WEB MASTER PAGE
9/5/2021: I am not an Officer of the State Association and as such I am not bound to the requirements of publishing articles pursuant the bylaw's requirements.
Many Officers do not send me content to publish, and this hurts not only the usefulness of the website but as well this lack of new contact diminishes our solidarity, and our ability as a State Association to be of help to our membership.
Lastly, without new content and a vibrant website viewership diminishes to a minimum and even those doing their part are not seen by most members, and their voice in the SCALC and what help they try to provide isn't seen.
However, I do publish things still on the website, but I am primarily and editor and my purpose is to publish content from the members and officers of this State Association.
I retired from the Post Office in 2021 and I have been honored to serve serve several positions with the State Association. At the next State Convention held I will resign from this position with the hope that if this website continues that the next webmaster will have success in bringing members onboard to publish new content and to make this site an essential tool for the SCSALC and its membership. Thank you If the State Association removes me before that date or the website is cancelled, then thank you again for giving this time to serve this association.
Many Officers do not send me content to publish, and this hurts not only the usefulness of the website but as well this lack of new contact diminishes our solidarity, and our ability as a State Association to be of help to our membership.
Lastly, without new content and a vibrant website viewership diminishes to a minimum and even those doing their part are not seen by most members, and their voice in the SCALC and what help they try to provide isn't seen.
However, I do publish things still on the website, but I am primarily and editor and my purpose is to publish content from the members and officers of this State Association.
I retired from the Post Office in 2021 and I have been honored to serve serve several positions with the State Association. At the next State Convention held I will resign from this position with the hope that if this website continues that the next webmaster will have success in bringing members onboard to publish new content and to make this site an essential tool for the SCSALC and its membership. Thank you If the State Association removes me before that date or the website is cancelled, then thank you again for giving this time to serve this association.
Articles and Input
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May 2021
5/1/21: Webmaster input: I received in my email my first retiree newsletter and I think it has some rather interesting content. Among other items in the newsletter it discusses the new postal vehicle and when to expect its rollout. Click here to read the newsletter.
February 2021
Retirement:
After over 41 years of creditable service I am leaving the Post Office at the age of 62. I am going to miss the work, my co-workers and even management. I enjoyed the job for the most part, but it was time to leave. The party given to me to celebrate my career and soon departure demonstrated our connectedness and since of family. I was deeply moved. One carrier even wrote a funny poem which I will share. I do have advice for those with years to go or are approaching retirement. That advice is to simply care about your career, your fellow workers, and yes even your management. We are here such a brief time, and each day is a gift from God. One thing the poem illustrates about me is that I try to live in the very present, to the extent of forgetting a few moments earlier of wwhere I put with my keys and phone. I think we all should live in the present as much as possible, forgive and ask for forgiveness as quick as possible and love as much as possible.
Legends come and legends go, but David Kopp is like the driven snow.
He loves this job of delivering mail
of delivering letters and packages without fail
Be he's hanging up his uniform se he can stay at home
maybe now he won't have to worry
about forgetting his keys and phone!
Notes about my retirement process.
Shared Services: I made the decision to retire a couple weeks ago and went to Lite-Blue to begin the process. I downloaded 169 pages of forms and was much overwhelmed. But then I made an appointment with shared services and ordered the blue book which has all the forms for retirement plus instructions. The book was fairly daunting as well and I filled out a few forms prior to the phone interview. The interview was simple and the interviewer helped me complete all needed forms. There are quite a few forms within the blue book that won't be needed by most retirees. When the phone interview was complete then so was my application with I think only about 9 pages to mail. I mailed it express mail. Though it didn't apply to me, those that may be retiring early who expect to get the FERS supplemental, may wait as long as four to six months to get their first check and at which time will be made whole for the unpaid months. As far as the first retirement check, that will take four to six weeks. The date they told me to pick is not the last day of the month but rather the last day of the last pay-period. In my instance, that was February 26th.
Social Security: I made a phone interview the second week of February. I opted to begin my social security benefits beginning Feb 1st which is two days after my 62nd birthday. The income I made in January will not count against my earnings limit for the year. If I am wrong on that and I am pretty sure I am not, then if at any year that I exceed my earnings limit or expect that I would exceed my limit, I should contact Social Security so that adjustments can me made and instructions by them given. If earnings limits are exceeded then social security will increase social security at full retirement age. At this time Cost of Living adjustments are made to the social security so that may be something to stay informed about and talk to congressmen if there is any risk of it being taken away. I am to expect my first check in March on the last Wednesday of each month to correspond with my birthday on the last week of the month. One more note: My wife is retiring under my social security. This means they will bump up her social security, as she doesn't have a long work history, to a level that would be up to half my social security if she were at full retirement age.
Conclusion: I found retirement to be a simple process. I would suggest knowing where documents are as such things as marriage certificates and divorce decrees, military ddform 214 as they may be need to complete the process. Also, I would suggest to buy back any creditable service towards retirement as soon as possible before you begin any retirement process. Each year the cost of buying back creditable service becomes more expensive.
After over 41 years of creditable service I am leaving the Post Office at the age of 62. I am going to miss the work, my co-workers and even management. I enjoyed the job for the most part, but it was time to leave. The party given to me to celebrate my career and soon departure demonstrated our connectedness and since of family. I was deeply moved. One carrier even wrote a funny poem which I will share. I do have advice for those with years to go or are approaching retirement. That advice is to simply care about your career, your fellow workers, and yes even your management. We are here such a brief time, and each day is a gift from God. One thing the poem illustrates about me is that I try to live in the very present, to the extent of forgetting a few moments earlier of wwhere I put with my keys and phone. I think we all should live in the present as much as possible, forgive and ask for forgiveness as quick as possible and love as much as possible.
Legends come and legends go, but David Kopp is like the driven snow.
He loves this job of delivering mail
of delivering letters and packages without fail
Be he's hanging up his uniform se he can stay at home
maybe now he won't have to worry
about forgetting his keys and phone!
Notes about my retirement process.
Shared Services: I made the decision to retire a couple weeks ago and went to Lite-Blue to begin the process. I downloaded 169 pages of forms and was much overwhelmed. But then I made an appointment with shared services and ordered the blue book which has all the forms for retirement plus instructions. The book was fairly daunting as well and I filled out a few forms prior to the phone interview. The interview was simple and the interviewer helped me complete all needed forms. There are quite a few forms within the blue book that won't be needed by most retirees. When the phone interview was complete then so was my application with I think only about 9 pages to mail. I mailed it express mail. Though it didn't apply to me, those that may be retiring early who expect to get the FERS supplemental, may wait as long as four to six months to get their first check and at which time will be made whole for the unpaid months. As far as the first retirement check, that will take four to six weeks. The date they told me to pick is not the last day of the month but rather the last day of the last pay-period. In my instance, that was February 26th.
Social Security: I made a phone interview the second week of February. I opted to begin my social security benefits beginning Feb 1st which is two days after my 62nd birthday. The income I made in January will not count against my earnings limit for the year. If I am wrong on that and I am pretty sure I am not, then if at any year that I exceed my earnings limit or expect that I would exceed my limit, I should contact Social Security so that adjustments can me made and instructions by them given. If earnings limits are exceeded then social security will increase social security at full retirement age. At this time Cost of Living adjustments are made to the social security so that may be something to stay informed about and talk to congressmen if there is any risk of it being taken away. I am to expect my first check in March on the last Wednesday of each month to correspond with my birthday on the last week of the month. One more note: My wife is retiring under my social security. This means they will bump up her social security, as she doesn't have a long work history, to a level that would be up to half my social security if she were at full retirement age.
Conclusion: I found retirement to be a simple process. I would suggest knowing where documents are as such things as marriage certificates and divorce decrees, military ddform 214 as they may be need to complete the process. Also, I would suggest to buy back any creditable service towards retirement as soon as possible before you begin any retirement process. Each year the cost of buying back creditable service becomes more expensive.
March 2020
3/22/20: I looked into video conferencing. It is pretty simple I think. However, without others to help me make sure of its simplicity I will not be able to adequately test it. Our branch leadership wasn't keen on it when last I spoke but that could change. Look at the three formats below and perhaps on your branch level you can solicit some excitement of the prospect of video meeting with groups and get it done. I think it is a great idea that perhaps can still be utilized after this COVID-19 pandemic is over. In the interim I will use to some extent these other apps for personal use so as to more fully understand them. Sadly, unless I get some help with this it is dead in the water for now. One person mentioned the possibility of members not able to make general meetings to have these conferencing tools to drop in at a meeting in progress. If someone can get this done and help me I can share the information on this website to help others.
webmaster comments: My opinion is my opinion and may not reflect the opinion of the executive board:
For the reasons of this cancellation branches in order to conduct business need to develop online video conferencing with the membership and eboard members. Vouchers need to be approved, plans have to be made but with all meetings suggested to be cancelled due to the pandemic, branch business proves to be difficult to accomplish. Over the next few days I will be looking into three I know of video conferencing formats. Some of these are free on a limited scale for up to 50 people and some are offering their full package for free during the pandemic through July. I should know the details before Monday the 23rd. Check back and see what I have put together that you might be able to use or to create an account for your branch and do yourself. Your branch Officers should comply with the President and CDC guidelines and cancel meetings to slow the virus spread so our health system and hospitals aren't overwhelmed as they are in some other countries where there are not enough beds, respirators, medicines to treat the afflicted and life and death decisions on who will receive treatment and who will be left to die. Members should also limit exposure to others as well. As letter carriers we are exposed to the public and the mail that some are sure to be contaminated. Is the Post Office in your area doing all it can to protect the workers? Are they are waiting for the sanitizers, masks, gloves to arrive. To name a non-inclusive few items. Have they turned off the fans, or sanitized the packages? If they are not then realize your risk level is higher than most and as such please protect others by following CDC guidelines and limit your exposure to others, particularly those who are vulnerable to succumbing to the virus.
For the reasons of this cancellation branches in order to conduct business need to develop online video conferencing with the membership and eboard members. Vouchers need to be approved, plans have to be made but with all meetings suggested to be cancelled due to the pandemic, branch business proves to be difficult to accomplish. Over the next few days I will be looking into three I know of video conferencing formats. Some of these are free on a limited scale for up to 50 people and some are offering their full package for free during the pandemic through July. I should know the details before Monday the 23rd. Check back and see what I have put together that you might be able to use or to create an account for your branch and do yourself. Your branch Officers should comply with the President and CDC guidelines and cancel meetings to slow the virus spread so our health system and hospitals aren't overwhelmed as they are in some other countries where there are not enough beds, respirators, medicines to treat the afflicted and life and death decisions on who will receive treatment and who will be left to die. Members should also limit exposure to others as well. As letter carriers we are exposed to the public and the mail that some are sure to be contaminated. Is the Post Office in your area doing all it can to protect the workers? Are they are waiting for the sanitizers, masks, gloves to arrive. To name a non-inclusive few items. Have they turned off the fans, or sanitized the packages? If they are not then realize your risk level is higher than most and as such please protect others by following CDC guidelines and limit your exposure to others, particularly those who are vulnerable to succumbing to the virus.
3/20210: Below is a video of a major effort by scammers to hurt people. One of my senior friends have received calls from these people trying to get his Social Security number at 3 in the morning as well as at other times in the day. This is going on so please be aware of this.
3/3/2020: Next month is our State Convention. I encourage members to look through the site. Please take note of what is here and what is not. Look at Officer contribution as well and see who is in compliance with the bylaws and who is not. Ask yourself what can be done to make the site better. If there is missing information that needs to urgently put on the site please let me know. For the most part I work with the contributions given me. I look forward to your input and suggestions at the Convention.
Feb 2020
2/9/20: Safety and Health workshop from the the Aug2019 RAP session. I discovered this on the members portal on the NALC website. To see the 47 page document that is all about EAP click here.
Jan 2020
1/26/2020: My wife and I watched "Laura Logan, no agenda on Fox Nation." A short mini-series about the crime in Mexico. By the time we finished the 4th show, Marlene,(my wife) was tearful. But for those considering going to Mexico, please check travel advisories. Indeed, check the advisories wherever you travel. Click https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/mexico-travel-advisory.html
Jan 2020 and before
1/12/2020: Please download my report on Officer Contributions to the website 2019.
| officer_2019_website_contribution_report.docx |
| my_last_attempt_article_8_section_6__2019_13_october.docx |
10/13/19: Last attempt to get Officers in compliance with By-Law article 8 section 6. Please read excerpt from Article.
I put a couple things on the home page concerning those Officers not in compliance with the By-Laws. I know this email
probably doesn’t have all the Officers listed so I ask for your help to at least ensure Officers are aware of my intent at year end as well at Convention. If Michael wants this deleted I will do so, but I think Officers should be making some effort on behalf of the membership. Everyone receives compensation as I have previously discussed in one form or another, and the By-Laws are the guide and law for the SCSALC.
It is not my intent to be a hard nose about this issue, but then again maybe it is. It is time,. There is too much at stake with the Post Office and our Union. I know the Officers do a great deal on the local level as well as with National issues, but this SCSALC exists as well to serve its members. The work done by some Officers to keep branches informed is substantial as well as the significant work to put together training opportunities, and Convention.
Only in the area of this website do I have some issues. Some Officers do their part while others do not. This is unfair of not having accountability to those that are not making the effort.
I do think the By-Law concerning the website should be amended somewhat in regard to the annual year as stated for submitting articles. It should read between Conventions as to minimize the articles required for newly elected Officers. Also, the number of articles should be plainly stated instead of the 5 plus a year end article. Also, the number of Articles seem too much for some and lowering the number could be an option. Regardless, they are our By-laws, or rules, our governess, our laws.
There is probably something I am forgetting or maybe have here that I should proof and edit out but I want to get some stuff done today. I will place this letter as well on my webmaster page so the membership knows the efforts being made to get Officers in compliance.
It may be prudent that all the Officers are made aware of these responsibilities to publish articles so as not to have an excuse as to why they haven’t submitted articles.
Again, my email list isn’t complete. An update has been sent to me from Sarah, but I am not sure if I included everyone
Sincerely yours
David
I would say in Solidarity, but I need to see it. I would like to see it.
I put a couple things on the home page concerning those Officers not in compliance with the By-Laws. I know this email
probably doesn’t have all the Officers listed so I ask for your help to at least ensure Officers are aware of my intent at year end as well at Convention. If Michael wants this deleted I will do so, but I think Officers should be making some effort on behalf of the membership. Everyone receives compensation as I have previously discussed in one form or another, and the By-Laws are the guide and law for the SCSALC.
It is not my intent to be a hard nose about this issue, but then again maybe it is. It is time,. There is too much at stake with the Post Office and our Union. I know the Officers do a great deal on the local level as well as with National issues, but this SCSALC exists as well to serve its members. The work done by some Officers to keep branches informed is substantial as well as the significant work to put together training opportunities, and Convention.
Only in the area of this website do I have some issues. Some Officers do their part while others do not. This is unfair of not having accountability to those that are not making the effort.
I do think the By-Law concerning the website should be amended somewhat in regard to the annual year as stated for submitting articles. It should read between Conventions as to minimize the articles required for newly elected Officers. Also, the number of articles should be plainly stated instead of the 5 plus a year end article. Also, the number of Articles seem too much for some and lowering the number could be an option. Regardless, they are our By-laws, or rules, our governess, our laws.
There is probably something I am forgetting or maybe have here that I should proof and edit out but I want to get some stuff done today. I will place this letter as well on my webmaster page so the membership knows the efforts being made to get Officers in compliance.
It may be prudent that all the Officers are made aware of these responsibilities to publish articles so as not to have an excuse as to why they haven’t submitted articles.
Again, my email list isn’t complete. An update has been sent to me from Sarah, but I am not sure if I included everyone
Sincerely yours
David
I would say in Solidarity, but I need to see it. I would like to see it.
| officer_letter_sept_222019.doc |
Sent to Officers 9/22/19: Below is from the website homepage: I thank everyone that has made an effort to publish something or at least to contact me but there are two remaining officers that haven’t. Those are Randy Hayes and Don Jackson. Perhaps they don’t email and haven’t gotten the word that there are requirements within the By-Laws as part of the job to represent the membership.
Sarah sent me an updated email list of the Officers and this is what I am using to attempt contact. I do think Article 8 section 6 could be amended to give relief for new Officers. Perhaps it could be between Conventions instead of annually. Perhaps at your training in November you could make an amendment regarding the articles. However, for 2019 there is still the requirement. I know that makes it difficult for the new Officers and very difficult for those that have never sent an article or even contact information or picture.
These attempts to solicit Officer involvement are being published on the webmaster page. Would someone please contact Randy and Don to review those emails. There will be a report at the Convention if I am allowed as to the compliance of the By-Laws in this regard. I feel the membership needs to know those Officers not in compliance may need to answer to the membership.
Again, please contact Randy and Don. If either of those Officers don’t email, then there is the Postal Service mail. There isn’t an excuse I am aware of. I have asked for Officer input in regards to the By-Laws at every Convention. It is time to get this done or change the By-Laws.
This is on the home page: 9/8/19: I have 3 more articles for members to review: John Monta, Rick Isom, and the Web-Master. I hope the primary Officers have ensured contact to all other Officers. I have asked each Officer to contact me regarding receipt of email. So far I have heard from: Michael Hamilton, Sarah Scott, John Crader, John Monta, Richard Jones, and Rick Isom. Still waiting from the remainder identified on the Contact page.
My Brothers and Sisters in having a great Postal Future
David
Sarah sent me an updated email list of the Officers and this is what I am using to attempt contact. I do think Article 8 section 6 could be amended to give relief for new Officers. Perhaps it could be between Conventions instead of annually. Perhaps at your training in November you could make an amendment regarding the articles. However, for 2019 there is still the requirement. I know that makes it difficult for the new Officers and very difficult for those that have never sent an article or even contact information or picture.
These attempts to solicit Officer involvement are being published on the webmaster page. Would someone please contact Randy and Don to review those emails. There will be a report at the Convention if I am allowed as to the compliance of the By-Laws in this regard. I feel the membership needs to know those Officers not in compliance may need to answer to the membership.
Again, please contact Randy and Don. If either of those Officers don’t email, then there is the Postal Service mail. There isn’t an excuse I am aware of. I have asked for Officer input in regards to the By-Laws at every Convention. It is time to get this done or change the By-Laws.
This is on the home page: 9/8/19: I have 3 more articles for members to review: John Monta, Rick Isom, and the Web-Master. I hope the primary Officers have ensured contact to all other Officers. I have asked each Officer to contact me regarding receipt of email. So far I have heard from: Michael Hamilton, Sarah Scott, John Crader, John Monta, Richard Jones, and Rick Isom. Still waiting from the remainder identified on the Contact page.
My Brothers and Sisters in having a great Postal Future
David
| 2nd_letter_to_officers.pdf |
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Dear Brothers and Sister Officers
Thank you Richard, John, Rick, John Monta, Wayne, Sarah, and Michael for responding to my last letter I sent regarding responsibilities to the By-Laws concerning publication of articles. However, I still have a couple Officers that haven’t responded. I conclude that maybe they didn’t receive the email. They can go to the website scsalc.org and see it for themselves on the webmaster page. You will notice that when you look at the page I did make a singular mistake. My interpretation of the Bylaws is that 6 articles from Jan through December will be published. I don’t think Article 8 section 6 applies to the Convention book article. That I think is a separate issue. Many of you are well on your way to meet your obligations to the website but a few have a little extra work to do. Read the letter on my page to get a gist of what you can write about. To summarize here, the subject matter is as wide as you like, as well as the brevity. Keep in mind you can send attachments, photos, videos, and be personal or union related. Let your members know who you are and what you are doing for the cause. Always know that I respond when I know you have sent something, and will as well let you know when it is published. With technology as it is some items may not get through or be put in my spam folders which I am not likely to check. Therefore please don’t wait to long for a response from me without sending me a text or something. 864-517-2983. Your content is important. You can send me content at dkopp3013@gmail.com;davidaakopp@hotmail.com;david.kopp15@gmail.com;davidkopp@att.net You can copy the link to your address book and try it. I am kind of curious if it works. But if you prefer just dkopp3013@gmail.com 864 517-2983 I will posting this email to the webmaster page as well as I further my attempts to get the Officers complying with the By-Laws Solidly yours David |
Just an after thought. It is important to know that you got the email. If you are an Officer that hasn’t contacted me I want to here from you. If you have contacted me from the previous email then just a quick I received this will do. I want to ensure my group email is working.
With my next email I will make a more pointed effort. Again I thank those that have started posting articles.
Thank you
David
With my next email I will make a more pointed effort. Again I thank those that have started posting articles.
Thank you
David
| letter_to_officers.docx |
9/8/19: There is a correction to my letter to Officers. Officers are required according to By-Laws to submit to me 6 articles per annual year. Jan - Dec. Article 8, section 6
9/8/19: Letter to Officers: I sent this to the EBoard around Sept 2nd to solicit more involvement for the Web-Site: I have written several times throughout my tenor as Web-Master to get more involvement from the Officers concerning the web page. The By-Laws state the Officers will submit articles 5x a year. I don’t care how brief the article is as long as it has some substance. Include an attachment or web page for the members to access if your words are too brief. Subject matter can not only be union or postal related but also personal or anything of benefit for the membership. If Officers send articles, they will develop a relationship with the union member online and not only at Convention. This website is an Opportunity to reach out socially as brothers and sisters to our brothers and sisters of this beloved union.
Unfortunately, the requirements of submitting articles according to the By-Laws is not being done. Content is not being sent to me concerning minutes, events, and other stuff that members go to the site to find out. I get complaints from the membership frequently with advice on what to do. To that end, I submit this letter as I am not being blamed for the condition of the site. The Officers are being blamed and those complaints demand a consequence.
I am expecting the Officers to step up to the plate and do their job in accordance to the By-Laws. All Officers are paid quite a bit of money in wages, lodging, per-diem, mileage, and some even a salary to have the job they were elected to do that is defined by the By-Laws. Some Officers also have added benefits to attend Conventions and Training all across the great country. With a few exceptions of a few Officers compliance with the By-Laws isn’t being followed. Unfortunately, even those Officers with their good intentions sometimes are at a lapse in submitting articles or other important information.
My feeling, and it may be prejudiced, is there is a need for an effective web-site. To that end, our dues go to the State Association to elect Officers to serve the membership. This website is one tool that can be better utilized to serve the membership. Our sole purpose is to serve the membership. The By-Laws creation to govern our organization is to ensure that we stay true to our purpose. If Officers don’t feel as I do about the web-site then change the by-laws.
Members have complained to me that we haven’t stayed true to our purpose. I’ve had members come up to ask me what does the State Association do. To answer that question I ask the Officers to let the membership know what we do and what you as an Officer or union member has accomplished through this web-site. If you’ve met with your Congressman and had others join you, then let the members know. Perhaps that will inspire others to call and visit their Congressman. If your Branch, or Post Office has problems, let others know what has been done to resolve the issues. If your Branch, Post Office, or Congressman have issues that need solving, then reach out through this web-site for help. I am not suggesting embarrassing yourself with unsolvable problems. Always remember, don’t over-estimate your problems and don’t under-estimate your abilities. What I am saying most emphatically trying to convey is nothing happens without considerable effort. Forces will destroy our post office and union solidarity . Make the effort. Step up to the plate with your ideas, and convey them through this web-site.
Our members deserve better than what I see present with this website. Officers by-in large are not doing this important aspect of their job. If you wish to have another web-master, then by all means appoint one. Still, the most essential aspect of the website is Officer contribution. Without that, the website is worthless. Change the By-laws to eliminate the expense of a website or make the necessary contributions and criticisms. Yes, do criticize if something isn’t right or the appearance isn’t right on the website. I received a critic’s complaint a few days ago and I will make a couple changes because he was right. But not today.
I need Michael, Wayne, Sarah, John as the primary Officers of the State to ensure the others are contacted with this email as well as their input to ensure compliance with the By-Laws. At the next Convention, the delegates will be given a report that will also be posted online as to whom isn’t in compliance with their duties in regards to this website. The membership I think needs to know this. A member would be in their right to brings charges against those not in compliance with the by-laws. Honestly, that could happen.
I know I do not have everyone’s email or any contact information. I do know that some Officers haven’t for years bothered to send me anything, not even contact information. Please someone ensure that I have everyone’s contact info
I am supposed to get the minutes from the State Convention. The need for the minutes was one complaint I got among others. Lets have everything that we can post on the website for the membership deserves access. Even the stuff you send to Branches to distribute to the members. If the minutes or any information is sent to me, please ensure that I post the info. I will let you know when I post things. If the minutes are not there, and I haven’t checked and they were sent to me then I apologize. The By-Law and Minute page is a page I am going to re-work in the coming days.
John Crader: I received information that the domain and website charge is due. Unless we are deciding to eliminate the website has it been paid?
Please let me hear from every Officer so that I know they have received notification that a report will be given as to the status of compliance of 5x articles a year at the next State Convention regardless if I am still web-master and posted online if I am still the web-master.
Send your emails to dkopp3013@gmail.com. Please identify yourself and include a subject line. I will respond if I see your email, and if I don’t respond then please, please text me at (864) 517-2983.
Too be honest, I am about done with the website without others giving a little effort.
Sincerely Yours
Your Brother in Solidarity
David Kopp
Unfortunately, the requirements of submitting articles according to the By-Laws is not being done. Content is not being sent to me concerning minutes, events, and other stuff that members go to the site to find out. I get complaints from the membership frequently with advice on what to do. To that end, I submit this letter as I am not being blamed for the condition of the site. The Officers are being blamed and those complaints demand a consequence.
I am expecting the Officers to step up to the plate and do their job in accordance to the By-Laws. All Officers are paid quite a bit of money in wages, lodging, per-diem, mileage, and some even a salary to have the job they were elected to do that is defined by the By-Laws. Some Officers also have added benefits to attend Conventions and Training all across the great country. With a few exceptions of a few Officers compliance with the By-Laws isn’t being followed. Unfortunately, even those Officers with their good intentions sometimes are at a lapse in submitting articles or other important information.
My feeling, and it may be prejudiced, is there is a need for an effective web-site. To that end, our dues go to the State Association to elect Officers to serve the membership. This website is one tool that can be better utilized to serve the membership. Our sole purpose is to serve the membership. The By-Laws creation to govern our organization is to ensure that we stay true to our purpose. If Officers don’t feel as I do about the web-site then change the by-laws.
Members have complained to me that we haven’t stayed true to our purpose. I’ve had members come up to ask me what does the State Association do. To answer that question I ask the Officers to let the membership know what we do and what you as an Officer or union member has accomplished through this web-site. If you’ve met with your Congressman and had others join you, then let the members know. Perhaps that will inspire others to call and visit their Congressman. If your Branch, or Post Office has problems, let others know what has been done to resolve the issues. If your Branch, Post Office, or Congressman have issues that need solving, then reach out through this web-site for help. I am not suggesting embarrassing yourself with unsolvable problems. Always remember, don’t over-estimate your problems and don’t under-estimate your abilities. What I am saying most emphatically trying to convey is nothing happens without considerable effort. Forces will destroy our post office and union solidarity . Make the effort. Step up to the plate with your ideas, and convey them through this web-site.
Our members deserve better than what I see present with this website. Officers by-in large are not doing this important aspect of their job. If you wish to have another web-master, then by all means appoint one. Still, the most essential aspect of the website is Officer contribution. Without that, the website is worthless. Change the By-laws to eliminate the expense of a website or make the necessary contributions and criticisms. Yes, do criticize if something isn’t right or the appearance isn’t right on the website. I received a critic’s complaint a few days ago and I will make a couple changes because he was right. But not today.
I need Michael, Wayne, Sarah, John as the primary Officers of the State to ensure the others are contacted with this email as well as their input to ensure compliance with the By-Laws. At the next Convention, the delegates will be given a report that will also be posted online as to whom isn’t in compliance with their duties in regards to this website. The membership I think needs to know this. A member would be in their right to brings charges against those not in compliance with the by-laws. Honestly, that could happen.
I know I do not have everyone’s email or any contact information. I do know that some Officers haven’t for years bothered to send me anything, not even contact information. Please someone ensure that I have everyone’s contact info
I am supposed to get the minutes from the State Convention. The need for the minutes was one complaint I got among others. Lets have everything that we can post on the website for the membership deserves access. Even the stuff you send to Branches to distribute to the members. If the minutes or any information is sent to me, please ensure that I post the info. I will let you know when I post things. If the minutes are not there, and I haven’t checked and they were sent to me then I apologize. The By-Law and Minute page is a page I am going to re-work in the coming days.
John Crader: I received information that the domain and website charge is due. Unless we are deciding to eliminate the website has it been paid?
Please let me hear from every Officer so that I know they have received notification that a report will be given as to the status of compliance of 5x articles a year at the next State Convention regardless if I am still web-master and posted online if I am still the web-master.
Send your emails to dkopp3013@gmail.com. Please identify yourself and include a subject line. I will respond if I see your email, and if I don’t respond then please, please text me at (864) 517-2983.
Too be honest, I am about done with the website without others giving a little effort.
Sincerely Yours
Your Brother in Solidarity
David Kopp