It is at the state convention that we handle the business of this association (union). We have committees that review the financial records, make recommendations on the budget, assemble and make recommendations on constitution and by law changes, review the proposed resolutions, etc.

The ceremony stuff, as you call it, is traditional. The opening ceremony includes a color guard, and the Memorial Service recognizes those Association members and Auxiliary members who have died in the past year. There is also recognition of The Carrier of the Year.

It is the C&BL that determine the rules the association lives by. This is where the dues structure is laid out, and where the duties and pay structure of the officers are explained. The C&BL committee is appointed each year to review changes that have been submitted from county units, the state board, and individual union members. Among other things, these changes may be for dues changes or changes in election procedures. The committee will usually make a recommendation for or against the change, but it will take a 2/3 vote for the change to go in to effect.

Resolutions are a form of "motion" that directs our state or national board to pursue a particular course of action. For instance, if you wish to have more information about grievance training, or dps mail, and you want this in the form of more statewide seminars, you might put this in the form of a Resolution. If you want the National Officers to negotiate certain changes in the contract, you would put this in the form of a Resolution. These are only a few ideas that come before the Resolution Committee. The committee reviews the resolutions and may do some editing to combine similar resolutions, or eliminate a resolution that was passed and acted on in the previous year. A Report from the Resolution Committee is submitted to the Convention delegates, and we have the opportunity to discuss, debate, amend and vote on these Resolutions.  It only takes a simple majority to pass a Resolution.

Good question! For many years, all these ballots have been counted by hand. That took many volunteers and many hours. This year, we have done some thorough review of our procedures and have decided to implement a scanner system of vote counting. The Ballot Committee will be made up of individuals in our union who are not on the Ballot for National Delegate. These individuals have a high degree of integrity among fellow carriers, and take this responsibility very seriously. They will have a series of checks and balances to make sure that the results are as close to accurate as humanly possible.

Many union members feel that Postal Officials should not be invited. But this is a good opportunity to hear what they have to say, and question them about what is said. This may be the only opportunity that the average rural carrier has to interact with higher ups. Murry Weatherall, Lakeland District Manager has been invited to this year’s convention. We will hear what he has to say, but he will also have the opportunity to hear what we have to say.
It is important to note here that Postal Officials do not stay for the "business sessions" of our convention.

Who determines the Carrier of the Year?

Carriers are traditionally nominated by their county unit. Nominations are sent to the state secretary. At the convention a committee is appointed, who then looks at the various nominations, and this committee then chooses a Carrier of the Year. The members of this committee are supposed to remain anonymous, and the nominees are not announced either. Though many find out who various nominees are, because they have been recognized at the county level. A plaque is given to the Carrier of the Year, and if this carrier is not a delegate to the National Convention, they receive some money to help offset travel expenses to National Convention where this carrier is recognized along with carriers from the other states. 

I suppose there is a good reason for a Banquet with entertainment!

Sure there is. This is a chance for us to relax and enjoy each other’s company in a social setting. After an afternoon of sometimes-heated debate, it is nice to relax and remember that we all have something in common. We like to eat!