Author Gina Mulligan knows firsthand the comforting power of a handwritten letter. Several years ago, Mulligan was working on a novel, “Remember the Ladies,” when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Friends, family and others sent her more than 200 cards and letters of support as she underwent treatment. Each letter and card gave her […]
The Postal Service recently introduced Incoming Inventory Visualization, a tool that will make it easier for facilities to “see” incoming mail. The Incoming Inventory Visualization application is part of the expanding Informed Visibility platform. Informed Visibility centralizes information from more than 35,000 postal facilities, 82 different postal systems and more than 6,300 pieces of mail […]
Scanning snapshot. The Postal Service’s national scanning rating was 97.78 percent during the week ending June 2, unchanged from one week earlier. Dakotas (99.12 percent) topped the districts, while Western (98.17 percent) led the areas. To see the latest results, go to the Enterprise Analytics site and select “Scanning” on the left hand side, and then “DES […]
The Postal Service always finds a way to deliver to its customers, no matter where they live. “The list” looks at five unique methods that have been used to deliver mail through history. 1. Stagecoaches. Delivery by horse and wagon began in the 1700s and continued into the early 1900s. 2. Balloons. The first official […]
“I educate customers so they know what we have to offer. I always try to find at least one positive thing to say to them as a person, not just as a customer.” […]
Read More… from Richmond, VA, Retail Associate Wilhelmina Richards
Several Postal Service employees responded conscientiously when faced with fires recently while delivering mail. After Rochester, NY, Letter Carrier David Finch noticed flames coming from a customer’s residence, he saw the homeowner trying to douse the fire. Finch rushed to the scene to assist, and a neighbor later called the local Post Office to praise […]
Read More… from David Finch, Rochester, NY; Tawnee Agnew, Rock Island, WA; Brenda Wren, Magnolia, TX
I agree with Chief Customer and Marketing Officer Jim Cochrane’s comments in the “Customer focus” story. We must remember that we’re customers, too. Remember to do unto others as you would have them do unto you. […]
Scanning snapshot. The Postal Service’s national scanning rating was 97.78 percent during the week ending May 26, down from one week earlier. Dakotas (99.07 percent) topped the districts, while Western (98.18 percent) led the areas. To see the latest results, go to the Enterprise Analytics site and select “Scanning” on the left hand side, and then “DES […]
A Springdale, AR, French teacher recently advanced to a “Jeopardy!” semifinal round thanks to her knowledge of postage stamp subjects. Mary Parker was featured in an episode of the show’s recent teachers’ tournament, where she bested the competition in the “On a Postage Stamp” category. Parker answered three of the five clues correctly. When asked […]
The Postal Inspection Service has recovered more than $30,000 worth of missing mail transport equipment (MTE) in Atlanta District since last fall, part of a national program to reduce misuse of these materials. MTE includes trays, sacks, pallets and tubs. Misuse of the equipment results in significant financial losses to USPS. More than $10 million […]
June is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month, a time to honor the contributions of LGBT individuals in the United States. LGBT Pride Month is held in June to commemorate the Stonewall uprising, when patrons and supporters at a gay-friendly tavern in New York City led a protest against persecution. The 1969 incident […]
“The Stamp Out Hunger food drive reminds us to give for a good cause. I like how everyone is involved, from our carriers to management and our customers. I needed help at one time in my life and am grateful that now I can give back.” […]
Read More… from Sterling Heights, MI, Letter Carrier Lorraine Wood
Etta Hitner, featured in “Fridays with Etta,” is a sweetheart. I just love her picture. What a beautiful, kind and fun-loving woman. […]
A historic landmark in Meadville, PA, was saved from destruction by a Postal Service employee and his friend who extinguished a fire there and led police to the arsonist. City Carrier Assistant Ryan Artman was at a sandwich shop with Kyle Willis after delivering packages on a recent Sunday. They noticed two people huddled in […]
The Postal Service dedicated its Henry David Thoreau stamp May 23 during a ceremony that featured actor and environmentalist Ed Begley Jr. and other admirers. The dedication was held at the Walden Pond State Reservation Visitors Center in Concord, MA. Thoreau, a celebrated writer, philosopher and naturalist, lived at Walden Pond from 1845-1847. His experience […]
A new video shows PMG Megan J. Brennan’s keynote address at this week’s National Postal Forum (NPF) in Baltimore. The PMG discusses the Postal Service’s continued investments in technology, including Informed Delivery, a feature that provides customers with digital previews of their incoming mail, as well as Informed Visibility, an advanced analytics platform that supports […]
The Postal Service has introduced a database to help employees track Lean Six Sigma projects and share best practices throughout the organization. The Postal Knowledge System features fast, user-friendly project entry; extensive data output options; and reporting tools. The search feature allows users to retrieve project-related documents such as standard work instructions and project summaries […]
Looking for other information to share about USPS? Here are six more things you should know, courtesy of Postal Facts. 1. Vehicles. The Postal Service has more than 227,000 vehicles, one of the largest civilian fleets in the world. 2. Competition … and collaboration. The Postal Service competes and collaborates with the private sector. UPS […]
“At your service” was a great article. It’s refreshing to see the respect that Madison, WI, Retail Associate Lisa Johnson has for herself, her customers and the Postal Service. […]
Letter Carrier Raymond Griffin was delivering parcels on a recent Sunday in Puyallup, WA, when he saw a customer in distress. The man collapsed while taking a walk, and when Griffin got to him, he saw that he’d vomited and couldn’t breathe. The postal employee rolled the customer on his side to clear his airway, […]
“The Postal Service is a multicultural workforce serving a multicultural customer base. Our differences make us stronger as an organization and more responsive to the needs of our communities.” […]
Read More… from Richmond District Learning and Development Manager Carl Walton
Postal Service employees helped support the 25th Stamp Out Hunger food drive across the nation May 13. Led by the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), employees collect donations during the one-day annual event for local food pantries. The national total is still being tallied, but many communities are reporting hundreds of thousands of pounds being […]
The Postal Service will soon release first-of-a-kind stamps with the look — and feel — of actual balls used in eight popular sports. The Have a Ball! stamps will depict balls used in baseball, basketball, football, golf, kickball, soccer, tennis and volleyball. A special coating applied to selected areas of the stamps during the printing […]
What information do you share when people ask about USPS? Here are six things you should know, courtesy of Postal Facts. 1. Dog bites. More than 6,000 mail carriers suffer dog attacks each year — a serious problem that USPS addresses every day, including during annual National Dog Bite Awareness Week. 2. Retail giant. The […]
“‘I love what I do’” was an awesome story. […]
“When we get to know people beyond their job responsibilities, our connections deepen. It helps us develop better working relationships.” […]
Read More… from Gaithersburg, MD, Learning Development and Diversity Coordinator Janet Hester
Rural Carrier Pat Pittman recently turned onto a quiet country road in Seminary, MS, and witnessed a frightening sight: Two children — a boy and a girl — were running toward a nearby highway. The boy was barking orders at the girl, who was in tears as she struggled to keep up. Pittman stopped to […]
PMG Megan J. Brennan is thanking employees for their efforts to prepare for the Stamp Out Hunger food drive, to be held Saturday, May 13. The National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) leads the annual one-day drive in which USPS employees collect food donations for local pantries. “Our commitment to help stamp out hunger is […]
The Postal Service has eliminated four Extra Services forms at some Retail Systems Software (RSS) sites. In a test underway at RSS sites in Capital and Northern Virginia districts, these color-coded forms are no longer required: PS Form 3804 Return Receipt for Merchandise PS Form 3813 Insured Mail Receipt (domestic only, $500 and under) PS […]
You know a lot about stamps, but isn’t it time envelopes got a little love? Here are six facts, courtesy of “The list.” 1. First covers. Before the 1840s, postage was based partly on the number of letter sheets used. To save money, people rarely used envelopes — they folded their letters so the outside […]