It was back in the late 1990’s that I attended my first State Convention and then following up on a National Convention and Forum.  I was really a green horn at the position of Postmaster and wanted to increase my knowledge of the position and understand what was involved in the organization, League of Postmasters.  The Postmaster in the office where I formally worked recommended the League.  When the opportunity arose to attend the annual convention in the state, I went for it. 

The greenness I had concerning the position of Postmaster was so new to me, I thought it would be safe to keep a low profile.  Of course I got to know some of the players and became comfortable attending the daily meetings.  But I still felt I should observe more than becoming involved as a player.

Observation time is over for everyone.  We need players and we need them in a real big hurry or Postmasters are going to get run over with a steam roller.  No matter if you are in the Postmaster position for only months or have been a Postmaster for years, now is the time to get involved.  It is time that bystanders on the field suit up and enter the game.

I really did not enter the game for a while until I became and editor for the first time.  I put together a few issues and then got an injury so to speak and pulled.  That was really nice as I fell out of the loop really fast when not associated with anyone close to the League.  When I healed from the injury and got back into the game, the franchise players were still there.  That felt great and so being right in amongst the hard hitters, I learned more of what the main players were doing. 

There have been many Basketball teams that have come to Bristol Bay that have only 5 players.  Right now in Alaska the Postal Service seems like it can only suite up 5.  The question is, Why is that.  What can be done about the shortages?  Where are the shortages? 

Now the time to become a player is in March, the 16, 17 and 18th at the Westmark Hotel in Anchorage.  The Alaska Branch of the League of Postmasters is holding the 33rd annual state convention.  Be sure to come suited up with the best shoulder pads you have because there will be some very hard facts tossed around.   Along with hard facts, there will be doom and gloom on the other side.  Get out the groom and clean to grease yourself up and put on the stick-em to catch the good passes.  To top off the list of protective gear to bring, questions, and many of them.  It is better to have a good offense that to be on defense all the time.   Again, we are not installing the draft as a League but we are calling up all Postmasters to the League.  Attend the State convention in Anchorage, March 16th, 17th and 18th at the Westmark.  Call Janice Ball in Pilot Point to pre-register, 907-797-2269.  Hope to see the biggest turnout in years.