BaLynda Croy

This episode features BaLynda Croy, Vice President of Branch 822, New London, Wisconsin.

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:21

Welcome to the History of Female Leadership in the NALC podcast. I'm Craig Schaefer. I'm a city carrier in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Branch 1015. Today I'm honored to have a sister from the ERT with me. If you don't mind, go ahead and introduce yourself.

SPEAKER_02 0:36

Hi, Craig. Thank you so much for inviting me to be on this podcast. And I am so happy that we were able to finally make this happen. My name is Belinda Croy, and I am a city letter carrier in New London, Wisconsin. I'm a member of branch 822 Appleton and have been a member for nearly 23 years.

SPEAKER_00 1:00

All right. So we're going to go back 23 years or so. And what brought you to the Postal Service in the first place?

SPEAKER_02 1:10

Well, to be honest, being a male man lady was something I always wanted to be. But as a young girl, I was told only men could be letter carriers. And at that time, that was the predominant truth. When I got to my small office, um I discovered that I am the only female city letter carrier who has ever lasted for more than a year. And 23 years later, here I am. It took me a while to get here, though. I had taken the civil service exam multiple times, scored high because you have to, and was never called. I had just accepted my dream job in corporate America when I saw the exam being offered again. I signed up and went about my corporate career for the next three and a half years. I had gotten the letter stating that if I wanted to continue being considered, I needed to get back to them. And then a day or two later, I got another letter from them saying, um, hey, we have a job for you. Would you like to interview? Um, and I almost ignored that letter. But at the time, the company I was working for was going through some restructuring, and I knew that either my boss or me, we were going to be downsized. So I did it. I walked into the interview, I smiled, shook the postmaster's hand, and was offered the job on the spot. So here I am. Um yeah, he called HR and said, I'm hiring her. And I'm like, How much do you pay? It wasn't in the letter. Um, so that's that's how I ended up here. It was a little bit of a it was I I talk about my corporate America career as a previous life, and now here I am living my letter carrier life.

SPEAKER_00 3:24

That's awesome. Well, we're glad you came over to us from corporate America. Um, and with that, um you got you got hired on, you got in the union. What was there something that caused you to decide to pursue a role in the union, or did you just fall into it?

SPEAKER_02 3:44

Um, well, let's just say while the postmaster welcomed we me with open arms, the reception from my co-workers was quite chilly. Um actually, during training, one of the guys outright told me he thought I should transfer to the clerkcraft because why would a woman want to work in these conditions? This was January in Wisconsin. For the next four years, I knew that I was a union member, but I didn't know I had a branch or who to contact outside the dude who said he was the steward and sat in management's office every morning for a good 20 to 30 minutes talking sports with the postmaster. Um, there were so many things that happened that were simply not kosher. Um, and some were downright illegal, and I knew it, but I didn't know who to contact to address it. Um I mean, I couldn't even get a uh a handle on the rules because they changed every day, every week, based on what the guys wanted to do. Um, I knew that what was happening was wrong on so many levels, but I had no idea how to go about addressing it. And I needed the job at this point. So that's how things continued until we had a route count and inspection in the office. Um, prior to the route count and inspection, I was brought into management's office and told point blank that I absolutely was not allowed to speak with anyone from the expense inspection team. I I was told, don't even say good morning. Pretty sus, right?

SPEAKER_01 5:43

Yeah, no doubt.

SPEAKER_02 5:44

Um one thing about me is I am very good at following a direct order. So when one of the inspectors came over to my case to ask what I was doing, my supervisor rushed over um while I stood there staring blankly at this dude saying absolutely nothing. The inspector asked again, and my supervisor told me not to be rude and answer the question. I glared directly at the supervisor and said, preparing a certified letter. And that was it. That night I went home and I was seething. Because not only was I given a direct order, but then I was chastised publicly for following it. Um the next day, um when I was at the throwback case, the guy in the carrier uniform, who happened to be Thomas Scott from Tidal Town Branch 619 Green Bay, came to see what I was doing. They needed the numbers, what was what was going where, right? Um at that throwback case, I slipped him a note that gave him my number and asked him to call me after work. Now keep in mind, my job had been threatened if I spoke with anyone, and I did not know whether or not this guy was gonna say anything to anybody about the note. I was literally terrified to pass that note. Um, but I took the chance. He called that night and we spoke for hours about all the dang things that were going on in my office that were not about board. Um he called again the next night, and a few nights later, he had me hooked up with my own branch. Um, so when it comes to getting involved with the union, I tell everyone that good, bad, or indifferent, it's all Scotty's doing. Um I took a chance, he held the confidence, and here I am. Um and as you can imagine, um, I have so many stories about those first several years. And some are real. We need to discuss this over tequila stories. Um once I got connected with my branch, lo and behold, what were muddy waters before became a raging gorge. Um after someone from the outside started asking questions to the steward and management in the office. Um and that began uh the campaign to fire Belinda. But I'm still here, and all those people are gone.

SPEAKER_00 8:54

Nice, nice. Well, you know, um, leading to where you're at now, what positions have you held in the NALC? I know this is quite a list.

SPEAKER_02 9:06

This is a list. I actually had to type this out because I was I I will forget stuff and I probably still have. Um so, of course, my first position was to become the steward in my office, um, which I have been for nearly 18 years now, both the informal and formal rep. Um, and I'm also the formal and informal rep in an associate office, another small office in our branch. Um being in a small associate office, um naturally the steward becomes the jack of all trades. If it's union related, it falls on my plate. Um, food drive coordinator, combined federal campaign coordinator, customer connect coordinator, on-the-job instructor. And then I help with all the other things like the MDA fundraising. It's truly an absolutely all the dang things, right? Um I am the pres, the vice president of my branch. So again, um, a role that is jack of all trades. You step in when one of the other officers or somebody's gone. Prior to becoming the VP, I was the scribe for my branch and the health benefits rep. Um, I am a proud graduate of the Leadership Academy class 12. Big shout out to um my dirty dozen. Uh, love those peeps. Um, I've taught Carrier Academy. I'm on the district advisory committee for EAP. I was the State Association Vice President and Director of Education for about nine years. Um I am the District Eight uh letter carrier congressional liaison for the WSALC. Um one of my unofficial roles is I'm an admin for Women of the Satchel, a Facebook group that is for satchel sisters, um, to discuss issues in a safe forum. I am the Region 7 Wisconsin organizer working directly for the NBA's office. Um and you'll see me at convention working the working registration as part of the credentials committee, my favorite committee. I love to see everybody coming in, so come say hi. Um and as you know, and as you mentioned, I'm on uh the emergency response team, which truly and honestly has become a full circle situation for me. Um I cannot be more proud to serve in this capacity. It's such an honor to have been chosen. Um, but the unofficial role that I hold most dear um in the NELC is being a mentor. I absolutely love um being a success cheerleader for others. I put I truly believe that there is always room for the cream to rise to the top. My favorite thing to do.

SPEAKER_00 12:28

Yes. And and that is, you know, what you said about being class 12. Congratulations. I I was I'm a little behind you. I'm I'm 32, but uh, you know, that was I'm sure in in that seems to be the curriculum might they might tweak it a little bit, but the overall the biggest message that I got from there is you have to mentor people to be your replacement. You you can't be a gatekeeper, and and like you said, it it's so much fun to you know help somebody and see them take off. It just yeah, it it does it just makes you feel good seeing somebody else succeed. So I'm I'm right there with you on that. Yeah. You're very uh you're you're very well known on the ERT. I think you put together a uh PowerPoint, I believe, ERT PowerPoint, and it's been used over and over uh again. Um and it it it's an amazing PowerPoint and just kind of home. Yeah. Um so I I I mean you you listed off a million different things that you do. I don't even know how you have time to be sitting here with me right now. But um in your current position, you can pick one, you can discuss as many as you want, but in your current positions, uh what what are your duties and and one of them that you might want to describe what you do on?

SPEAKER_02 13:53

Well, my duties are truly and honestly all the dang things, right? Um like so many um of the officers in any branch, it's all the dang things. My heart truly rests with my roles as the branch vice president, um, the region seven organizer for Wisconsin, the ERT, um, and Woman of the Satchel. And of course, being a mentor, like you said, I put together a PowerPoint for the ERT um because I was asked to use it. Um what happened was shortly after we went out for the suicide prevention and intervention training, actually the Sunday I got home, um, I got a call that my children's father had committed suicide.

unknown 14:51

Oh my gosh.

SPEAKER_02 14:53

I had just gone through this training. So I was in this, you know, I was in the cognitive. You know, when you go to the training, they talk about the cognitive and emotional. So I was in the cognitive and I was feeling the emotional. And it was the weirdest out-of-body experience for me. So it was this happened. I got the phone call in the morning. I was on my way to go find food because I had just gotten home and I didn't have any food in my house. I'd been gone for a week. So I was on my way to go get food. When I got the call, I turned around, I gotta, I gotta find my kids, right? So I turned around, I came home, and it was seven o'clock at night. I was on the phone with um my counterpart, uh Brooke, talking about what happened because you know, we learned we gotta reach out, right? Um I was on the phone with her, and my daughter-in-law walked in the house with a plate of food, and I went, Brooke, I gotta let you go. Um my daughter-in-law just walked in with food, and I realized I haven't eaten anything yet today. And as is our training, I knew better, right? If I knew better and wasn't following the self-care protocols, how how can you expect anybody else to be doing what they do need to do to care for themselves? So we got through all of this, and um, it was getting to be time to go to regional training, and I called up Patrick and I said, Patrick, I need 20 minutes, please. I I need to do a little thing on self-care when these kinds of things happen. I need to put, I just need 20 minutes. That's all I need of your time. Well, he said, absolutely you can have it. Next thing I know, um, we're doing a, we're given an hour and a half to present. I'm like, wait a minute, I asked for 20 minutes. An hour and a half later, um, this uh training was put together and we did it at regional and then passed it on to the rest of the ERT because why reinvent the wheel? Um, so it really is about mentoring. My heart is about mentoring and caring for our membership. Um that's where it's at.

SPEAKER_00 17:34

Yeah, yeah. And I'm so sorry. Um, you know, that is that's horrible. I I no words, uh, you know, and that's one of the things surreal.

SPEAKER_01 17:43

It was surreal.

SPEAKER_00 17:45

One of the things we taught and we're taught in ERT is always to not say that I understand what you feel because I can't understand what you feel, but I I wow, that is that's tough. That is yeah, you know, and I'm I'm glad that you had people to fall back on and everything. Brooke is an amazing lady, speaking of which I've tried to get her on here, and she's also one that is like that that one that I'm gonna have to catch her sometime because she's you know super busy like you. Um, but yeah, I uh I that the PowerPoint you guys put together was amazing. Um, and it I guarantee you is helping people every single day. So that you you guys should be extremely proud of yourselves for putting that together. It was really, really good.

SPEAKER_02 18:33

Well, thank you. And that's really good to hear because that's what it's about.

SPEAKER_00 18:37

Yeah, yeah, definitely. Um I have a couple more or a couple questions that they're they're kind of I mean, not that that was a really, you know, that was a tough one as well, but um these are important, um, but I hate to even talk about them because I wish I didn't have to ask. But have you uh, you know, in your career, obviously it sounds like there's been a few things, but um have you, you know, if you don't mind, go into some of it about what you've dealt with as far as harassment, discrimination in your career, and uh how you dealt with it. And, you know, do you feel like you got it resolved?

SPEAKER_02 19:17

Well, when it comes to my office, um, I became the steward in my office and the VP of my branch. So, yep, dealt with it, resolved it, right? Um and I think it's important to note that there are some discrimination undertones that are inherent to society and upbringing, which is extremely unfortunate. Um learning to navigate those as a woman in leadership can be tricky. Um and these issues are faced to some degree by all women in leadership. But we're fierce because we've successfully navigated those waters, and we had to work harder to get where we are, whether we like to admit it or not. Um, whether anybody else likes to admit that's the case for us or not. Um and while I faced those uh tequila stories as a carrier, um, I have found in my union career that I have had like the most supportive mentors, mostly male, um, that have come from my branch and my region. Uh I mean, let's be honest, I can have some pretty insane ideas. Um but they usually let me run with those scissors and and we get things done. Um, sometimes they got to pull me back and say, um, we're gonna have to sharpen the blades, or you know, you're gonna have to dull the blades, whichever the case may be. But um, they have always been very supportive. Um, but while I say that, don't get me wrong, I've had plenty of critics and dismissers. I've heard rumors, I've heard condemnations, and honestly, um you gotta let those things be water off a duck's back. But the hardest ones to overcome, those backstabs that are the most surprising are when they come from other satchel sisters. Believe it or not, those are the the hardest things to deal with. Um and as a woman in leadership, it's important to put those things behind you simply so that you can keep moving forward. Um, and the good news is um I'm still here and loving what I do um in my service to the membership. So once again, I'm still here.

SPEAKER_00 21:50

There you go. Yeah, that uh I I mean I know you through the ERT, and obviously we've ran in say the same circles for a while. While and everything, but um I'll just be honest, like any other lady that I've had on here, I'm not gonna tussle with any of you guys because you you guys are you know you're you're killers, you know. You you know what you're doing, you know what you're talking about, and you know, you're awesome, awesome people, but at the same time, I'm not crossing you guys. You you I I know better. I know better. Some people are some people need the to learn that, and I'm not exactly the smartest tool in the shed, but I know better than to do that. So I'm glad that you've uh I'm glad that it's it's kind of you know come full circle and you are where you're at now, and they're the branch is lucky to have you. Um another question that's a little uh sometimes a little tough is you know, with the multitude of duties that you partake in for the union, you know, that takes a lot of your time away from your family and your friends. Has that caused you any issues with them?

SPEAKER_02 22:59

Yeah, um it's important to recognize that that people can come and go in our lives, right? Um, some stay for the duration, um, others for a season, but everyone is in our life for a reason. So part of that is just accepting the flux of people that come in and out. Um what's interesting for me is that my now ex-husband was the one who initially encouraged me to get involved in the union because I was coming home and he was hearing the the garbage that was going on at work. Um and this was the best advice he ever gave me. Um however, the more I advanced, the more he took issue with my involvement. And when it was when I was attending Leadership Academy that I really started to see the outright animosity. Um, and that simply grew with each opportunity as it was presented to me. So, long story short, um, he didn't like my union involvement, and I didn't like his girlfriend. So we ended up parting amicably.

SPEAKER_01 24:21

Fair enough.

SPEAKER_02 24:23

Yeah. Um so on the friend side of this question, um I still have best friends for life from 30 plus years ago. Um, and those people are wonderfully supportive. And those are the people that we always pick up where we left off, like we were just talking five minutes ago. Um, you know, and I think we never see the people that we care about as often as we would like. Um, but we just move those things forward. I mean, life in general is just busy no matter who you are. Um, and thanks to social media, um, we're more readily able to keep up with what's happening in each other's lives. And when we see stuff, we can send out that text message of support or encouragement or the hoo-rah-rahs. Um, you know. Um, but also because of this union, oh my gosh. And I'm sure anyone listening to this is gonna say the same thing. Um I have an absolute abundance of incredible besties. Um of the strongest and absolutely badassed women and men I have ever been blessed to get to know. Um I'm telling you, those people, they just rock. They just rock.

SPEAKER_00 25:50

Yeah. Yeah, that and it it works out well because um, you know, a lot of people outside of the post office, even if, you know, just carrying in general, the hours are always kind of up in the air. You never know when you're gonna be off. You you know, you can say, hey, you want to go out this evening? I should be off by four o'clock. And then you go to work and you have multiple call-ins, and next thing you know, you're there until eight. So, you know, it's it's a lot, it's kind of hard for a lot of people, I think, to understand that that it's just kind of everything is up in the air every single day at the post office. It just is crazy. So if you have those people that are in the same line of work, you know, brothers and sisters, uh union siblings and all, they understand. So, you know, if things get changed, hey, I get it. I mean, that's the way it works rolls, you know.

SPEAKER_02 26:37

So it's it's kind of nice to have those people where you really don't even have to explain anything about work.

SPEAKER_00 26:42

Exactly.

SPEAKER_02 26:43

You know, it it it just they just get it.

SPEAKER_00 26:48

Yeah, yeah, it's almost comes across as more shocked if it actually goes as you planned than if it doesn't, because everybody just assumes that it's gonna go sideways every day. Um it's a it's a safe assumption, I assume, pretty much in every office around, because I know that's the way it is in our office every day. You just never know. Um, well, you know, I I know you don't do this very often, but when you do put down your, you know, close your laptop, you know, turn your phone off for a minute and say, you know what, I'm just gonna chill for a little bit. What do you like to do when to unwind and relax? Um, and do you have any hobbies?

SPEAKER_02 27:27

Um, it's funny because um, yeah, I don't do it often, but um, and and I kind of don't understand the question as a result. But you know, um, I always joke that if you have to be an holic, be a workaholic. Um and while I am a workaholic, and I readily admit it, um, I'm mindful that I work hard to play harder. Um I am extremely protective of my Sunday mornings. And by Sunday mornings, I mean do not talk to me before 10 o'clock in the morning. I'm I'm my family, nobody. My my kid walked into the house last week at nine o'clock, and he turned around and he goes, it's not time yet, is it? And he walked on. Um, it's I uh I have my my Sunday morning, CBS Sunday morning ritual, and that is that's my distressing my time, and I don't give it up. It's not, you know, that's the one thing every week that I do for me. Um but I also love spending time with friends and family. That's foremost to me. Um, and it's always about the people that are dear to me. I tend to drag them into my adventures, um, and they often include me in theirs. Um I love traveling and immersing myself in local cultures wherever I am. I'm a baseball fanatic. Um, Go brew crew. Um yeah. Um so I love um visiting museums and art galleries and arboretums, aquariums, hitting concerts, hiking waterfalls. Um, in fact, a bucket list vacation item is doing a waterfall winery tour that I had planned before I blew out my knee. Um, so it's back on the docket. Um didn't happen this year because of uh New London's historic flood this spring and then our national convention. Um, but it's gonna happen. So do you want to come along?

SPEAKER_00 29:50

It sounds like a blast to me.

SPEAKER_02 29:53

We're gonna have fun. We're gonna have fun. We're getting it back on the docket. It's one of the things that I've been wanting to do. Um, as much as I travel outside of Wisconsin, there's a lot that Wisconsin has to offer, and I want to see that too.

SPEAKER_00 30:07

Yeah, yeah. And I'm I don't know what's going on, but I'm on a rough run here because uh of the last five episodes, I believe, I've uh recorded, I've had two Cubs fans and now a Brewers fan. I don't know what's happening here because as you can see behind me, uh I'm I'm a little into the Cardinals, but uh you know, I'm I'm not even gonna hold that against you guys. I'm just gonna I'm gonna act like it never happened. Uh but uh no I am and I will say uh on a side note, I have been investing in a few uh I'm I'm a baseball cartaholic, and uh I've been investing a little bit in uh one particular brewer, uh the Miz, you might know him. Um yeah, I I I think he might have a future, and I'm gonna try to partake in his future with buying as many of his rookies that I can. So I I get it. So um, well, that's that I mean that it sounds like you do have things going that you do take a break and and take care of yourself, much like you know, with the ERT stuff, you you have to take care of yourself. So that's great to because like I said, you seem like you never stop. And so I'm glad to hear that you do actually occasionally take a little break. Um, you know, you you do have quite a career already behind you, and you have done so many things and and helped so many people. Um, I'm gonna ask you to help some people again by asking you, do you have a piece of advice for someone that might be listening to this that is like, hmm, I might be interested in, you know, kind of getting into a little more into the NALC more than just being uh rank and file member. What would you what would you say to that person?

SPEAKER_02 31:57

Find your fire. Um recognize that none of us are great at everything. We all have our strengths and weaknesses. So try the things, be the helper. Um, if you find that there's something that you're just not, you know, enjoying all that much. Um that's fine. That's part of the journey. Move on. Someone else will love it, you'll find your niche. Um the thing that lights your soul on fire is where you need to be working. Um, do that, be that, grow that. Um, there is something for everyone in this union. If you want to be out front, being the cheerleader, putting together all the dang things, do that. If you're the person behind the scenes that just wants to, you know, clean up, dust up, make sure everybody's taken care of, do that. Be that. Um, the cream will always rise to the top. Um along the journey, we've talked a little bit about this. Um, along the journey, find your network. Um, find the people who are on fire for the things that you are ice cold about. Those are the people that will be there to step in when you need those helpers. Um, I'm telling you what, I love the secretaries and treasurers of this union, especially in my branch, um, because no thank you. Um, I can do that work. I have been told I'm good at it, and I will step in at a pinch, but I guarantee you I'm gonna pinch back because that work makes me absolutely miserable. I I'm I don't care for it, I don't want to do it. Um so to those of you who do that work, taking the notes and balancing the book, you have my undying respect. For me, those are hard passes. Um and none of us want to see Belinda being miserable because I'm kind of whiny about it. Um trust me. Um, now you give me data to dive into, and I will go down that rabbit hole for days, um, which is why I love being an organizer. Um but truly and honestly find your fire and share it and then grab someone else by the hand and light them on fire as well.

SPEAKER_00 34:45

That's solid. That that's exactly that's perfect. Um you know, I I I think it's super important what you were saying with all of the duties that you've done, it's super important to you to point out like the Secretary of Treasure stuff. I don't hate it. I don't want any part of it because like you said, just because you try something and don't like that, there's so many other things. And yeah, and so yeah, I thank you for pointing that out because I I always worry that you know, you get somebody involved, they try one thing and they're like, Oh, I don't like this, so I'm done. And it's it's super important to realize there's you know so many different uh spokes in this wheel. So uh thank you.

SPEAKER_01 35:29

There's room for everyone. There is absolutely room for everyone.

SPEAKER_00 35:33

Yes, ma'am. Well, um, I am I'm out of questions. Um, I if there's anything that I missed, if there's anything you want to add, the floor is yours. Anything you got for me.

SPEAKER_02 35:45

Um, Craig, I just want to say uh thank you to you for this platform. Um there's an empowerment being shared here, and that is an absolutely amazing thing. So thank you for all you are doing to put that forward. Um, I have enjoyed hearing from so many of our satchel sisters, um, true trailblazers who have come before us. And to those women, I also say thank you because they, you know, they got out there with the sickle and they cut down the weeds and they they started making um uh trails for the rest of us to follow behind. And and from there we're able to branch off and do our things too. So to you and all of the women and the leaders in the NALC who have come before me, I know my privilege. Um, and it's because of you that I have.

SPEAKER_00 36:41

Yeah, well, and uh that's the great thing about where I'm sitting is every single episode I have a new person that I am looking at as a mentor to me. So you you ladies, uh, even if, you know, I I have, you know, I'm definitely not the biggest uh podcast in the world, but I tell you right now that every single episode I take something from it because every every single lady that I've had on here has an amazing story and has amazing experiences, some of them not the greatest, but it's also you know, I think it's it from my standpoint listening to them, it just made everyone stronger and even with more drive and more fire, and it's amazing to listen to. And I I love doing this, and I thank you so much for uh stepping up and and taking some time away from your Sunday morning and uh being with me.

SPEAKER_02 37:33

Um and I noticed that that you notice there was no communication before 9 30.

SPEAKER_00 37:39

Hey, and I I respect it. Now I know why, and I will remember that. That if I ever text you and I and it will be after 10 a.m. on Sunday mornings, I will definitely remember that. Um, because I do not want to get on Belinda's bad side. I like staying on your good side. Um, no, seriously though, thank you so much. Um, I really appreciate it. It has been a work in progress trying to get us together on this, and I am so excited to get this one done. Um I will also uh you mentioned it a couple times, the Sisters of the Satchel Facebook group. I think that's a I I mean, obviously I'm I'm not there, but I have heard awesome things about it, and I am going to put a link to it on my uh podcast Facebook page just so you know if anybody gets on there, they can uh jump on there. I didn't know anything about it until um I I can't remember who was mentioning it, mentioning it, but uh that's who it was, yep. And after that, I was like, oh, that's a really cool idea. And so I've been trying to kind of share it with any of the ladies like in my branch or anything, you know, hey, you need to jump in there because you're you're getting ready to get into a mix of a bunch of uh just amazing, amazing ladies. So uh I will put a link on there for that as well. Um, but other than that, I uh like I said, thank you so much for joining me and I appreciate everyone listening and be safe and be kind of