Ravenswood steward Mike Caref has been selected for the National Association of Letter Carrier's Leadership Academy. Mike will participate in the first class of 2008 that will begin on January 27th. Mike is the third member of Branch 11 that has been chosen to participate in the intensive training which helps develop the skills of future union leaders. Previous Branch 11 members to graduate from the leadership Academy are Branch officers Stafford Price Jr. , who was a member of the first Leadership class in 2005, and Mack Julion Sr. in 2006. Mike Caref who is the MDA coordinator for the Illinois State Association of the NALC, is also a state officer.