eCareer training sessions open to all employees

We aren't able to attach documents on the blog. However, if you are interested in attending, you can e-mail Postmarks at Erica.S.Werner@usps.gov , and we will forward the necessary form to you.

YOU are the brand

Leadership is action not position.

-Charles H. McGannon

Usually, when members of the public form opinions about the Postal Service, it's not the Postmaster General or Al the Mailman that they think about: it is the Postal worker on the front lines with whom  they interact most frequently that comes to mind.

Postmasters, retail associates, and carriers ARE the Postal Service to a majority of the population, and that's why it is so important for those workers to be supported and to be recognized when they are doing their best to provide excellent customer service. A large portion of our success rests upon their shoulders.

Today, Postmarks would like to welcome two new members to the 100% Retail Customer Experience (RCE) Club.

The first group is from the Decatur Post Office. Pictured below from left to right are Postmaster Jane Harper and Retail Associates Mark Gilreath and Sherry Pieper.



Decatur

About her retail associates, Harper said, "These two are both excellent employees. They do a great job with our customers, show a lot of caring and concern. On a daily basis, I watch them demonstrate their knowledge of their position and the efforts that they take to move the line while still being personable and friendly."

The second group is from the Orange Beach Post Office.



Orange Beach

Left to right: Postmaster Patti Meyer, Retail Associates Dixie Nolte and Raven Booth

"They go above and beyond, they really do," said Patti Meyer about her clerks. "We've got a lot of snowbirds that come our way in the winter who forget to send the $2 for their keys. Our clerks will pay the money for the customers and send them a note asking for reimbursement when they arrive in town."

Actually, though, the person who was "shopped" and earned the perfect score was Postmaster Meyer. Initially, she didn't make 100% because the shopper reported that Meyer was out of uniform. But due to Meyer's protest, Orange Beach's score was changed to a perfect one.

Meyer has some advice for other postmasters who have to work the window: "Your Postal badge is not enough: wear your name tag, too."

Postmarks congratulates both offices on their accomplishments and thanks Carol Brekle, Patti Meyer, and Jane Harper for helping us share this story.



Safely on the Road to Success

Last Friday, Huntsville Plant Manager Roger Hyde assembled Huntsville's MVS drivers to show his appreciation for their dedication to safety. The drivers received certificates, pizza, and a nominal award.

In the past 18 months, the Huntsville drivers have had ZERO MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS!

Proud of his staff,  Hyde said, "The Huntsville Plant Motor Vehicle Operators understand their role in our business and the importance of performing their duties safely and effectively. We appreciate the positive image they project for the Postal Service. Their efforts will help ensure our continued success."

Pictured above from left to right are Roger Hyde, Jerry Gilbert, Steve Saint, Billy Russell, Jonah Patterson, Jose Rivasluyando, James Dabbs, Lannis Martin, David Barnes, Paul Paetow, and Valerie Underwood.
Not included on the side of the truck are Johnny Anderson, Tommy Medley, and James Spears.  


The highlight of the short gathering was the National Safety Council Safe Driver award that was presented to MVS Driver Lannis Martin for 25 accident-free years on the road.

Hyde reading from Martin's award: "National Safety Council Safe Driver Awards are recognized trademarks of professional drivers who have proven their skill at avoiding traffic accidents. They are the highest honor for professional safe driving. Your job performance as a motor vehicle operator for the US Postal Service includes not being involved in a preventable motor vehicle accident for a total of 25 years."




To learn more about the National Safety Council's award program that was developed specifically for the US Postal Service, click here.

Is your heart on fire? Birmingham MVS can help!

Last Thursday, the Birmingham MVS received fire safety training from Birmingham Fire & Rescue. Employees learned about what causes fires and how to operate fire extinguishers, and then were given the opportunity to practice what they had learned.

When faced with an unexpected fire, the acronym P.A.S.S. has two meanings. If the fire is too large to be contained with a small extinguisher, pass on attempting to stop it by yourself, leave the area, and immediately call for help.

If the fire is small enough for you to handle, P.A.S.S. also stands for the steps that you take in operating the extinguisher:

P = Pull the pin.

A = Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire.

S = Squeeze the handle.

S = Sweep from side to side at the base of the fire until it is put out.

After the classroom training, the Fire & Rescue trainers took everyone outside to apply what they had just learned.

Clerk Kay Crumley was the first to give it a shot.

Success!

Everyone took a turn. Postmarks doesn't have enough room here on the blog to post all of the pictures, but if you'll visit our Facebook page (if you haven't been there before, you can get there by clicking on the Facebook icon on the upper left of the home page), we posted an album that contains all of the pictures.

Hartselle, a repeat contender

Hartselle Post Office retail clerks is the latest group to earn entry into the 100% Retail Customer Experience (RCE) Club. Pictured below are Janna Martin , Rick Lamar, Sandy Parker, and Sandra Latta.

When asked what was special about the Hartselle retail associates, Supervisor Heather Fairbanks replied, "They're all wonderful: need I say more?"

She's right. This is the fourth time in less than a year that Postmarks has featured employees from Hartselle. They went all out for their breast cancer awareness event, came in first in the state for level 18-20 offices for the Breast Cancer Stamp sales contest in October, and now this.

As an example of how her clerks care about their customers, Fairbanks related a recent incident where a customer needed a passport ASAP. After the customer had paid and left the post office, a clerk realized that he had written his check for the wrong amount. She called him, but he was unable to return that day to correct the situation, so the clerk made up the difference with her own money.

"Our clerks are very personable," Fairbanks said. "Their customers have known them for years, and everybody knows each other on a first-name basis."

Hartselle staff, congratulations on your achievement, and also for holding the Postmarks' record for most appearances by a single post office (excluding offices in major cities).

Iron Bowl commemorative envelope availability

Now on sale at the following Alabama post offices:

Addison, Alexander City, Algood, Ariton, Ashford, Ashland, Auburn, Birmingham, Blountsville, Boaz, Bremen, Brent, Bucks, Camp Hill, Cedar Bluff, Centre, Choccolocco, Coffeeville, Coker, Collinsville, Cordova, Crossville, Cullman, Daphne, Dauphin Island, Dawson, Dearmanville, Flomaton, Furman, Fyffe, Gardendale, Graham, Grand Bay, Guin, Gurley, Hamilton, Huntsville, Jasper, Kansas, Kimberly, Leesburg, Leighton, Lincoln, Marbury, Margaret, McIntosh, McKenzie, Meridianville, Millbrook, Morris, Moundville, Normal, Oakman, Opelika, Orange Beach, Parrish, Pelham, Pell City, Pine Hill, Point Clear, Red Level, Russellville, St. Elmo, Scottsboro, Smiths Station, Sommerville, Sulligent, Summerdale, Sylacauga, Sylvania, Tallassee, Tarrant, Theodore, Thomasville, Titus, Trussville, Tuscaloosa—Skyland, Union Springs, Valermosa Springs, Vina, Vinemont, Wellington, Wilmer, and Wilton.

Midfield walks the walk