Martha Tucker, Maysville, AR
I enjoy “Heroes’ Corner,” “The List” and the other regular features in Link. […]
Shawn Selby
Posts by Shawn Selby
‘Exceptional contributions’
Northeast Area Vice President Edward F. Phelan Jr. will retire Feb. 3 after 39 years with USPS. Postmaster General Megan J. Brennan, who announced Phelan’s retirement in a memo this week, praised his “exceptional contributions” to the organization. “He has been a highly effective postal executive, and an excellent colleague and mentor to those who […]
Still open
You have more time to show some love. The deadline for the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), the federal government’s annual workplace charity drive, has been extended to Friday, Feb. 8. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management, which oversees the campaign, is giving federal workers more time to contribute due to the government shutdown. The CFC […]
Winter wear
The Postal Service wants employees to dress warmly when working outside this winter. Here are some tips: • Layer up. Each layer provides insulation and acts as a barrier from the cold to help retain body heat. Avoid pure cotton, linen or similar materials because they retain moisture and can cause you to become colder. • […]
Subscription description
Here’s Link’s latest “News Quiz,” a weekly feature that invites readers to test their knowledge of recent stories. The correct answers appear at the end. 1. True or false: Increasing the number of Informed Delivery subscribers will encourage more businesses to add interactive content to Informed Delivery emails, thereby boosting USPS revenue and the value […]
‘I love the Post Office’
Frances Laskowski, a senior field sales representative in South Jersey District, was on the road in Delaware for work last fall when she encountered a woman in distress on a bridge. Laskowski saw the woman climbing over a railing, so she immediately pulled over, called 911 and rushed to her side — joined by a […]
Constance Tellefson, Minneapolis
Link has great stories of USPS employees who do good work. […]
Honorable mentions
Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal holiday that marks the civil rights leader’s birthday, will be observed Monday, Jan. 21. Here are five things you may not have known about his life. 1. King’s birth name wasn’t “Martin.” He was named Michael at birth, but his father later changed his name to Martin, possibly to […]
Helpful reminder
If your department is being audited by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) or the Government Accountability Office (GAO), you should contact the USPS Corporate Audit and Response Management (CARM) team. The Postal Service cooperates with OIG and GAO, two independent agencies that review federal spending and performance. However, CARM must coordinate the postal response […]
GITT ready
The Postal Service has improved its Green Initiative Tracking Tool (GITT) to provide users with real-time data on sustainability performance metrics at the national, area, district and facility levels. The tool also helps users plan and track facility-level sustainability projects. For instance, GITT ranks districts based on recycling revenue, as well as costs for trash […]
Team fit
Getting into shape can be fun, especially when you do it with others. Asset Management employees across the nation are walking, participating in weight loss challenges and taking other steps to help improve their health. “It’s about getting people moving,” said Asset Management Manager Tamie Hollar, who supervises more than 430 employees in Atlanta; Washington, […]
Above and beyond
USPS is seeking nominees for the Postmaster General Heroes’ Program, which honors employees who go above and beyond the call of duty. The program, which will mark its 16th year in 2019, is based on a simple idea: Postal Service employees know the habits of their customers and the rhythms of their communities, and are […]
Teresa Brockett, Sebasco Estates, ME
Although I joined the Postal Service only a few months ago, I’m constantly inspired when I read Link. The “Heroes’ Corner” stories, on occasion, cause me to tear up. […]
A public trust
If you’re a Postal Service employee, you’re expected to comply with the federal government’s principles and standards of ethical conduct. If this is news to you, don’t worry. USPS wants to help you understand the rules and how to follow them. Throughout 2019, the organization will educate employees about the rules, which include the 14 […]
Vice president appointed
Erica Brix has been appointed Great Lakes Area’s vice president, a position she has held on an acting basis for the past year. Brix oversees all operations, marketing and customer service in the area, which has more than 36 million customers in five states; more than 77,000 employees; and an operating budget that exceeds $7 […]
Winter work
The Postal Service wants employees to take precautions to avoid frostbite, hypothermia and other winter health hazards. Here’s what you should know: • Frostbite is dangerous. Frostbite, damage to body tissue, creates a loss of feeling or pale appearance in the extremities, such as fingers, toes, ear lobes and the tip of the nose. Symptoms can […]
Delivery nation
Here’s Link’s latest “News Quiz,” a weekly feature that invites readers to test their knowledge of recent stories. The correct answers appear at the end. 1. About how many return delivery units does the Postal Service operate across the nation? a) 167 b) 1,670 c) 16,700 d) 16.7 million 2. Who said, “Negative news damages […]
Karen Seals, Greensboro, NC
I enjoyed reading “Stage presence,” the story about heroic USPS employees joining Postmaster General Megan J. Brennan as she rang the closing bell at the Nasdaq stock exchange. […]
Breath of life
Letter Carrier Donna Bratton was recently delivering mail at an apartment complex in Miami when a customer holding an infant ran up to her. “My baby can’t breathe!” the woman exclaimed. While 911 was called, Bratton performed CPR and revived the girl. Emergency responders soon arrived and took over. The child was hospitalized. […]
A place to rest
Israel Lopez is thankful for the help his family received from a Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) charity eight years ago. In 2010, Lopez’s 6-week-old son, Alex, developed a viral infection that led to a week-long stay at the Cleveland Clinic. Lopez, a Cleveland letter carrier, and his wife, Leeanna, didn’t want to leave the hospital, […]
Travel on
USPS passport facilities can continue to provide services to customers as normal during the federal government shutdown. The U.S. State Department is still processing passport applications, the agency announced last week. Processing times remain 4-6 weeks for routine service and 2-3 weeks for expedited service. The Postal Service is encouraging employees to provide passport acceptance […]
Self-service simplicity
If you have a travel card through the Postal Service, you can register the card on the CitiManager site. This will allow you to view your account information, view statements and balances, update your alerts and perform other self-service tasks. To register, you’ll need your card number, account name and address. The account name, address […]
Rich port
The Postal Service will dedicate Hearts Blossom, this year’s Love stamp, in Puerto Rico on Thursday, Jan. 10. Here are some facts about the island. 1. Puerto Rico has a rich history. Christopher Columbus claimed the Caribbean island on Spain’s behalf in 1493. At the time, the island was inhabited by Taíno Indians. Spanish explorers […]
Thomas Hough, Fairlee, VT
Link is very interesting and informative. I particularly appreciate the background stories about stamp releases. I use the information as selling points for customers, which has helped increase my stamp sales. […]
Double trouble
Rural Carrier Zene Vanleeuwen recently responded to two emergencies she encountered while delivering mail in West Point, GA. One day in October, Vanleeuwen heard an older customer screaming for help. She soon discovered that the woman had been stranded outside for several hours after falling and breaking her arm while taking out trash. Vanleeuwen alerted […]
MCV ABCs
Here’s Link’s latest “News Quiz,” a weekly feature that invites readers to test their knowledge of recent stories. The correct answers appear at the end. 1. True or false: Failure to comply with Surface Visibility scanning procedures will undermine data provided by the new Mail Condition Visualization (MCV) module. a) True b) False 2. Which […]
Winter wheels
The Postal Service wants employees to drive safely during the winter, a time of year that presents unique challenges. Here are some tips: • Allow yourself extra time to stop and turn. Slow down well in advance of traffic lights, traffic signs and intersections. • Leave extra space between your vehicle and other traffic. Reduce speed and increase […]
Contribution countdown
Time is running out to make a charitable donation to the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) before the Friday, Jan. 11, deadline. Postal Service employees across the nation are working to raise awareness of CFC member charities and encourage co-workers to make donations and help USPS “finish strong,” the theme of the final push. “Through your […]
Pay days
Want a copy of the Postal Service’s 2019 payroll schedule? The calendar images that accompany this article show the 26 paycheck dates for USPS employees. Every month this year has two pay dates, except for May and November, which have three each. To print the calendars, click each image below, then select “Download” under the […]
Friendly intervention
Retail Associate Crystal Flynn was at work recently in Chicago when she grew worried about an older colleague who had not reported to work as scheduled. After making several attempts to reach the woman by phone, Flynn consulted with a supervisor, contacted local police and asked someone to check on the co-worker. Officers found Flynn’s […]