Postal Press Association (PPA) National Convention/Educational Conference

From August 1, 2007 through August 4, 2007, approximately 125 delegates attended this year's biennial convention of the PPA, held at the beautiful Grand Sierra Hotel & Convention Center in Reno, Nevada.  Throughout these four days, training was the focus.  Whether in the General Sessions (there was two of them (one being taught by Steve Albanese (National Assist. Legislative Director) and the other being taught by John R. Smith (Retirement Specialist), or throughout the classes. 

The classes covered a wide range of topics.  On day one, we had a choice of of two open forum classes of:  You Be the Judge and Communicator's Roundtable.  Building the Local Union was taught as a whole day class. On Day 2 - 4, the classes held were half-day classes, allowing for most, if not all, to get in to one of their classes, if not all.  Classes ranged from:  Redesigning Your Publication; How to Write Gooder; Legal Issues; Labor Journalists - Linking the Past to the Present; Focus on Photography; and Your Message and the Media, Improving Your Union's Image.

On the last day (Saturday) the Awards Banquet and the Installation of Officers took place.  Michigan was well represented with winning five of the awards this year.  Paul Felton (480-481 Area Local) brought home First Place for Overall Excellence, First Place for Best Editorial, and Honorable Mention for Best Creative Writing.  Perry Schweitzer  (Central Michigan Area Local) brought home the Hank Greenburg Award for a New Editor (Honorable Mention), and this website won Honorable Mention in the Non-Professional Website category.  Congratulations to each of the winners and especially all the editor's who on a daily basis put out some the best communicational material throughout the United States.

Due to the amount of photos taken, the below is a breakout from each day and/or specific function.  Hope you enjoy looking at them.