Fall 2021• Volume 40, Issue 1
THE
REPORTER
State Employees Association of North Carolina
Convention Delegates Elect New Slate of SEANC Officers GREENSBORO — Delegates at the 37th Annual SEANC Convention elected officers for 2021-2023 on Sept. 10 in Greensboro. The officers are: President — Martha Fowler of Mebane (District 19) retired from state government after 33 years and is a 37-year SEANC member. Fowler has served as a leader in many capacities at both the district and state levels including SEANC First Vice President, General Treasurer, and Insurance Board of Trustees Chairwoman. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from NC Agricultural and Technical State University with a degree in social services. She was also the recipient of SEANC’s first Distinguished Service Award. First Vice President — Kirk Montgomery of Burlington (District 25) has 25 years of state service and is a 24-year SEANC member. He is the Director of Information Technology for the City of Mebane. Montgomery has served at both the district and state levels including SEANC Second Vice President, General
Treasurer, and Piedmont Regional Representative. He holds an associate’s degree in civil engineering, a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in information systems. Second Vice President — Wendell Powell of Fayetteville (District 41) has worked in the prison system for 17 years and is a Correctional Lieutenant at Granville Correctional. He SEANC’s statewide officers are President Martha Fowler, First Vice President Kirk Montgomery, Second Vice President Wendell is a 16-year SEANC member. Powell and General Treasurer Emily Jones. Powell has spoken at lobby days and has served on many has served SEANC in many capacities SEANC district and state committees including statewide Emerging Leaders such as By-Laws, Prison Reform, Chair and at the district level as District Planning, and the Executive Board. Chair, Co-Chair, Member Discount In 2017, he served as the Fight for $15 Chair, Communications Chair, and Chairman. Youth Council Chair. She also served on General Treasurer — Emily Jones the State Human Resources Commission. of Clayton (District 41) has worked for Jimmy Davis of Forest City the state for 29 years and is currently a (District 4) will continue to serve on Mental Health Probation Parole Officer SEANC’s Executive Committee as the II. She joined SEANC in 1995. Jones Immediate Past President.
SEANC Calls on Lawmakers to End Budget Stalemate Legislative leaders and Gov. Roy Cooper remained in a stalemate over the state budget at the end of October, four months beyond the normal deadline for a compromise. The two sides continued to swap proposals, but a deal had yet to be reached. Pay raises and bonuses for state employees and retirees remain sticking points that have yet to be addressed publicly. The longer the stalemate drags on, the more likely the chance that no budget will be approved this year. SEANC Executive Director Ardis Watkins called on both sides to finalize a plan that includes meaningful raises
for employees and retirees in a story on CBS17 in Raleigh. “The longer this drags out, the more the expectation is that the raises will be significantly higher to correspond to the change in the market,” said Watkins. “There’s no reason not to give significant raises because we’ve always been told we just don’t have the money. We do here. This is a question of the will.” The budget will likely include the separation of Adult Correction into its own cabinet-level agency. SEANC was alerted of a proposed compromise that would include Community
Corrections in this new agency as well. Members who work in Community Corrections insist that their jobs must stay in the Department of Public Safety, which is more closely aligned with their probation and parole functions. We need you to continue to reach out to lawmakers to express the importance of real raises for employees and retirees in this budget. Visit seanc.org/engage to easily contact your representatives. Be sure to follow SEANC’s social media presence on Facebook and Twitter as well for up-to-the-minute developments in budget negotiations.
THE
REPORTER
Jonathan Owens, Editor-In-Chief • Beth Dew, Managing Editor
ADVERTISING POLICY SEANC accepts advertising material from companies and persons seeking to communicate with SEANC members. Acceptance of this advertising does not indicate SEANC approval or endorsement of any representation that the message, product or service is as represented by the advertiser. SEANC accepts no responsibility and shall not be liable for any use of or reliance on any such information, product or service. SEANC is a private entity and is under no obligation to carry advertisements of any nature, political or otherwise, that may be viewed as contrary to the interests of the association and its membership. State Employees Association of NC, 1621 Midtown Place • Raleigh, NC 27609 919-833-6436 • 800-222-2758 • www.seanc.org © Copyright 2021 SEANC. All rights reserved.
The Reporter, USPS 009-852 (ISSN 1069 2142), is published four times a year in the months of November, February, May, and August for $2.50 per year, per member, by the State Employees Association of North Carolina, Inc., 1621 Midtown Place, Raleigh, NC 27609. Periodicals postage paid at Raleigh and additional offices. POSTMASTER, Send address changes to: THE REPORTER, 1621 Midtown Place, Raleigh, NC 27609.
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THE REPORTER • Fall 2021
MEMBERS IN ACTION Montgomery to represent SEANC in Leadership NC has served at both the district and state levels including SEANC Second Vice President, General Treasurer, and Piedmont Regional Representative. Each year, Leadership North Carolina (LNC) selects a class of 50-60 current and emerging leaders from across the state through a competitive application process. Participants attend 6 two-day sessions between October and May in various
District 5 sponsored an employee appreciation event at Burke County Courthouse in Morganton on Aug. 19. (Top right) District 5 Chair Tony Smith adds chips to the Chick-Fil-A sandwich bags.
District 21 and SEANC staff celebrated Murdoch Developmental Center employees on Sept. 22 in Butner. Sixty-two new members were recruited.
Pictured above, District 12 sponsored an employee appreciation event at Huntersville DMV office on Aug. 25. Pictured at right, Emerging Leaders Chair Emily Jones signs up a new District 12 member at DPS Adult Corrections on Aug. 24 in Charlotte.
District 26 Chairman Charles Sanders presents two Carowinds tickets to District 26 member Arneca Toomer who won the drawing during the employee appreciation event at Granville Correctional on Aug. 18.
District 2 served Chick-Fil-A sandwiches at Black Mountain Neuro-Medical Treatment Center on Aug. 10. Thirty-seven new members were recruited.
locations across the state where they learn about the challenges and opportunities First Vice President facing North Carolina Kirk Montgomery with a focus on building networks and turning knowledge into action to benefit their communities and the state. Participation in LNC requires a two-year commitment.
JOHNNY DAVISON
SEANC First Vice President Kirk Montgomery has been awarded SEANC’s sponsorship to join the upcoming class of Leadership NC, a two-year program aimed at building the next generation of state leaders. Montgomery, a District 25 member, has 25 years of state service and is a 24-year SEANC member. He is the Director of Information Technology for the City of Mebane. Montgomery
District 13 members and SEANC Public Education Committee Chair Mark Dearmon speak with employees at Central Piedmont Community College on Aug. 17.
District 6 members signed up 51 new members at Broughton Hospital in Morganton on Aug. 11.
SEANC and District 69 provided Elizabeth City State University employees lunch during the State Employee Appreciation Event on Oct. 1. SEANC recruited 32 new members at the event. Pictured above are ECSU’s Dr. Trina Gregory, Member Relations Representative Gloria Evans, ECSU’s Chancellor Dr. Karrie G. Dixon and SEANC Public Education Committee Chair Mark Dearmon.
THE REPORTER • Fall 2021
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MAKE IT with an SECU Visa ® Credit Card
CORRECTION
The September 2021 issue of The Reporter contained incorrect parent names for Jaime Brunson, who was awarded a $1,000 scholarship from the SEANC Scholarship Foundation. Jaime attends UNC-Chapel Hill and is the daughter of District 22 members Jamie and Donna Brunson.
RETIRING SOON? Contact the SEANC Office.
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We appreciate doing business with you! dougsutton@dougsuttonins.com
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THE REPORTER • Fall 2021
2021 SEANC UNC
CHANCELLORS’ CUP GOLF TOURNAMENT SEANC proudly sponsored the 2021 SEANC UNC Chancellor’s Cup Golf Tournament at Tobacco Road Golf Course in Sanford on Sept. 29.
SEANC President-Elect Martha Fowler and Public Education Committee Chair Mark Dearmon greeted golfers.
SEANC sponsored two golf teams. Pictured District 3 member Teresa Johnson sizes up a putt.
Tournament organizer Garrett Killian presented the trophy to this year’s winning team UNC-Pembroke: Wiley Barrett, Dick Christy, Samantha DeBus and Todd Gleaton.
SEANC President-Elect Martha Fowler welcomed four new SEANC members from the team from Fayetteville State University.
SEANC Executive Director Ardis Watkins accepted a plaque in honor of SEANC being the tournament’s naming sponsor.
SEANC President-Elect Martha Fowler visited each table. Pictured is Fowler visiting the UNC Chapel Hill table.
Pictured above with SEANC staff and volunteers are three of the 17 university Staff Senates who participated in the tournament.
THE REPORTER • Fall 2021
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2021-2022 SEANC BOA
Executive Committee President Martha Fowler District 19 Mebane UNC-Chapel Hill (retired)
First Vice President Kirk Montgomery District 25 Burlington City of Mebane
Second Vice President Wendell Powell District 41 Fayetteville Department of Public Safety
Treasurer Emily Jones District 41 Clayton Department of Public Safety
Immediate Past President Jimmy Davis District 4 Forest City Department of Public Safety (retired)
Piedmont Region Kemrey LaMarr District 17 McLeansville Department of Transportation
North Central Region Mike Gould District 41 Raleigh Wake County Local Government
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THE REPORTER • Fall 2021
District Chairpersons
South Central Region Laura Overstreet District 62 Wilmington Department of Public Safety (retired) Eastern Region Kathy Merritt District 59 Goldsboro Department of Health & Human Services (retired) Western Region Cliff Johnson District 2 Waynesville Department of Public Safety (retired) Retiree Council Chairman Benny Brigman District 58 Hookerton Department of Public Safety (retired) Insurance Board of Trustees Chairwoman Janice Smith District 3 Fleetwood Appalachian State University (retired)
President ’s A ssistants President’s Assistants Secretary Betty Gautier District 38 Benson Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (retired)
Parliamentarian Kim Martin District 10 Concord Department of Public Safety Parliamentarian Joyce B. Shaw District 69 Elizabeth City Elizabeth City State University
District 1 Mark Hasket Cullowhee Western Carolina University (retired)
District 10 Marilyn Martin Rockwell Department of Public Safety (retired)
District 3 Anne Castro Bakersville Mayland Community College (retired)
District 11 Jamie Bennett Morven Department of Transportation
District 4 Caroline Dedmon Shelby Department of Transportation (retired)
District 12 Chenell Rose Charlotte Department of Public Safety
District 5 Willard Jobe Morganton Department of Public Safety (retired)
District 13 Linda Colbert Charlotte Central Piedmont Community College (retired)
District 6 Sonya Akbar Morganton Department of Health & Human Services (retired)
District 16 Willie Bailey Pfafftown Winston-Salem State University (retired)
District 7 Henry Belada Morganton Department of Health & Human Services (retired)
District 18 Dewey Brower Hamlet Department of Public Safety (retired)
District 8 Michael Jenkins Hiddenite Department of Public Safety
District 19 Anthony Weaver Rougemont Department of Public Safety (retired)
District 9 Jamie Robinson Taylorsville Department of Transportation (retired)
District 20 Jacque Chatman Red Springs Department of Public Safety
ARD OF GOVERNORS District 21 Virginia Lindsey Butner Department of Health & Human Services (retired)
District 37 Furman Beckwith Apex Department of Transportation (retired)
District 46 Regina Norman Zebulon Department of Revenue
District 22 Deborah Harney Cameron Department of Public Safety
District 38 Margaret Reader Raleigh Secretary of State (retired)
District 56 Michael Johnson Jackson Department of Public Safety (retired)
District 23 Jeremy Register Whiteville Department of Transportation
District 39 Brian Swiger Raleigh N.C. State University
District 57 Melvin Chapman Nashville Department of Public Safety
District 24 Lennetta Singletary Bladenboro Department of Commerce (retired)
District 40 Rose Hagwood Garner Department of Public Safety
District 58 Chuck Stone Goldsboro Department of Health & Human Services (retired)
District 25 James Holman Hillsborough UNC-Chapel Hill
District 42 Virginia Sanders Knightdale Department of Health & Human Services (retired)
District 60 Hiawatha Jones Goldsboro Department of Health & Human Services (retired)
District 26 Phyllis Jones Oxford Department of Public Safety
District 43 Debra Dunston Raleigh Department of Transportation
District 61 Cindy Hester Elizabethtown Department of Public Safety (retired)
District 27 Janet Bunch Durham North Carolina Central University (Retired)
District 44 Wanda Pipkin Clayton State Treasurer
District 63 Marion Drake Windsor Department of Public Safety (retired)
District 28 DuBoris Peterkin Holly Springs Department of Health & Human Services
District 45 John Williams Goldsboro Department of Public Safety (retired)
District 64 Latina Shelley Winterville Department of Wake Technical Community College
District 65 Kiana Price Greenville East Carolina University
District 66 Evelyn Brown Kinston Department of Health & Human Services
District 67 Patricia Moore New Bern Department of Public Safety (retired)
District 68 Rita Woods Creswell Department of Public Safety (retired)
District 69 Tonya Jennings Elizabeth City Administrative Office of the Courts
District 70 Faith Bynum Hookerton Lenoir Community College
Note: Regional representatives also serve as chairpersons of their districts.
THE REPORTER • Fall 2021
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2021 CONVENTION SEANC Vision 2022 – Hope for the Future! The following are excerpts from SEANC President Martha Fowler’s address to the delegates at the 37th Annual SEANC Convention on Sept. 11.
I wish to thank my family, friends and District 19 for their continued support over the years. SEANC has been an integral part of my life for many years. Since the merger of the two previous state employee organizations over 37 years ago, this organization’s mission to protect and enhance the rights and benefits of current, retired and future state employees has improved the lives of thousands of North Carolina citizens. Without state employees, where would we be? We depend on state employees to staff our universities, state prisons, health and human services, and to clear state roads during times of disaster. We are constantly going through changes — not only in our home life but in our jobs, our state, and our country. SEANC is no exception. There hasn’t been a time in our past that we have had to endure like the last two years. COVID-19 has interrupted our lives. We had to adapt to wearing face masks, taking shots to protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our co-workers as well. I am optimistic that we will not have to resort to these types of protective measures during our next SEANC Convention. As your SEANC President, I promise to • listen to your ideas and concerns • represent you in a positive and professional manner when addressing issues of concern with state legislators, state leaders and others • fight to protect our cornerstone benefits of salary, retirement, health care, and job security
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THE REPORTER • Fall 2021
Grow SEANC Membership My goal for 2022 is to grow the membership of this organization. To aid SEANC in this effort, we are working with XYZ University to implement a road map to guide us to greater organizational growth. In addition, I’ve established the Growth and Expansion Committee to assist in building a grassroots level of change and movement. Currently, there are untapped opportunities in the state agencies for gaining SEANC members. We must strive to have active SEANC members in every state agency. Virtual Meetings Over the past year and a half, we’ve become more familiar with social media and conducting business via Zoom and other platforms. Therefore, we may establish a virtual district within our organization so that a person’s physical presence at a meeting is not necessary. Grow EMPAC We must continue to grow and support the Employees Political Action Committee (EMPAC). We’ve had much success in endorsing and electing candidates, and it is very important that we support the legislators who support us. Each of us must communicate with local legislators in person or via an email or telephone call. Talk with them about SEANC’s position on the issues. Let them know that we seek equitable treatment regarding our salary, benefits and working conditions for all state employees and retirees. Build a Brighter North Carolina We want to ensure that through this organization we build a brighter future
President Martha Fowler
for the state of North Carolina. This can only be done through the hard work of state employees and retirees. With the assistance of my fellow SEANC members, I will lead this professional association during the next few years by dedicating myself to SEANC service and leadership. I accept this new responsibility with total dedication, commitment, efficiency, and professionalism. This next year, will be filled with challenges and successes, hope and enthusiasm, rewards and stumbles. Thank you to this delegation for the confidence that you have placed in me to serve as SEANC President. I look forward to a brighter future for the State Employees Association of North Carolina.
2021 CONVENTION
SEANC delegates prepare for the beginning of the business session on Friday, Sept. 10.
District 3 member Dr. Pat Reighard presented Zoom Like A Pro (and Look Great Doing It!) during one of the breakout sessions.
SEANC Executive Director Ardis Watkins gave her report during the business session on Thursday.
Parliamentarian Kim Martin sang the National Anthem beautifully during the first business session on Thursday, Sept. 9.
9/11 Memorial: President-Elect Martha Fowler reminded the delegation of the events that took place on Sept. 11, 2001. During a video of Evan Thomas singing God Bless the USA, everyone stood up and waved flags.
Newly elected SEANC President Martha Fowler and some of SEANC’s Past Presidents take a moment for a group photograph. Pictured left to right are Duane Smith, Martha Fowler, Spillman Grice, Shirley Bell, Wayne Fish, Paula Schubert, Tony Smith, Stanley Drewery, Linda Rouse Sutton and Ross Hailey.
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2021 CONVENTION
The 2020 - 2021 Bob Hopper Award for Distinguished Service on retiree issues was awarded to District 17 member Mitch Leonard, Director of Member Relations Lynn Cote and Member Relations Specialist Carri Derrick.
SEANC Second Vice President and District 25 member Kirk Montgomery received the Distinguished Service Award from State Awards Chairwoman Pam Hailey.
District 22 Chairwoman Deborah Harney accepted the District of the Year Award and the District Chairperson of the Year Award from State Awards Chairwoman Pam Hailey.
District 22 member Elmer Hulen, Jr. ("Junior") received the Gloria Upperman Activist Award.
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THE REPORTER • Fall 2021
District 62 Chairwoman Laura Overstreet accepted the 2019 - 2020 Bob Hopper Award from Retiree Council member Spillman Grice.
District 59 member Orie Henry, Jr. accepted the Member of the Year Award from State Awards Chairwoman Pam Hailey.
Director of Government Relations Suzanne Beasley (above) and Convention Planner Phyllis Byrd (at left) received the Darrell Arnold Awards for excellence as SEANC staff members.
2021 CONVENTION Scholarship Foundation Raffle Winners Grand Prize ($5,000) Hunter Worrel Sold by District 23
Second Prize ($3,000) Hattie Gaddy Sold by District 11
Third Prize ($2,000) Sadie Mitchell Sold by District 62
Membership Contest This year, the Membership Committee entered everyone who recruited at least one new member in a drawing for a chance to win $250. District 10 Chairwoman Tonya Warnic won!
Member Discount Contest First Place ($500) Tracy Webb, District 42 24 new businesses Second Place ($400) Henry Belada, District 7 2 new businesses District 45 member Darcell Carter holds her granddaughter, Alicia, as she pulls out the name of a raffle winner.
State Treasurer Dale R. Folwell, CPA gave the delegation an update on the State Health Plan and retirement system.
District 60 member Debi Artis began the Awards Banquet with a moving invocation.
Third Place ($300) Lena Williams, District 42 1 new business
Director of Member Services C.J. Stephens congratulates Member Discount contest first place winner Tracy Webb.
SEANC invited Council of State members to convention. Pictured from left to right are: the Commissioner of Labor Josh Dobson, Rep. Pat Hurley (R-Randolph), SEANC Executive Director Ardis Watkins, Commissioner of Insurance Mike Causey, SEANC President Martha Fowler, Attorney General Josh Stein, and Secretary of State Elaine Marshall.
District 16 member Steve Lawson entertained the guests as Master of Ceremonies during the Awards Banquet.
THE REPORTER • Fall 2021
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