22 July, 2010

Postmasters of Tennessee

Fellow Postmasters:
    What will it take, how far will you be stretched, before you realize that you need an advocate, a group of like-minded peers undergoing the same daily trials, under the same pressures and unrealistic expectations, to turn to during these troublesome times? We are expected to do more, with so much less, each day that many of our best are retiring as soon as they can, just to reclaim a modicum of sanity in their lives.
    Why does it seem that there is no light at the end of the tunnel? I’ll tell you one reason, and you may not like what I’m about to say, but we have no one to blame but ourselves. We have, in large part, abdicated our roll as managers and have instead accepted the seemingly inevitable turning of our positions and authorities into mere shells of their once meaningful status, and we have done all of this, in part, by abandoning our once proud and powerful NAPUS organization.
    You may scoff at this, but I have watched our state chapter’s influence and power steadily fade as fewer and fewer postmasters have felt the need or importance of attending the meetings and conferences planned for us each year. Each time our District managers and their support personnel come to a meeting, and they do come, and see the lack of participation on our part, they are encouraged to consider our voices that much less.
    If you’re a NAPUS member who has lost interest because you think the meetings are boring or that there is not enough entertainment provided, or have been disappointed in the leadership of our chapter, step-up and offer your services; use your talents to make our time together more interesting and informative. It’s what NAPUS is all about, not just showing up to be served; but digging in to make a difference, putting your best efforts toward helping your peers grow to their full potential, while getting the help and affirmation you need, also.
    It’s time. Time to stand back up, time to let your voice be heard, time to regain some respect, time to join and participate in your Tennessee NAPUS chapter.
    Come join us. We need your strength, your knowledge, your experience, and all the leadership and management skills you have and are developing. We need your participation and your attendance, and we need your voices to add to ours so that we can help our USPS, through our NAPUS, to grow out of these troubling times into a better, more responsible and responsive business organization.



Sincerely,
Tim Knipp
Postmaster
Holladay, TN 38341