The Board of Governors met on Nov. 16-17, 2018, at SEANC Headquarters in Raleigh. These are the highlights from the meeting. Highlights Featured Guest: Speaker of the House Tim Moore Speaker of the House Tim Moore stopped by to discuss the upcoming legislative session and state employee and retiree issues. He thanked state employees for their hard work and dedication to our communities and addressed the importance of maintaining our public workforce as “one of the very best in the nation.” He said he was glad to have the ability to establish a $15 minimum wage for most state employees and a 2 percent pay increase in last year’s budget, and added that the legislature will continue to build on it. Discussing wage compression, Moore said to expect changes in this session to help those state workers just above the new minimum $31,200 to recognize their experience. “We will continue to invest in state employees,” he said. The legislature will continue to focus on workplace safety at our prisons as well, he said. Moore told the board he has an open door, and encouraged them to let their own legislators know where they stand on issues important to state employees and retirees. He also applauded State Treasurer Dale Folwell’s efforts to increase transparency on EOBs from the State Health Plan, so members like himself know what they are paying. 2018-19 Personnel Manual passed At the recommendation of the Executive Committee, the Board of Governors adopted an update to the SEANC Personnel Manual. Reports Executive Director’s Report Executive Director Robert Broome praised State Treasurer Dale Folwell’s decision to base State Health Plan provider reimbursement on reference-based government pricing rather than the commercial-based model beginning in 2020. SEANC has called for this change since 2011.
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President Davis challenged everyone to get the word out to district members and coworkers that Folwell is fighting for them and needs their support to get elected again in two years. Broome announced several recent staff and structural changes at SEANC. • Brenda Johnson was named Director of Operations in a consolidation of that position with her previous position as Director of Member Services. • Accounts receivable responsibilities were moved from Member Services back to the Finance department. Donna Hickman will continue to manage those duties. • Pat Evans was transferred from Members Services to Member Relations. • Effective Oct. 1, the position of Human Resources Director was eliminated from our structure. • Senior Accountant Athena Berry decided not return to SEANC after an extended leave, and Member Services Insurance Specialist Paula Posey left to pursue another employment opportunity. • Three new employees joined the staff in October and November: Senior Accountant Sharonique Crudup, Member Services Insurance Specialist Sheila Walker and Member Services Insurance Specialist Rhoda Fort. SEANC will engage an Association Management System (AMS) consultant to guide us through the process of conducting a needs assessment, developing an RFP, reviewing bids and demonstrations, selecting a platform, negotiating a contract, and implementing a new system by the end of 2019. President’s Report President Jimmy Davis reported that he attended an excellent SEIU Financial Workshop that included topics such as finance, fraud investigation, reporting, documentation and treasurer responsibilities. Treasurer’s Report General Treasurer Chevella Thomas reported that SEANC’s finances are on target. Audit Chairwoman Linda Rouse Sutton reported that it is vital to send accurate and detailed district financial information to the Finance department. The Audit Committee wants to meet and help district leaders. She encouraged districts to make the committee aware of issues early because it is much easier to fix a problem earlier rather than later. The next meeting is Dec. 6. Awards Chairwoman Pam Hailey reported that last year seven District Chairperson of the Year, seven Distinguished Service, ten Member of the Year and three District of the Year awards submissions were received. The committee will meet on Feb. 5. Benevolence Committee Chairwoman Deborah Fleming will be mailing cards to deceased members’ families. She encouraged each district to notify the committee when a member passes and to send information and a photograph to SEANCBenevolenceChair@gmail.com. 2
Bylaws Committee President Jimmy Davis reported for Chairwoman Kim Martin. Martin has been in contact with the people who sold us the convention voting system. They are going to get together after the first of the year to work out voting issues. Connections Committee Chairman B.K. Garrett reported that the committee met on Oct. 26 and approved a total of $9,075 to be disbursed to qualifying Natural Disaster Relief applicants. To date, 99 Natural Disaster Fund Request Forms have been received. Members who have suffered significant loss as a result of Hurricane Florence are encouraged to apply for assistance. Applicants should complete the form accurately and in detail, and submit it to Beth Dew at the SEANC Central Office no later than Nov. 30. The next meeting to review applications is Dec. 13. DHHS Study President Davis announced that he has created a new committee to study issues at DHHS facilities, similar to the Select Committee on Prison Reform. Sonya Akbar of District 6 will chair the committee. Select Committee on Prison Reform Chairwoman Deborah Harney reported that each District received cards containing information about the survey to be given to DPS employees. Posters advertising the survey should be displayed at all state prisons. She requested that members continue to distribute the survey cards to DPS employees to help increase the number of survey respondents. DPS personnel are invited to share their thoughts for improving their workplace environment and their ideas for the future during a listening forum at 6 p.m. on Nov. 28 at the SEANC Central Office. Emerging Leaders Chairwoman Emily Jones reported that during the Nov 10 meeting, the committee discussed training opportunities, service projects, and other ways to get younger individuals involved in SEANC. She encouraged leadership to invite them to BOG meetings and provide opportunities for them to shadow officers. Another way the committee wants to interest millennials is by offering a one-way communication app for their smart phones. Every district must have an Emerging Leaders Chairperson. Contact Carri Derrick at the Central Office with the name of your Emerging Leaders Chairperson. Each region is encouraged to schedule Emerging Leaders events. Let the committee know if you want their support and they will be there. EMPAC Chairman Tony Smith reviewed EMPAC endorsement results in the November election. EMPAC has an 81 percent win rate, with several races still pending due to potential recounts. Unfortunately, three strong SEANC advocates lost their seats: Rep. Chris Malone (R-Wake), Rep. Jonathan Jordan (R-Ashe, Watauga) and Rep. Nelson Dollar (R-Wake). Smith commended the Government Relations staff for an outstanding job and thanked everyone who made calls, put out signs, and worked polling sites. He encouraged everyone to get involved in EMPAC and explain to others the importance of EMPAC financial and volunteer involvement. 3
January 1 marks the beginning of Mark Dearmon’s term as EMPAC Chairman. Dearmon commended Smith for building a solid foundation these past four years. The committee will be focusing on fundraising this year and he encouraged members to watch their legislators and hold them accountable. Everyone is welcome to attend the next EMPAC meeting on Jan. 26 at the Central Office beginning at 10 a.m. Insurance Board of Trustees Chairwoman Janice Smith reported that on Nov. 7 the board reviewed the SEANC insurance financial position statement ending Sept. 30, 2018. Insurance product revenues were down from last year and expenses have increased. To deter a significant rate increase on term life policies, there is an urgent need to increase enrollment among younger members. All members are encouraged to buy and advertise SEANC insurance products. The committee has several ideas on ways to increase insurance enrollment, including establishing the SEANC Central Office as an insurance call center. The next meeting is at 10 a.m. on Feb. 13 at the Central Office. Member Discount Chairman Tim Southard reported that in addition to increasing member discount businesses, districts assistance is needed in cleaning up the discount list. He encouraged members to contact businesses in their district and notify Phyllis Perry at the Central Office of those businesses that no longer honor SEANC discounts. Member Discount packets were distributed to each district. Stickers for businesses are on order and will be distributed to them when they are received by the vendor. Members will continue to receive a $25 check for every five businesses recruited. Remember the following dates and deadlines to turn in agreement forms: • The member who recruits the highest number of new businesses between Nov. 19, 2018 and Feb. 15, 2019, will receive a $100 gift card. • The member who recruits the highest number of new businesses between Feb. 25 and May 10 will receive Carowinds Amusement Park tickets and hotel accommodations. • The member who recruits the highest number of new businesses between May 20 and Aug. 15 will receive a $100 gift card. • The top three recruiters between Nov. 19, 2018, and Aug. 15, 2019, will receive a prize as well Membership Committee Chairman Spillman Grice reported that there will be a District Membership Chairperson Training on Nov. 28 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Central Office. Mileage and meals are covered. Each district will need to pay for hotel reservations. To receive the $5/new member recruitment incentive, recruiters must submit a minimum of four new members on the recruitment form. There is a holiday recruitment special. Recruiters will earn $10 per new member during the month of December.
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The Membership Chair Challenge this year involves planning and scheduling your district recruitment events now for the entire year. Turn in your plans to Lynn Cote before Feb. 15, 2019, to be entered in a drawing for $100. It is critical to update the district delinquent lists. Please notify the Member Relations staff if you know that someone who has left your agency. The committee would like to hire part-time people at $15 per hour for about two weeks to focus on rectifying the delinquent list. These persons will assist by making phone calls and attending membership events. Grice also reminded the district chairpersons that 5% of the district budget must be earmarked for membership recruitment activities. Policy Platform Chairwoman Betsy Lee Hodges reminded everyone to be aware of events or situations that might need to become a policy platform objective. District Chairpersons should make sure that their Policy Platform Chairperson is knowledgeable in procedures and presenting new objectives. District members should be reminded of when the objectives are scheduled for deletion. Retiree Council Director of Member Relations Lynn Cote reported for Chairman Benny Brigman that State Treasurer Dale Folwell recently met with the committee. The Council and the Scholarship Foundation are working together to add a merit and financial need scholarships for members’ grandchildren. The council is looking into the retention of the Burial and Accidental Death and Dismemberment insurance policies. They are researching adding additional benefits for retirees. Contact the Member Relations Representatives if you would like help planning and scheduling a retiree forum. Scholarship Foundation Chairman George Thiessen reported that the Foundation Board met on Oct. 18 and elected officers. They discussed ways to increase the number of scholarship applications and modify the applications so they can compete with other academic scholarships. The Cash Raffle ticket sales are the Foundation’s biggest fundraiser. This year’s district ticket sales goal is based on the district’s annual average number of tickets sold for the last two years. There is a new policy in place regarding unsold missing tickets. If a district is missing under 1,000 tickets, the district will pay the amount. If a district is missing over 1,000 tickets, the district pays up to $1,000 plus 50% of the remainder of tickets over 1,000. Districts were reminded that returned unsold tickets must be in numerical order. The Foundation will award 16 4-year merit, 16 financial 4-year financial need, four 2-year merit, four 2-year financial need and nine member-only scholarships this fiscal year. SEIU Study Committee President Davis reported for Chairman Cliff Johnson that the committee met this week. Members are encouraged to email factual information including sources to SEANCSEIU@gmail.com. In addition, anyone who wishes to address the committee should submit the request via the email address. A 2-hour breakout session will be reserved on the Thursday of Convention to discuss our SEIU affiliation, and the delegates will vote the next day. 5
Standards Review Chairwoman Tara Minter requested that members contact her if they are interested in participating in the committee. Please email your proposed changes to the Operations Manual to tara.minter@gmail.com. Training Chairman Steve Lawson reported that the committee met on Nov. 15. The Leadership Development Training will be offered again. Committee member Mitch Leonard is in contact with the Office of State Human Resources to request approval of educational credit and administrative time to leadership development participants. An email containing the webinar link for the August District Chairperson and Treasurer Training was sent to districts in October. Contact Steve if you cannot locate the link. University Study Chairman Mark Dearmon reported that the next meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Nov. 29 at the Central Office. Motions Passed: A motion to remove from the SEANC Personnel Manual the title, “Employment at Will” heading, delete the first sentence, keep the second sentence, “Policies outlined in this manual do not create a contract with SEANC but do set forth the manner in which SEANC intends to operate” and move it to page one. Passed: A motion to adopt the proposed wording on page 8 of the SEANC Personnel Manual regarding deviations from the schedule and lunch break. Passed: A motion to adopt the SEANC Personnel Manual. Passed: A motion to allow Second Vice President Kirk Montgomery to move forward with the IT System Needs Assessment Project. Passed: A motion to spend up to $20,000 from the Bank Draft Implementation Reserve Account for hiring people to reconcile membership delinquency numbers with the understanding that the remainder of money will be made available, if needed, for an insurance specialist to attend every membership event. Passed: A motion to keep money in this fiscal year’s insurance reserve that was earmarked in last fiscal year’s insurance budget for the General Fund. Passed: A motion to add $45,000 to ad-hoc line item earmarked for the SPD, DHHS and University committees. Next meeting: Feb. 22-23, 2019
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