1

WEEKLY

ENGAGE

Volume 12: Week of Aug. 15, 2016

Q6: Development

Skating With the Postal Stars

P. 12

Caught on Engagement

Camera!

P. 8-11

The importance of

quality communication

P. 1

Postal Throwback Photo

from the ‘30s

P. 5

2

Communicate to Develop

When it comes to employee and manager relationships, reliable and meaningful communication is crucial. Engagement is highest among employees who have some form of daily communication.

The best managers make a concerted effort to get to know their employees and their individual professional goals. When you know what team member career goals are, you can assist with development opportunities specific to their needs and wants.

Managers, do you have a relationship with each one of your team members and do you know what their developmental goals are? If you are unsure, please start today by creating reliable and meaningful communication and watch how engaged your team becomes. Never stop your pursuits to engage your team and encourage their development.

“ The best managers

make a concerted

effort to get to know

their employees.”

3

Q.

“It should be a mandate to pay it forward within our organization. We must all realize that we are not going to be here forever. By developing others, sharing knowledge and mentoring, we pave the way to our future success. Start with the low person on the totem pole. I’ve met some amazing people along this journey who may never be noticed by senior executives. While no one can replace another, we must provide developmental opportunities for others. As we relish the accomplishments of Olympians in Rio, be one who passes the torch, well lit! I encourage the development of others because in a sense, it’s a way to help myself move forward!”

Sharon R. Turner

sales and service associate,

Chicago Heights, IL

Next Week’s Challenge:

Why should you encourage the

development of others?

“Sometimes you can end up in a rut feeling unable to get the

excitement you had when you first joined the organization. I was

recently given an opportunity for a detail into the IT Solutions

Architecture Group. I have been an applications database analyst

for over 15 years and found myself falling into the traps of daily

drudgery. This opportunity has given me a new excitement and

passion for my job. I feel totally engaged and I hope my excitement and passion to learn more about the organization

and technology will impact my team and people that I come in

contact with. I know it already does, just for the plain simple fact

that I smile more and others smile back and laugh more. Isn’t it

wonderful to smile and laugh at work? I want to thank Jim Stivers for giving me this opportunity and the IT Solutions Architecture Team for welcoming me so warmly!”

Tiffany McGinity, A/IT solutions architect

Raleigh, NC

“I feel USPS would benefit f

rom a culture of employee

development for the same reasons I became an on-the-job

instructor. First and foremost, I love working for USPS. I

wanted to be an instructor to pass along window ethics, as

well as the knowledge to be proficient on window

transactions, or, just to be able to have the answer to

questions. When I train someone, I p

rovide a comfortable

environment so they can learn and retain the material and be

comfortable working with customers. I stress to every new

employee, I am only a phone call away and that you are never

alone. I also always emphasize the importance of

development and learning. Never be stagnant in educating

yourself. When you stop learning, you become bored with

your work. The Postal Service has numerous jobs, which

allow our employees to choose the paths of their careers. I

feel that helping employees develop themselves is a win-win

situation. A happy employee is more productive and will

work twice as hard for you.”

T

onijo Davis, sales associate, Hamden, NY

“I encourage the development of

others for two main reasons:

1. So I can see a person grow as

I have.

2. So I can take time off to relax

knowing my team has my

back.”

Eric Colon, equal employment

opportunity specialist , Seattle, WA

The Engagement Challenge

The success of our company is only as good as the people on the team. It’s imperative for USPS to recruit, develop and retain the best. Tell us how you are encouraging other employees to develop their skills and abilities to improve the team’s performance. Email us at engagement@usps.gov

4

Quote

of the week

“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may

remember, involve me, and I learn.”

Benjamin Franklin Submitted by Frances Vivo, supervisor, customer services

Manhasset, NY

Million Mile Driver Congratulations

to Million Mile

Award recipient

Dane Englehart,

contract carrier

from Atlanta, MI,

with 36 years of

service.

5

Throwback Our organization has a rich history. Check out some of these Postal throwback photos!

#Postal

“One of the most unusual postal

inspector assignments was in the

mid-20th century when individual

inspectors were assigned to the

White House to travel with the

president.

Travel duties included overseeing

the dispatch, delivery and

protection of the president’s mail,

using a specially-assigned White

House mailbag.

Pictured here in 1937 is postal

inspector Herbert G. Theurer, who

carried the presidential mailbag

to Galveston, TX, where President

Franklin Roosevelt was staying

while on vacation and enjoying

some offshore fishing aboard the

presidential yacht Potomac. “

Daniel Mihalko, contractor,

Washington, DC

Do you have a throwback postal photo to include in this month’s

newsletter? Email us at engagement@usps.gov

6

“I commend Carrie Brittson for proactively alerting me to a potentially hazardous situation involving a vicious dog. I walked that part of the route with her to assess the situation. I returned to the office and called the dog warden. They paid the customer a visit and issued her a citation. It was agreed that the customer would keep the dog inside the house during the hours Carrie would be on her route. I also talked to the customer to ensure that this would be the resolution. I explained to her that I am obviously protecting Carrie, but it is also to protect her dog as well.”

Here is Carrie sporting her ‘Tuesday Safety’ t-shirt. Thank you Carrie Brittson for being very proactive in preventing a hazardous situation.”

Cynthia Wise, Postmaster, Gibsonburg, OH

Safety First

7

“The Elmwood, CT, Post Office Safety and Health Committee held its first-ever Safety Appreciation cookout. As the committee chair, I wanted to recognize employees for taking an active role in safety awareness. Participation in safety as a whole has really changed from the top down. When employees see that safety is not only part of their jobs, but a priority (from the District Manager, Postmaster and Station Manager, down to their immediate supervisors) they start to believe in its importance themselves.

The cookout was a huge success with people volunteering their time, supplying food, and a station manager manning the grill. All I can say is thank you to everyone who made this happen and I look forward to the next Safety Appreciation event.”

Russ Binkowski, city carrier, Elmwood, CT

Back Row - Calvin Campbell, Benito Vargas, Middle Row - Angelique James, Chris Williams, Jackie Mateo, Kayla Jenkins, Joe Lemay, Bottom Row – Noel Rodriguez

8

“The employees of the Poughkeepsie, NY, Post Office are firm believers in the benefits of employee engagement! Craft and management began working as a team to find creative ways to reduce the number of dog bites after experiencing an increase — even though the traditional bite prevention measures were being followed. Everyone agrees that the success of Poughkeepsie comes from the team’s ability to engage all employees. Trust and respect between team members, craft and management alike, has led to a decrease in dog bites and an increase in morale. Soliciting suggestions and involving the employees who do the work in creating the solutions made all the difference.”

Diane Gagne, engagement ambassador, Northeast Area

Smile! These employees have been caught on

engagement camera

9

“My sales associate , Shelby Shavers, bought decorations and perked up the Zeigler, IL, Post Office. A customer called and told me what a joy she is to the entire town.

Janet Woods, Postmaster, Herrin, IL

“David Goyes started March 19 as a postal support employee working in a manual office at Camp Meeker, CA. David was promoted June 11 to a sales associate at the Occidental Post Office. Occidental Postmaster Anita Rackerby proudly boasts about David’s positive attitude and how he provides excellent customer service to our customers. ‘The community loves David and we are so proud to have him in our organization,’ She said. David Goyes is engaged and Postal Proud!”

Kay Pabalan, manager of learning development and diversity, San Francisco

10

“In December 2015 Akron sales retention team agent Jackie Saeger was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Jackie’s treatment was very difficult, but through it all she came to work with a positive attitude and the cheeriest of personalities. Her fellow agents rallied behind her. They sent flowers, took up a rainy day

collection and were inspired by her refusal to feel sorry for herself. After months of chemotherapy and a surgery, the cancer was gone. Jackie credits her family, her close group of friends, her co-workers, and her supervisors for offering her support and shoulders to lean on.

Jackie urges anyone who may find a lump to have it checked by a doctor, and no matter what you are facing in your life stay positive, stay hopeful, and keep a smile on your face.”

Cynthia Mravec, A/sales retention team, Akron, OH

11

The Lynbrook, NY, Post Office, ZIP Code 11563, held an employee recognition event on July 1. Postmaster Carol Koch and Supervisors Shirley Barr and Trevor Keys-Collins provided a brunch for the office with muffins, desserts, water and juice. The employees were recognized for their dedication and commitment for a job well done every day and for their continued customer service.

Left to right: Richard Palmieri, Jean Paul Jason, Harry Singh, Dominick Turilli, Tandica Jackson, Yang Tak, Justin Puglisi, Gina Castro, Douglas Yadanza, Antonio Romano, Carol Koch, Mini Abraham and Trevor Keys-Collins.

Engagement is contagious! Share your work unit’s engagement

activities and initiatives with us. Email engagement@usps.gov

12

Kansas City, MO, P&DC Express Mail Clerk Pattie Underwood is a whiz on wheels! Pattie and her roller skating partner, Bryce Pearson, captured the bronze medal in Novice B Team Dance at the USA Roller Sports National Championships on Aug. 4 in Lincoln, NE.

Skating with the Postal Stars!

13

Aug. 1 Jennifer Berry-Pipkin Complaints & inquiry clerk Indianapolis

Aug. 6 Danny Joe Vermillion Rural carrier Dallas City, IL

Aug. 7 Peter Koutroubas Postmaster Antrim, NH

Aug. 7 Ewelina Krawczyk Sales associate Antrim, NH

Aug. 7 Cathy Gasparovic Postmaster Dallas City, IL

Aug. 8 Debra Benn Complaints & inquiry clerk Indianapolis

Aug. 9 LaShawn Murdock BMEU technician Richmond, VA

Aug. 10 Lacecia Berry Sales associate Duluth, GA

Aug. 10 Larry Jourdain Postmaster Neeses, SC

Aug. 12 Jennifer Loud Sales associate Albany, GA

Aug. 12 Karen Roberts Secretary West Columbia, SC

Aug. 15 Lamika Cooper City letter carrier Philadelphia

Aug. 15 James Sliva Supervisor, delivery operations Houston

Aug. 15 Patrick Angelhow Acting supervisor Niagara Falls, NY

Aug. 15 Hourassa Hosseini Field financial specialist Roundhill, VA

Aug. 15 Kenneth Caple Mail processing clerk Shreveport, LA

Aug. 15 Brad Hileman Mail handler Shreveport, LA

Aug. 15 Gwen Holden Mail processing clerk Shreveport, LA

Aug. 15 Carolyn Puckett Mail processing clerk Shreveport, LA

Aug. 15 Pamela Taylor Mail handler Atlanta

Aug. 15 Cheryl Roberts Field financial specialist West Columbia, SC

Aug. 15 Floyd Dreffs Jr. Driving safety instructor Lansing, MI

Aug. 15 Gina Weber Officer in charge Dousman, WI

Aug. 16 Sharon Ballon Cafeteria worker San Diego

Aug. 16 Dahama Johnson Letter carrier Springfield, NJ

Aug. 16 James Hurt Mechanic Atlanta

Aug. 16 Iris Rivera Sales associate New York

Aug. 16 James Ellis Letter carrier Wasco, CA

Aug. 16 Steven Wilson Rural carrier St. Petersburg, FL

Aug. 16 Angela Buchanan Complaints & inquiry clerk Bedford Park, IL

Aug. 17 Michelle McNeal Acting supervisor Jamestown, NY

Happy Birthday

14

Aug. 17 Barbara Stewart Sales associate Atlanta

Aug. 17 Homobomo Queyquep BMEU technician Jacksonville, FL

Aug. 17 Vashti Howze Data collection technician Duluth, GA

Aug. 17 Nancy Vivero Sales associate Garciasville, TX

Aug. 18 Young Frelin Distribution clerk Nashua, NH

Aug. 18 Deborah Higgins Training technician Roanoke, VA

Aug. 18 Franklin Sylvester Sales associate Atlanta

Aug. 18 Wanda Andrews Rural carrier Arlington Heights, IL

Aug. 18 Venita Lovelace Complaints & inquiry clerk Little Rock, AR

Aug. 18 Carolyn Algee Supervisor, customer services Mentor, OH

Aug. 18 Delores Shearin-Lyle Manager, customer engagement West Columbia, SC

Aug. 18 Venita Lovelace Consumer & industry contact Little Rock, AR

Aug. 18 Jessica Spalding Sales associate New Haven, KY

Aug. 19 Manuel Sanches Jr. Mail handler equipment operator Houston

Aug. 19 Sandi Bryans Rural letter carrier Lyman, SC

Aug. 19 Tracy Territo Sales associate West Valley, NY

Aug. 19 Montrel Walker Sales associate Nesbit, MS

Aug. 19 Bridget Evans Operations support specialist San Diego

Aug. 19 Greg Smith Mail handler Atlanta

Aug. 19 Tony Smith Mechanic Atlanta

Aug. 19 Anthony Kopera Acting supervisor Elk Grove Village, IL

Aug. 19 Steve Clemmons Sales associate Kingston, OH

Aug. 19 Minnie McBride Mail processor Philadelphia

Aug. 19 Doug Mixson Postmaster Walterboro, SC

Aug. 19 Vanna Hinkle Officer in charge Spartanburg, SC

Aug. 19 Jackie Farabee Coordinator, Surface Transfer Center Dallas

Aug. 19 Elaine Fitzpatrick Maintenance support clerk Green Bay, WI

Aug. 20 Phillip Herz Rural carrier assistant Chappell, NE

Aug. 20 Emmanuel Thomas Postmaster Arlington Heights, IL

Aug. 20 Lorri Ruegger Sales associate Arlington Heights, IL

Aug. 20 Leisa Vassar-Warner Mail processing clerk Akron, OH

Aug. 21 Earl Randel A/Sr. plant manager Royal Palm, FL

Aug. 21 Diane Rohrbaugh Bulk mail technician Hanover, PA

Happy Birthday

15

Postal Anniversaries 41 years Marvin Curtis General expeditor Savannah, GA

35 years Francis Hester Lead automotive technician Edison, NJ

33 years Paula Blackwell Training technician Santa Ana, CA

31 year Floyd Dreffs Jr. Driving safety instructor Lansing, MI

30 years Sandra Schrader Supervisor, customer services Hamburg, NY

30 years Robert Kubala Distribution window clerk Lockport, NY

30 years Linda Shelby Training technician Coppell, TX

30 years Pat Kauska Sales associate Kalkaska, MI

30 years Patti Koonce-White Contract technician Little Rock, AR

30 years Brian Duncan Address management systems technician Little Rock, AR

30 years Tricia Ford-Jones Mailing requirements clerk Little Rock, AR

30 years Bernardo Slauscius Repairman Edison, NJ

30 years Stanislius Romasundo Repairman Edison, NJ

29 years Traute Quinn Sales associate Albany, IL

29 years Joann Callihan Rural carrier Buffalo Mills, PA

22 years Skip Stinson Area accounting manager Gaithersburg, MD

21 years Daniel Zink BMEU technician Las Vegas

21 years Chuck Budz Supervisor, vehicle maintenance Carol Stream, IL

21 years Janusz Bartula Automotive technician Carol Stream, IL

21 years Gary Schmidt Lead automotive technician Carol Stream, IL

18 years Gregory Sobieski Lead automotive technician Carol Stream, IL

18 years Victor Lozano Lead automotive technician Carol Stream, IL

16 years Thomas Lee King Jr. Postmaster Calcium, NY

16 years Alan Schmidt Tool and parts clerk Carol Stream, IL

13 years Buddie Slone Rural carrier Waynesburg, KY

11 years Barbara Mullis Secretary Albany, GA

10 years Don Lawler Rural carrier Bella Vista, AR

10 years Marti Stolarski Automotive technician Carol Stream, IL

10 years Nicholas Sherlag Storekeeper Carol Stream, IL

2 years DeAngelo Copeland IT client support specialist Washington, DC

2 years Kernie Spaw Rural carrier Kings Mountain, KY

2 years Janice Sims Sales associate Waynesburg, KY

1 year David Vanderhoof Automotive technician Carol Stream, IL

16

39 years Rick & Lana Bonikowske Lana is a Postmaster in Manawa, WI.

39 years Kerry & Michele Ennis Kerry is a custodian in New Smyrna Beach, FL.

31 years Heather & Ken MacCready Heather & Ken are BMEU technicians in Reading, PA.

29 years Jay & Deborah Graves Jay is a Postmaster in Elizabeth, IL. Deborah is a Postmaster in Freeport, IL.

22 years Leisa & Kevin Warner Leisa is a mail processing clerk in Akron, OH.

17 years Dave & Stephanie Thompson Dave is a mail handler, and Stephanie is an administrative assistant, both in St. Petersburg, FL.

10 years Jerry & Kelley Wells Jerry is a rural carrier in Marion, IA. Kelly is a sales associate in Mt. Vernon, IA.

7 years Marijah & Jeff Monfette Marijah is a sales associate in Beebe Plain, VT

1 year Ebony & Antwain Runnels Ebony is a supervisor of customer services in Humble, TX.

Just Married Dori Nanninga & Tim Redington of Durant, IA. Dori is a sales associate and Tim

is a rural carrier.

Romney Apodaca & Bart Kappius of Julesburg, CO. Romney is a Postmaster.

Wedding Anniversaries

Jay & Deborah Graves

17

Baby Birth Congratulations to Ben Holland & Katie Hobdey on the birth of their new baby

girl, Paige Jillian. Katie is a rural carrier in Gooding, ID.

Have an upcoming celebration, birthday shout-out or special announcement to share in next week’s issue? Please email us with the celebration type in the email subject line. Deadline for submissions for next week’s newsletter: Saturday, Aug. 20

Email engagement@usps.gov.

Retirements

40 years Kerry Owens Clerk Cincinnati

37 years Dianne Zirbel Sales associate Baileys Harbor, WI

30 years Joe Dean City carrier Cincinnati, OH

20 years Laurie Zimmerman Postmaster McFarland, WI

“Shout out to Dianne Zirbel, a distribution window clerk at the Bailey’s Harbor, WI, Post Office who will be retiring Aug. 26. With 20 years of service, Dianne works the window, distribution, PO Box, passport acceptance agent, mops the floors — and all with a smile. She has a genuine concern for each customer and her fellow employees. She will be missed by co-workers and customers alike. One of the best I have ever worked with.”

Patrick Hellen, Postmaster, Bailey’s Harbor, WI

18

UP

CO

MIN

G

Pacific:

Aug. 23-24: Oakland, CA

Aug. 25-26: Oakland, CA

Great Lakes:

Aug. 23-24: Kalamazoo, MI

Aug. 25-26: Kalamazoo, MI

Cap Metro:

Aug. 23-24: Richmond, VA

Aug. 25-26: Richmond, VA

Southern:

Aug. 23-24: Ft. Lauderdale

Aug. 23-24: Oklahoma City

Aug. 25-26: Ft. Lauderdale

Aug. 25-26: Oklahoma City

Western:

Aug. 23-24: Salt Lake City

Aug. 25-26: Salt Lake City

Northeast:

Aug. 23-24: Providence, RI

Aug. 25-26: Providence, RI

Eastern:

Aug. 22-23: Buffalo, NY

Aug. 23-24: Buffalo, NY

Headquarters:

Aug. 23-24: Topeka, KS

Aug. 25-26: Topeka, KS

1-844-303-6424

LiteBlue Suggestion Box

engagement@usps.gov

Creating an Engaging Workplace at

USPS Training course for all USPS

leaders (Executives and EAS)

EVENTS