Sharpening the national union’s administrative operations and the wise and efficient use of union resources remain top priorities for Secretary-Treasurer Jane Broendel.

A member of Davenport, Iowa Branch 506, Broendel had served three years as Assistant Secretary-Treasurer when she was appointed Secretary-Treasurer by President Sombrotto in February 2002 to fill a vacancy. She was overwhelmingly elected later that year to her first term in nationwide balloting, and was re-elected by acclamation at the 2006 Convention in Las Vegas.

As Secretary-Treasurer, Broendel manages both the Finance and Membership Departments and is responsible for organizing national conventions.

Broendel became NALC’s first female national resident officer when she was elected Assistant Secretary-Treasurer by acclamation at the 1998 Las Vegas Convention. She served on the Board of Trustees from 1995 to 1998, giving her the distinction of being the first woman to sit on the NALC Executive Council.

A graduate of Illinois State University who did post-graduate work in nutrition at the University of Iowa, Broendel made a career switch to the carrier craft in 1984. She joined the NALC two days after she started carrying mail. “Within five months, I was actively involved because it didn’t take me long to see how the union assisted letter carriers,” she said. “The support, education and representation offered by the union motivated me—and so did witnessing others’ difficulties with management on the workroom floor.”

Broendel filled many roles in Branch 506 —EI facilitator, steward for five years, branch trustee for 12 years. She also was treasurer of the Iowa State Association from 1989 to 1997.

Noting that difficult days lie ahead for the postal community, Broendel said, “It is now more essential than ever that all letter carriers, their families and friends become active in the legislative process.”

“As Secretary-Treasurer, my focus is on improving financial and administrative operations as well as assisting branch and state association officers in their fiduciary and administrative duties,” she said. “This will entail communicating more effectively and providing educational opportunities.”

Broendel, who has written in The Postal Record on the importance of signing up new hires and non-members, also lists organizing and strengthening NALC’s legislative machinery among her objectives.

Broendel has a daughter, Katherine, and a son, Reid.