6pm. Friday, January 18, 1991 that I went insane.I was going to visit my mother in Detroit Lakes for theMLK week-end. It happened so fast I almost needed topull over in Little Falls.What snapped was my (and my predecessor's)decade-long frustration at the bureaucratic paralysis ofthe Postal Service in responding to a crisis of space atmy St. Cloud Post Office. I had just learned that theFacility Replacement project of our "400%space-efficient" office and carrier annex was to bedelayed yet another four years - or more.During the rest of my two-hour drive, the nuclearoption fermented in my brain: it became a "moment ofclarity". I would unleash the wrath and power of my 300employees, their National Unions, NAPUS, the League,NAPS, OSHA, the Postal Inspection Service, my Mayor,our Postal Customer Council, the District and MSCSafety Officers, the 70 Postmasters in the 563 Zip areathat we served as a Mail Processing Center, myCongressman and Senators, and my major mailer,Fingerhut (then the largest parcel shipper in the UnitedStates). On Tuesday, January 22, 1991 that actionbegan. The participation was complete, and the impactwas immediate and astonishing.It would be an understatement to say that this kindof "outside normal channels" agitation was frownedupon within the management culture of the PostalService. It was institutional heresy. As it turned out, Iwas correct in trusting that the employee safety issuewould help to insulate me from retaliation from above -though it was later rumored that, before the success ofthis agitation was evident, the embarrassed DistrictManager (among others) was looking for a nice EAS-11office to place me in. Then, when he saw the projectwas actually doable, he decided to commission a movieof the episode, which made its way throughout theNational Postal Management network and led to thesimilar fast-tracking of many other facilities (likeMankato and Rochester). It was called "Mail Marvel InCentral Minnesota".And now it is 21 years later. I retired in 2002, justbefore the full impact of electronic diversion of mailbegan to hammer the Postal Service. Times change.The Mail Marvel that has served so well, is facingprobable closing; along with many other ProcessingCenters and thousands of Post Offices. It is painful tothink of that facility being shuttered, and so manywonderful employees facing harsh and frighteningoptions in their lives. We wish that we could protectthem, as we tried to do in 1991.But if there is a message here, let it be one of hope:communities, and communities of interest, caninfluence the course of events more than they mightindividually realize until they work together. Don'taccept what seems to be inevitable for your Post Office -or for your community, or your schools, or your state. Itreally is true: better to light a candle than to curse thedarkness. Then, light your neighbor's candle.To make a shorter story of it, a crisis meeting ofRegional, District, and MSC principals was called withinthree weeks. The hallowed five-year planning concept ofsuch projects was thrown out the window, and for thefirst time (I'm told) in USPS history a major facility wasbuilt and operational in less than a year. In October wemoved into a new 80,000 square foot Mail ProcessingCenter in Waite Park - a day ahead of the famousHalloween Blizzard of '91. We sorted more than amillion pieces per day, with (eventually, after bringing inanother 120 offices' mail) more than 200 workersthere.Page 16The Gopher Postmaster

Bruce NelsonArea 9 DirectorPostmasters RetiredAlexandria MNEmail: brucenelson@hotmail.comCell: 320-766-1874Safeguarding PostmastersGreetings fellow Retirees!Allow me to introduce myself; my name is BruceNelson, retired Postmaster from Alexandria, MN. Iretired in Jan of 2005, after 34 years of creditableservice in the USPS. I have held many positions inNAPUS at the State level and am very honored to bechosen as Area Director for Area 9 for PostmastersRetired by our President of NAPUS Postmasters RetiredJack Wilkins.I wish to acknowledge my predecessor and goodfriend, Bonita Baltes for the excellent job she has donefor Postmasters Retired in Area 9. While I could neverreplace Bonita at her level of accomplishments, I dopromise to work as hard as I can to continue her dutiesand represent the four great States of North Dakota,South Dakota, Wisconsin and Minnesota PostmasterRetirees.I have just returned from the NAPUS Leadership/Legislative Conference in Washington D.C. One of themajor issues is the Moratorium on Post Office closingsthat will expire on May 15 th . By the time you read thiscolumn there will be a lot more clarity on where andhow this will be played out in the USPS’s Grand Schemeof Things. The Good News was there are more than 25bills in Congress to save the Post Offices in rural USA,but the Bad News is, not a single one to savePostmasters. The public does not seem to care whosells them stamps, as long as they have some type ofPost Office to go to. That is one of the stark realitiestoday.Let your Congressmen know how important it is tohave a concerned and committed Postmaster in eachcommunity to safeguard the mail. This is aConstitutional Mandate, set up by our Founding Fathersover 200 years ago.Please do not hesitate to contact me with any issuesor concerns you mighthave. I will try to attendeach of your StateConventions during mytwo year appointmentto bring you the latestnews from NAPUSPostmasters Retired.K e e pRetirees!S m i l i n gLet Us DoTogetherWhat WeCannotDo AloneNAPUS National Office8 Herbert StreetAlexandria VA 22305-2600Phone: 703-683-9027Fax: 703-683-6820Email: napusinfo@napus.orgHome Page: www.napus.orgNAPUS Postmaster Gazette540-349-9991NAPUS CONTACT INFONAPUS Federal Credit Union1-800-336-0284Hertz Rent A CarIS #46480-NAPUS1-800-654-3131 (Domestic)1-800-654-3001 (International)NAPUS Auto, Home andRenters Insurance1-800-524-9400NAPUS PMR Limited-MedicalInsurance Indemnity Policy1-800-606-1071NAPUS Pinnacle Motor Club1-800-366-1165NAPUS Supplemental Insurance1-800-221-3083NAPUS SupplementalRetirement1-800-368-3515The Gopher Postmaster Page 17

Area 14- National Executive Board Notes:WEBSITEThere really hasn’t been any news out there-justrumors. President Bob states he does not write aboutrumors. Rather real data. They will be puttingadditional links on the website for the savethepostoffice.comand other sites that carry additional rumors orinformation about the Postal Service.A knowledge based link will be added to the website.Members will need to use their last name and theirmembership number (which is located on your Gazetteaddress label) to search for information. This link willcontain information from the Postmaster DVD that hasbeen put out in past years. There will also be trainingvideos coming out. Anyone can search, but will need tobe a member to open the items. There will be a link onthis page for people to join NAPUS.Registration for Leadership and NationalConventions will be online. We have partnered withPayPal for processing the credit card payments. Allregistration services have been brought in-office.LEGAL DEFENSESome changes were made in November, butPresident Bob believes more changes need to be madeasthese costs are 6% of our budget. Approximately thesame money that we use to hold the LeadershipConferenceLet’s Meet ContractThis contract expires at the end of the year. We willnot be renewing this. Instead—we will bring theseservices in-house and save $42,000/year.EXPENSES45% of expenses – revenues that go back to thestates15% - salariesPage 18Michelle FeldhackerArea 14 National Vice PresidentPO Box 1401Aberdeen SD 57402605-660-1032Email: mcfeld@iw.net7% National Convention6% Leadership6% Legal DefenseWe will continue to work on reducing theseexpenses. We have doubled up several National VPpositions with National Chairman positions. Startingnext year, the past National Convention Chairman willnot provide the “outcome” of the Convention atLeadership- rather Geri Swarm will do this.KEY DATESMay 15 – Moratorium expiresAugust 1 – FY11 annual payment to prefund retireeFEHBP liability payment dueSeptember 30 – FY12 annual payment to prefundretiree FEHBP liability payment dueOctober 1 – FECA payment dueQuestion asked—when does the USPS run out ofmoney.S1789 – scheduled to go to the floor on Monday –March 26 – this has been in the news as to theoutcome of this.Ethics Board Selected – Darlene Winteren, DanJeffers, Shane Bennitt, Jackie DeiterAPWU CONTRACTMay 23, 2011 contract was approved. There havebeen 3 series of Q&A MOU’s issued since that time.PSE – retail work in offices less than 3 retail clerks.1.6B global settlement left out specific languagepertaining to who can do the work – which thePostmaster cannot do. HQ states that they and theAPWU were well aware that a PSE would be working thewindow when they were the only employee with aPostmaster. APWU has filed a grievance—this should goto arbitration late April.NTFT Clerks – excessing these employees to FTcarrier positions – NALC states this can’t be done. HQstates that NTFT is a duty assignment not a careerstatus.Lead Clerks – there is and has been for quite sometime- Station Lead Clerks and SSA Lead Clerks. Theywill be used to get rid of the 204B status for less than14 days. Duty assignments will need to be created byJune 1 st and ease out of 204B usage. We should begetting some information on this shortly.(Continued on page 19)The Gopher Postmaster

(Continued from page 18)Excessing – is still based on levels—this has notbeen taken out.CSV, SOV—Operations will need to decide what kindof credit will be given for Lead Clerks.was happening in the field. HQ did not realize howwatered down their information to us was, or theconfusion that is out there in the District Offices.Hopefully, our comments will make a difference – andmore information will be fed directly from HQ to ouroffices.The Executive Board explained to HQ that ourDistricts do not understand NTFT clerks nor do theyshare information.SOV- HQ DiscussedWorkload & Supervisor Changes, Actual scan datanumbers – should be completed and uploaded by endof June.Showing of Actual Deliveries is on 1 page, but notthe other page—this will be corrected in the future.Lead Clerk Duties- something new and nothing hasbeen done with this yet.In 2010 – HQ increased all the productivity rates by10%Deliveries – Bench Value – last year’s value beingused for this year’s BenchIntermediate Routes – will work on this issue. Thishas not been resolvedPassport credit- this would need to be changed byRDM – Operations doesn’t do any retail calculationsMEMBERSHIPCurrently have 16,569 members – 61.74%; manyvacant offices are causing issues for us.President Bob’s Speech (Monday during Leadership)NAPUS will continue to work to save Postmaster jobs.Congress is not concerned about saving Postmasterjobs, but their jobs are to save Post Offices.Common sense decisions must be implementedwhen Congress cannot make a decisionWe cannot let “non-compromise” be our downfallWe must compromise, make concessions and worktogether.Congress’ inactivity will impact Postmasters and PostOffices.Our window to make decisions could be VERY shortAs closing comments: I want to thank each of myStates for selecting me to act on their behalf at theNational Office. I went in, spoke up, and askedquestions that many would not. The Executive Boardhas many challenges ahead of it. We are looking atreducing costs, just as many of our States have to lookat reduced budgets. Even though some days werereally long, it was an enjoyable time. We spoke toseveral people from HQ and explained to them whatStanley M. Drahos8/31/33—3/11/12Former Silver Lake PostmasterS t a n l e y D r a h o s o f r u r a lHutchinson passed away March 11that his residence.Stanley began his postal career at the HutchinsonPost Office. He became the Postmaster of Silver Lakeon 9/29/1973 until his retirement in 1992.Lester A. Vipond4/12/35—4/5/12Former Herman PostmasterLester A Vipond, age 76, of ElbowLake passed away April 5th at theEvansville Care Campus.He enlisted in the US Army on March 16, 1955, andwas stationed in Washington DC. He was honorablydischarged on December 17, 1956.He and his family lived in Herman where he workedas a painter and finish worker with his brothers and as apostal clerk. On 2/7/1981, he became the Postmasterin Herman, a position he held until his retirement in June1992.The Gopher Postmaster Page 19

Article DeadlinesFor the May IssueOf The Gopher Postmaster isApril 15th, 2012State ConventionsJune 20-22, 2012Holiday Inn on the Lake,Detroit LakesRadison at DuluthJune, 2013Dates to RememberNational ConventionsSept 1-6, 2012—Oklahoma City,OklahomaAugust 16-21, 2013 Bellevue WA2014—Atlantic City, New JerseyLeadership ConferenceWashington DCMarch 16-21, 2013March 15-20, 2014March 14-19, 2015District OneWednesday, May 2ndHobo HausNewfolden MNTime: 6:00 pmDistrict TwoFriday, May 4thTrapper Pete’s1306 Minnesota 45, Scanlon MN(near exit 237 off Interstate 35)Lunch off the menu at noonMeeting at 12:45 pmRSVP postmasterdan@ymail.comDistrict ThreeTuesday, May 1stMulligans Pub & Eatery2727 450th St,Perham MN5 PM eat—6 PM meetingSOV and eCareer Training at each District MeetingDistrict FourThursday, May 3rd, 6:30 pmFamous Dave’s in Baxter15674 Edgewood Dr (near the Lodge)Election of Officers, Talons Rep,Report from Dan and Anita(District 4 will provide appetizers)District FiveWednesday, April 11thThe Oaks, Willmar MNRegistration 11:30 Lunch 12:00Meeting to follow at 1:00RSVP dostavern@hotmail.comWill send out lettersDistrict SixThursday, April 12thTriple RKimball MNLunch at noonMeeting at 1:00 pmDistrict SevenFriday, April 13thAmerican Legion12375 Princeton Ave, Savage2:00-4:00 pmRSVP Greg Geheren 651-773-1116Or glg1022@yahoo.comDistrict EightTuesday, April 10th3:30 pm followingPostmaster meetingat Law Enforcement CenterWindon MNWill conclude before Town Hallmeeting with Tony WilliamsDistrict NineTuesday, April 17thPizza Ranch,Stewartville MN