SPOTLIGHT
BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEETING
Acentria Insurance Presentation
HIGHLIGHTS
The Board of Governors approved a motion recommended by the Insurance Board of Trustees to move forward with a relationship with Acentria for a set of insurance products that will be tailored to the school system and to current SEANC members. The products will be offered on the Acentria platform to assist with recruiting school personnel as SEANC members.
Teladoc Overview (available to all SEANC members for just $10.25 a month):
» Leaders in telemedicine - 7,000+ providers and 10 million+ visits/year
» Visit with a doctor for NO COPAY
» Available 24/7
» Robust service offerings.
Public School Employees Program offering public school employees (through SEANC membership) insurance programs including Teladoc, Vision, and Dental at a minimum. Signing up online and HR on demand will be program perks. Additonal offerings will be developed through Acentria Insurance with oversite from IBT. This program will help open the doors to SEANC in the schools and grow membership.
XYZ University Update
At the last board meeting, Sarah Sladek of XYZ University presented her report that offered recommendations to help SEANC grow its younger membership. Since then, the Growth and Expansion Committee, chaired by Brenda Williams, has hit the ground running, implementing the recommendations from the report!
The committee determined SEANC’s Five Core Values:
Among other celebrations completed by the committee:
SEANC created a new 75th anniversary logo to celebrate the Association's history.
SEANC raised Google Reviews for the association to 4.6 stars.
The staff is launching a Member Resource Center soon.
New partnerships have been established dealing with financial planning, college tuition, and advertising for SEANC.
New discounts have been added to cater to younger generations.
Communications is revamping the SEANC website, adding more videos, and expanding the use of social media. Stay tuned, the best is yet to come!
President’s Report President Martha Fowler
Black History Month - Fowler shared a few historical quotes to give the board a thought about what leadership should look like.
SEIU Executive Meeting: June 22 - 24, 2022
Executive Director’s Report Executive Director Ardis Watkins
Staffing changes: Jacque Chatman, who recently retired from DPS, is the Assistant to the Executive Director. Resignations: Member Relations Representative Johnny Davison; Political Strategist Amanda Finelli; Director of Finance Gwen Kea; and Lobbyist Resha Fortson.
Data Management System: We are in the discovery phase with Salesforce and have chosen Torrent as the implementation partner for this migration. Launch target date: end of July beginning of August.
SRS Consulting is reviewing all SEANC financial accounts and systems. The work with SRS is one proactive step to show our commitment to the members. And, that as we handle their money for products, we adhere to the highest industry standards. The SRS report blueprint will tell us everything we need to do to build the infrastructure.
IT position vacancy – Jameson Rhodes is temporarily assuming some IT duties until SRS completes its work.
Please let your district members know to contact the SEANC Central Office if/when there are problems with their deductions.
First Vice President's Report First Vice President Kirk Montgomery
Operations Manual will be updated after we get SRS report.
Subcommittee for 5-year plan: This is not the budget. This is planning for the future.
Second Vice President's Report Second Vice President Wendell Powell
Since the last BOG meeting, Powell attended: Dec. 2021 DPS Prison Reform meeting, Past President's Luncheon, January 2022 XYZ Implementation team meeting, January SEIU Board Meeting Ethics Training, Financial Planning meeting, and IBT meeting.
Treasurer’s Report Treasurer Emily Jones
Financial report is not available at this time due to systems issues and staffing shifts.
Regional Breakouts
The board members gathered with their peers from each of the five SEANC regions (West, Piedmont, North Central, South Central, and East). The regions discussed:
» Acentria proposals
» State Awards requirements
District Laptop Update Director of Operations Brenda Johnson
Former district chairs should pass over their credentials to their current district chair so the laptops can be relicensed and reactivated.
Bring laptops to the SEANC Office March 3 membership training or at the next BOG meeting. Let Johnson know when you plan to bring your laptop to the SEANC Central Office so she can schedule someone from Benchmark to be at the office.
Audit Chair Linda Rouse Sutton
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Committee reviewing all the manuals. Email Sutton (lindarousesutton@gmail.com) your district input regarding forms.
The next meeting is March 24.
Awards Chair Janice Bass
No 2022 District of the Year Award due to the challenges districts are facing during the pandemic.
Nomination forms for District Chairperson of the Year, Distinguished Service, and Member of the Year are now available online at seanc.org/awards.
» Members are encouraged to submit nominations using the online form (seanc.org/award), or they can download a printable PDF version that can be submitted by email to Beth Dew (bdew@seanc.org).
» A member from any district may submit nomination forms.
Deadline for awards nominations is Sat., July 23 at 5 p.m.
Awards Judging is scheduled for Aug. 3 beginning at 10 a.m. at the SEANC Central Office.
Benevolence Chair Deborah Fleming
The committee will be sending different kinds of cards (such as job promotions, anniversaries, etc.) to members and their immediate family members. Email Fleming (seancbenevolencechair@gmail.com) and copy Jon Owens (jowens@seanc.org), so the committee can send out the appropriate card.
Please send the names and photographs of recently deceased members to Jon Owens (jowens@seanc.org) and copy Deborah Fleming (seancbenevolencechair@gmail.com) no later than Aug. 15 for inclusion in the memorial presentation at convention.
Bylaws Chair Kim Martin
The committee is reviewing each district's bylaws. Make sure your latest district bylaws are at the SEANC office.
Connections Committee Chair B.K. Garrett
The committee approved increasing the Connections Fund amounts offered to qualified members the following: $250, $500, $1,000, or $1,500 when finances are available.
Members requesting funds are required to complete the appropriate form in its entirety and with detail.
DHHS Study Kathy Merritt for Chair Sonya Akbar
The committee is gathering questions and comments for the Executive Director Watkins and Secretary Kody Kinsley upcoming meeting
Survey scheduled to go out to DHHS members mid-March. We hope these findings will bring attention to issues that will be shared with the department and legislators.
Emerging Leaders Chair Carl Elliott
Blanket or sock donations – make checks payable to Emerging Leaders Council with donation in the memo field.
Council ready to assist districts with recruiting events let them know.
Adopt A Highway – community service project.
Continue with the Emerging Leaders Award of Excellence – criteria developed.
EMPAC Chair Mark Dearmon
Send district roster and contact information to empacchair@SEANC.org.
The committee is waiting for the redistricting to be completed before choosing our EMPAC endorsements.
Next virtual meeting is after primaries.
COMMITTEE REPORTS (CONTINUED)
Public Education Chair Mark Dearmon
SEANC is sponsoring the Chancellor’s Cup Golf Tournament in September.
» Each of the 14 districts that represent universities are asked to contribute at least $500 for the sponsorship, and more from larger districts or districts that have more than one university.
» Make check payable to SEANC with Golf Tournament written on the memo line, and send to Lynn Cote (lcote@seanc.org) by the end of March.
Membership recruitment: The committee would like to work with districts to schedule employee appreciation and member recruitment at our universities, community colleges, and public schools in the coming months. To schedule an event or if you have questions, contact your member relations representative and email Dearmon (education@seanc.org).
Financial advisory Chair Patsy Acquista
During our February meeting, the committee discussed what we should do legally to diversify SEANC funds.
Insurance Board of Trustees Chair Janice Smith
The new Delta Dental enrollment started Jan. 1, 2022. Contact the SEANC Central Office if your district members did not receive their cards.
An addition to the IBT Bylaws included supporting electronic and hybrid meetings to ensure the support of those members attending virtually.
Contact your region's IBT member with questions on SEANC insurance products and to gain information for your district's meetings and events.
The committee will schedule rotating insurance vendors/providers presentations during our 2022 meetings.
The next meeting is May 11 at 10 a.m.
Member Discount Chair Tim Southard
We are in the process of getting contracts from the theme parks in anticipation of some parks opening at the end of March.
There were 25 new businesses that signed up between Nov. 15, 2021, and Feb. 11, 2022. District 42 member Tracy Webb won the $100 gift card.
The next contest will run Feb. 21 - May 13, 2022. The person who signs up the most businesses during that period will receive a $100 gift card. Important! All entry forms must be received in the SEANC Central Office no later than the contest ending date: May 13, 2022.
Wells Fargo Home Mortgage and Trip Planet was recently added to our member discount program.
If you know of any business that has closed or moved, please get in touch with Member Services Specialist Felicia Grimes (fgrimes@seanc.org), so she can update her records.
Membership Chair Spillman Grice
Large events for December, January and February were rescheduled to March due to Omicron and staff shortages.
Recruiter/New Member Challenge is from Feb. 20 - May 20. The members who recruit five or more members will be entered to win a Spa Treatment Basket valued at $250.
Membership Training is from March 3, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the SEANC Central Office. Contact Carri Derrick (cderrick@seanc.org) ASAP, if you have a member wishing to attend the training. The committee will reimburse for mileage and will cover the cost of the hotel for two members per district.
COMMITTEE REPORTS (CONTINUED)
Policy Platform Suzanne Beasley for Chair Betsy Lee Hodges
Policy Platform 2022 automatic deletions sent out.
» Framework Objective IV (which reads, seeks standardization of voluntary shared leave) will be deleted.
» Framework Objectives expire after three years and may be recommended for one-time renewal. Framework Objectives are deleted after five years but can be resubmitted by a district the following year.
Foundation Objectives do not expire.
» The Policy Platform Advisory Committee will review Foundation Objectives annually, and districts may submit amendments for the committee to consider and then on to the convention for approval.
Capstone Objectives expire after ten years.
» Amendments may be brought by districts or the Policy Platform Advisory Committee. Amendments to Capstone Objectives require Policy Platform, Advisory Committee approval, Statewide Policy Platform Committee approval, and the convention delegation's approval
Changes to the Policy Platform should be considered at the district annual meetings and submitted to State Policy Platform Chairwoman Betsey Lee Hodges (hbetseylee@gmail.com) within five days following the district annual meeting.
Prison Reform Chair Deborah Harney
The Step Pay Plan is causing issues.
The DPS Town Hall Meeting was successful.
Retiree Council Chair Benny Brigman
Committee member Mark Dearmon resigned. District Rex Foster will fulfill the rest of Dearmon’s term.
Retiree Forum Checklist given to BOG.
Read The Scoop! Last week's issue included information about Humana webinars for state employees.
The next meeting is May 12 at the SEANC Central Office (virtual option) from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Notify Carri Derrick (cderrick@seanc.org) or Lynn Cote (lcote@seanc.org) if you plan to attend.
Scholarship Foundation Angela Lyght for Chair Mike Bell
The Scholarship Foundation is awarding $40,000 this year. In addition, the Retiree Council will fund ten $500 scholarships for retiree grandchildren.
If you have questions or problems regarding the scholarship program processes, contact your district scholarship chair, or a Foundation Board member, or Staff Liaison Phyllis Byrd (pbyrd@seanc.org).
Training Chair Angela Lyght
Upcoming Lunch and Learn Webinar topics to include: building/rebuilding credit, NC Coalition on Aging, Domestic Violence, Self-care, Love Nuggets.
Leadership Training is open to any SEANC member. Go through your district chair regarding the $50 registration fee. Tentative date: April 27 - 29. Lodging and mileage provided by the district.
Next meeting first week in March.
MOTIONS from the Board of Governors
PASSED To approve and accept the BOG meeting minutes of Nov. 12 – 13, 2021 and Dec. 9, 2021.
PASSED To approve the new per diem rates and mileage rates as presented by General Treasurer Emily Jones to become effective March 1, 2022: Breakfast - $9.00; Lunch - $11.80; Dinner - $20.50 (in state) and $23.30 (out of state); Mileage - 58.5 cents per mile.
PASSED To approve the renewal of Attorney Amanda Martin’s contract with no changes to be effective Jan. 1 – Dec. 31, 2022.
PASSED To approve a program, as recommended by the IBT and presented by Acentria, for Teladoc services for $10/month for SEANC members.
PASSED To approve a program, as recommended by the IBT, to move forward with a relationship with Acentria for a set of insurance products that will be tailored to the school system and will be offered on the Acentria platform to assist with recruiting school personnel as SEANC members.
PASSED To approve the health plan increase of 2.2% for the SEANC employees.
PASSED To approve a vote of confidence for Executive Director Ardis Watkins that the BOG stands behind her.
PASSED To approve the Connections Committee recommendation to increase the Connections Awards to $250, $500, $1,000, and $1,500, based on availability of Connections funding.
PASSED To approve the recommendation from the State Membership Committee that beginning March 1, 2022, if a member signs up to purchase SEANC insurance products, etc., the dues and insurance will need to come out of the one payment method – payroll deduction, pension deduction, or bank draft. For those members who currently pay by different methods, they will be “grandfathered” in; however, they will be encouraged to utilize the one payment method.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Marilyn Jean Martin (District 10) announced that she will run for Retiree Council Piedmont Region Representative.