Departmental Commitment

(This article first appeared in the January/February 2008 issue of The American Postal Worker magazine.)

A new year is a good time to reflect on special people whose paths have crossed our lives during the past year, such as family members, co-workers, neighbors or other members of the community, or even former schoolmates. It also is a time to say thank you and to become re-connected with people with whom we have not been in touch for a long time. Finally, for many of us, it is a time to make resolutions or commitments on what we want to accomplish in the near future.

This is my first opportunity to report as the Retirees Department director and I extend “thanks” and say I am humbly honored to be the first elected director of the APWU department. My goals are:

• To increase Retirees Department membership;
  
  
• To increase the number of APWU Retirees chapters;
  
  
• To make retirement benefits and entitlements easier to understand so that everyone can take full advantage of programs that are available;
  
  
• To develop educational programs and written material covering such subjects as medical care, Social Security, veterans’ benefits, survivors’ benefits, health insurance, long-term care, wills and trusts; and financial management (including, for example, reverse mortgages);
  
  
• To provide educational material on retirement programs for family members and significant others;
  
  
• To provide information so that more retirees can raise their voices in the labor community and political arena; and
  
  
• To work with other retiree organizations to preserve and protect our benefits.

During the Installation of APWU Officers last fall, I pledged to uphold Article 8, Section 11, of our union constitution, which reads:

The Director, APWU Retirees Department … shall be charged with the responsibility of directing the objectives of the department, but not limited to: legislative and political activity, administering retirement educational programs, organizing new Retirees Department members and Local and State Retiree Chapters, to service the needs of the retired members and their survivors, and such other duties as may be assigned to him/her.

For the Record

Now I ask all APWU retirees… How are you doing? Typical responses tend to be: Great, OK, or, So-so, given the circumstances. The answer that I seek, however, is that you recognize that it is time for you to access, review, and update your personal records.

This would involve sorting your papers and creating files for: medical history, including operations and major illnesses; prescriptions; allergies and treatments; doctors’ addresses and phone numbers; wills, trusts, and executor of the will documents; powers of attorney for fiduciary and healthcare responsibilities; professional appointments; insurance policies and benefits summaries; bank accounts and investments, including property and personal debts; and emergency contact information.

Once you have reviewed and updated this information, you should share it with whomever you have granted any power of attorney or have asked to assist you.

In Appreciation

In keeping with another New Year’s tradition, I want to extend appreciation to my predecessors, Douglas C. Holbrook and John R. Smith. Brother Holbrook’s professionalism proved invaluable to making sure that the transition period was a smooth one and Brother Smith took time to share with me the history of the department and its administrative functions. Also appreciated is that both have offered their continued assistance.

Convention Delegate Appointed

APWU President William Burrus has selected Jim Lingberg (Las Vegas Retirees chapter) to fill the position of Western Region retiree convention delegate. (No APWU Retiree sought election to the position.) The National Executive Board unanimously approved the appointment at its August meeting. Lingberg’s three-year term will end in November 2010.