WELCOME TO YOUR CORLCA WEBSITE!
(look for a new password in each issue of our State Paper)
2022 Election results
Assistant Secretary-Treasurer
Les Hawkins – 103 ballots
National Delegate
According to the National Constitution Article VI Section 2. Delegates A. Eligibility 1. Each state association shall be entitled to representation by one delegate for every 100 members or major fraction thereof and one Delegate-at-Large. Membership shall be based on the number of dues withholding and cash pay Bargaining Unit and Retired Members on June 30 of the Association year just ended.
Les Hawkins – 103 ballots
National Delegate
- Dawn Nix – 84
- Tammy Smith – 81
- Anne Harrington – 78
- Natalie Gardner – 77
- Todd Hohn – 75
- Cortney Clark – 72
- Candie Dyer – 70
- George Halcomb – 70
- Les Hawkins – 67
- David Aldridge – 66
- Amy Stauffer – 64
- Charles Troutman – 63
- Theresa Mecom – 60 (The order of this tie breaker was decided by the Election Committee and pulling names out of a hat; Theresa's name was pulled out first and Pam Smith's name was pulled out second.)
- Pam Smith – 60
- Rosie Coria – 47
- Jacob Lechner – 45 (The order of this tie breaker was decided by the Election Committee and pulling names out of a hat; Jacob Lechner's name was pulled out first and Veronica Bond's name was pulled out second.)
- Veronica Bond – 45
According to the National Constitution Article VI Section 2. Delegates A. Eligibility 1. Each state association shall be entitled to representation by one delegate for every 100 members or major fraction thereof and one Delegate-at-Large. Membership shall be based on the number of dues withholding and cash pay Bargaining Unit and Retired Members on June 30 of the Association year just ended.
2021-2022 Annual Reports
CORLCA State Officers and appointees
President – David Aldridge
This is my annual report as President of the Colorado Rural Letter Carriers’ Association. I became President at the end of the 2021 state convention in Idaho Springs. As there was no national convention in 2021, I had no duties required by that activity. I did, however, assign positions as listed in the CORLCA Constitution (e.g., Parliamentarian, PAC Chair).
I called five board meetings and presided every one of them, except for the one we haven’t had yet. The board has spent time looking for was to return some of the member’s dues, since our income exceeded our expenditures. We decided to offer gift cards to our members and stewards.
The board also decided to send as many board members as possible to the Western States Conference which was held in Boise, ID in May. This was in anticipation of Colorado hosting next year’s WSC. I attended the Western States Conference. As it turns out, California will host the 2023 WSC and we’ll host the one in 2024.
Due to the fear of COVID, many people did not attend our convention. This includes may district officers. Because it’s an annual requirement to train district officers, I hosted l couple of Zoom meetings to host the training of our district presidents and vice-presidents.
I attended district meetings in District 1 and 6. I swore in the new officers in both districts.
I flew to Washington, D.C. to meet with the Colorado Senators and Congressmen as part of the Legislative Seminar. Last year, as the Vice-President, we conducted these meetings in Colorado via Zoom. This year my Vice-President, George Halcomb, and I were able to visit most of the Colorado delegation’s staff face-to-face, with only a few handled by phone or Zoom.
Finally, I look forward to presiding over this year’s state convention in Alamosa and starting my second year as your President.
Vice President – George Halcomb
What a year of learning. I have mixed feelings about being a retired person and being Vice President However, that being said this is not about me, but about us. I have an odd advantage being the spouse of a national officer of the auxiliary and that means that a lot of meetings that I go to are for other states, as a visitor. Getting time with other states’ carriers and a look at how they do things perhaps differently, maybe even better and a unique opportunity to have access to the national office and what is going on there.
It started with last years’ state convention in Idaho Springs. For several years my job at state conventions was to run the Juniors. You have no idea how much that will be missed by myself. Some of those young people will be with me forever. Also, one of my unofficial jobs was to take photos of stuff involving our state and that will be cut down as well, as accepting the job of Vice President is an honor that I take seriously.
What meetings that were attended seems to be important in these wrap ups, so here goes. I attended all board meetings both days including the first one that was a Zoom one. Thankfully, that was the last one in that format and all the other ones were live with real people.
Went to my own District 2 meeting and thankfully, Bob Brandt graciously became the new District 2 president, as it was my feeling that it would be for the best if someone other than me took over. Bob is a more experienced union member than myself and I am thrilled he is on board. That was a difficult meeting for myself and without the help of my union friends and family it would not have been pulled off. Went to district District 5 in Pueblo, as a guest and then on to La Junta, as my assigned meeting. Then my own district meeting this year, as just a member and that was both great and a bit surreal. Also attended the March meeting in Centennial to see what was happening there.
Attended the Western States Conference in Boise, ID with a great group of CO carriers and our western brethren. As I write this, I am in Washington, DC with President Aldridge, so we can learn stuff about how our government works, how to help keep our state out of legal trouble, and to talk to our representatives from the state, on issues that are key to us now.
Unofficially, I went to two booster meetings and also the state meeting in Kansas. Also, have been to the South Dakota state meet as a guest. So, what have I learned? Last year, the big issue seemed to be being treated like a real human being. This year, it seems to have shifted to not being able to get time off from working. Everyone deserves the time off that they have worked hard for. This is a right you have earned, and your contract grants you, but is not given, mainly due to issues of bad management and hiring problems. The hiring issues I looked into, as I attempted to work over the Christmas holiday for the postal service, on a new program for hiring recent retirees. But I was not hired and still have no idea why. It must be mentioned that no longer running a route has had an unforeseen advantage, in that the attendance of meetings is not an issue and many workers just can’t get the time off.
At this point, my coworkers on the board cannot be thanked enough. We are a team and that cannot be expressed enough. We have many differences and that to me, makes us stronger, rather than it being a source of friction. My inexperience has not held me back as much, because of the kindness and caring of my coworkers on the board. I do feel my inexperience is not as bad as the national postmaster and he is still hanging in there.
It must be mentioned, that being retired has had one huge benefit, in that was unforeseen at the time in that it is possible for me to go to meetings others have missed, mainly due to the sub shortage. Hopefully, you are reading this at the state convention, but if not, hang in there and let any one of us know if you have an issue we can help you with and pass along our knowledge or more likely, direct you down the path to make you happy in what you do.
Secretary-Treasurer – Dawn Nix
CORLCA is “in-person” again!
2021 state convention was held, August 2021 District meetings were held in all 7 districts, 2021-22 fiscal year CORLCA board meetings have all been in person, except one ZOOM meeting in July 2021, which was used to conduct board training, and all 7 districts held in-person meetings this spring! And here we are again – it is so nice to see your smiling faces!
ATTENDANCE:
I attended all called board meetings (including the July 2021 ZOOM board training meeting), except the January 2022 meeting, when I had COVID. I authored articles for all CORLCA papers, and provided the additional reports (financial, membership, election, etc.) required of the state S-T for the CORLCA paper.
I was chosen (by drawing) as one of the CORLCA board representatives to the April 2022 Western States Conference in Boise, Idaho. The board later decided to send all interested CORLCA board members as a learning preparation for the future CORLCA hosting of WSC (originally scheduled for 2022, then 2023, now 2024, due to COVID cancellations). I attended 2022 WSC in Boise as a representative of Colorado. It was wonderful (and very instructive from the standpoint of a future host state for WSC) to meet with carriers from other states once again!
In August of 2021, I attended the District 6 meeting as the CORLCA board representative. Due to unexpected circumstances, District 6 had only one existing officer (the Vice President), so I provided assistance as needed to prepare for the meeting.
There have been no NRLCA Secretary-Treasurer trainings or national conventions held since 2019, so I have attended neither since then.
ASSISTANCE:
At the June 2021 convention I conducted S-T training for 6 of our 7 districts-only the District 6 S-T (who had moved out of state) was not in attendance. As the newly elected S-T for District 6 had no prior training or experience, I provided assistance as needed for the filing of their annual LM-4 and 990N reports in the fall of 2021, as well as for the preparation for the April 2022 meeting, in lieu of the District Officer Training at the state convention.
NEW PROJECTS:
As recommended by the CPA who conducted the 2020-2021 partial audit/agreed upon services review of CORLCA finances, I have started the process of creating a “job manual” for the CORLCA Secretary-Treasurer position. The first step has been to begin a calendar of annual responsibilities, month by month. My plan is for the second step to be a detailed “how-to” section for each duty. Some of these already exist as created by the NRLCA, and may only require some personalization for CORLCA, but others are specific to us and will need some detailed guidance. Our QuickBooks consultant was enthusiastic about helping me put together some primary guidelines for new QB users who, like me, may not be fluent in QB.
NEW BOARD POSITION:
In 2021, the CORLCA convention body approved amendments to our Constitution allowing for the creation of a new board position, Assistant Secretary-Treasurer, and thankfully, we did have one nomination for that position in the 2022 election. This position will not only allow for assistance for the Secretary-Treasurer, but will also give another member “firsthand” knowledge and experience with many of the duties and responsibilities of the CORLCA S-T. It seems irresponsible to have only one person well-versed in the inner workings of our association.
Both the new position and the job manual should help make the future transition of a new Secretary-Treasurer a more comfortable experience, as contrasted with the “shock-and-awe” experience it has been in the past.
An unforeseen wrinkle has occurred with the nomination that we received this year for the position of Assistant Secretary-Treasurer. A current board member expressed interest and would like to also maintain his current position as a CORLCA Executive Committee member. The board has carefully considered this situation and plans to offer Constitutional amendments to address it. We have already approved board policy changes as appropriate. All proposed changes are regarding proper, not duplicate compensation and voting procedures for a person holding 2 positions.
FINANCES:
Financially speaking, the CORLCA has increased assets due to the 2020-2021 COVID-related cancellations. The Rural Carrier craft continued to do their “essential” work and pay their dues throughout the pandemic, and while the CORLCA board continued to conduct as much business as possible (via ZOOM), the expenses were much lower than normal. The board considered lowering dues rates, but realized that, when things finally returned to “normal,” the dues would have to be raised again to meet normal expenses. We contemplated options to somehow return some of member’s money to them (without the major upheaval and expenses created with dues decreases and increases), such as writing a check to each member, but the costs that would incur made it not a financially responsible action. We finally arrived at a cost-effective alternative. We were able to provide Kroger gift cards to each CORLCA member in 2020 and 2021, which we mailed along with the traditional calendars we send to members each December. Because of the consolidation of mailings, we were able to offer the cards without any additional postage expense, and due to the bulk purchase of gift cards, we were able to purchase the cards at a slightly reduced rate.
Even with the gift card purchase, the association has increased assets, which we plan to put into CDs to keep in reserve for unanticipated future expenses.
RECRUITMENT:
When, several years ago, the NRLCA board delegated the responsibility for the recruitment of new members at new employee orientation to the state boards, CORLCA saw a significant increase in expenses, which we endured without an increase in dues, resulting in the depletion of some of our reserves. The pandemic cancellations have allowed us to replenish and now actually supplement our reserves.
When we protested that expense being put on state boards, NRLCA President Jeanette Dwyer and S-T Clifford Dailing reassured us that recruited new members will, over time, pay for their recruitment and continue to provide additional revenue.
Now that the Academy Trainers are allowed and paid to recruit new members as part of the Academy curriculum, that recruitment expense has been minimized. However, as the board understands the value of continual recruitment of new members, this year we are making another effort to offer some return to participating/contributing members by providing CORLCA shirts to those who attend our convention and those who accept positions of responsibility for the association. The shirts are a gift to the members as well as a public relations/recruitment opportunity as non-members see the members shirts in their offices.
MEMBERSHIP:
Unfortunately, as you can see from the Membership Report, our membership is down substantially from what it was last year and for many years past. We have long realized that we typically gain about as many new members as the amount we lose. The explanation appears to be that most RCAs are not retained. Several years ago, the retention rate for RCAs was approximately 20%, which is a shockingly poor statistic. In the past the USPS was continually hiring (a large expense for the business), and then losing the new hires at a high rate. Even though the hiring was never enough, it has appeared so far in 2022 that hiring has slowed down. We are not receiving as many membership applications, and consequently we see our membership declining. We hear reports from many offices about the “even more than usual” severe shortage of RCAs, so we can only conclude that, while the USPS is continuing to lose RCAs at an alarming rate, they are not hiring at the same rate as in the past.
Executive Committee – Natalie Gardner
This last year, as your elected Board Member, I have attended all scheduled board meetings and participated in all voting. We have done more communication through emails, texts, and zoom. With the Corona Virus not being as prevalent as it was, we've had more in person meetings this year, and that has been a positive to be able to discuss things and verbalize our individual reports at the Board Meetings. I have written all required articles for our CORLCA paper.
I attended, as a representative of the board, one of the scheduled district meetings last fall. I was at District one in Fort Collins. It's always interesting to attend the district meetings due to the fact that each district has their own arrangements and ideas that are productive. It's also nice to see how welcoming the new members are appreciated and for them to be shown by others attending how interested everyone is in their suggestions for making our Union stronger and better.
I have been available when contacted from union members and did my best to assist them as much as possible in their requests. If need be, I have referred them on for any other issues that needed to be taken care of from other representatives whether union or postal. My intentions are always to be there for any member of our rural family.
Executive Committee – Tammy Smith
Went to all but one called meeting. (Worked Saturday) Discussed and voted on items brought up at meetings. Responded to emails and texts that needed to be. Wrote articles for paper. Made 4 trips to COSP working on WSC details. Delivered a contract to board meeting for OK or corrections. The hotel was sold, and all contracts were canceled. So, recalculating. Started making phone calls again to other places. Worked on 2022 State Convention that District 4 &5 are jointly putting on. Spoke with Alamosa chamber and visitor center. Got items for goodie bags. Planned banquet menu. Went to WSC in Idaho.
Executive Committee – Cortney Clark
The year feels like it has gone by so quickly! This year was my first being an executive committeeman for the CORLCA state board. This year the world started opening back up slowly due to the pandemic still present so thankfully I was able to attend all of our called upon/scheduled board meetings in person in Centennial and Colorado Springs Only 1 of the meetings was VIA Zoom. I attended District 6's August 2021 District meeting in Durango. I also had the privilege of attending District 7's August 2021 district meeting in Grand Junction.
I wrote all of our required articles for our state paper and participated in all of our board conversations and votes. One of the things I was happiest to do was help construct/voted for our union to send out the Kroger gift cards at Christmas time to give something back to our members. I feel that this year I got more of an understanding of what each member/position of our state board does and am excited to participate even more over the next year.
Executive Committee – Les Hawkins
Attended District 1 fall meeting. · Attended state board meetings where business was conducted. · Attended Western States Conference. · Attended District 6 spring meeting. · Secured facility to house the 2022 state convention. · Prepared for numerous events surrounding the convention. · Carried out numerous assignments as directed by state board leadership.
District Representative – Greggie Byrd
Hello everyone. Let’s start off with a bit of good news, shall we? First, we do have a negotiated contract without having to go to binding arbitration. Second, we are finally going to have a system in place so that routes can be better evaluated with information captured all year long. Third, as far as I know and can remember, we fortunately did not have any carriers killed in vehicle accidents on their mail route in this District since my last report. I always hope and pray that this truth will be in my report each year I am your District Representative and, even beyond the time that I serve in this position.
In my report last year, I stated, “For an organization that has been around as long as the United States Postal Service has, it is inexcusable to have the number of pay issues that we as labor representatives have had to deal with on a biweekly basis.” Well, much to my dismay, it’s a year later and we have most if not all the same issues going on with no positive end in sight. Now that the country has opened up and is continuing to bounce back from COVID, the NSS employees (Amy Stauffer, Theresa Mecom, and Sue Wood), have been able to go into offices and deal with the different issues directly with carriers and managers. This is always a big help because you can see in some instances what carriers or managers are trying to describe to you when trying to establish a point of reference. While we are still doing some meetings via ZOOM and telephonically, I hope our in-person appearances have been an encouragement to our carriers so that they know we are doing our best to fully represent them.
Now with all of that said, there are more issues which continue to dominate the concerns of all of us in that we still have a shortage of leave replacements District and Nationwide, and some carriers are still being unnecessarily harassed at times which leads to poor and sometimes hostile work environments. Interestingly enough, some managers have been the first to tell me the reason we can’t keep help is because they are being run off by other managers. Now while we have been able to bring on some local stewards in offices where there were none, we have also lost quite a few local stewards in offices where we so desperately needed them. Please keep in mind having a local steward in your office helps to provide not only the Duty of Fair Representation but will also be an informational link in both directions painting a picture of the events that go on in our offices. While it is a tough job at times, please consider stepping up and providing representation in our offices that don’t have a local steward.
My activities this past year
While the country started to slowly open up, my activities as a representative slowly started to increase as it pertained to in-person District meetings, this year’s Western States Conference, and being given the OK to start up the local stewards’ enhancement training which was shut down due to the pandemic. As you all are aware there was no National Convention last year and no fall enhancement training for DR’s and ADR’s. I have had two Labor Management Meetings with the District Manager, but as far as I am concerned, these meetings ultimately have not produced any productive fruit.
This is my annual report as President of the Colorado Rural Letter Carriers’ Association. I became President at the end of the 2021 state convention in Idaho Springs. As there was no national convention in 2021, I had no duties required by that activity. I did, however, assign positions as listed in the CORLCA Constitution (e.g., Parliamentarian, PAC Chair).
I called five board meetings and presided every one of them, except for the one we haven’t had yet. The board has spent time looking for was to return some of the member’s dues, since our income exceeded our expenditures. We decided to offer gift cards to our members and stewards.
The board also decided to send as many board members as possible to the Western States Conference which was held in Boise, ID in May. This was in anticipation of Colorado hosting next year’s WSC. I attended the Western States Conference. As it turns out, California will host the 2023 WSC and we’ll host the one in 2024.
Due to the fear of COVID, many people did not attend our convention. This includes may district officers. Because it’s an annual requirement to train district officers, I hosted l couple of Zoom meetings to host the training of our district presidents and vice-presidents.
I attended district meetings in District 1 and 6. I swore in the new officers in both districts.
I flew to Washington, D.C. to meet with the Colorado Senators and Congressmen as part of the Legislative Seminar. Last year, as the Vice-President, we conducted these meetings in Colorado via Zoom. This year my Vice-President, George Halcomb, and I were able to visit most of the Colorado delegation’s staff face-to-face, with only a few handled by phone or Zoom.
Finally, I look forward to presiding over this year’s state convention in Alamosa and starting my second year as your President.
Vice President – George Halcomb
What a year of learning. I have mixed feelings about being a retired person and being Vice President However, that being said this is not about me, but about us. I have an odd advantage being the spouse of a national officer of the auxiliary and that means that a lot of meetings that I go to are for other states, as a visitor. Getting time with other states’ carriers and a look at how they do things perhaps differently, maybe even better and a unique opportunity to have access to the national office and what is going on there.
It started with last years’ state convention in Idaho Springs. For several years my job at state conventions was to run the Juniors. You have no idea how much that will be missed by myself. Some of those young people will be with me forever. Also, one of my unofficial jobs was to take photos of stuff involving our state and that will be cut down as well, as accepting the job of Vice President is an honor that I take seriously.
What meetings that were attended seems to be important in these wrap ups, so here goes. I attended all board meetings both days including the first one that was a Zoom one. Thankfully, that was the last one in that format and all the other ones were live with real people.
Went to my own District 2 meeting and thankfully, Bob Brandt graciously became the new District 2 president, as it was my feeling that it would be for the best if someone other than me took over. Bob is a more experienced union member than myself and I am thrilled he is on board. That was a difficult meeting for myself and without the help of my union friends and family it would not have been pulled off. Went to district District 5 in Pueblo, as a guest and then on to La Junta, as my assigned meeting. Then my own district meeting this year, as just a member and that was both great and a bit surreal. Also attended the March meeting in Centennial to see what was happening there.
Attended the Western States Conference in Boise, ID with a great group of CO carriers and our western brethren. As I write this, I am in Washington, DC with President Aldridge, so we can learn stuff about how our government works, how to help keep our state out of legal trouble, and to talk to our representatives from the state, on issues that are key to us now.
Unofficially, I went to two booster meetings and also the state meeting in Kansas. Also, have been to the South Dakota state meet as a guest. So, what have I learned? Last year, the big issue seemed to be being treated like a real human being. This year, it seems to have shifted to not being able to get time off from working. Everyone deserves the time off that they have worked hard for. This is a right you have earned, and your contract grants you, but is not given, mainly due to issues of bad management and hiring problems. The hiring issues I looked into, as I attempted to work over the Christmas holiday for the postal service, on a new program for hiring recent retirees. But I was not hired and still have no idea why. It must be mentioned that no longer running a route has had an unforeseen advantage, in that the attendance of meetings is not an issue and many workers just can’t get the time off.
At this point, my coworkers on the board cannot be thanked enough. We are a team and that cannot be expressed enough. We have many differences and that to me, makes us stronger, rather than it being a source of friction. My inexperience has not held me back as much, because of the kindness and caring of my coworkers on the board. I do feel my inexperience is not as bad as the national postmaster and he is still hanging in there.
It must be mentioned, that being retired has had one huge benefit, in that was unforeseen at the time in that it is possible for me to go to meetings others have missed, mainly due to the sub shortage. Hopefully, you are reading this at the state convention, but if not, hang in there and let any one of us know if you have an issue we can help you with and pass along our knowledge or more likely, direct you down the path to make you happy in what you do.
Secretary-Treasurer – Dawn Nix
CORLCA is “in-person” again!
2021 state convention was held, August 2021 District meetings were held in all 7 districts, 2021-22 fiscal year CORLCA board meetings have all been in person, except one ZOOM meeting in July 2021, which was used to conduct board training, and all 7 districts held in-person meetings this spring! And here we are again – it is so nice to see your smiling faces!
ATTENDANCE:
I attended all called board meetings (including the July 2021 ZOOM board training meeting), except the January 2022 meeting, when I had COVID. I authored articles for all CORLCA papers, and provided the additional reports (financial, membership, election, etc.) required of the state S-T for the CORLCA paper.
I was chosen (by drawing) as one of the CORLCA board representatives to the April 2022 Western States Conference in Boise, Idaho. The board later decided to send all interested CORLCA board members as a learning preparation for the future CORLCA hosting of WSC (originally scheduled for 2022, then 2023, now 2024, due to COVID cancellations). I attended 2022 WSC in Boise as a representative of Colorado. It was wonderful (and very instructive from the standpoint of a future host state for WSC) to meet with carriers from other states once again!
In August of 2021, I attended the District 6 meeting as the CORLCA board representative. Due to unexpected circumstances, District 6 had only one existing officer (the Vice President), so I provided assistance as needed to prepare for the meeting.
There have been no NRLCA Secretary-Treasurer trainings or national conventions held since 2019, so I have attended neither since then.
ASSISTANCE:
At the June 2021 convention I conducted S-T training for 6 of our 7 districts-only the District 6 S-T (who had moved out of state) was not in attendance. As the newly elected S-T for District 6 had no prior training or experience, I provided assistance as needed for the filing of their annual LM-4 and 990N reports in the fall of 2021, as well as for the preparation for the April 2022 meeting, in lieu of the District Officer Training at the state convention.
NEW PROJECTS:
As recommended by the CPA who conducted the 2020-2021 partial audit/agreed upon services review of CORLCA finances, I have started the process of creating a “job manual” for the CORLCA Secretary-Treasurer position. The first step has been to begin a calendar of annual responsibilities, month by month. My plan is for the second step to be a detailed “how-to” section for each duty. Some of these already exist as created by the NRLCA, and may only require some personalization for CORLCA, but others are specific to us and will need some detailed guidance. Our QuickBooks consultant was enthusiastic about helping me put together some primary guidelines for new QB users who, like me, may not be fluent in QB.
NEW BOARD POSITION:
In 2021, the CORLCA convention body approved amendments to our Constitution allowing for the creation of a new board position, Assistant Secretary-Treasurer, and thankfully, we did have one nomination for that position in the 2022 election. This position will not only allow for assistance for the Secretary-Treasurer, but will also give another member “firsthand” knowledge and experience with many of the duties and responsibilities of the CORLCA S-T. It seems irresponsible to have only one person well-versed in the inner workings of our association.
Both the new position and the job manual should help make the future transition of a new Secretary-Treasurer a more comfortable experience, as contrasted with the “shock-and-awe” experience it has been in the past.
An unforeseen wrinkle has occurred with the nomination that we received this year for the position of Assistant Secretary-Treasurer. A current board member expressed interest and would like to also maintain his current position as a CORLCA Executive Committee member. The board has carefully considered this situation and plans to offer Constitutional amendments to address it. We have already approved board policy changes as appropriate. All proposed changes are regarding proper, not duplicate compensation and voting procedures for a person holding 2 positions.
FINANCES:
Financially speaking, the CORLCA has increased assets due to the 2020-2021 COVID-related cancellations. The Rural Carrier craft continued to do their “essential” work and pay their dues throughout the pandemic, and while the CORLCA board continued to conduct as much business as possible (via ZOOM), the expenses were much lower than normal. The board considered lowering dues rates, but realized that, when things finally returned to “normal,” the dues would have to be raised again to meet normal expenses. We contemplated options to somehow return some of member’s money to them (without the major upheaval and expenses created with dues decreases and increases), such as writing a check to each member, but the costs that would incur made it not a financially responsible action. We finally arrived at a cost-effective alternative. We were able to provide Kroger gift cards to each CORLCA member in 2020 and 2021, which we mailed along with the traditional calendars we send to members each December. Because of the consolidation of mailings, we were able to offer the cards without any additional postage expense, and due to the bulk purchase of gift cards, we were able to purchase the cards at a slightly reduced rate.
Even with the gift card purchase, the association has increased assets, which we plan to put into CDs to keep in reserve for unanticipated future expenses.
RECRUITMENT:
When, several years ago, the NRLCA board delegated the responsibility for the recruitment of new members at new employee orientation to the state boards, CORLCA saw a significant increase in expenses, which we endured without an increase in dues, resulting in the depletion of some of our reserves. The pandemic cancellations have allowed us to replenish and now actually supplement our reserves.
When we protested that expense being put on state boards, NRLCA President Jeanette Dwyer and S-T Clifford Dailing reassured us that recruited new members will, over time, pay for their recruitment and continue to provide additional revenue.
Now that the Academy Trainers are allowed and paid to recruit new members as part of the Academy curriculum, that recruitment expense has been minimized. However, as the board understands the value of continual recruitment of new members, this year we are making another effort to offer some return to participating/contributing members by providing CORLCA shirts to those who attend our convention and those who accept positions of responsibility for the association. The shirts are a gift to the members as well as a public relations/recruitment opportunity as non-members see the members shirts in their offices.
MEMBERSHIP:
Unfortunately, as you can see from the Membership Report, our membership is down substantially from what it was last year and for many years past. We have long realized that we typically gain about as many new members as the amount we lose. The explanation appears to be that most RCAs are not retained. Several years ago, the retention rate for RCAs was approximately 20%, which is a shockingly poor statistic. In the past the USPS was continually hiring (a large expense for the business), and then losing the new hires at a high rate. Even though the hiring was never enough, it has appeared so far in 2022 that hiring has slowed down. We are not receiving as many membership applications, and consequently we see our membership declining. We hear reports from many offices about the “even more than usual” severe shortage of RCAs, so we can only conclude that, while the USPS is continuing to lose RCAs at an alarming rate, they are not hiring at the same rate as in the past.
Executive Committee – Natalie Gardner
This last year, as your elected Board Member, I have attended all scheduled board meetings and participated in all voting. We have done more communication through emails, texts, and zoom. With the Corona Virus not being as prevalent as it was, we've had more in person meetings this year, and that has been a positive to be able to discuss things and verbalize our individual reports at the Board Meetings. I have written all required articles for our CORLCA paper.
I attended, as a representative of the board, one of the scheduled district meetings last fall. I was at District one in Fort Collins. It's always interesting to attend the district meetings due to the fact that each district has their own arrangements and ideas that are productive. It's also nice to see how welcoming the new members are appreciated and for them to be shown by others attending how interested everyone is in their suggestions for making our Union stronger and better.
I have been available when contacted from union members and did my best to assist them as much as possible in their requests. If need be, I have referred them on for any other issues that needed to be taken care of from other representatives whether union or postal. My intentions are always to be there for any member of our rural family.
Executive Committee – Tammy Smith
Went to all but one called meeting. (Worked Saturday) Discussed and voted on items brought up at meetings. Responded to emails and texts that needed to be. Wrote articles for paper. Made 4 trips to COSP working on WSC details. Delivered a contract to board meeting for OK or corrections. The hotel was sold, and all contracts were canceled. So, recalculating. Started making phone calls again to other places. Worked on 2022 State Convention that District 4 &5 are jointly putting on. Spoke with Alamosa chamber and visitor center. Got items for goodie bags. Planned banquet menu. Went to WSC in Idaho.
Executive Committee – Cortney Clark
The year feels like it has gone by so quickly! This year was my first being an executive committeeman for the CORLCA state board. This year the world started opening back up slowly due to the pandemic still present so thankfully I was able to attend all of our called upon/scheduled board meetings in person in Centennial and Colorado Springs Only 1 of the meetings was VIA Zoom. I attended District 6's August 2021 District meeting in Durango. I also had the privilege of attending District 7's August 2021 district meeting in Grand Junction.
I wrote all of our required articles for our state paper and participated in all of our board conversations and votes. One of the things I was happiest to do was help construct/voted for our union to send out the Kroger gift cards at Christmas time to give something back to our members. I feel that this year I got more of an understanding of what each member/position of our state board does and am excited to participate even more over the next year.
Executive Committee – Les Hawkins
Attended District 1 fall meeting. · Attended state board meetings where business was conducted. · Attended Western States Conference. · Attended District 6 spring meeting. · Secured facility to house the 2022 state convention. · Prepared for numerous events surrounding the convention. · Carried out numerous assignments as directed by state board leadership.
District Representative – Greggie Byrd
Hello everyone. Let’s start off with a bit of good news, shall we? First, we do have a negotiated contract without having to go to binding arbitration. Second, we are finally going to have a system in place so that routes can be better evaluated with information captured all year long. Third, as far as I know and can remember, we fortunately did not have any carriers killed in vehicle accidents on their mail route in this District since my last report. I always hope and pray that this truth will be in my report each year I am your District Representative and, even beyond the time that I serve in this position.
In my report last year, I stated, “For an organization that has been around as long as the United States Postal Service has, it is inexcusable to have the number of pay issues that we as labor representatives have had to deal with on a biweekly basis.” Well, much to my dismay, it’s a year later and we have most if not all the same issues going on with no positive end in sight. Now that the country has opened up and is continuing to bounce back from COVID, the NSS employees (Amy Stauffer, Theresa Mecom, and Sue Wood), have been able to go into offices and deal with the different issues directly with carriers and managers. This is always a big help because you can see in some instances what carriers or managers are trying to describe to you when trying to establish a point of reference. While we are still doing some meetings via ZOOM and telephonically, I hope our in-person appearances have been an encouragement to our carriers so that they know we are doing our best to fully represent them.
Now with all of that said, there are more issues which continue to dominate the concerns of all of us in that we still have a shortage of leave replacements District and Nationwide, and some carriers are still being unnecessarily harassed at times which leads to poor and sometimes hostile work environments. Interestingly enough, some managers have been the first to tell me the reason we can’t keep help is because they are being run off by other managers. Now while we have been able to bring on some local stewards in offices where there were none, we have also lost quite a few local stewards in offices where we so desperately needed them. Please keep in mind having a local steward in your office helps to provide not only the Duty of Fair Representation but will also be an informational link in both directions painting a picture of the events that go on in our offices. While it is a tough job at times, please consider stepping up and providing representation in our offices that don’t have a local steward.
My activities this past year
While the country started to slowly open up, my activities as a representative slowly started to increase as it pertained to in-person District meetings, this year’s Western States Conference, and being given the OK to start up the local stewards’ enhancement training which was shut down due to the pandemic. As you all are aware there was no National Convention last year and no fall enhancement training for DR’s and ADR’s. I have had two Labor Management Meetings with the District Manager, but as far as I am concerned, these meetings ultimately have not produced any productive fruit.
Assistant District Representative – Theresa Mecom
2021/2022 has been very productive and active for me. From July 2021 thru present I have completed 52 PDIs, 121 individual contractual grievances, 22 individual discipline grievances, and 24 Class Action grievances. I have 6 grievances open at Step One and 7 grievances open at Step Two. Total grievances to date are at 167. Total payouts to carriers to date is $34,239.80!!!
I have held two Labor Management Meetings for my Local Office and attended a Labor Management Meeting with the District Manager at the District Office with Greggie Byrd.
The focus for 2022 and the new year is to get management to hire! Primarily, PTF positions need to get posted so that RCAs can get converted to career and offer them more incentive to stay. Filing 120 Day Letters as well as Class Action grievances in offices that are doing the bare minimum to hire are going to be very important moving forward.
This summarizes 2021 and 2022 for me so far. I look forward to continuing as ADR for CO/WY and serving the needs of the rural carriers.
Editor – Todd Hohn
The past year I have attended all the board meetings; however, due to a lack of hiring at my office, there have been a few times that I could not get the Saturday portion of the board meeting off.
I edited, designed, created the layout, and mailed five issues of the Colorado Rural Letter Carrier paper to all CORLCA members in the past year—July, September/October, December, February, and May. I continuously worked with the state secretary-treasurer to keep up on changing addresses with our membership.
For the July 2021 issue of the paper, I mailed 1233 copies (-4 from 2020) to CORLCA membership (postage $566.72); September/October issue 2021, I mailed 1203 copies (+2 from 2020 – postage $577.44); December 2021, I mailed 1157 copies (-45 from 2020 – postage $534.50), February 2022, I mailed 1130 copies (-97 from 2021 – postage $521.95); and for the May 2022 issue I mailed right around 1100, (May 2021 mailed out 1237) unfortunately, I misplaced my notes and don’t have the numbers for this issue. Either way, this was the fewest number of newspapers I have ever mailed out since I became editor in 2010. Membership is currently on the way down following a good year for membership in 2021, let’s hope the Postal Service figures out the hiring issues that seem to be plaguing many offices right now.
The CORLCA continues to maintain a very happy and successful relationship with Sunset Printing.
Chaplain – Anne Dee Harrington
It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as the CORLCA State Chaplain this year. Throughout the year, I have been contacted about carriers and their families when they have had illnesses, injuries, worries and deaths. I have also been contacted for joyous events such as births or weddings. I have tried to send our thoughts and sympathies to them with phone calls or cards. I have also sent the obituary of members who have died to our state paper. I know we only see some of our members once a year at meetings, but we build strong friendships, and it is nice to be able to offer sympathy to the family and friends when we lose a member.
I have also written an article for each paper.
Until this State Convention, I have attended all pertinent meetings. Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend our convention this year. I will be thinking of you all and praying for a successful convention that leads to a better work life for all of our carriers.
National General Rep – Pam Smith
There really is not too much to say other than I put an article in all state papers this year in hopes to get rural carriers to check out National General Insurance!
CORLCA NATIONAL GENERAL INSURANCE INCOME
TIME PERIOD INSURANCE INCOME
July 1, 2021 – May 27, 2022 $20,528.16
July 1, 2020 – May 27, 2021 $21,633.15
July 1, 2019 – May 27, 2020 $24,664.12
July 1, 2018 – May 27, 2019 $21,792.81
July 1, 2017 – May 27, 2018 $16,764.82
July 1, 2016 – May 27, 2017 $9,039.37
July 1, 2015 – May 27, 2016 $8,484.50
July 1, 2014 – May 27, 2015 $9,634.36
July 1, 2013 – May 27, 2014 $5,685.09
July 1, 2012 – May 27, 2013 $5,079.65
July 1, 2011 – May 27, 2012 $5,455.58
July 1, 2010 – May 27, 2011 $4,777.02
July 1, 2009 – May 27, 2010 $5,505.61
Historian – George Halcomb
There was plenty of history last year. However, not much of it involved your Colorado state historian. Went and visited several states’ historians to see what they were doing. The most interesting was Kansas, as they are trying to build a museum. That is way too much of a project for us at this time but is an interesting idea, nevertheless.
Most of the things that are being worked on are, organizing all of our stuff and eliminating things we have several copies of. If anyone is wanting old national magazines, there are many of them that we have multiple copies of. Also, there will be a small display at the state convention of some cool historical things.
PAC – Les Hawkins
Received PAC donations throughout the year. · Donations forwarded on to the national office. · Pins sent out to donors when milestones were reached. · Prepared for PAC silent auction in conjunction with the state convention.
2021/2022 has been very productive and active for me. From July 2021 thru present I have completed 52 PDIs, 121 individual contractual grievances, 22 individual discipline grievances, and 24 Class Action grievances. I have 6 grievances open at Step One and 7 grievances open at Step Two. Total grievances to date are at 167. Total payouts to carriers to date is $34,239.80!!!
I have held two Labor Management Meetings for my Local Office and attended a Labor Management Meeting with the District Manager at the District Office with Greggie Byrd.
The focus for 2022 and the new year is to get management to hire! Primarily, PTF positions need to get posted so that RCAs can get converted to career and offer them more incentive to stay. Filing 120 Day Letters as well as Class Action grievances in offices that are doing the bare minimum to hire are going to be very important moving forward.
This summarizes 2021 and 2022 for me so far. I look forward to continuing as ADR for CO/WY and serving the needs of the rural carriers.
Editor – Todd Hohn
The past year I have attended all the board meetings; however, due to a lack of hiring at my office, there have been a few times that I could not get the Saturday portion of the board meeting off.
I edited, designed, created the layout, and mailed five issues of the Colorado Rural Letter Carrier paper to all CORLCA members in the past year—July, September/October, December, February, and May. I continuously worked with the state secretary-treasurer to keep up on changing addresses with our membership.
For the July 2021 issue of the paper, I mailed 1233 copies (-4 from 2020) to CORLCA membership (postage $566.72); September/October issue 2021, I mailed 1203 copies (+2 from 2020 – postage $577.44); December 2021, I mailed 1157 copies (-45 from 2020 – postage $534.50), February 2022, I mailed 1130 copies (-97 from 2021 – postage $521.95); and for the May 2022 issue I mailed right around 1100, (May 2021 mailed out 1237) unfortunately, I misplaced my notes and don’t have the numbers for this issue. Either way, this was the fewest number of newspapers I have ever mailed out since I became editor in 2010. Membership is currently on the way down following a good year for membership in 2021, let’s hope the Postal Service figures out the hiring issues that seem to be plaguing many offices right now.
The CORLCA continues to maintain a very happy and successful relationship with Sunset Printing.
Chaplain – Anne Dee Harrington
It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as the CORLCA State Chaplain this year. Throughout the year, I have been contacted about carriers and their families when they have had illnesses, injuries, worries and deaths. I have also been contacted for joyous events such as births or weddings. I have tried to send our thoughts and sympathies to them with phone calls or cards. I have also sent the obituary of members who have died to our state paper. I know we only see some of our members once a year at meetings, but we build strong friendships, and it is nice to be able to offer sympathy to the family and friends when we lose a member.
I have also written an article for each paper.
Until this State Convention, I have attended all pertinent meetings. Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend our convention this year. I will be thinking of you all and praying for a successful convention that leads to a better work life for all of our carriers.
National General Rep – Pam Smith
There really is not too much to say other than I put an article in all state papers this year in hopes to get rural carriers to check out National General Insurance!
CORLCA NATIONAL GENERAL INSURANCE INCOME
TIME PERIOD INSURANCE INCOME
July 1, 2021 – May 27, 2022 $20,528.16
July 1, 2020 – May 27, 2021 $21,633.15
July 1, 2019 – May 27, 2020 $24,664.12
July 1, 2018 – May 27, 2019 $21,792.81
July 1, 2017 – May 27, 2018 $16,764.82
July 1, 2016 – May 27, 2017 $9,039.37
July 1, 2015 – May 27, 2016 $8,484.50
July 1, 2014 – May 27, 2015 $9,634.36
July 1, 2013 – May 27, 2014 $5,685.09
July 1, 2012 – May 27, 2013 $5,079.65
July 1, 2011 – May 27, 2012 $5,455.58
July 1, 2010 – May 27, 2011 $4,777.02
July 1, 2009 – May 27, 2010 $5,505.61
Historian – George Halcomb
There was plenty of history last year. However, not much of it involved your Colorado state historian. Went and visited several states’ historians to see what they were doing. The most interesting was Kansas, as they are trying to build a museum. That is way too much of a project for us at this time but is an interesting idea, nevertheless.
Most of the things that are being worked on are, organizing all of our stuff and eliminating things we have several copies of. If anyone is wanting old national magazines, there are many of them that we have multiple copies of. Also, there will be a small display at the state convention of some cool historical things.
PAC – Les Hawkins
Received PAC donations throughout the year. · Donations forwarded on to the national office. · Pins sent out to donors when milestones were reached. · Prepared for PAC silent auction in conjunction with the state convention.
Meetings
What's new!
RRECS information
Visit the link below, it will take you to the part of the national website that has all the information you will need to understand the new process (RRECS) we are going through, including – 1. MDD Activity scan entry power point training – 2. A quick guide that can be printed out for your easy access on your route – 3. The comprehensive guide to RRECS – 4. RRECS Q and A
(You will need your nrlca.org password to access the training information!)
(You will need your nrlca.org password to access the training information!)
| rrecs_scan_quick_guide.pdf |
H.R. 2478
Dear Rural Carrier,
On May 2, Reps. Derek Kilmer (D-WA) and Tom Cole (R-OK) introduced the bipartisan H.R. 2478, The Federal Retirement Fairness Act. This bill ensures that federal employees who started their careers as temporary workers – meaning they did not have the ability to make retirement contributions – are granted the opportunity to make catch-up retirement contributions so that they can retire on time. H.R. 2478 has been referred to the Oversight and Reform Committee.
Now we need your help! Please go to the “Grassroots” page<https://www.nrlca.org/Content/Grassroots> under the “Legislative” tab on our website, NRLCA.org<http://NRLCA.org>, to download the pre-written letter and write your member of Congress urging them to co-sponsor this important bill that will allow you to buy back your time spent as an RCA as RCAs prior to 1989 were able to do.
If you do not know your member of Congress, a link can be found in the “Legislative” section of the NRLCA website directing you to the House of Representatives webpage where you can type in your ZIP code. You will also be able to find contact information for your representative. Or, you can call the main line to the House of Representatives at 202-224-3121.
Thank you for your continued support!
The NRLCA Legislative Team
Time to reach out to our Representatives to protect the benefits we have worked for - See Legislative page!
On May 2, Reps. Derek Kilmer (D-WA) and Tom Cole (R-OK) introduced the bipartisan H.R. 2478, The Federal Retirement Fairness Act. This bill ensures that federal employees who started their careers as temporary workers – meaning they did not have the ability to make retirement contributions – are granted the opportunity to make catch-up retirement contributions so that they can retire on time. H.R. 2478 has been referred to the Oversight and Reform Committee.
Now we need your help! Please go to the “Grassroots” page<https://www.nrlca.org/Content/Grassroots> under the “Legislative” tab on our website, NRLCA.org<http://NRLCA.org>, to download the pre-written letter and write your member of Congress urging them to co-sponsor this important bill that will allow you to buy back your time spent as an RCA as RCAs prior to 1989 were able to do.
If you do not know your member of Congress, a link can be found in the “Legislative” section of the NRLCA website directing you to the House of Representatives webpage where you can type in your ZIP code. You will also be able to find contact information for your representative. Or, you can call the main line to the House of Representatives at 202-224-3121.
Thank you for your continued support!
The NRLCA Legislative Team
Time to reach out to our Representatives to protect the benefits we have worked for - See Legislative page!
This is the latest CORLCA paper, for past issues look in the Archives File.
| 0722-july.pdf |
CHECK THIS OUT!
***Know your paycheck***
| 0717-dr_paycheck.pdf |
Visit the Steward page for a list of local stewards and their office
***IMPORTANT***
For more information and the proper forms to be filled out, see the FORMS page.
How are we doing today?
The Colorado Rural Letter Carrier's Association started in 1903, the same year Henry Ford started producing the perfect rural carrier vehicle, the Model T. Before the association was formed, Colorado established the 20th Rural Route in the country in 1896 in Loveland (Harvey Palmer carried the route until 1919). The first convention was held on July 4, 1903 at the Edgewater School House in Denver, 16 rural carriers were present. Membership cost an entrance fee of .50 cents and annual dues of one dollar, which could be paid at .25 cents each quarter. At the State Convention 1907, 2 resolutions passed that would still be valid today:
- Resolved by the Rural Letter Carriers Association of Colorado in annual convention assembled that we believe it should be the duty of every rural carrier in this jurisdiction to belong to this Association in order that we may work together for the best interest of the service and we would recommend that the secretary communicate with every carrier in the state and urge all to become members.
- Resolved that we ask the legislature of the State to pass a law requiring the county commissioners of all counties in which rural routes are now established, or are hereafter established, to keep the roads on all such rural routes in good condition for the transmission of the mail in all seasons.
At the 1912 State Convention, it was found that the state secretary/treasurer had a balance of $66.06. It was moved to reduce state dues from $1 to .50 cents. The motion was seconded and after some discussion, it passed. In 1915, the decision was made to divide the state into districts. The 1916 State Convention in Boulder had two interesting resolutions.
- Resolved that we petition the Post Office Department through our congressmen and representatives to cease putting into operation the 50 mile motor routes until they have sent a local inspector over the ground during the winter months.
- Resolved that all carriers on routes of 20 miles or over, who use horses, be allowed 30 minutes to feed, especially during bad weather, whether they are running on schedule time or not.
During the 1938 convention a motion was made that the 2 delegates to the national convention be allowed $25 each toward their expenses. It was defeated by a vote of 101 against and 92 in favor—it would be great if we could see those numbers in attendance at current state conventions. At the 1940 state convention, the state secretary was authorized to buy a new typewriter, but not to pay more than $35.
The details are a little different, but the association, through all the years, is essentially focused on the same things: membership, better job conditions, and fiscal responsibility with association funds.
—In 1903 CORLCA had 25 paid members and 16 attended the first State Convention (64%)
—In 1934 the Credentials Committee reported 201 members attended the State Convention
—In 1957 membership had grown to 249 and over 100 showed up to the State Convention
—In the 70s, membership surpassed the 400 mark and the state conventions continued to record 100+ member attendance (over 25%)
—In 2003 membership was at 1050, the State Convention had 37 members show up on Friday, 47 on Saturday, and 54 on Sunday (5.1%)
taken from Richard Brown's articles October 1986, CORLCA Volume 15, number 4; and
May 2003, CORLCA volume 32, number 3
SAFETY
If you are interested in becoming a local steward, or would just like to see what a local steward is responsible for; visit the Steward page above for more information and proper forms.
Follow the link below to sign up for e-mail alerts when it is time to act on issues that affect all Rural Carriers. The Future of the NRLCA and the Postal Service depend on you.
https://www.nrlca.org/StaticPages/CreateEActivistAccount.aspx
https://www.nrlca.org/StaticPages/CreateEActivistAccount.aspx
Health Savings Accounts
| health_savings_accounts.docx |