SPOTLIGHT STATE EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION OF NORTH CAROLINA
BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEETING
FEBRUARY 20-21, 2020
TOP 3 TAKEAWAYS
1 SEANC to offer new home health care plan for limited time For a limited time only, SEANC members can sign up for a generous home health/short term care insurance plan offered by Kemper Insurance. The SEANC Insurance Board of Trustees presented the plan to the Board of Governors, which unanimously approved it. Kemper will discontinue the plan on May 31, 2020. It covers care for up to 365 days at a benefit of $150 per day, with a maximum benefit of $54,750. Rates are based on age. Enrollment information will be upcoming in the next few weeks. Look for it in your SEANC Scoop as soon as it is available.
2 Early voting now underway for primary election! Early voting is now underway for the upcoming 2020 Primary election and will run through Feb. 29. Primary election day is March 3. SEANC only endorsed in a few primary contests this year – seven legislative races, the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate (Erica Smith), and one congressional race (Deborah Ross in District 2). Six of the seven legislators endorsed are incumbents, and one is a challenger (Aimy Steele) who has held the seat in the past. A full rundown of candidates and your local early voting site can be found on the SEANC website at https://www.seanc.org/news/early-voting-has-begun-click-to-see-empacs-primary-endorsements
3 Help make sure everyone counts in the 2020 Census Kenneth Wilkins, a retired member of District 44 who now works for the U.S. Census Bureau, made a presentation to the board on the importance of the upcoming 2020 Census. The U.S. Constitution mandates that a national census be taken every 10 years. This count determines political power among the states, as representation in Congress is dictated by it. It also determines which states get increases or decreases in federal funding. Wilkins said the goal is to have 100% participation. This year, the Census will allow telephone and internet responses for the first time. The Census will NOT ask for money, donations, your Social Security number, a PIN code, password or access to credit cards of bank accounts. Wilkins said scammers are already using the Census to confuse seniors out of money or their identity, so be careful. The Census is hiring! If you would like a part-time job (20 hours per week) helping in the count, just visit 2020census.gov/jobs or call 1-855-JOB-2020. Continued on page 2
SEANC Board of Governors Meeting
Feb. 20-21, 2020
LEADERSHIP REPORTS President’s Report — President Jimmy Davis President Jimmy Davis recognized Sen. Jim Burgin (R-Harnett), who gave the invocation and sat in on part of the meeting. Burgin told the board that he is passionate about mental health issues and plans to work hard on employee issues at the prisons and in DHHS facilities. He also joined the organization before he left. Pres. Davis introduced Andy Potter and Patrice Peterson, both from SEIU, to discuss programs the two associations are working on together. Potter works with the Michigan Corrections Organization, and detailed his experiences working with SEANC members on both the Build the Future Campaign and One Voice Campaign. Peterson is a retired president of the Connecticut State Employees Association and noted that SEANC and CSEA have the second- and third-largest retired memberships in SEIU. She encouraged retirees to take an active role in the Together We Rise campaign. SEANC IT Specialist Cole Smith was recognized for a tutorial on use of the laptops many districts bought recently. If a district would like to order a laptop, please contact him at the office as soon as possible. SEANC Digital Communications Specialist Amanda Wise gave a presentation on new membership materials that will be in use in the field, soon. They include an updated insurance guide, a membership guide and a special box for Human Resource directors. Pres. Davis discussed issues some members have had recently with cleanliness at the Holiday Inn SEANC uses to house overnight stays in Raleigh. He presented several options for alternate facilities. The board decided to start using the Hyatt Place near the office following the board meeting. Pres. Davis recognized District 3 member Teresa Johnson to discuss the district’s annual golf tournament. It will be held May 7 at Boone Golf Club, all members are invited to attend. SEANC will not send a voting delegation to the SEIU Convention in Chicago this year, but can send members to represent the association. After discussion, the board voted to send the Executive Committee and EMPAC chairman to the convention. Treasurer’s Report — General Treasurer Chevella Thomas Treasurer Chevella Thomas reported that SEANC’s financials are on target for the year. She also suggested that mileage reimbursement be lowered from $.58 to $.575 to stay in line with IRS recommendations. The board approved the motion.
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SEANC Board of Governors Meeting
Feb. 20-21, 2020
COMMITTEE REPORTS Audit – Linda Rouse Sutton A written report on the audit committee’s activities is in the pre-BOG e-packet. Awards – Second Vice President Kirk Montgomery The committee met this month to review applications before publishing them to the website on March 1. Judging will be held on Aug. 4. Please remember when submitting entries that title pages are helpful, and please limit the pictures you send to those that pertain to the nomination. Electronic scrapbooks are welcome. Member of the year and district of the year award are for activities completed in the current year only. Benevolence – Deborah Fleming Please continue to send photos of deceased members to seancbenevolence@gmail.com or contact Fleming at 252-525-3954. A list of deceased members from each district will be sent to each chair prior to annual meetings. Bylaws – Kim Martin SEANC will use the keypads we own again at this year’s convention and is looking for several nonvoting members to learn how to operate them. Please reach out to members in your district who have a background in IT. Bylaws chairs are reminded that they are not allowed to wear signs or buttons advocating for a candidate on the floor of the convention. The committee will meet on July 22. Each district must send a representative. This is especially important if your district submits a bylaws change. Connection Committee B.K. Garrett The committee has received two applications for assistance since last meeting – one was approved and one denied. The board voted to allow fire victims to apply for assistance. DPS Reform – Deborah Harney Harney met with SEIU members to discuss best practices to recruit and retain members in prisons, and with the DHHS study committee to discuss issues of joint interest. Harney also discussed an issue with medical staffing at night at Harnett Correctional Institution. A discussion of reinstating litter crews was led by President Davis. It was suggested as a policy platform addition. Emerging leaders – Emily Jones A box to collect donations for the Ronald McDonald House has been placed at the front desk at the SEANC office. The council plans to donate time at the house soon. Applications for the Leadership NC program scholarship are due as soon as possible. The council will meet on Feb. 29 and will also gather and distribute toiletries for the needy. DHHS - Sonya Akbar Akbar met with Sen. Jim Burgin on Friday prior to the board meeting to discuss issues at DHHS facilities. EMPAC – Mark Dearmon Early Voting has begun and runs until next Saturday, Feb. 19. See Top Takeaways for more. In addition to the endorsements for the primary, Dale Folwell has also been endorsed for State Treasurer. He does not have a primary race.
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SEANC Board of Governors Meeting
Feb. 20-21, 2020
COMMITTEE REPORTS (CONTINUED) Higher Education – Mark Dearmon SEANC is still working to get a 5% raise for UNC and Community College employees. Watch for information on this in the Scoop and action alerts soon. Please discuss allowing SEANC on campus with the schools and universities in your district. SEANC is hosting an employee appreciation dinner in Grantsboro at Pamlico Community college, which was recently named #2 community college in the country. SEANC is the main sponsor of the Chancellor’s Cup golf tournament in Sanford at Tobacco Road Golf Course. Insurance Board of Trustees – Janice Smith Smith discussed the new Kemper Insurance product, which you can read more about on Page 1. Dr. Angela Mickey is unable to travel because of health reasons, and has submitted her resignation from the IBT. Betty Jackson of District 38 has been appointed to her seat. Member Discount – Tim Southard SEANC has added 22 new businesses to its discount program since last board meeting. District 42 member Tracy Webb won $100 in the most recent Member Discount contest. Membership – Spillman Grice Grice reminded the board to set up events as part of their commitment to devote 5% to membership. He recognized the members who set up membership events in their districts during the most recent contest. Jacque Chatman (D20), Cynthia Hart (D65), Darius McLaurin (D40), Tiffany Horne (D24) and Teresa Vines (D38) each received a check for $25 for their work. The second contest was for District Chairs to set up a membership event and have three district members to assist during the event. Thank you to Districts 20, 64, 65 and 60 for participating. District 60 Chair Debi Artis was the winner of the contest, receiving $100 Ron Fields of District 20 was recognized for recruting 45 new members between Nov. 15 and Feb. 14. Patricia Moore of District 67 was recognized for recruiting 37 new members. Retiree Council – Benny Brigman The council was joined by Heather McLaughlin of the NC chapter of the Alliance of Retired Americans at its last meeting. All members of SEANC are members of the Alliance as well. Scholarship – Mike Bell The Scholarship Foundation will give out $48,500 in awards this year. The deadline to apply for a SEANC Scholarship is April 15. It will also judge the awards for grandchildren of retired members. Remember to sell scholarship raffle tickets. If you can’t sell all of them, please bring your leftovers to convention. The Foundation Board currently has an open seat in the East. This year’s Bowl-A-Thon will be held on July 25 from 1-3 p.m. at Buffalo Lanes North. Training Committee – Brenda Williams Advanced Leadership Training will be held April 29-May 1 at Camp Caraway. Registration is $100, and an extra $25 if you would like a private room. A social media webinar will soon be available to members on the SEANC website.
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SEANC Board of Governors Meeting
Feb. 20-21, 2020
KEY MOTIONS
Motions from Board of Governors PASSED – A motion to approve and adopt BOG minutes for November 15, 2019 and January 25, 2020. PASSED – A motion to approve mileage rate change to 57.5 cents per mile effective Feb. 24, 2020. This includes mileage for Executive Committee, BOG, SEANC State Committees and SEANC Staff. PASSED – A motion to spend $15,111 for migration and support/maintenance for Fortis Blue Data Management. PASSED – A motion to pay $1,675.80 to the NC Dept. of Revenue for sales tax for SEANC Store. PASSED – A motion to utilize lodging at the Hyatt Place (Raleigh, NC) starting Feb. 24, 2020. PASSED – A motion for SEANC to send members of the Executive Committee (which includes officers and regional representatives, the Insurance Board of Trustees Chair, and the Retiree Council Chair, or their alternates), as well as the EMPAC Chair, to the SEIU Convention to be held in Chicago, Illinois, in April, 2020. The SEANC Executive Director will also be attending. PASSED – A motion to provide funding, as necessary, from SEANC reserves to attend the SEIU convention, and a report on the SEIU convention activities and traveling expenses will be made at the May BOG meeting. PASSED – A motion to allow, as the SEANC Operations Manual may be revised/edited at any time by the Board of Governors, the Operations Manual as currently written and presented is approved in order to provide an up-todate working manual, pending further revision/edits. Immediately following approval, the floor may be opened for discussion and appropriate action taken regarding any edits/revisions offered by this body. PASSED – A motion to change the draft of the SEANC Operations Manual version released December 6, 2019, for travel expense reimbursement on page 74 under Miscellaneous, change expense statements submitted for payments that are over sixty (60) days from the date the expense was incurred will not be reimbursed by SEANC, unless the Treasurer grants an exception, to thirty (30) days. PASSED – A motion to approve the staff insurance plan as presented by Director of Finance Gwen Kea. PASSED – A motion to add fires as a qualifying event for consideration for assistance from the Connections Committee. PASSED – A motion to accept the recommendation to approve the Kemper Insurance Home Health Care product for the timeframe indicated.
ANNOUNCEMENTS Wendell Powell (District 41) announced that he will run for Second Vice President.
RESOLUTIONS/REMEMBRANCES Resolution of Comfort and Respect: District 65 member Dwayne Mackey
NEXT BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEETING: May 15-16, 2020
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