I would like to thank the membership for re-electing me to the position of Trustee and Delegate. My concern will continue to be, as it was in my previous term of office, to do what is in the best interest of the Dallas Area Local as a whole. We must run this organization like a business. I feel that the Trustees need and should know all of the intricate financial operations of this local. I am working closely with the other two Trustees and the Secretary Treasurer so that we can ascertain a list of priorities that we will need to address. Some of my concerns are

• Budgets being set and adhered to
• Checks and Balances of the finances
• Authorization of expenditures and purchasesLWOP
• Training Expenses – How this benefits the membership
• Mileage for lump sums

 I am also a member of the Human Relations Committee. I would like for all of our members to know that our Union has other services to offer and that everything is not just centered around filing grievances. Our members have a wide range of needs. We as a Union have to also show that we care about our members and their families and that we are available to assist them in these times. I, along with the President and the Human Relations Director make every effort to be present at as many wakes and funeral services as possible to represent our Union members or their families with resolutions/remarks on behalf of the Dallas Area Local including presenting the family with a memorial bible. We also attempt to assist the families of our deceased members during their time of bereavement in obtaining access to their loved ones benefits. It is already a devastating experience to lose a loved one and can present us with one of the most stressful experiences that life has to offer. However there is vital information that your family will have to have such as the deceased employee’s postal identification and pin numbers to obtain information from the Shared Services concerning the insurance benefits, etc.

 Verification of this information is needed for the funeral homes since there is a period of time before there is dispersing of benefits. Trying to navigate is often an ordeal for us, the employees, so I am sure that you can only imagine the challenges that a family member would endure during this difficult time in their lives. I advise you to make sure that your benefits are updated. When discussing this matter with employees, you would be surprised to know how many still have their parents listed as beneficiaries because their children were minors when they began their employment many years ago. Their children have since reached adulthood however the beneficiary has not been changed. I feel that there is a need for an informative seminar for our “members only” so that we or our families can be prepared in the event we are incapacitated. It is common for there to be some things that we may chose to take for granted or perhaps chose not to deal with at all. However in the event that you become incapacitated (coma, stroke, etc.) and you are the only person authorized on that account, this can cause quite a dilemma for your family if there is not a power of attorney. A lot of banks and companies are limited, if at all to release any information that will allow anyone other that the person listed on the account to sustain your financial affairs. It has been brought to my attention that a lot of employees are not aware of when the Postal Service ceases to provide benefits to our children. I cannot convey how important it is for us to be prepared.  Some horrific experiences are created when you are dealing with chaos and the elements of time restraints for a deadline.