Carl - A Plus Prez

2011-01-12T12:13:00.000-08:00

THE 2011 DIVERSITY AWARDS BANQUET

Presented by A Plus - Triad Chapter

Honorees:

Greensboro District Mgr. Russ Gardner

Sr. Plant Manager Donald Kelly

A great evening at an elegant, scenic location

Partial proceeds go to our Margaret Rucker Scholarship Fund

For tickets, call Carl Walton -336-668-1257/337-7628

2011-01-12T12:12:00.000-08:00

OUR NEXT MEETING:

SUNDAY, JAN. 23, 2011 - 3 PM networking & refreshments

3:30 pm meeting starts.

TOPIC: USPS RESTRUCTURING!

Coming? Blog or email us!

2011-01-12T11:39:00.000-08:00

JANUARY IS "MAKE IT HAPPEN" MONTH!

Happy New Year Bloggers!

At right is the schedule for "Make it Happen" Month - developmental activities designed to help employees move forward with their careers in an intelligent, resourceful way. The three types of activities are:
SPOTLIGHT ON YOU!
Three minutes that can change your life - present yourselves in front of a top panel who may have opportunities sitting in their back pockets!
POSTMASTERS TOASTMASTERS - Weekly meetings to improve public speaking and leadership skills.
A PLUS - TRIAD CHAPTER - Our monthly meetings! This month we'll talk about the USPS restructuring and what it means to you.
Questions? Blog about it, or email at aplustriad@yahoo.com.

I'm back - finally!

2010-11-08T15:56:00.000-08:00

Hello A Plus members, friends and curious onlookers - it's been awhile but I've finally returned to my duties as A Plus Triad Blogger. I've been undertaking a number of projects and assignments over the past 6 months and neglected my duties, but I'm back on track now (hopefully). I pledge to keep you updated and informed, and I will be as accessible as possible as we move forward. The blogs will be shorter than past entries but should be informative enough.

For now, we have our final official A+ Triad meeting for the year coming up Sunday, Nov. 21, 3 pm at Greensboro P&DC. Our special guest is Esther Tinort from Facilities Service Office (FSO) in Greensboro and a former Greensboro District employee. She will tell us what is going on with facilities - Post Office closures, consolidations, Station/Branch Optimizations, etc. She can also speak to what kind of opportunities are in FSO, though right now there are no opportunities anywhere. This job freeze is rock solid with no end in clear sight.

We have a party coming up on December 4 and we're putting some final touches on it so that will be the next blog entry. On this one we share the flyer and we send an invite to you and a friend/colleague to come learn something you won't have another chance to learn elsewhere. Plus, get with some positive people, network with folks from the district, plant, Post Office and HRSSC, and find what you need to get where you want to go. We'll help you get there, promise! - Peace, Prez CW

2010-05-13T17:24:00.000-07:00

Our next A+ Triad meeting is Sunday, May 24, 2010 - 3 pm. Join us as we learn "Strategies for Getting What you Want - before the window of opportunity closes." It's a Greg Gray presentation, brought to you exclusively for the Triad. Also, learn the up-to-date info on the upcoming White Party, perhaps the most exciting event so far this year. We could use the help! Finally, bring your eCareer application, and be on the lookout for some new workshops being worked on. You may be in need of the help, or just want to learn something new. See you soon - cw

2010-04-25T10:53:00.000-07:00

IT'S THAT TIME AGAIN! Our annual All-White Party for the grown and sexy set is on! Mark calendars for Saturday, June 26 at a new spot, Gabriel's, 4312 Big Tree Way, right off I-40 Exit 214 and Wendover, across from Hilton Garden Inn. $15 gets you the hottest party in the Triad for the mature set, with two levels of music and fun, two full bars, light refreshments, a balcony to cool off, and this time around, the HOTTEST DANCE MUSIC FROM THE 70'S UP TO NOW! Call for tickets, or email us to get on the mailing list - aplustriad@yahoo.com. Don't miss out!

P.S. Want a copy of this flyer to pass around or email to friends? Send me an email!

2010-02-12T14:41:00.000-08:00

SPECIAL A+ MEETING AND WORKSHOP!

We need to meet prior to our Feb. 27 party to organize things, so we'll do so Feb. 21. Headlining the meeting will be our very own Terry Mayers, who will speak on opportunities in the plants. We'll also talk about upcoming events, conferences and volunteer opportunities. All are invited, especially first- and second-timers. Questions? Holla at me 336-337-7628. - cw

2010-02-08T13:09:00.000-08:00

A+ Bloggers, here's the updated version of the Flyer - it includes our DJ Chris Brown of CnC Hit Factory, a dynamic music master, and Southern Grooveline (www.southerngrooveline.com), who will teach us some new line dances. This is another A+ affair, different from the others - a very classy, mature and professional crowd who only wants to come out and have a good time without the drama. We'll give away some stuff, too. Questions? Hit me up at aplustriad@yahoo.com. - cw

2010-02-04T16:24:00.000-08:00

Greetings A Plus bloggers! Finally the announcement is out - A PLUS: CELEBRATION SATURDAY is February 27, 2010, 8 pm-Midnight at the Clarion Hotel in Greensboro. Four of our great friends and colleagues have retired - Cassandra Banks (HRSSC), Cynthia Terry Brown (District Safety), Dwight Durden (FMLA) and Brenda Lacewell (P&DC) - and we want to send them off right! Plus, we're celebrating February birthdays, including mine! Get your tickets now and be ready to party with some serious old-school jams and some new and favorite line dances. $15 advance, $20 at door give you light buffet, cash bar and "celebration" cake. Call us up and we'll take care of your tickets - call me (Carl), 336-337-7628, Angie Hicks (HRSSC) 248-867-0633, Rose Gray (BMC) 336-455-0682, Candice McCarty (P&DC) 336-508-2626, or Carlotta Banks (Winston-Salem), 336-918-5058. This will be one not to miss! - cw

UPDATE: NEW JANUARY WORKSHOPS!

2009-12-24T09:53:00.000-08:00

Hello A+ Bloggers!

It's been awhile since I last posted, which is a crime since we've had so much happen in 2009! I promise to get everyone caught up in the next 1-2 weeks, but first things first: January 2010 is MAKE IT HAPPEN MONTH - if you're ready to make it happen this year, we're ready to help. A+ is presenting workshops every Wednesday and Thursday at the Greensboro P&DC, 1120 Pleasant Ridge Road (see accompanying flyer). In the next few days we will post the full descriptions for each session, and flyers will also come back out prior to each individual workshop. The new supervisor training program is also coming out, called "Initial Level Supervisor Program", the same as when I made supervisor back in 1991. It's totally different from ASP so you'll need to get all the info you can on it. Watch your emails, or watch these pages, we'll include it. OK, until we meet or blog again, Happy Holidays to all, and call to sign up for one of these workshops - you know you need one!!! - cw

SUMMER PLANS FOR A+

2009-07-06T13:38:00.000-07:00

Greetings folks!

The A+ All-White Party at the Clarion Hotel Friday July 3 was a rousing success! People came from miles around with some stunning white outfits and really lit up the place. Over 150 old-school music lovers attended and, aside from a few issues with our DJ - who had plenty of great tunes but struggled to choose the right ones at times - most of them seemed to have a great time. By the weekend, our photographer, the inimitable Popa Razzi (http://www.popa_razzi.com/) will provide us with photos and we will share some with you on the website. We want to send our heartfelt thanks to all those who attended and continued to support our organization, as we build to become a dependable group for exciting social events for the mature, grown and sexy set in the Triad area!

Here are the next items on the calendar for A+ Triad Chapter:

Half-price membership sale is on! All new members can join A+ for half price - $50 for postal EAS employees (down from $100), with a one-time $25 initiation fee for total $75. For non-EAS postal and all non-postal employees, it's $25 membership (not $50), with 0ne-time $25 fee for total $50. The sale is good through July and August, for more info, hit me up at carlgso@yahoo.com or Angie at uspslink@yahoo.com.

A+ Eastern Regional Conference/Weekend getaway at Myrtle Beach, Oct. 2-4: The 22nd annual conference promises to be an exciting, informative and relaxing weekend at the beautiful, oceanfront Sands Resort. Oceanfront and oceanview rooms are now available for reservation at $79 per night by calling 1-800-726-3783, mention “A PLUS CONFERENCE”. Full registration packages with all details (incl. workshops, speakers, meals, hospitality, golf, casino and shopping info, et al.) will be available before July 13 - stay tuned to this blog or hit us at aplustriad@yahoo.com.

If you want to be added to our event email address list, hit us back here on this blog or at aplustriad@yahoo.com.

Comments or thoughts? We welcome them here at this blog, we need to know!

Til next time,

The Prez

Myrtle Beach Trip - Conference & Weekend - SAVE THE DATE!!!

2009-06-05T15:02:00.000-07:00

Here's something else to look forward to for now: the 2009 A+ Eastern Regional Conference and Weekend Getaway, Myrtle Beach, SC, October 2-4! We are working on the package and the pricing to keep the cost affordable, the itinerary filled and the trip a memorable one. We have already confirmed:

Guest rooms, all oceanfront or oceanview, now available to reserve at $79 per night

Top executives and managers participating and looking for our next Postal Service leaders

Dynamic, nationally renowned guest speaker/facilitator Mr. Greg Gray

Great workshops to help your career, business and personal life

Accommodations at the beautiful Sands Resort, sitting on Myrtle Beach and accessible to hundreds of attractions (www.sandsresorts.com)

Hospitality suite, Saturday night banquet and old-school dance party, casino trip on Sun Cruz, golf packages, fun & games

Exciting, affordable package for non-postal and weekend getaway attendees

Keep your eyes peeled to this blog page; complete information will be posted after the All-White Party on July 3 (see Post below). Reserve your room now - info on flyer attached. See you there!

REVISED DIRECTIONS TO OMEGA HOUSE!

2009-02-23T19:40:00.000-08:00

Old School Triad Partygoers: NEW MAPQUEST ADDRESS AND DIRECTIONS TO OMEGA HOUSE:

7764 HIGHWAY 29 NORTH,

REIDSVILLE, NC 27320

JUST NORTH OF GREENSBORO!

To get to Omega House from Greensboro:

take I-40 to Route 29 NORTH toward Rockingham County.
Travel north past Wendover, Hicone Rd and BENAJA ROAD;
after BENAJA, go about 1 mile and watch for Billboards on right for Holiday Inn Express. The first one says "29N BYPASS" so you're getting close;
the second one says "REIDSVILLE - 5 MILES" and you're there!
Right past the sign is a turn-off to Omega House, right at the big yellow sign, "Omega House" and right before the "ROCKINGHAM COUNTY" sign.
If you still have problems, call us at (336) 337-7628 and keep trying!!! - The Prez

Memberships are due!

2009-02-11T06:32:00.001-08:00

Memberships are due 2/28/09 - $100 for EAS active and retired, $50 for non-EAS and retired, $25 initiation fee for first time members. The 2009 application must be completed for all members, and email me at carl.a.walton@usps.gov if you need an application. A convenient way to pay is to bring a check to the next meeting, Sunday, Feb. 22, 3 pm at Greensboro P&DC. Thanks! - The Prez

2009-02-09T15:51:00.000-08:00

Join our mailing lists

2009-02-09T15:40:00.000-08:00

Want to get on our mailing list? Email us at aplustriad@yahoo.com, and let us know if you want to be notified about A Plus Triad events (group outings to theater, sports, dinners and trips, social functions, community service activities) or Chapter activities (monthly meetings, workshops, conferences, postal info, internal job updates), or both. Thanks! - The Prez

Upcoming Event: TRIAD EXTRAVAGANZA!

2009-02-04T13:37:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the A Plus blog!

2009-02-04T07:48:00.000-08:00

I'm Carl Walton, President of the A Plus, Triad Chapter. A Plus was established in 1987 in Philadelphia, PA by executives of the Postal Service who felt there was no support system in place to help African-American employees who aspired to executive and high-level management positions; A Plus was created not only to help those individuals, but also for those individuals to help others who needed guidance and mentoring from those who have been through some common obstacles to achieve their goals. Now, 22 years later, we're still here, and with chapters throughout America, including four here in NC - Triad (Greensboro area), Triangle (Raleigh-Durham area), Foothills (Hickory area) and Charlotte. Our mission is to help employees - ANY employee who needs help, regardless of race, religion, or any other orientation - to pursue their goals as employees through training, development, networking and mentoring.

We are pleased to have a dynamic, motivated and diverse group of individuals who make up the Triad Chapter. We've been around since May 2007 and had 34 members in 2008. We are starting 2009 strong, with one chapter meeting completed already in January, featuring guest speaker Mr. Gene Hairston, Mgr., Major Accounts based in Charlotte, and former Marketing Mgr., Greensboro District. We've also had a group outing to the Barn Dinner Theater in Greensboro, where 40 members, family and friends saw "Dreams of a King: The Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.", an incredibly energetic and unique look at our most revered civil rights leader, featuring tremendous musical performances. We also are looking forward to a number of activities throughout the year, including the Human Race in March, the national A Plus Conference in Hartford, CT in April/May, a casino bus ride in June or July, and the regional A Plus Conference in October in Myrtle Beach, in which we are the "host" chapter; we will have active posts prior to each of those activities.

Our next big thing is open to EVERYONE, especially anyone working in government service: Our Old School Post-Inaugural Triad Extravaganza, a Grown-N-Sexy dance event at Omega House in Greensboro/Browns Summit on Saturday night, February 28, 2009. It's our way of celebrating our nation's new administration, and we're recognizing all public servants, whether federal, state, local or county, and includes postal employees, police officers, IRS, SSA, DMV, public defenders, A&T/UNCG staff, military, etc. It's only $15 in advance, and it's BYOB - bring your own brown bag, as no alcohol will be sold on the premises. A great DJ will be there playing music from 70s, 80s and 90s, and of course all the slides, shuffles and line dances we have time for. I'm new to this blog, so please look for the flyer posted near this page; if you don't see it, post a blog or email me at carlgso@yahoo.com and I'll send one your way.

Lastly, I'll let you know some people to reach out to for tickets and info on the upcoming Extravaganza: Angie Hicks, HRSSC (248-867-0633); Helene Bayona, GSO P&DC (336-687-6028); Sheila Miller, GSO P&DC (336-587-5664); Caryn Cruickson, Public Defenders office (336-255-4136); Mae Lewis, Defense Contracting (336-851-0757), and me (336-337-7628).

This is a blog, so let's make this interactive like it's supposed to be: hit me back 0r post what you want in response to what you see and read. Just keep it civil and respectful, we want this to be an informative, valuable and positive experience. A Plus is designed to help people get to where they want to go - sort of like a GPS through the Postal Service - so let's make it a group effort. There are strength in numbers, so let's work together and have fun doing it.

Peace and love, Carl the Prez