A Note from the Branch President
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
At the June general membership meeting representatives from AFLAC will be on hand to explain some of their insurance programs. After a short presentation, members will be able to ask any questions and meet individually with AFLAC reps.
This will be the last meeting for the Summer so we will be having our traditional Shrimp Night. As in the past, we will be getting shrimp from Captain Cats, which always seems to bring out the members. Please come out and enjoy a good time with your Union sisters and brothers.
As of this point we do not have the required number of members to roll out the Dental Plan. Over the Summer I will be meeting with the Plan reps to see if we can lower the required percentages. If I am successful, I will send out the direct mailing to all members describing the details.
Although there will not be any official meetings over the Summer, the hall will be open the third Wednesday of July and August. Any member that requires an individual meeting we will gladly open the hall on any night. Just remember to call early to reserve a night. It seems with all the trouble we have been having, nights have been filling quickly. To everyone, please have a safe and enjoyable Summer.
Steve Lipski
Next Regular Monthly Meeting – Wednesday, June 15
The next regular monthly meeting of the Branch will be held on Wednesday, June 15, 8 PM, at the American Legion Hall, 502 Colonial Ave., North Woodbury. The regular monthly meetings of the Branch are held on the third Wednesday of each month, 8 pm, except during the months of July and August.
Next Branch Officer & Shop Stewards Meetings – Wednesday, June 8
The Branch Board of Officers and Executive Board meetings are held on the 2nd Wednesday of the month. The Board of Officers at 7:30 p.m., and the Executive Board at 8 p.m. The next meeting of the Board of Officers and Executive Board will be on Wednesday, June 8, 7:30 and 8 p.m. respectively.
Attendance Prize Now At $75
Had he been at the regular monthly meeting of the Branch on May 18, D. B. Dibartolomeo working out of the Williamstown office would have been the winner of the $50 attendance prize. The prize now stands at $75 and will accumulate at $25 per meeting until a Branch member in attendance at a regular meeting of the Branch wins.
Drew Walter Memorial Scholarship
Application for the Branch Drew Walter Memorial Scholarship must be completed and returned to the Scholarship chairman by the June regular monthly meeting on June 15. Applications are available on the Branch website nalcbranch908.com or you can contact Chairman Steve Rutkowski for info and applications. The Scholarship drawing will be held at the regular Monthly meeting of the Branch on Wednesday, June 15.
Annual Branch Picnic, Sunday, August 21
The annual Branch Picnic this year will be held on Sunday, August 21 at Clementon Lake Park and Splash World. Park hours: 12 noon to 10 pm. Branch member cost of admission will be $15 per person, children 6 & under free. The cost of admission includes unlimited amusement park rides, unlimited water park rides, the big cat encounter show, and food and beverages, courtesy of the Branch. Get your tickets ahead of time, they are limited and may not be available at the gate, and there are no regular monthly meetings of the Branch in July and August. See your Shop Stewards and Branch Officers for tickets or contact Jim Livingston, Chairman.
Notice of Nominations and Election of Branch Officers, Shop Stewards and Convention Delegates
This is to provide official notice that nominations for the election of Branch Officers, Shop Stewards and Convention Delegates for the term 2006 thru 2007 shall take place at the regular monthly meeting of the Branch on Wednesday, October 19, 2005 at 9 pm. Elections shall be by secret mail ballot of the eligible Branch membership held as soon as possible after nominations at the October regular monthly meeting. Nominations shall be made from the meeting room floor or in writing to the Branch Recording Secretary, mailed or presented to him/her prior to or at the October regular Branch meeting. Each eligible member of the Branch nominated for office shall accept or reject nomination in writing prior to the adjournment of the October regular monthly Branch meeting. Failure to accept nomination for Branch office prior to adjournment of the October regular Branch meeting will invalidate the nomination. Shop Stewards shall be nominated by an eligible Branch member from the office at which the nominee is employed to represent the Branch membership. Installation of Branch Officers, Shop Stewards and Convention Delegates shall take place at the regular monthly meeting of the Branch in January. Offices up for election include that of the Branch President, Vice President, Recording Secretary, Treasurer, Financial Secretary, Assistant Recording Secretary, Trustees’ Chairman, (4) Trustees, Health Benefits Representative, Housing Chairperson, Sgt. at Arms, (38) Shop Stewards and approximately (36) Convention Delegates. The number of Convention Delegates to be compensated for their attendance at a State or National Convention, provided they meet the eligibility requirements for such compensation, shall not exceed three (3) percent of the total Branch membership.
Dates to Remember
| Branch Meeting | Wednesday, June 15 |
| Branch Picnic | Sunday, August 21 |
| Branch Meeting | Wednesday, September 21 |
| Nominations of Branch Officers, Shop Stewards & Convention Delegates |
Wednesday, October 19 |
Drawing For 2 Eagles Season Tickets
A limited number of chances are still available for 2 Philadelphia Eagles season tickets at $2 per chance… Drawing: 1st Wednesday in August (August 3, 2005). Money raised to benefit the COLCPE fund. See your Shop Stewards, Branch Officers or contact Steve Lipski.
|
OWCP Officer |
Welcome New Branch Members
| Ovidio Duran (Runnenede) | Steve Nelson (Maple Shade) |
| Jessica Owes (Gloucester) | Deborah Grasso (Somerdale) |
| Jason Frederico (Hammonton) | Nicholas Zerno (Gloucester) |
Dues Withholding Paydays
| Pay Period | Pay Periods | Pay Date |
| 11 | May 14 – May 27 | June 3 |
| 12 | May 28 – June 10 | June 17 |
| 13 | June 11 – June 24 | July 1 |
Location & Date of National Convention Changed
Due to concerns about the changes in the availability of sufficient Union hotel rooms and unionized convention center services in Miami Beach, Florida, the NALC Executive Council has decided to change the location and date of the 2006 National Convention to Las Vegas, Nevada to be held August 14 to 18, 2006, one week later than previously planned.
NALCREST
NALC’s Retirement Community
NALC’s very own retirement community for retired letter carriers and their families is located in Central Florida on RT 60, midway between Tampa and Vero Beach (8 miles from Lake Wales). There are 500 garden-style apartments arranged in clusters of 4 to 10 apartments, all on ground level around 2 large lagoons. Apartments are leased unfurnished on a yearly basis. Renal fee includes water, sewage, trash removal, basic cable TV, interior and exterior maintenance, and use of all recreational facilities. Residents must be retired adults healthy enough to take care of normal housekeeping chores. No pets allowed. Rental applications can be found in the inside back cover of the June 2005 issue of the NALC Postal Record.
Branch Expense Report for April
| Printing Branch Newsletter | $90.10 |
| Postage | 533.51 |
| Phone | 143.51 |
| Office Supplies | 187.43 |
| Hall Rental | 660.00 |
| Meeting Refreshments | 500.00 |
| Grievance Costs | 183.72 |
| Donations | 200.00 |
| Branch Sick & Welfare | 500.00 |
| Retirees’ Brunch & Gifts | 638.80 |
| Optical Fund | 500.00 |
| Congressional Breakfast | 1176.84 |
| Branch Training | 50.00 |
| Officers Salaries-net | 2177.51 |
| Employers FICA-Medicare | 1978.50 |
| Employees FICA-Medicare Income Taxes | 3243.89 |
| Employers State UI, DI, WF & HC, Taxes | 362.02 |
| Employees State, UL, DI, WF & HC Taxes | 239.40 |
| Employees State Inc. Taxes | 387.82 |
| Total Expenses | $13,753.05 |
American Legion Looking For New Members
The American Legion Post where the Branch has been meeting for the last 30 years or so and has its offices is looking for some new members. If you have actively served in the military at some point in your life and would like to help the Branch maintain its presence at the American Legion Post where we presently meet and have our offices, why not join or transfer your American Legion membership to that Post. The dues are presently $20 per year, which entitles you to vote and receive all of the benefits of the American Legion organization and those offered by the Post where we meet and maintain our Branch officers. Contact Bill Revak for further details or information regarding membership and transfers to American Legion Post 100.
Branch Benefits
Active members suffering periods of illness or disability shall be entitled to sick & welfare benefits. Contact: Mike McKiernan.
Death Benefits
The beneficiary of record of a deceased active or retired Branch member shall be entitled to death benefits. Contact: Mike DiGiacomo.
Expressions of Sympathy
In the event of the death of a spouse, children, or the parents of an active Branch member, or the death of an active or retired member in good standing, an appropriate spray of flowers or equivalent donation shall be made to an organization requested by the bereaved family or beneficiary. Contact: Mike McKiernan.
Branch Representation at Funerals
Representation of the Branch at the funeral services of a deceased active of retired member shall be the responsibility of the Shop Steward at the office involved, the Director of Retirees, or the Sick and Welfare Chairperson or their designee. Contact: Shop Steward, Director of Retirees, Sick & Welfare representative.
Optical Benefits
Optical benefits for the benefit of active and retired members and/or their families have been established by the Branch. Contact: Fred Mendel.
Branch Scholarship
The Branch has established a Scholarship Fund of $2,000, $500 per year for 4 years, for the children, grandchildren, step-children (living with member), and/or the adopted children of active or retired members. Contact: Steve Rutkowski.
Retirement Recognition
The Branch shall honor its retirees at an annual Retirees’ Brunch, and presents them with an appropriate gift in recognition of their retirement from the Postal Service. Contact: Bill Revak.
Children’s Christmas Party
Children’s annual Christmas party. Toys, refreshments for children and parents of active and retired members in good standing. Picture with Santa, clowns, balloons, face-painting, etc. Contact: Donna Villec.
Union Activity Discipline
The Branch shall pay $400 per week for discipline of up to (4) weeks, thirty (30) days, of any Branch Officer or Shop Steward disciplined for his/her Union activities.
Hall Rentals
The American Legion Hall where the Branch regularly meets is available to the membership for rent at a reduced rate for small weddings, birthday parties, graduations, showers, anniversaries, etc. Bill Revak.
Legal Assistance
Branch membership provides for free consultation and legal representation at reduced raters. Call Hal Crass, Branch Attorney, at 856-845-7900.
NALC Lapel Pin Program
If you believe that you have met the requirements for an NALC Lapel Pin or Life Membership Card, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 or 50 years of continuous NALC membership, contact Norm Spence, Branch Financial Secretary to file for an appropriate lapel pin or Life Membership Card.
Tim O’Malley Slated For Move-up To National Office
It was announced at the recent New Jersey State Convention in Atlantic City that our National Business Agent, Tim O’Malley, is slated to move-up to resident officer at the National level in Washington, DC, as the NALC Director of Health Benefits, and that Bill Lucini will assume the office of National Business Agent that O’Malley will be vacating at the end of the year. . Congratulations to Tim and Bill for your assistance and support in behalf of the officers and members of Branch 908, South Jersey Letter Carriers.