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WEEKLY

ENGAGE Issue 17: Week of Sept. 19

Q5: Cares About Me

“We ordered this cake to say, ‘To the most ENGAGED Employees in the U.S.P.S.’ Even mistakes turn out all right.”

James Brenneman, Plant Manager

Boise, ID

Cake Design Mistake It’s the engaging thought that counts!

Fact

Checking

Postal Pulse

Survey

Rumors

P.3

Surprise visit to the Miami

Beach Post Office

P. 6

Postal

Throwback:

It’s a family

affair

P. 9

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What can you do as a manager, employee or co-worker to show that you care? Taking an interest in your co-worker’s family, health, interests, strengths and goals can help build connections that create a trusting and supportive work environment. Sometimes it’s the simple things, like a greeting at the start of the work day, saying, “Good morning” or “How was your weekend?” that can make a difference and show you care. Chances are you have some personal connections or similar interests with your co-workers outside of work. Take some time to find out what those interests are. Building bridges benefits everyone — and that

includes you.

Caring is Simple

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Thank you to administrative assistant Wendy Hubert, in Rochester, NY, for creating these catchy sayings for the Postal Pulse survey. Get ready for Oct. 4, everyone.

While there might be some rumors floating out there about the survey, they will be fact checked. Send the rumors you are hearing about the Postal Pulse survey for next week’s “Postal Pulse Fact or Fiction” feature. Email:engagement@usps.gov

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Q.

“APO Postmaster Deirdre Chandler of Hillsboro, ND, has

been a mentor and a friend not just to me, but to all her

staff. She remembers that we are not just employees, but

people who in the time of crisis, may need that extra helping

hand. Deirdre has shown that she truly cares about the well-

being of those she works with. She knows when we might

have a hard time and makes the effort to talk and problem

solve with us, whether it be in our personal or professional

lives. She has been patient, understanding and forgiving of

mistakes when she sees that her staff struggles but makes

efforts toward improvement. She uses these situations as

opportunities for her employees to learn what to do and to

serve as a reminder of why we do the things we do. Working with someone so dedicated makes me Postal

proud!”

Maggie Reichert, mail clerk, Halstad, MN

Next Week’s Challenge:

“I have worked in Richmond, MN, as a clerk for

almost 11 years, and I'm very fortunate now to work

with Postmaster, Pete Straka. He’s a big, intimidating-

looking guy but when you meet him, you realize that he

is very grounded and knowledgeable about people. He

treats everyone with respect and dignity. He has

revived my confidence in myself to be able to do my

job. He has never been shy if he didn't know how to do

something or ask for help. I feel like I am a functional

part of the team in a supportive environment. I know

Pete genuinely cares about all employees. I don't think

they make them any better than him.”

Krista Weyer, mail clerk, Richmond, MN

How would you like others to show that they care

about you?

The Engagement Challenge

The engagement team has developed an acronym for C.A.R.E. Share your own creative acronym for C.A.R.E.

Here’s ours:

Commitment — loyalty to the team long after the mood you said it in has left you.

Attitude — display of positive behaviors others want to be around.

Respect — mutual respect for ALL employees.

Empathy — understanding and having compassion for others.

What’s yours?

“I am the Postmaster relief

for the Knierim, IA, Post

Office. I am grateful to all of

my supervisors and co-

workers who have been

compassionate toward me

during times when I have to

provide care for my

husband. They have filled in

during my absence and that

means a lot to me. I am so

glad to be an employee of

USPS and know that my co-

workers care about me.”

Janet Booth, Postmaster

relief, Knierim, IA

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Quote of the week

“It is not the things we get, but the

hearts we touch, that will measure

our success in life.”

Anonymous

The Postal Service is proud of its rich cultural diversity.

This month we celebrate Hispanic history, heritage, culture,

and recognize the important contributions made by

Hispanic-Americans to the United States.

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Since the Engagement Team launched its three employee engagement feedback

mechanisms, Arthur King has been in touch. A letter carrier at the Miami Beach Post

Office, King has utilized the phone line to express some particular concerns and

feedback regarding his work environment. King invited us to visit the Post Office and

its employees. It just so

happened that Kelvin

Williams, Executive

Director of Employee

Engagement, was going to

be in Miami for the

weekend. Williams visited

with the dedicated

employees of the Miami

Beach Post Office and

listened to their concerns

and feedback on employee

engagement for their office.

Williams spoke with

several employees and

learned about their individual stories. “It was such a pleasure meeting so many

dedicated employees. Effective communication is the first step in creating an engaging

environment and the lines of communication must remain open to continually

improve,” Williams said. “The Engagement Team, working together with OIC Camille

Moscola-Calvo, is committed to ensure that happens in Miami Beach. Thanks,

Camille!”

A Pleasant Surprise When you contact us, there’s no telling what we might do!

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“We have been working on employee engagement. We want the employees to be a part of the excitement of change.

To help promote the universe stamps and Star Trek stamps we made a couple of plaques to display the stamps in our lobby next to our very own rocket ship! This rocket ship even has our Amherst, MA, ZIP Code: 01002.

Our hope is for customers to see this awesome display and purchase these stamps, while supplies last. Our goal is to have our employees take pride in where they work and to take ownership in sales.

Jonathan, Paul and I have already looked at our fiscal-to-year walk-in revenue and we are already making plans to promote new products to improve our walk-in revenue for next year.”

Amherst employees from left to right: Donna Suchenicz, Sarah Wingate and Jean Perkins

Philip Fortin, Postmaster, Amherst, MA

Engaged Employees ROCK

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“The sandwich board was Dominick’s original idea and was shared with other offices in the POOM 8 group. The board is displayed at the Westport, CT, Post Office.” From left to right: Safety team member John O'Shea, Postmaster Kevin Hogan and safety captain Dominick Solano. Danielle Ryerson, sales associate, Unionville, CT

Caring Employees “Sylvia S. Wong and Feliciano (Phil) Alviar are employees who really care.

As their manager at the San Francisco International Service Center, I want to share how proud I am to have such caring and dedicated employees.

Sylvia is our Tour office secretary who’s always doing her job and more. She is a very efficient and conscientious employee. She is a very humble and happy person. Phil Alviaris one of our International Export EMS employee. He also is a very dedicated and efficient employee who’s ready to assist where needed.”

Leticia Capristo, manager, distribution operations, San Francisco, CA

Caring For Your Safety

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Throwback #Postal

“This is a photo of me and my dad, Roger DenDekker, when he was a letter carrier in the Chicago, Roseland neighborhood circa 1965. My dad went on to become Postmaster in Orland Park and he retired in 1992. He is now enjoying retirement and weekly golf games!”

Laura Vigna, lead sales associate, Bridgeview, IL

“This is my grandfather, John Lyons, casing mail at the Newport, RI, Main Post Office. It is unknown exactly when this picture was taken. He retired in the late ’70s. My dad followed in his footsteps and then me as well as an uncle or two along the way! There has be a Lyons in the Main Post Office in Newport since the mid-1940s. It’s a family affair!”

Kim Lyons, custodian/laborer, Newport, RI

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“This is a collage of photos of all carriers standing in front of their stations of Flushing, NY, Post Offices in the 1930s.”

Center: Flushing MPO. From top left to right: Station A, Whitestone, College Point, Bayside, Maspeth, Douglaston, Forest Hills, Little Neck, Jackson Heights, Corona, Elmhurst, Woodside.

Lily Niu, letter carrier, Flushing, NY

“I have these photos on a board in my lobby. I don't know where they were taken, but I think they're interesting.” Peggy Smith, Postmaster, Greene, NY

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Mid Florida Processing and Distribution Center (P&DC) plant manager Tom “Philly Guy” Golden (far right) recognized all Mid Florida P&DC employees for their tremendous achievements of earning number one for both delivery point sequencing and surface visibility scanning. To celebrate a special Super Hero Day and Employee Appreciation Week complete with a delicious feast and lots of camaraderie was enjoyed by all.

Top photo (left to right): mail processing clerk Tim Doyle, mail handler LaChristina Brown and mail processing clerk Rene Doxon. Bottom photo (left to right): mail processing clerks Donnell Fields, Gary Ervin and Teresa Richman, supervisor, distribution operations Lakisha Jenkins and mail processing clerks Steve Steele and Tim Curry.

Supervisor distribution operations Lakisha Jenkins (left) and mail processing clerk Lois Frost (right) showed off their special hats during the recognition event.

Happily serving a delicious meal to employees are (left to right) mail processing clerk Indu Beg, data collection clerk Ronney James, network specialist Krashawna Bryant and bulk mail technician Irma Williams-Riley. Operations support specialist Manal Ramadan also lent a hand but is not pictured.

Mid Florida P&DC

Shows Appreciation

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Sept. 1 Ella Rogers-Eggleston Health and resource management specialist Dallas

Sept. 3 Kortevia Taylor Acting supervisor business mail entry unit Indianapolis

Sept. 3 Margaret Tabron Manager clearance security processing Memphis, TN

Sept. 4 Shawn Cody Clerk Atlanta

Sept. 5 Julie Carrico Business mail tech Indianapolis

Sept. 8 Gwendolyn Crawford Supervisor, distribution operations Atlanta

Sept. 12 Jennifer Harrison Rural carrier associate Stanford, KY

Sept. 13 Susie Smith Supervisor security clearance unit Memphis, TN

Sept. 14 Lavornia Malone Personnel security specialist Memphis, TN

Sept. 14 Sherrice Sinclair Letter carrier Springfield, NJ

Sept. 14 Shirley Washington Manager distribution operations Atlanta

Sept. 15 Harold Upton Rural carrier Stanford, KY

Sept. 15 Darlene Alberson Mail processing clerk Columbia, TN

Sept. 16 Jackson Spann Bulk mail clerk technician Boise, ID

Sept. 16 Ruth Swartz Supervisor customer service Sacramento, CA

Sept. 16 Anthony Horton Personnel security specialist Memphis

Sept. 17 Cecilia Schofield Mail processing clerk Philadelphia

Sept. 17 Stephanie Schultz Postal support employee Wingina, VA

Sept. 17 Shelia Pierce Letter carrier Springfield, NJ

Sept. 18 Terry Settles Bulk mail clerk Little Rock, AR

Sept. 18 Daniel Radomski Access control clerk Philadelphia

Sept. 18 Ross Estep Rural carrier associate Tennessee Colony, TX

Sept. 18 Kevin Palmore Postal support employee Nunez, GA

Sept. 19 Pat Kelley Complaints and inquiry clerk Philadelphia

Sept. 19 Kevin Reynolds Operations support specialist Cincinnati

Sept. 19 Carolyn Porter Administrative assistant Tampa, FL

Sept. 19 Nancy James Rural carrier Kihei, HI

Sept. 19 Gale Ingram Health and resource management specialist Houston

Sept. 19 Lori Bertrand Bulk mail technician Middletown, CT

Sept. 19 Ashley Wade Rural carrier Wingina, VA

Sept. 19 David Downs Program manager Phoenix

Sept. 20 Daniel Colon Postmaster Kerhonkson, NY

Sept. 20 Chantell Merchant Postal support employee Birmingham, AL

Happy Birthday

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Sept. 20 Stephen Herlihy General clerk Clearwater, FL

Sept. 21 Joe Weber Building equipment mechanic Oklahoma City

Sept. 21 Colleen Stradtman Business service network representative Hartford, CT

Sept. 21 Jennifer Gadsden Human resources specialist West Columbia, SC

Sept. 21 Angela Brown Sales associate West Columbia, SC

Sept. 21 Paul Byrd Custodian Atlanta

Sept. 21 Antoinette Lewis Business service network representative Nashville, TN

Sept. 21 Melissa Walker Postal support employee Chimney Rock, NC

Sept. 21 Monica Morgan Operations programs specialist Indianapolis

Sept. 22 Melody Driver Rural carrier Macon, GA

Sept. 22 Marques Tally Letter carrier Milwaukee

Sept. 22 Michelle Bartley Clerk Unionville, CT

Sept. 22 Amanda Riemenschneider Postal support employee Auburn, MN

Sept. 22 Jennifer Price Supervisor, customer services Clarendon Hills, IL

Sept.22 Donna Faison Manager learning and development Philadelphia

Sept. 22 Paul Sickmond Acting business development specialist Miami

Sept. 22 Bonnie Cook Part flexible clerk Granby, MO

Sept. 22 Chad Dressler Sales associate Mifflin, PA

Sept. 23 Adams Darrell Letter carrier Atlanta

Sept. 23 LaToya Walker Customer relations coordinator San Diego

Sept. 23 Dwayne Hamilton Complaint and inquiry clerk San Diego

Sept. 23 Adams Darrell Carrier Atlanta

Sept. 23 Bolden, Gary Clerk Atlanta

Sept. 23 Joe Harris Postmaster Corrigan, TX

Sept. 24 Jo Ellen Smith Sales associate Julesburg, CO

Sept. 24 Bernadette Aguirre Rural carrier Kihei, HI

Sept. 24 Banjo, Olugbuyia Maintenance Atlanta

Sept. 24 Heather Chapman Acting supervisor Lake Villa, IL

Sept. 25 Kalani Palada Rural carrier Kihei, HI

Sept. 25 Sherri Cantrell Field financial specialist Atlanta

Sept. 25 Hunter Scatena Postal support employee North Franklin, CT

Sept. 26 Tricia Ford-Jones Mailing requirements clerk Little Rock, AR

Sept. 27 Tywana Mitchell Postmaster Highland Falls, NY

Happy Birthday

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Postal Anniversaries 50 years Leonard Wilson Mail handler Springfield, MA

50 years Robert Brewer Maintenance supervisor Springfield, MA

40 years Joan Siciliano Maintenance secretary Springfield, MA

38 years Connie Nasalroad Accounting and control specialist St. Louis

36 years Leisa Vassar-Warner Mail processing clerk Akron, OH

36 years Teresa King Mailing requirement clerk Indianapolis

36 years John Windle Business mail tech Indianapolis

35 years John Vetashick Technology training specialist Wilkes Barre, PA

35 years Ernestine Duren Management Analyst St. Louis

35 years Gloria Elliott Accounting support specialist St. Louis

33 years Robert Kohut Address management systems technician Tampa, FL

33 years Marsha Kushmer Address management systems technician Tampa, FL

31 years Julie Carrico Business mail technician Indianapolis

30 years Richard Greer Sales associate Warren, PA

30 years Cynthia Barry Letter carrier Assonet, CT

30 years Thomas Colantonio Maintenance mechanic Unionville, CT

30 years John Burton Letter carrier Atlanta

30 years Sophia Paden Letter carrier Atlanta

30 years Richard Williams Letter carrier Atlanta

30 years David Burnette Letter carrier Atlanta

30 years Tony Howard Accounting support specialist St. Louis

30 years Vanessa Luster Accounting support specialist St. Louis

30 years Patresa Parker Accounting support specialist St. Louis

30 years Patty Hart Manager accounting center support St. Louis

30 years Beverly Wash Management analyst St. Louis

30 years Linda Threatt Economist Washington

29 years Christopher Sowers Vehicle maintenance facility storekeeper Roanoke, VA

The City of Atlanta recognized employees for their years of service. From left to right: supervisor Jose Smyly, letter carriers Marilyn Fuller, Eric Lovett, Michael Pless, Harriett King, Allison Lockhart, and Postmaster Omar Coleman

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Retirements 30 years Joyce Bessette Letter carrier Tolland, CT

30 years Richard Williams Letter carrier Atlanta

Happy Retirement to Richard Williams of Atlanta, GA! Richard Williams has given the

organization 30 years of service at Ralph McGill station.

24 years Roberta Essof Non traditional full time clerk Friendly, WV

22 years Robert Holzhauer Letter carrier Highland Falls, NY

22 years Cynthia Wood Claims coordinator Phoenix

21 years Tracy McDaniels Business mail clerk Indianapolis

21 years Terri Beckham Acting supervisor business mail entry unit Indianapolis

20 years Sue Robinson Sales associate Gooding, ID

19 years Darren Lewis Business mail clerk Indianapolis

18 years Kathy Eddy Sales associate Melrose, WI

18 years Carmen Murry Accounting specialist St. Louis

12 years Debra Hines Lead sales associate Columbia, TN

8 years Sarah Bentley Postal support employee Felton, MN

8 years Dwain Harris Rural carrier Columbia, TN

Postal Anniversaries

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Just Married

Congratulations to Emma and Harvey Jones on their recent marriage. Emma is a

manager, customer services in Atlanta, GA.

We will be introducing a new way to submit your celebration announcements! Stay tuned. In the meantime, please email upcoming birthdays, anniversaries, retirements and baby announcements with the celebration type in the email subject line. Deadline for submissions for next week’s newsletter: Friday, Sept. 23.

Email engagement@usps.gov.

Baby Birth

Nicholas and Aneta Linko welcomed their new baby girl, Emma Lauren. Nick is a city

carrier assistant in Romeoville, IL.

Curtis and Shanaira Walker welcomed their new baby boy, Chance Emanuel Walker

on August 29. Curtis is a supervisor, maintenance operations in Fayetteville, NC.

Latonio and Nicole Simpson welcomed their new baby, Parker Simpson, on Aug. 21.

Latonio is a postal support employee clerk in Addison, IL.

Wedding Anniversaries

50 years Anthony & Carmen Buzzitta Anthony is an accounting support technician in St. Louis.

45 years Robert & Linda Foster Robert in a letter carrier in Concord, VA.

36 years David & Brenda Oiler David is a bulk mail technician in Wheeling, WV.

34 years Mary & Jesus Cruz Mary is a Postmaster relief in Lipscomb, TX.

30 years Chris & Gloria MacLaine Gloria is a Postmaster in Sanders, AZ.

29 years Karen & Ed Gorr Karen is a Postmaster in Grahamsville, NY.

28 years Diane & John Pietrowski Diane is a part-time flexible clerk in Blissfield, MI.

17 years Terry & Cynthia McGee Terry is a retired postal employee. Cynthia is a postal support

employee in Muse, OK.

13 years Craig & Sarah Bentley Sarah is a postal support employee in Felton, MN.

10 years Myrtle & Joseph Quinn Myrtle is a part-time flexible clerk in White Mills, PA.

7 years John & Joanne Vetashick John is a technology training specialist in Wilkes Barre, PA.

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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)

Upcoming Events

Cap Metro

Sept. 27-30: Duluth, GA

Eastern

Sept. 27-30: Akron, OH

Great Lakes

Sept. 27-30: Chicago, IL

HQ

Sept. 27-30: Merrifield, VA

Northeast

Sept. 27-30: New York, NY

Pacific

Sept. 27-30: Anaheim, CA

Southern

Sept. 27-30: Birmingham, AL

Western

Sept. 27-28: Sioux Falls, ND

Sept. 29-30: Billings, MT