Making the final turn and heading down the back stretch.  Well, maybe that phrase should have been used a while back as the National Convention in Louisville KY was approaching.  That is how we feel as we are finalizing this 33rd annual Alaska League Branch Convention.  The Convention will be a great learning experience for one and all.  I hope that you will attend and I’m sure that you will enjoy the fellowship and networking of fellow Postmasters that will come from all over.  Don’t be left out on all the excitement and the latest news.

We are lining up the horses, uh, great list of speakers for the Convention.  Sorry for the race metaphor.  The convention is being held at the Westmark Hotel in lovely downtown Anchorage.  Set aside the dates of March 16, 17 & 18 with the ice breaker, Hospitality room open on the evening of the 15th.  This is a great opportunity to meet Postmasters that could help you out of a jam at times, or meet a new Postmaster whom you can help.  We are a network of Professionals and each one has that special strong point that will make them shine.  There are many forms that Postmasters have to fill out daily and there are many more coming in the future.  One can almost take that to the bank and deposit it. 

One other thing that can be taken to the bank and deposited is the fact that the economy is changing and the Post Office has to change with it.  Granted the Postal Service is a very unique company and with that thought, we have to rise above the crowd.  We are so finitely managed that knowing even the smallest reduction in mail volume results in a huge loss and when the price of fuel goes up, like it seems to always do in the State of Alaska, the Postal Service just takes a great punch.  There seems to be a lot of information that will not help sort the mail into boxes, but to know what the office is doing seems to make my job a whole lot easier. 

So make plans to attend the 33rd annual Alaska League Branch state Convention.  There is a pre-register sheet included in this newsletter.  Fill it out, reserve a room at the Westmark.  Make sure you send in a 3971 to your MPOO for the convention leave.  Finally, bring a book full of questions.  The League is a family who helps one another, so become family.