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WEEKLY

ENGAGE

Volume 14: Week of Aug. 29

Q6: Development

Caribbean Postal Vibes

meet the postal employees of

St. Thomas, Virgin Islands

P. 5

4 things to reflect on as we close out this month’s “Development” newsletter

P. 2

Postal Throwback

100 years later,

some things never

change

P. 7

Food never fails to

bring people together

to engage

P. 9

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44 Things to Reflect On

As the month of August comes to a close, there are 4 things to reflect upon as we look back on this month’s topic : There is someone at work who encourages my development.

1.1.

2.2.

3.3.

4.4.

Career development is an essential part of employee engagement. In fact, analysis consistently shows that career development is second only to recognition as a factor to increase employee engagement.

Career development starts with you. You have magnificent power to change your world by doing what you feel is best for you. If you are a manager or supervisor, you are charged with being responsible for developing and coaching your staff along the way. You can develop your staff in many ways but the easiest way is by cultivating genuine relationships with them. Relationships are developed by talking to and listening to others to find out more about them both on and off the job.

It is very important that you communicate with staff and the preferable way is face to face. We know that face-to-face communication is sometimes not an option and this is where responsible and well-planned WebEx meetings, email or phone calls come into play. It has been noted that managers and supervisors who communicate with their employees on a daily basis have a higher level of engagement among their workforce.

All employees want to be developed at every level of their career —

so reach back and help others. Remember, as we

develop others, we develop ourselves.

Engagement Leader of the Year

Award UPDATE What’s the latest on the Engagement Leader of the Year Award? The District award selection committees have been busy in their selection process.

By Tuesday, Sept. 6, each district will have selected its winner. Stay tuned.

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Q.

Next Week’s Challenge:

The Engagement

Challenge

“As a leader in

our organization, it is imperative to

seek out and recognize those

individuals who have demonstrated

a willingness to perform at higher

levels and take on additional

responsibilities. By identifying

individuals who possess skills that

encompass communication,

organization, and/or computer

literacy and further allowing them

to make contributions to their team

in group settings with task-oriented

projects gives them a sense of self-

worth and personal

achievement. This is what I call

building the bench. By discovering

hidden talents and empowering our

employees to make contributions in

turn promotes positive behaviors

which drive long-term results.”

Leta George, Postmaster,

Fayetteville, GA

How have you been coaching or mentoring others?

“As a former HR manager, I encourage development of skills by providing both craft and EAS employees assistance in building their

eCareer profiles, KSAs and professional career paths. My encouragement to others is in those actions, as well as delivering inspirational and informational seminars. I make a point never to assume that postal employees know their strengths. In fact, a Gallup poll revealed that building on employee strengths is much more effective in raising performance than trying to improve weaknesses. Ironically, people often take their strengths for granted. In my one-on-one career counseling, we work to define and then use an employee’s strengths to develop firm KSAs. While discovering their strengths, we discuss how they can apply their individual strengths to help achieve team performance in their work unit and more positively contribute to the Postal Service. Doing this gives me an incredible sense of accomplishment and my track record has been proven successful.” Iris Bonhart , Equal Employment Opportunity specialist, Kansas

City, MO

“I have encouraged my employees to develop their skills and abilities and improve team performance by incorporating career development into my vision for the Augusta, GA, P&DC. The vision is to build alignments and relationships by engaging in dialogue, communicating with clarity and providing the type of inspiration that will move all of us in the same direction. My goal is for every employee to be developed and mentored for upward mobility to create unquestionable value, unparalleled service and reinvent the way our team does business. We have offered training on every tour to ensure we are collectively capable of running reports, sending emails, collecting vital information and understanding programs used by supervisors and managers daily. This approach will give everyone a sense of achievement as it fulfills the vision and expedites the development of others across the board.”

Francina Banks, plant manager, Augusta, GA

Engagement is based on quality relationships. Relationships are based on common interests, common goals, trust, and caring. Find out something new about two of your co-workers. It could be as simple as asking them “If there was one thing that you don’t think anybody would ever guess that you have done, what would it be?”

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Quote of the week

“What you get by achieving your goals is not as

important as what you become by achieving your

goals.”

Zig Ziglar

Submitted by Nate Maxwell, organizational development specialist,

Washington, DC

Safety First

McCrory, AR, Postmaster Paula D. Jones shared this photo of carriers Nicole Byrom (left) and Diane Powell (right) receiving their 9-year safety pins at the McCrory Post Office.

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Caribbean Postal Vibes “While on vacation, I had the pleasure of meeting the employees at the Alvaro DeLugo Post Office in St. Thomas, VI. Sales associates, Jackie Thomas and Monique Freeman, were engaged employees and I learned are avid readers of Engage Weekly. Stay tuned to read more about their Caribbean postal pride.”

Jasmine Duke, organizational development analyst, Washington, DC

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

#Postal

Frazeysburg, OH, Postmaster Mary Lint sent in this photo of the Frazeysburg Post Office from the 1800s. “This is a picture of the Post Office and its employees when it was located by the railroad tracks here in Frazeysburg. The mail was hung on poles and someone on the train would grab it with a long hook while the train was still in motion.”

Anna Nuno, computer systems scheduler, found this 1968 photograph of the Accounting Services management and staff. The location was formerly known as Postal Data Center and is now the San Mateo Information Technology and Accounting Service Center in San Mateo, CA.

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Randy Foreback, Johnstown, PA, bulk mail technician,shared this photo of a Washington,DC, mail sorting room in 1907. “Here’s a picture that shows how more than 100 years later, there are still some things that barely change. Flats cases, letter cases, pouch racks and dump tables look very similar to what we still use today.”

Thank you to Ray Cordova, Western Area

customer service program analyst, for

sending this link to a full-length film

detailing the duties of a letter carrier in

1956. It’s called “Men and Mail in

Transit,” and can be viewed online at:

http://www.liveleak.com/view?

i=54e_1457872376

Do you have a

throwback postal

photo to share in our

newsletter?

Email us at

engagement@usps.gov.

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Field of Dreams A postal worker and her family discover a solution that brings

together an entire community.

“In Tennessee, we have a published magazine called Home and Farm. The fall

issue made everyone at the Columbia, TN, Post Office so honored and proud

when the Toombs Dairy Farm was featured on the cover. Sara Toombs has

delivered mail for the Postal Service for more than 23 years. The photo is of her

family’s dairy farm which is run by her husband, Roger, and his brother. Sara

helps work this farm every morning before coming in to work. The Toombs

family who own this 400-acre farm decided to build a baseball field on it a little

over 15 years ago after struggling to reserve a local practice field for their son’s

team. What began as a solution to a problem has evolved into a beloved

destination for dozens of area ballplayers. It’s amazing that these parents work

hard all day and have plenty of time to coach and enjoy their children and family.”

JoAnn Cedillo, mail processing clerk, Colombia, TN

http://www.tnhomeandfarm.com/agriculture/dairy-farm-field-of-dreams/

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USPS Seeks

Employees for TV ads

The Postal Service is inviting employees to audition for a TV commercial that will debut this holiday season. No prior acting experience is required.

The commercial will showcase the Postal Service’s reliability and its “Priority: You” theme.

To audition, follow these steps:

Create an audition video. In the video, state your name, where you’re from, your position at the Postal Service, how long you’ve worked for USPS, why you love your career and your favorite holiday-specific memory while working for the Postal Service. Upload the video. Visit the USPS Holiday 2016 Employee Casting site to upload your video. You’ll be asked to complete an online form and hit “Submit.” Video uploads are limited to 30 megabytes. Submissions are due by Monday, Sept.12, at 12 p.m. ET.

The commercial will be filmed in late September. It will be the latest USPS ad to feature real employees.

All applicants must receive approval from their manager before selection and production begins.

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Smile! These employees have been caught on

‘engagement camera.’

Of course, food can always bring people together to engage.

Acting Human Resources

Shared Service Center (HRSSC)

support manager Wanda

Huffman sends this photo of a

recent hot dog lunch held to

celebrate employees. Pictured

here is HRSSC Manager Rochelle

Israel with her team.

Production Operation Manager Sarita Ivy in Eagan, MN sent this picture of the IT Production Operation Branch in Eagan. The team of schedulers and job control language technicians came together with their supervisor and manager for pizza during lunch July 27 to have a state-of-team meeting and share ideas.

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Aug. 13 Ernest Smith Combine Federal Campaign coordinator Stone Mountain, GA

Aug. 17 Robert Perry Mail handler Shreveport, LA

Aug. 18 Janna Boniol Automation clerk Shreveport, LA

Aug. 19 Paul Robinson II Automation clerk Shreveport, LA

Aug. 20 Christopher Jones Maintenance Shreveport, LA

Aug. 20 Loneryl McIntosh Mailing requirements clerk Jacksonville, FL

Aug. 21 Mary Autry Automation clerk Shreveport, LA

Aug. 21 Freamon Blackmon II Automation clerk Shreveport, LA

Aug. 21 Gwen Daniels Automation clerk Shreveport, LA

Aug. 23 Keary Griffin Letter carrier Duluth, GA

Aug. 23 Tyler Jobrey Mail handler Shreveport, LA

Aug. 23 Curtis Pickerel Maintenance Shreveport, LA

Aug. 23 Barbara Weeks Sales associate Dalton, MA

Aug. 24 Angela Richardson Mail handler Shreveport, LA

Aug. 25 Robert Cline Maintenance Shreveport, LA

Aug. 26 Eddie Collins, Jr. Maintenance Shreveport, LA

Aug. 26 Cynthia Folkening Clerk Shreveport, LA

Aug. 27 Leanne Payeur BSN representative Portland, ME

Aug. 27 Natalin Edwards Health and resource mgmt. specialist Washington, DC

Aug. 27 Elaine Hathaway Contract technician Kansas City, MO

Aug. 27 Aime's Sernek Secretary Kansas City, MO

Aug. 27 Bridget Carroll Marketing manager Birmingham, AL

Aug. 28 Michael Parsons Mail handler Shreveport, LA

Aug. 28 Virgil Williams Maintenance Shreveport, LA

Aug. 28 James Gillispie Postmaster Glen Ellyn, IL

Aug. 29 Dave Thompson Mail handler Tampa, FL

Aug. 29 Christen Black Supervisor, customer services Sacramento, CA

Aug. 29 Jay Drew Building equipment mechanic Oklahoma City

Aug. 29 Thelma Stephens Postmaster St. Stephens Church, VA

Aug. 29 Susan Durden Lead customer service clerk Birmingham, AL

Aug. 29 Tommy Griffin Mail handler Shreveport, LA

Aug. 29 Brittany Luster Mail handler Shreveport, LA

Aug. 29 Jessica Chappell Letter carrier Milwaukee

Happy Birthday

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Aug. 30 JeNard Gibson Maintenance engineering specialist Kansas City, KS

Aug. 30 George Carrington Safety specialist Columbus, OH

Aug. 30 Bonita Cook Rural carrier associate Ridge Farm, IL

Aug. 30 Vick Aikman Supervisor, customer service St. Francisville, IL

Aug. 30 Nancy Gould Sales associate Manton, MI

Aug. 30 Steven Hill Mail handler assistant Shreveport, LA

Aug. 30 Anita Billingsley Sales associate Silva, MO

Aug. 30 Damon Harper Letter carrier Atlanta

Aug. 31 Rachel Barber-Forrest Supervisor, customer services Ithaca, NY

Aug. 31 Faith Roell Manager, consumer and industry contact Indianapolis

Aug. 31 Carletta Griffith Field financial specialist Cap Metro Area

Aug. 31 Jennifer Carroll Field financial specialist Cap Metro Area

Aug. 31 Wilson Walker Tractor trailer operator Atlanta, GA

Aug. 31 David Landry Manager, field maintenance operations Oklahoma City

Aug. 31 Scott Maberry BMEU technician Reading, PA

Aug. 31 Angel Santana Claims and inquiry clerk Van Nuys, CA

Aug. 31 Michael Young Safety driver instructor Tampa, FL

Aug. 31 Milagros Tomala Sales associate New York

Aug. 31 Freddie Gaston Automation clerk Shreveport, LA

Aug. 31 Latony Moore Sales associate Atlanta

Sept. 1 Carla Rodgers Maintenance support clerk Nashville, TN

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

Sept. 1 Stephanie Garrett Letter carrier Milwaukee

Sept. 1 Oris Mack Letter carrier Atlanta

Sept. 2 Roseanna Garcia Operations programs support specialist Phoenix

Sept. 2 Georgenette Lofton Letter carrier Atlanta

Sept. 2 April Williams Complaints and inquiry manager Birmingham, AL

Sept. 2 Joi Dailey Mail handler Atlanta

Sept. 2 Asia Clark Letter carrier Atlanta

Sept. 3 Kortevia Taylor Mail processing clerk Indianapolis

Sept. 3 Aisha Skinner Officer in charge Harvey, IL

Sept. 4 Carol LaVon Dangerfield Operations programs specialist Birmingham, AL

Happy Birthday

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Postal Anniversaries 51 years Tom Hamilton Postmaster Selmer, TN

43 years Bruce Runowski Storekeeper Philadelphia

40 years Dean Hanson Manager, delivery and customer service Dallas

30 years Ronnie Phillips-Bridges Lead sales associate Atlanta

30 years Mark Wahl Engagement ambassador Washington, DC

30 years Hazel Alford Postmaster Norwich, CT

30 years Mao Wen (Melonly) Kuo General clerk Reno, NV

29 years Sharon McKinney Field financial specialist Atlanta

29 years John Macera Letter carrier Malvern, PA

28 years John Rolfe Rural carrier Bainbridge, OH

25 years Nancy Uppinghouse Lead sales associate Quincy, IL

20 years Sanders, Geneva J Product information quality analyst St Louis

18 years Kim Coleman Business and industry analyst Washington, DC

12 years Abdul Bah Field sales branch manager St Louis

3 years Tiffiney Hicks Postmaster relief Russell, AR

1 year Regina Fuller Sales associate Malvern, PA

Retirements 35 years Rodney Vance General expeditor Charlotte, NC

34 years Kathleen Wilson Postmaster Carthage, NC

34 years Linda M. Shelton Letter carrier Charlotte, NC

33 years Henry S. Tyndall Electronic tech Fayetteville, NC

33 years Leona DaCunha Maintenance mechanic Pensacola, FL

32 years Jeffery Wingerter Letter Carrier Macomb, IL

30 years Sharon Reynolds Administrative assistant Rochester, NY

30 years Jeffery B. Smith General expeditor Fayetteville, NC

26 years Jane Reeves HRM specialist Houston

25 years Richard Larkin Letter carrier Buffalo, NY

20 years Everetta A. Dalton Rural carrier Fairview, NC

14 years Cindy Estee Attorney Dallas

“The Dallas law office would like to give a shout out to Attorney Cindy Estee, who is retiring after 14 years with the agency Aug. 31! We are truly going to miss Cindy because she always came to work with a positive attitude and was willing to help others.”

Theresa Gegen, attorney, Dallas

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33 years Susan & Gary Barclay Susan is a rural carrier in Glouster, OH.

17 years Troy & Tonjia Jeffery Troy is a maintenance support clerk in Santa Clarita, CA.

16 years Garrison Rozier & Patricia Ham-Rozier

Garrison is an expeditor and Patricia is a secretary in Bellmawr, NJ.

10 years Zachary & Doris Taylor Zachary is a postal retiree. Doris is a registry clerk in Charlotte, NC.

Wedding Anniversaries

Just Married Congratulations to Melissa Keirns & Lee Ann Spencer. Melissa is a sales associate

in Amesville, OH. Wishing you a lifetime of happiness together!

Baby Birth Latonio Simpson and his wife welcomed their new baby boy, Parker Simpson, Aug.

21. Latonio is a postal support employee clerk.

Stephen Watson and LaMia Williamson welcomed their new baby girl, Stephanie

Lamia Watson, Aug. 16. Stephen is a mail processing clerk in Greensboro, NC.

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: Friday, September 2.

Email engagement@usps.gov.

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1-844-303-6424

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engagement@usps.gov

EVENTS Creating an Engaging Workplace at

USPS Training course for all USPS

leaders (Executives and EAS)

Cap Metro

Sept. 12-13: Capital

Sept. 14-15: Capital

Sept. 13-14: Merrifield, VA

Sept. 15-16: Merrifield, VA

Eastern

Sept. 13-14: Toledo, OH

Sept. 15-16: Toledo, OH

Great Lakes

Sept. 8-9: Lakeland

Sept. 12-13: Chicago

Sept. 14-15: Chicago

Sept. 13-14: Gateway

Sept. 14-15: Gateway

HQ

Sept. 7-8: Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Northeast

Sept. 8-9: Albany NY

Sept. 13-14: Jersey City, NJ

Sept. 15-16: Kearny, NJ

Pacific

Sept. 13-14: San Diego, CA

Sept. 15-16: San Diego, CA

Southern

Sept. 13-14: Jackson, MS

Sept. 15-16: Jackson, MS

Western

Sept. 8-9: Kansas City, MO

Sept. 13-14: Minneapolis, MN