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WEEKLY

ENGAGE

Volume 15: Week of Sept. 5

Q5: Cares About Me

Why Caring about employees matters

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Save the Date! Special Invitation

coming to every postal employee’s

home

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2 Million Miles

Accident-Free

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Caught on

Engagement Camera

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The ability to cultivate caring relationships might seem

like a topic more suited to a daytime talk show than the

workplace. But the feeling that “someone cares about

me” is a fundamental human need — one that doesn’t

stop when you punch the clock at the start of the day.

A caring and supportive work environment is one that

feels safe — safe to say what is on your mind, safe to be

yourself within workplace guidelines, safe to challenge

the status quo and infuse the workplace with new

ideas.

When your supervisor or

someone at work cares about

you as a person, you are

enabled to bring your whole

and best self to work. And that

makes for better business.

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Quote of the week

“Too often we underestimate the power of a

smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest

compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of

which have the potential to turn a life around.”

—Leo Buscaglia

Next Week’s Engagement

Challenge

Write a handwritten note to thank someone for helping you in

some way. It is often overlooked that simply saying a heartfelt

“good morning” can cause someone to change his or her outlook.

Share with us what someone did for you (names are optional).

Email us at engagement@usps.gov

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

#Postal

Seattle Tractor Trailer Operator David Chase sent in these throwback photos from Washington state.

Rolling Bay Post Office circa 1890.

Rolling Bay Post Office circa 1990.

Post Street and Yesler Way, Seattle, 1895.

King Street Terminal, Seattle, 1932.

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Jackson, MS, P&DC Maintenance Support Clerk Eddie Brown wrote asking if Engage Weekly could use postal throwback photos of uncertain origin and date. “Sure!” we said, so he sent quite a few great pics that need a story. Do these images spark any memories? Write to us! Engagement@usps.gov.

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Millions of Miles! Long Island District Letter Carrier Joseph Garappolo received the prestigious “Two-Million Mile Award” last month. Garappolo, who works at the Hampton Bays, NY, Post Office was presented the award Aug. 11, by District Manager Frank Calabrese. “You have set the bar and made us proud for over 43 years and with no accidents is simply amazing,” said Calabrese. “We cannot put a price on someone’s life or injuries and you have proven that accidents are preventable.”

Garappolo started his postal career May 12, 1973. For his entire career, Garappolo never had a motor vehicle accident. His duties as a carrier take him on the road every day — and every day he returns to his postal and immediate family in the same manner in which he reported to work.

Garappolo says he did it the old school way, “1, 2, 3 and look. 1, 2, 3 and look.” Calabrese said Garappolo is an exemplary employee. “He sets a good example for his peers and as a National Association of Letter Carriers shop steward, he remains a strong influence and remarkable example for motor vehicle safety.

In addition to Calabrese, Human Resources Manager Jasmin Permaul and Post Office Operations Manager William Huber were on hand to present Garappolo with his National Safety Council plaque.

Congratulations to these “Million Milers” from Gaylord, MI. Pictured left to right are Postmaster Robert Cherwinski, Terry Avenal (33 years), Simon Kurkowski (33 years), and Brian Haske (36 years).

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Smile! These employees have been caught on

‘engagement camera.’

When the Venice, FL, office ranked second in

last quarter’s Level 24 Post Office rankings,

Postmaster Kevin Sullivan and the office

supervisors came to work early to cook

breakfast for all employees. “We identified

the break room with a cartoon drawing and

set up all the food for management to cook. It

went over very well and the employees were

extremely happy for the recognition,”

Sullivan said.

Postmaster Kevin Sullivan and Customer

Service Supervisor Rhonda Dinka

cooking breakfast.

Venice carriers having breakfast. Postmaster Sullivan’s drawing recognized the day.

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Peachtree, Atlanta, P&DC General Clerk Felecia Hall shared this photo of a Manager’s Appreciation event Aug. 26. Tour 1 employees held a spaghetti dinner for Manager Ruel Samuels, who was promoted to a position at the Montgomery, AL, P&DC. Employees thanked Samuels for his mentorship, professionalism, being a team player and showing compassion and understanding to everyone at the plant.

Carol Wright of headquarters Human Resources (HQ HR) sent in this success story: “I wanted to share the executive administrative assistant class graduation photos with you. It’s a six-month program, we had 13 participants and the graduation was Friday, Aug. 26. Seven of the participants are on detail assignments and four have been promoted within the last seven months. It’s an enormous success story for the 2016 Executive Administrative Assistant (EAA) program! As the HQ HR coordinator, I am so proud to have been a part of the EAA program and wish continued success for the program. It was my final class; I have been promoted to the senior executive administrative assistant for Chief Information Officer Kristin Seaver. Thank you all for what you do every day to encourage and foster engagement throughout the U.S. Postal Service.”

Front row left to right: Lisa Tayman, Pamela Anderson, Claudia Daniels, Dionne Hughes, Nancy Tiwari, Margarita Hudson, and Executive Director of Learning and Development, Susan Mckeen. Back row left to right: Priscilla Simms, Carol Wright, Jeannine DeWitt, Tonya Bryant, Kristin Brooks, Cathline Adams, Francis Sandoval and Darlene Jabir.

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“Andrea Vance started as a postal support employee in August 2014 at the Pittsburg, KY, Post Office. A few months later, Andrea was promoted to part-time flexible. She is an engaged employee who works hard to increase sales and keep our customers coming back. Everyone loves her and she has been an exceptional addition to our organization.”

Debbie Garland, Postmaster, Pittsburg, KY

“Lead Clerk Cande Gallegos at the Minner Post Office in Bakersfield, CA, is truly an engaged employee. I’ve worked with her for many years and she is a leader in her craft. She always has a positive attitude and provides great performance to top it all off. Cande gives 100 percent to every retail customer! It’s such a pleasure to work with her and have complete trust and confidence that our customers are being well taken care of when they go to Minner. Thank you, Cande!”

Erica Tovar, manager customer service, Bakersfield, CA

#Engaged

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Sept. 1 Richard Morgan City carrier Waterford, CT

Sept. 3 Melisande Shumate Process control assistant Hazelwood, MO

Sept. 3 Aisha Skinner Supervisor, customer services Harvey, IL

Sept. 5 Sierra Ellis Sales associate Allegany, NY

Sept. 5 Sierra Ellis Sales associate Allegany, NY

Sept. 5 Rita Ridley Engagement ambassador Northeast Area

Sept. 5 Debi Fish Letter carrier St. Francisville, IL

Sept. 5 James Timmerman Letter carrier West Palm Beach, FL

Sept. 5 Pamella Beal Bulk mail technician Bedford Park, IL

Sept. 5 Kim Graziano Supervisor, vehicle maintenance Providence, RI

Sept. 5 Kristina White Rural carrier Bethel, PA

Sept. 5 Donal Koenig Jr. Supervisor, customer services Sacramento, CA

Sept. 6 Lianna Forge Postal support employee Lagrange, ME

Sept. 6 Kevin Burrell Area maintenance technician Oklahoma City

Sept. 6 Shanek Madison Business sales network representative Birmingham, AL

Sept. 6 Jaime Acevedo Budget/financial analyst Houston

Sept. 6 Stephanie Wimbish Letter carrier Atlanta

Sept. 6 Kayla Carter Rural carrier associate Fort Collins, CO

Sept. 6 Linda Rochelle HR specialist Jackson, MS

Sept. 6 Shari Rolfe Letter carrier Bainbridge, OH

Sept. 6 Wendy Nunnery Health & resource management specialist San Antonio

Sept. 7 Mary Schreyer Address management systems technician Phoenix

Sept. 7 Venescha Saddler Mail handler Atlanta

Sept. 7 Lisa Stockdale Consumer affairs specialist Grand Rapids, MI

Sept. 7 Donna Moore Letter carrier McCrory, AR

Sept. 7 Kevin Duskie Postmaster Barker, TX

Sept. 8 Donna Stickland Letter carrier Atlanta

Sept. 8 Stacie Goodsell Sales associate El Verano, CA

Sept. 8 Deevon Karupen Manager, in-plant support Buffalo, NY

Sept. 8 Tracey Schock HR generalist Sioux Falls, SD

Sept. 8 Dustin Frazier Sales associate Quechee, VT

Sept. 8 Diane Powell Letter carrier McCrory, AR

Happy Birthday

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Sept. 9 Dorothy Fulton Mail processing clerk Rex, Georgia

Sept. 9 Jesse Bauer Rural carrier Winfield, MO

Sept. 9 Tierra Burney Sales associate Bensalem, PA

Sept. 9 Robert Petrowski Manager, in-plant support Bedford Park, IL

Sept. 10 Charles Ford Coordinator, Surface Transfer Center Dallas

Sept. 10 Denise Walker Letter carrier Atlanta

Sept. 10 Shelia Merchant Address management systems technician Birmingham, AL

Sept. 10 Dan Kulwicki Sales associate Milwaukee

Sept. 10 Susan Peevy Sales operations and planning specialist Washington, DC

Sept. 11 Lauren Palmer General clerk Mount Vernon, NY

Sept. 11 Gwen Ohnesorg Sales associate Chappell, NE

Sept. 11 Omotayo Odutola Letter carrier Atlanta

Sept. 11 Sharon M. Brown Bulk mail technician Richmond, VA

Sept. 11 Willie Lee Maintenance engineering specialist Duluth, GA

Sept. 11 Sharon Eyler Data collection technician Lancaster, PA

Sept. 11 Deena Messer Sales associate Stanford, KY

Sept. 13 Carol Caines Business service network representative Hartford, CT

Happy Birthday

Postal Anniversaries 38 years Melisande Shumate Process control assistant Hazelwood, MO

32 years Jennifer Campbell Occupational health nurse Dallas

30 years Rosemary Sterling Supervisor, business mail entry Topeka, KS

30 years James Pullins Letter carrier Pomeroy, OH

26 years Dorothy Fulton Mail processing clerk Rex, Georgia

26 years David Weber Postmaster Adrian, MO

25 years Donald Murray Mail processing clerk Ithaca, NY

25 years Terry Driapsa Sales associate Bainbridge, OH

21 years Danielle G Hawkins Administrative assistant Greensboro, NC

21 years Michael T Rendenna Operations support specialist Greensboro, NC

18 years Catherine Young Manager, financial programs compliance Houston

17 years Diana Euritt Sales associate Kellerton, IA

12 years Sheri Kirchhoff Sales associate Berlin, WI

11 years Jimmie Drummer Letter carrier Monroe, LA

10 years Jon Ann Drew City carrier Lonaconing, MD

9 years Chris Flood Systems accountant St. Louis

2 years Lacie Shomo Lead sales associate Schellsburg, PA

1 year Donna Zimmerman Sales associate Fishertown, PA

1 year Catherine Johnson Sales associate Schellsburg, PA

1 year Larry Simmons Maintenance Malvern, PA

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Retirements 41 years Craig B. Thomas Electronic technician Rochester, NY

38 years Patricia L Lyons Letter carrier East Aurora, NY

37 years Dennis Jordan Jr Letter carrier Agawam, MA

36 years Eric J Laroche Letter carrier Adams, MA

36 years Kevin J Lally Letter carrier Greenwich, CT

36 years Davis B. Raz Mail handler Rochester, NY

35 years Dave Messer Carpenter Phoenix

33 years Lindi A. Beebe Sales associate West Springfield, MA

33 years Charles E Watson Letter carrier Stonington, CT

33 years Donald C Chepurna Letter carrier Naugatuck, CT

32 years Michael C. Beemer Laborer custoidal Elmira, NY

31 years David L Vitelli Letter carrier East Haven, CT

31 years Kenneth R Bush Sales associate North Haven, CT

31 years Michael G Parent Postmaster New Britain, CT

30 years Nancy A Dufresne Laborer custodial Fall River, MA

30 years Christine M Meschino Letter carrier Warwick, RI

30 years Margaret T Enright Letter carrier Warwick, RI

30 years Kelly J Rozanski Sales associate South Windsor, CT

30 years Kenneth Baldwin Letter carrier South Dartmouth, MA

30 years Christine M Schutt Distribution window clerk Lyons, NY

29 years Delores J Ramos Sales associate Pawtucket, RI

29 years Peter Fornaciari Letter carrier Meriden, CT

29 years Terri L Horne Sales associate Hope Mills, NC

27 years Yvon Cedrac Laborer custodial Stamford, CT

27 years Dennis R Scrinzi Letter carrier Lockport, NY

24 years Daniel L. Williams Bulk mail clerk Asheville NC

23 years Crucita Rivera Letter carrier East Haven, CT

23 years Ronald E Menard Letter carrier Pawtucket, RI

22 years Richard T. Ivey Letter carrier Lincolnton, NC

21 years Jullieta Garcia Sales associate Sacramento

Customer Services Manager Baldish Kaur sent in

this photo of Perkins Post Office Sales Associate

Jullieta Garcia celebrating her last day at work

after 21 years of loyal service in Sacramento

District.

Congratulations to Phoenix P&DC Carpenter Dave Messer on his retirement after 35 years of service.

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31 years Tina & Ed Figueroa Tina is a sales associate in New Tripoli, PA.

30 years Brenda & Gean Ryans Brenda is a Postmaster in West Jordan, UT. Gean is a retired postal employee.

25 years Miguel & Mary Lamarche Miguel is a distribution clerk and Mary is a training techni-cian, both in Miami, FL.

25 years Edward & Sherri Kirchoff Sheri is a sales associate in Berlin, WI.

22 years Marshall & Patti Finley Marshall is a bulk mail technician. Patti is a sales associate.

21 years Terre & Esther Mesler Terre is an expeditor in White River Junction, VT. Esther is a Postmaster in Quechee, VT.

1 year Sharon & Ronnie Dixon Sharon is a data collector in Memphis, TN.

Wedding Anniversaries

Just Married Congratulations to Tina Plant & Johnell Battie. Tina is a postal support employee

in Jefferson City, MO.

Baby Birth Lori Russell welcomed her new baby boy, Lukas on Aug. 30. Lori is a sales associate in

Bumpass, VA.

Lucy Gutierrez welcomed her new baby grandson, Reno. His parents are Reno and

Digna Lara. Lucy is a window clerk in Somis, CA.

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, Sept. 10.

Email engagement@usps.gov.

Miguel & Mary Lamarche

celebrate 25 years this week!

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UP

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MIN

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1-844-303-6424

LiteBlue Suggestion Box

engagement@usps.gov

EVENTS Creating an Engaging Workplace at

USPS Training course for all USPS

leaders (Executives and EAS)

Cap Metro:

Sept. 12-15: Washington, DC

Sept. 13-16: Merrifield, VA

Sept. 20-23: Greensboro, NC

Sept. 20-23: Richmond, VA

Eastern:

Sept. 13-16: Toledo, OH

Sept. 20-23: Cleveland, OH

Great Lakes:

Sept. 12-15: Chicago, IL

Sept. 13-115: Hazelwood, MO

Sept. 20-22: Indianapolis, IN

Northeast:

Sept. 13-14: Jersey City, NJ

Sept. 15-16: Kearney, NJ

Sept. 20-21: Portsmouth, NH

Sept. 22-23: Manchester, NH

Pacific:

Sept. 13-16: San Diego

Sept. 20-23: Sacramento, CA

Southern:

Sept. 13-16: Jackson, MS

Sept. 20-23: Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Western:

Sept. 13-16: Minneapolis, MN

Sept. 20-23: Las Vegas, NV

Headquarters:

Sept. 19-22: San Mateo, CA