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P ublication of the S tate E mployees A ssociation of N orth C arolina • M arch 2010 • V ol . 28 N o . 2 • C irculation 55,000
It’s Here …Time to Meet and Confer Congratulations, SEANC has a meeting with the governor’s office as a result of Gov. Bev Perdue’s Executive Order 45. “So what?” you might ask. Hasn’t SEANC (or a form of it) been meeting with the state’s leadership since 1947? What’s the big deal? The big deal is that for the first time we have been formally guaranteed an annual meeting with the governor’s office and quarterly meetings with the state personnel director. The big deal is that state employee groups whose membership is 20 percent or more of a given executive agency are granted quarterly access to the bosses at that agency. And we don’t just get to meet with them; they also have to report back to the governor’s office our areas of concern. The governor also formally encouraged the UNC system, community college system and the council of state agencies to participate in the executive order. This means that when state employees have ideas on how to more efficiently and cost-effectively deliver quality public services, we have a regularly scheduled appointment to present and discuss these ideas and more. To me, this order is like a check-up with your doctor. Many of us have good intentions to get a wellness exam, but we don’t do it because we have to make an appointment. This order is a wellness appointment for state government.
PHOTO BY TONI DAVIS
By Dana Cope, Executive Director
Pictured at the State Capitol are SEANC President Tony Smith, Gov. Bev Perdue and SEANC Executive Director Dana Cope.
This also means that you can no longer stand on the sidelines. Now is the time to recruit employees in your office, prison and work site who are not SEANC members and ask them to join the association. In particular ask the person who has been interested in joining SEANC, but never got around to signing up. And reading this, I know that you know exactly who you should ask to join. I’m talking about your friend at work that you loaned this paper to, the neighbor who stops you at the mailbox, the state employee at the
grocery store who is working his second job and asking you about raises, health benefits and what’s going on in Raleigh because you are a SEANC member. We must now maintain a minimum of 20 percent in each and every executive agency or we face the prospect of outsiders coming in to take over representation of state employees and retirees. Meaning, we have our work cut out for us. Now more than ever, your participation in SEANC is vital. We can no longer take for granted that we are the only representative of state employees. We must work together to increase our numbers, to ensure that we have the political strength to fairly represent all state employees – from the governor to the lowest-paid employee. It’s time for you to choose who you want to represent you because unions like the North Carolina Association of Educators, Teamsters and UE 150 all want to be the representative of state employees. Just because we’re the biggest now doesn’t mean that we’ll be the biggest in five years. It is time to ensure that the years of hard work which SEANC has put in on behalf of all state employees and retirees will continue and grow. To read Executive Order 45, go to www.seanc.org. dcope@seanc.org
Retirement Systems Board Seeks Higher State Contribution and COLA The Retirement Systems Board of Trustees met on Jan. 21 and unanimously approved a proposal for the Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System presented by the Retirement Systems Association Roundtable – made up of SEANC, the North Carolina Association of Educators, the Retired Governmental Employees’ Association, the North Carolina Retired School Personnel and the North Carolina Association of School Administrators. The proposal, which now goes to the General Assembly for consideration, recommends an increase in the employer contribution to 6.71 percent and a costof-living adjustment (COLA) equal to the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) of 2.7 percent. In order to increase the employer contribution to 6.71 percent, roughly $181 million from the General Assembly is necessary to keep the system fully funded. Any COLA will also have to be funded by the General Assembly, which may be difficult to pass this year as the state is still experiencing budget difficulties. SEANC Retirees Director Mitch Leonard spoke at the meeting about the importance of raising the employer contribution. “We’re going to have to work very closely together as we try not only in this coming session, but sessions in the future, to make sure that the General Assembly appropriates the funds that are needed,” he said. “Some think there is no problem; others think you can just invest your way out of the problem, and we all know neither is true.” Also in attendance at the meeting were SEANC District 10 member Sterling Primus and District 9 member Randy Sales, who both serve on the board. mbell@seanc.org
PHOTO BY TONI DAVIS
By Mary Adelaide Bell
SEANC District 10 member Sterling Primus, left, and District 9 member Randy Sales attend the Retirement Systems Board meeting on Jan. 21 in Raleigh.
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Tobacco Testing: Impractical and Wasteful By Erica Baldwin Imagine if a correctional officer guarding dangerous criminals or a transportation worker fixing a hazardous bridge were asked to step away from their jobs to give a saliva sample to check for tobacco in their systems. While this may sound ridiculous, this big brother approach is not too far-fetched due to new tobacco regulations put in place by the 2009 General Assembly.
SHP Members – What to Do
• Do nothing, and you’ll be placed into the 70/30 Basic PPO Plan beginning July 1. This means facing an average of $480 or more a year in additional out-of-pocket costs. • Sign an attestation form stating that you and your covered dependents abstain from tobacco products or have enrolled in a program to quit tobacco, and you’ll keep the 80/20 Standard Plan. The form will be in your enrollment packet.
Testing: An “Administrative Nightmare” Employees who sign an attestation form will be placed in a pool of employees who will be randomly selected for testing at non-worksite locations, reportedly within 30 minutes from their homes. Only one other state, Indiana, tests its employees for tobacco use. When asked if the testing would be an administrative nightmare, a SHP official replied, “Of course – this is a work in progress.” The SHP has not yet chosen a vendor for the testing, and the costs of the testing and administrative hassle versus the alleged savings and health benefits remain ambiguous. “I hope this isn’t another politically connected sweetheart deal,” said SEANC Executive Director Dana Cope of the proposed tobacco testing contract.
Tobacco Testing – What to Expect After July 1, affected employees or their covered spouses (only those who claim to not use tobacco) will be randomly selected and notified when they need to go to a test site. Once at the test site, employees/spouses will be given a saliva test. If the results are positive for tobacco and the employee contests the findings, then a blood test may be administered on the spot. If the employee attested they do not use tobacco, but the tests are positive, employees and covered dependents will be moved to the 70/30 plan and will lose any out-of-pocket money paid toward deductibles in the 80/20 plan. “The state trusts me to work with high-risk children, but they don’t trust me to fill out a form honestly? That’s insulting and an infringement of my rights,” said District 21 member Janice BurrusMARCH 2010
PHOTO BY ERICA BALDWIN
State Health Plan (SHP) annual enrollment is March 15 to April 9. This year, non-Medicare SHP members can do one of two things:
N.C. for Affordable Health Care Director Chuck Stone, right, speaks with Rep. Hugh Holliman (D-Davidson) following the Jan. 21 Blue Ribbon Task Force on the SHP meeting in Raleigh.
Bass, a non-smoker who works for the Department of Health and Human Services.
SEANC Asks Tough Questions As an advocate for state employees, SEANC’s Chuck Stone, director of North Carolinians for Affordable Health Care, has consistently brought up numerous common-sense questions to the General Assembly Blue Ribbon Task Force on the SHP. These questions include: 1) Who should pay for the time off and the expenses incurred by the employee for tobacco testing? 2) What about privacy rights? 3) Is it fair to move an entire family to the 70/30 plan if only one member uses tobacco?
In response, SHP officials were uncertain if employees will be allowed to use work time and reimbursed mileage expenses to go to a site, even though the state requires testing for notified employees. The SHP said this is an agency issue, not the SHP’s jurisdiction, and admitted some agencies may not support leave time for testing. “It’s outrageous to mandate testing and then refuse to pay employees for their time and travel,” said Stone. “On the flip side, if I’m the manager, it’s foolish to ask a parole officer, an elevator inspector or a nurse to stop protecting our neighborhoods, ensuring our safety or providing health care to take a test that is impractical, inconvenient and invasive,” added Stone. In addition to working on the task force, SEANC has spoken out against the State Health Plan’s punitive measures in numerous media outlets – including NBC’s Today Show, The News & Observer, The Asheville Citizen-Times and Greenville’s WNCT Channel 9 news. During a Jan. 21 meeting of the Blue Ribbon Task Force on the SHP, members continued to question the testing costs and its effectiveness. The task force is made up of legislators and representatives from affected groups, including Stone. “To those making $30,000 or less teaching our kids and protecting our communities, we need to explain why we can’t do [health care] better and cheaper than anyone else,” said Rep. Dale Folwell (R-Forsyth) at a December meeting of the task force. “SEANC will continue to seek answers to these questions so state employees can effectively do their jobs without interruption,” said Stone. ebaldwin@seanc.org
SEANC Seeks Answers on Hospital Overpayments Letter from Dana Cope to Speaker Hackney November 16, 2009 The Honorable Joe Hackney N.C. House of Representatives 16 W. Jones Street, Room 2304 Raleigh, NC 27601-1096 Dear Speaker Hackney: I was disturbed to learn from The News & Observer that the State Health Plan paid six hospitals more than $2.5 million in overcharges. It appears that the General Assembly and Rep. Hugh Holliman’s leadership of the State Health Plan’s oversight committee have once again let down state employees and punished taxpayers due to the lack of oversight. My question is, who is looking after the State Health Plan’s 670,000 members on a full-time basis? Certainly not State Health Plan officials, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of N.C. or the legislative oversight committee led by Rep. Holliman. While $2.5 million may seem like pocket change to the State Health Plan, BCBSNC and the legislature, overpayments in those amounts are noticeable to state employees, teachers and retirees who saw their out-of-pocket costs increase by $600 with the passage of Senate Bill 287—a bill that required zero cost concessions from BCBSNC. In April, BCBSNC CEO Bob Greczyn testified before the House Insurance Committee that BCBSNC’s overpayments were negligible at about 1 percent (5 percent is the national average). However, a 2002 audit found the State Health Plan was recovering only 0.3 percent in hospital overcharges on claims of more than $4.15 billion over a four-year period. If the national average of 5 percent was met, for example, more than $200 million would have been recovered. Again, who is looking at the books to try to save taxpayers and state employees millions of dollars? The recent overpayments were a result of hospitals charging higher rates than the negotiated contract rates. Some hospitals said they passed the information about higher rates on to plan administrator BCBSNC, who did not give the information regarding the rate changes to the State Health Plan. Health plan officials, however, were nonchalant about this breakdown in communication (and the subsequent $2.5 million in overpayments), stating BCBSNC was not required to pass along this information. And why should BCBSNC? After all, they hold a monopoly on State Health Plan business, and their cost-plus contract pays them more when they collect higher fees from health care providers. BCBSNC has no incentive to keep costs down. Speaker Hackney, SEANC demands that you take up moving the State Health Plan’s oversight from the legislative to the executive branch during the 2010 legislative session. SEANC will continue to call for complete transparency of the no-bid, sweetheart contract with BCBSNC. I look forward to your response.
Quitline NC (1-800-QUIT-NOW) Call and enroll to receive free nicotine replacement therapy patches (four months of patches per plan year for two years) and support from a Quit Coach. You don’t need a prescription, and patches will be mailed to your home. Ask your Quit Coach to send you a letter of enrollment to keep for your records. You may be asked to provide this letter to the State Health Plan to remain in the 80/20 Standard PPO Plan. Tobacco cessation counseling is covered by the SHP. Prescription medications, including nicotine replacement patches, are covered with $5 to $35 co-pays.
11/18/09 Dana – Thanks for your letter. The issues you raise are intended to be raised in the Blue Ribbon Study, and I am confident we will have solid recommendations when we convene in May. Sincerely, Joe
Sincerely,
Tools to Help You Quit Smoking
Speaker Hackney’s Response
Dana S. Cope Executive Director
Update: Blue Ribbon Task Force Gives Hospital Overpayments Little Thought By Erica Baldwin According to Speaker Hackney’s letter, the State Health Plan (SHP) Blue Ribbon Task Force is charged with reviewing the governance structure of the SHP and making other recommendations regarding the financial stability and benefit structure of the plan. However, task force member Chuck Stone, director of SEANC’s North Carolinians for Affordable Health Care, said discussing the SHP’s governance structure and investigating overpayments have been given little, if any, time at the December and January task force meetings. “Looking into these gross overpayments should be a priority of the task force, but the audit review and governance structure are last on the priority
list,” said Stone. “When there’s money trouble, it’s frustrating that the first place the state goes is to employees’ pockets, instead of examining their own books.” Led by Rep. Hugh Holliman (D-Davidson), task force members have not seen an agenda before walking into the meetings. SEANC is seeking to change the SHP from legislative to executive oversight. The task force has meetings scheduled for March 25 and April 22. Share your concerns regarding the health plan with Stone at cstone@seanc.org. ebaldwin@seanc.org
MARCH 2010
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Tobacco Testing: Impractical and Wasteful By Erica Baldwin Imagine if a correctional officer guarding dangerous criminals or a transportation worker fixing a hazardous bridge were asked to step away from their jobs to give a saliva sample to check for tobacco in their systems. While this may sound ridiculous, this big brother approach is not too far-fetched due to new tobacco regulations put in place by the 2009 General Assembly.
SHP Members – What to Do
• Do nothing, and you’ll be placed into the 70/30 Basic PPO Plan beginning July 1. This means facing an average of $480 or more a year in additional out-of-pocket costs. • Sign an attestation form stating that you and your covered dependents abstain from tobacco products or have enrolled in a program to quit tobacco, and you’ll keep the 80/20 Standard Plan. The form will be in your enrollment packet.
Testing: An “Administrative Nightmare” Employees who sign an attestation form will be placed in a pool of employees who will be randomly selected for testing at non-worksite locations, reportedly within 30 minutes from their homes. Only one other state, Indiana, tests its employees for tobacco use. When asked if the testing would be an administrative nightmare, a SHP official replied, “Of course – this is a work in progress.” The SHP has not yet chosen a vendor for the testing, and the costs of the testing and administrative hassle versus the alleged savings and health benefits remain ambiguous. “I hope this isn’t another politically connected sweetheart deal,” said SEANC Executive Director Dana Cope of the proposed tobacco testing contract.
Tobacco Testing – What to Expect After July 1, affected employees or their covered spouses (only those who claim to not use tobacco) will be randomly selected and notified when they need to go to a test site. Once at the test site, employees/spouses will be given a saliva test. If the results are positive for tobacco and the employee contests the findings, then a blood test may be administered on the spot. If the employee attested they do not use tobacco, but the tests are positive, employees and covered dependents will be moved to the 70/30 plan and will lose any out-of-pocket money paid toward deductibles in the 80/20 plan. “The state trusts me to work with high-risk children, but they don’t trust me to fill out a form honestly? That’s insulting and an infringement of my rights,” said District 21 member Janice BurrusMARCH 2010
PHOTO BY ERICA BALDWIN
State Health Plan (SHP) annual enrollment is March 15 to April 9. This year, non-Medicare SHP members can do one of two things:
N.C. for Affordable Health Care Director Chuck Stone, right, speaks with Rep. Hugh Holliman (D-Davidson) following the Jan. 21 Blue Ribbon Task Force on the SHP meeting in Raleigh.
Bass, a non-smoker who works for the Department of Health and Human Services.
SEANC Asks Tough Questions As an advocate for state employees, SEANC’s Chuck Stone, director of North Carolinians for Affordable Health Care, has consistently brought up numerous common-sense questions to the General Assembly Blue Ribbon Task Force on the SHP. These questions include: 1) Who should pay for the time off and the expenses incurred by the employee for tobacco testing? 2) What about privacy rights? 3) Is it fair to move an entire family to the 70/30 plan if only one member uses tobacco?
In response, SHP officials were uncertain if employees will be allowed to use work time and reimbursed mileage expenses to go to a site, even though the state requires testing for notified employees. The SHP said this is an agency issue, not the SHP’s jurisdiction, and admitted some agencies may not support leave time for testing. “It’s outrageous to mandate testing and then refuse to pay employees for their time and travel,” said Stone. “On the flip side, if I’m the manager, it’s foolish to ask a parole officer, an elevator inspector or a nurse to stop protecting our neighborhoods, ensuring our safety or providing health care to take a test that is impractical, inconvenient and invasive,” added Stone. In addition to working on the task force, SEANC has spoken out against the State Health Plan’s punitive measures in numerous media outlets – including NBC’s Today Show, The News & Observer, The Asheville Citizen-Times and Greenville’s WNCT Channel 9 news. During a Jan. 21 meeting of the Blue Ribbon Task Force on the SHP, members continued to question the testing costs and its effectiveness. The task force is made up of legislators and representatives from affected groups, including Stone. “To those making $30,000 or less teaching our kids and protecting our communities, we need to explain why we can’t do [health care] better and cheaper than anyone else,” said Rep. Dale Folwell (R-Forsyth) at a December meeting of the task force. “SEANC will continue to seek answers to these questions so state employees can effectively do their jobs without interruption,” said Stone. ebaldwin@seanc.org
SEANC Seeks Answers on Hospital Overpayments Letter from Dana Cope to Speaker Hackney November 16, 2009 The Honorable Joe Hackney N.C. House of Representatives 16 W. Jones Street, Room 2304 Raleigh, NC 27601-1096 Dear Speaker Hackney: I was disturbed to learn from The News & Observer that the State Health Plan paid six hospitals more than $2.5 million in overcharges. It appears that the General Assembly and Rep. Hugh Holliman’s leadership of the State Health Plan’s oversight committee have once again let down state employees and punished taxpayers due to the lack of oversight. My question is, who is looking after the State Health Plan’s 670,000 members on a full-time basis? Certainly not State Health Plan officials, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of N.C. or the legislative oversight committee led by Rep. Holliman. While $2.5 million may seem like pocket change to the State Health Plan, BCBSNC and the legislature, overpayments in those amounts are noticeable to state employees, teachers and retirees who saw their out-of-pocket costs increase by $600 with the passage of Senate Bill 287—a bill that required zero cost concessions from BCBSNC. In April, BCBSNC CEO Bob Greczyn testified before the House Insurance Committee that BCBSNC’s overpayments were negligible at about 1 percent (5 percent is the national average). However, a 2002 audit found the State Health Plan was recovering only 0.3 percent in hospital overcharges on claims of more than $4.15 billion over a four-year period. If the national average of 5 percent was met, for example, more than $200 million would have been recovered. Again, who is looking at the books to try to save taxpayers and state employees millions of dollars? The recent overpayments were a result of hospitals charging higher rates than the negotiated contract rates. Some hospitals said they passed the information about higher rates on to plan administrator BCBSNC, who did not give the information regarding the rate changes to the State Health Plan. Health plan officials, however, were nonchalant about this breakdown in communication (and the subsequent $2.5 million in overpayments), stating BCBSNC was not required to pass along this information. And why should BCBSNC? After all, they hold a monopoly on State Health Plan business, and their cost-plus contract pays them more when they collect higher fees from health care providers. BCBSNC has no incentive to keep costs down. Speaker Hackney, SEANC demands that you take up moving the State Health Plan’s oversight from the legislative to the executive branch during the 2010 legislative session. SEANC will continue to call for complete transparency of the no-bid, sweetheart contract with BCBSNC. I look forward to your response.
Quitline NC (1-800-QUIT-NOW) Call and enroll to receive free nicotine replacement therapy patches (four months of patches per plan year for two years) and support from a Quit Coach. You don’t need a prescription, and patches will be mailed to your home. Ask your Quit Coach to send you a letter of enrollment to keep for your records. You may be asked to provide this letter to the State Health Plan to remain in the 80/20 Standard PPO Plan. Tobacco cessation counseling is covered by the SHP. Prescription medications, including nicotine replacement patches, are covered with $5 to $35 co-pays.
11/18/09 Dana – Thanks for your letter. The issues you raise are intended to be raised in the Blue Ribbon Study, and I am confident we will have solid recommendations when we convene in May. Sincerely, Joe
Sincerely,
Tools to Help You Quit Smoking
Speaker Hackney’s Response
Dana S. Cope Executive Director
Update: Blue Ribbon Task Force Gives Hospital Overpayments Little Thought By Erica Baldwin According to Speaker Hackney’s letter, the State Health Plan (SHP) Blue Ribbon Task Force is charged with reviewing the governance structure of the SHP and making other recommendations regarding the financial stability and benefit structure of the plan. However, task force member Chuck Stone, director of SEANC’s North Carolinians for Affordable Health Care, said discussing the SHP’s governance structure and investigating overpayments have been given little, if any, time at the December and January task force meetings. “Looking into these gross overpayments should be a priority of the task force, but the audit review and governance structure are last on the priority
list,” said Stone. “When there’s money trouble, it’s frustrating that the first place the state goes is to employees’ pockets, instead of examining their own books.” Led by Rep. Hugh Holliman (D-Davidson), task force members have not seen an agenda before walking into the meetings. SEANC is seeking to change the SHP from legislative to executive oversight. The task force has meetings scheduled for March 25 and April 22. Share your concerns regarding the health plan with Stone at cstone@seanc.org. ebaldwin@seanc.org
MARCH 2010
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Quotes to Note “In times of recession and economic depression, the demand on services only increases – community college enrollment, university enrollment, the line at the Employment Security Office…The money isn’t coming in to provide those services, so there’s a double pinch felt by state government.” SEANC Executive Director Dana Cope on WPTF’s Jan. 14 radio show “For Your Information.” “The current system that North Carolina has with its ABC laws and how they are administered is nothing but a good ol’ boy network. It’s a relic of the past.” Cope on exorbitant raises and bonuses for local Alcohol Beverage Control officials in the Dec. 19 Charlotte Observer article “Raises abound for ABC officials.” “We think this is definitely a big brother approach for punishing employees and not giving them incentives for better health.” SEANC Assistant Communications Director Erica Baldwin in the Dec. 3 Star News article “Hospital administrators show they can practice what they preach.” “There are many state employees who are in such a low income group that if you really want this to work, you’ve got to make these medications available at virtually no cost.” North Carolinians for Affordable Health Care Director Chuck Stone in the Dec. 3 Asheville Citizen-Times article “North Carolina prods obese workers, smokers toward healthier lifestyles.” “They’re passing on the costs to the employees in those target groups. They feel like they’re being discriminated against.” District 61 member Mike Bell on WNCT’s Nov. 10 special report, “Changes to Your State Health Plan.”
President’s Message
“State employees are out every day putting their lives on the line to keep our communities and our highways safe, and $145 isn’t too much to ask just to save one life.” SEANC Communications Specialist Mary Adelaide Bell on ABC 11’s Nov. 25 report “Some state cars missing side airbags.” “The health plan is done by the General Assembly and someday I’m hopeful to have that changed. I’ve never been a fan of how decisions are made for premium changes.” Gov. Bev Perdue in the NBC 17 report “State Employees Take Charge of Their Health” on Nov. 19. SEANC has been working to change the SHP’s oversight from the legislative to the executive branch. “Multi-million dollar investments of state retiree money with firms that in turn gave favors or campaign contributions to Richard Moore or his staff seem to be the legacy of his tenure as treasurer.” SEANC Legislative Affairs Director Ardis Watkins in WRAL’s Nov. 13 report “Ex-treasurer defends new job at investment firm.” “My daughter is covered by her father and he is a tobacco user. So if he doesn’t choose to put down his tobacco products my daughter will have to go on a 70/30 plan and that’s not fair to a 5-year-old child.” SEANC District 58 member Laura Price on WNCT’s Nov. 10 special report, “Changes to Your State Health Plan.” “We will be back at the General Assembly advocating on behalf of state employees and retirees to stop these punitive measures which invade everyone’s privacy.” Communications Director Toni Davis on WNCT’s Nov. 10 special report, “Changes to Your State Health Plan.”
Want to see more SEANC in the News? Check out www.seanc.org under “News.”
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MARCH 2010
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Involve Yourself in SEANC; Join Us for Lobby Day June 8
Court’s OK of Political Spending Has Ripple Effects in N.C.
It’s March already! Before we know it, June will be here and with it SEANC Lobby Day 2010. By now I am sure you are all aware of how fond I am of issuing a challenge – well, I have another one for you – come to Lobby Day on June 8. Save the date on your calendar now, discuss the time off with your supervisor and visit www. seanc.org to sign up for the event. Remember participation and accountability are key to a successful democracy. We must hold our legislators accountable, so make plans today to participate in lobby day. This is your opportunity to let your elected officials know what is important to you. No special training is necessary, just the desire to have your voice heard. All state employees are invited to attend. This is an excellent opportunity to recruit new members for your district. Invite a Smith co-worker who is not a SEANC member. Giving them a taste of SEANC in action can be a powerful tool toward gaining a new member. If you have never participated in a lobby day before, I encourage you to contact your district chairperson about the event. Often, to promote greater participation from across the state, districts will arrange group transportation to the event – chartering a bus, renting a van or even carpooling – this is just the type of event your district’s dues rebate is meant to cover. If you do not know who your district chairperson is, please visit the districts section of the SEANC Web site at www.seanc.org/districts. Also, remember that SEANC staff is always available to assist you; just give them a call at 800-222-2758. Through proper planning and participation, we can make this one of the largest lobby days we’ve had in years. I hate to beat a dead horse, but I must say the word again – participation. I sincerely appreciate all the members and their hard work over the past year, but we can’t stop now. I am sure many of you have co-workers who are SEANC members that do not participate in district meetings, recruitment drives or other SEANC functions. SEANC is a member-driven organization. The wants and needs of the membership are best met through maximum participation. Make plans to attend your next district meeting and encourage others in your district to do so as well. You can find scheduled district meetings by checking the Calendar of Events on the SEANC Web site or by contacting your district chairperson. Remember, this is a member-run organization, and the key to its success is YOU!
Reversing a number of earlier decisions that spanned many years, on Jan. 20, a sharply divided U.S. Supreme Court held that the federal election law banning corporations from spending their general treasury funds for direct political advocacy violates the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. As a consequence, corporations (and labor unions) will be able to spend unlimited amounts of their general funds on political advertisements and communications supporting or opposing political candidates, so long as their expenditures are “independent,” i.e., not coordinated with a political candidate or the candidate’s campaign or agents. The federal election law ban on corporate and union direct political contributions to candidates was not addressed in the Supreme Court’s decision and, thus, continues in force. Harris While the Supreme Court’s decision addresses only the unconstitutionality of federal elections, it is readily apparent that state elections laws, such as North Carolina’s, are also unconstitutional to the extent that they parallel the portions of the federal election laws that were struck down. As a result, corporations and unions, including SEANC, will be able to spend general treasury funds on independent political advertisements.
tsmith@seanc.org
THE
Toni Davis, Editor-In-Chief Erica Baldwin, Managing Editor Mary Adelaide Bell Associate Editor, Advertising Manager Amber Ernst, Associate Editor Sara Beth McLamb, Communications Intern State Employees Association of North Carolina
Contact your authorized Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina agent for costs and further details of coverage, limitations, exclusions and terms under which the policy may be continued in force. An independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. ® Mark of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. SM Mark of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. U2082m, 5/06
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P.O. Drawer 27727 • Raleigh, NC 27611 1621 Midtown Place • Raleigh, NC 27609 Telephone 919-833-6436, 800-222-2758 www.seanc.org
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.
“The biggest potential effect of the Supreme Court ruling is likely to be in the increased spending on political advertisements by those corporations and unions that have lots more money to spend than SEANC does.” This may sound like a big change for SEANC, but in reality, it may only mean a content change in communications that SEANC has already been funding with the political line item in its budget. Even under the election law provisions that were struck down, corporations and unions could run informational advertisements about the stands political candidates had taken on particular issues so long as the ad did not use words that directly supported or opposed the election of the candidate. SEANC has long used these “informational” ads during the election season. In light of the Supreme Court’s ruling, the major change in SEANC’s use of such ads is that it will now be able to legally voice its election position for the candidates in those ads. However, since SEANC has limited funds budgeted for these ads, it is unlikely to create financial strain on SEANC. On the other hand, SEANC’s resources for spending funds on direct advocacy in North Carolina political races may well be enhanced by its affiliation with SEIU, which has vastly more resources in its general fund treasury. The biggest potential effect of the Supreme Court ruling is likely to be in the increased spending on political advertisements by those corporations and unions that have lots more money to spend than SEANC does. Many commentators, including President Barack Obama himself, have decried the court’s decision as giving rich corporations the opportunity to “buy” elections by dominating them with political ads paid for from their general funds. The oil companies that have made billions of dollars of profits in recent years are a good example of a set of corporations having the potential for such an impact. Unions do not have such vast resources and are likely to have a much smaller impact. In light of this expected impact of the Supreme Court’s decision, President Obama and congressional Democrats are already looking for ways to enact barriers or restrictions to corporate political spending, such as requiring corporations to have more than 50 percent of the shareholders approve any political spending. It will be interesting to watch and see what develops at the federal level and whether North Carolina likewise tries to enact some limits of its own. Stay tuned for future developments. tharris@seanc.org MARCH 2010
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Quotes to Note “In times of recession and economic depression, the demand on services only increases – community college enrollment, university enrollment, the line at the Employment Security Office…The money isn’t coming in to provide those services, so there’s a double pinch felt by state government.” SEANC Executive Director Dana Cope on WPTF’s Jan. 14 radio show “For Your Information.” “The current system that North Carolina has with its ABC laws and how they are administered is nothing but a good ol’ boy network. It’s a relic of the past.” Cope on exorbitant raises and bonuses for local Alcohol Beverage Control officials in the Dec. 19 Charlotte Observer article “Raises abound for ABC officials.” “We think this is definitely a big brother approach for punishing employees and not giving them incentives for better health.” SEANC Assistant Communications Director Erica Baldwin in the Dec. 3 Star News article “Hospital administrators show they can practice what they preach.” “There are many state employees who are in such a low income group that if you really want this to work, you’ve got to make these medications available at virtually no cost.” North Carolinians for Affordable Health Care Director Chuck Stone in the Dec. 3 Asheville Citizen-Times article “North Carolina prods obese workers, smokers toward healthier lifestyles.” “They’re passing on the costs to the employees in those target groups. They feel like they’re being discriminated against.” District 61 member Mike Bell on WNCT’s Nov. 10 special report, “Changes to Your State Health Plan.”
President’s Message
“State employees are out every day putting their lives on the line to keep our communities and our highways safe, and $145 isn’t too much to ask just to save one life.” SEANC Communications Specialist Mary Adelaide Bell on ABC 11’s Nov. 25 report “Some state cars missing side airbags.” “The health plan is done by the General Assembly and someday I’m hopeful to have that changed. I’ve never been a fan of how decisions are made for premium changes.” Gov. Bev Perdue in the NBC 17 report “State Employees Take Charge of Their Health” on Nov. 19. SEANC has been working to change the SHP’s oversight from the legislative to the executive branch. “Multi-million dollar investments of state retiree money with firms that in turn gave favors or campaign contributions to Richard Moore or his staff seem to be the legacy of his tenure as treasurer.” SEANC Legislative Affairs Director Ardis Watkins in WRAL’s Nov. 13 report “Ex-treasurer defends new job at investment firm.” “My daughter is covered by her father and he is a tobacco user. So if he doesn’t choose to put down his tobacco products my daughter will have to go on a 70/30 plan and that’s not fair to a 5-year-old child.” SEANC District 58 member Laura Price on WNCT’s Nov. 10 special report, “Changes to Your State Health Plan.” “We will be back at the General Assembly advocating on behalf of state employees and retirees to stop these punitive measures which invade everyone’s privacy.” Communications Director Toni Davis on WNCT’s Nov. 10 special report, “Changes to Your State Health Plan.”
Want to see more SEANC in the News? Check out www.seanc.org under “News.”
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by Tony Smith
MARCH 2010
by Tom Harris
SEANC Chief of Staff/General Counsel
Involve Yourself in SEANC; Join Us for Lobby Day June 8
Court’s OK of Political Spending Has Ripple Effects in N.C.
It’s March already! Before we know it, June will be here and with it SEANC Lobby Day 2010. By now I am sure you are all aware of how fond I am of issuing a challenge – well, I have another one for you – come to Lobby Day on June 8. Save the date on your calendar now, discuss the time off with your supervisor and visit www. seanc.org to sign up for the event. Remember participation and accountability are key to a successful democracy. We must hold our legislators accountable, so make plans today to participate in lobby day. This is your opportunity to let your elected officials know what is important to you. No special training is necessary, just the desire to have your voice heard. All state employees are invited to attend. This is an excellent opportunity to recruit new members for your district. Invite a Smith co-worker who is not a SEANC member. Giving them a taste of SEANC in action can be a powerful tool toward gaining a new member. If you have never participated in a lobby day before, I encourage you to contact your district chairperson about the event. Often, to promote greater participation from across the state, districts will arrange group transportation to the event – chartering a bus, renting a van or even carpooling – this is just the type of event your district’s dues rebate is meant to cover. If you do not know who your district chairperson is, please visit the districts section of the SEANC Web site at www.seanc.org/districts. Also, remember that SEANC staff is always available to assist you; just give them a call at 800-222-2758. Through proper planning and participation, we can make this one of the largest lobby days we’ve had in years. I hate to beat a dead horse, but I must say the word again – participation. I sincerely appreciate all the members and their hard work over the past year, but we can’t stop now. I am sure many of you have co-workers who are SEANC members that do not participate in district meetings, recruitment drives or other SEANC functions. SEANC is a member-driven organization. The wants and needs of the membership are best met through maximum participation. Make plans to attend your next district meeting and encourage others in your district to do so as well. You can find scheduled district meetings by checking the Calendar of Events on the SEANC Web site or by contacting your district chairperson. Remember, this is a member-run organization, and the key to its success is YOU!
Reversing a number of earlier decisions that spanned many years, on Jan. 20, a sharply divided U.S. Supreme Court held that the federal election law banning corporations from spending their general treasury funds for direct political advocacy violates the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. As a consequence, corporations (and labor unions) will be able to spend unlimited amounts of their general funds on political advertisements and communications supporting or opposing political candidates, so long as their expenditures are “independent,” i.e., not coordinated with a political candidate or the candidate’s campaign or agents. The federal election law ban on corporate and union direct political contributions to candidates was not addressed in the Supreme Court’s decision and, thus, continues in force. Harris While the Supreme Court’s decision addresses only the unconstitutionality of federal elections, it is readily apparent that state elections laws, such as North Carolina’s, are also unconstitutional to the extent that they parallel the portions of the federal election laws that were struck down. As a result, corporations and unions, including SEANC, will be able to spend general treasury funds on independent political advertisements.
tsmith@seanc.org
THE
Toni Davis, Editor-In-Chief Erica Baldwin, Managing Editor Mary Adelaide Bell Associate Editor, Advertising Manager Amber Ernst, Associate Editor Sara Beth McLamb, Communications Intern State Employees Association of North Carolina
Contact your authorized Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina agent for costs and further details of coverage, limitations, exclusions and terms under which the policy may be continued in force. An independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. ® Mark of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. SM Mark of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. U2082m, 5/06
Counselor’s Comments
P.O. Drawer 27727 • Raleigh, NC 27611 1621 Midtown Place • Raleigh, NC 27609 Telephone 919-833-6436, 800-222-2758 www.seanc.org
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.
“The biggest potential effect of the Supreme Court ruling is likely to be in the increased spending on political advertisements by those corporations and unions that have lots more money to spend than SEANC does.” This may sound like a big change for SEANC, but in reality, it may only mean a content change in communications that SEANC has already been funding with the political line item in its budget. Even under the election law provisions that were struck down, corporations and unions could run informational advertisements about the stands political candidates had taken on particular issues so long as the ad did not use words that directly supported or opposed the election of the candidate. SEANC has long used these “informational” ads during the election season. In light of the Supreme Court’s ruling, the major change in SEANC’s use of such ads is that it will now be able to legally voice its election position for the candidates in those ads. However, since SEANC has limited funds budgeted for these ads, it is unlikely to create financial strain on SEANC. On the other hand, SEANC’s resources for spending funds on direct advocacy in North Carolina political races may well be enhanced by its affiliation with SEIU, which has vastly more resources in its general fund treasury. The biggest potential effect of the Supreme Court ruling is likely to be in the increased spending on political advertisements by those corporations and unions that have lots more money to spend than SEANC does. Many commentators, including President Barack Obama himself, have decried the court’s decision as giving rich corporations the opportunity to “buy” elections by dominating them with political ads paid for from their general funds. The oil companies that have made billions of dollars of profits in recent years are a good example of a set of corporations having the potential for such an impact. Unions do not have such vast resources and are likely to have a much smaller impact. In light of this expected impact of the Supreme Court’s decision, President Obama and congressional Democrats are already looking for ways to enact barriers or restrictions to corporate political spending, such as requiring corporations to have more than 50 percent of the shareholders approve any political spending. It will be interesting to watch and see what develops at the federal level and whether North Carolina likewise tries to enact some limits of its own. Stay tuned for future developments. tharris@seanc.org MARCH 2010
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scholarship
scholarship SEANC Scholarship Golf Tournament Becomes the Don Jones Memorial Golf Tournament By Amber Ernst
For the past 25 years, SEANC has sponsored a golf tournament to benefit the scholarship program. For many years Don Jones of District 41 served as the Golf Tournament Committee chairman. In his memory, the SEANC Scholarship Golf Tournament has been renamed the Don Jones Memorial Golf Tournament. During his years in state government, Jones was actively involved in the N.C. State Employees Association (NCSEA), serving at both the area and state levels. He served as NCSEA president from 1970-72 and again in 1978-79. He is the only Jones three-term president in the history of SEANC or its parent associations. Jones’ work in the association and his commitment to the SEANC Scholarship Foundation will be remembered for years to come. Through his efforts and the efforts of those who served with him on the tournament committee, the Scholarship Foundation has benefited greatly from the thousands of dollars the tournament has provided over the years. “As chair of the Scholarship Foundation Board,” said Mike Bell, “I am pleased that the decision was made to rename the tournament to honor Don Jones. Considering all the contributions that Don made to the state, the association and the scholarship program, this action in his memory is most befitting and deserved. We are excited that this golf tournament, bearing his name, will continue on for many years to come – a living legacy to this good man.” This year’s tournament will be June 18-19 at Hyland Golf Club in Southern Pines. The tournament is open to all SEANC members and their families. The $95 entry fee must accompany a completed entry form by June 4. The field is limited on a first-come, first-serve basis, so enter today! Golfers pay $25 for a practice round after 11:00 a.m. on Thursday and rates for starting times on Sunday are $40. Players must make their own tee times for Thursday and Sunday. A Seniors’ Division is available for those age 55 and older. Seniors who wish to compete for the Tournament Championship must play from the regular tees. For more information about the Don Jones Memorial Golf Tournament, please contact Retirees Director Mitch Leonard at 800-222-2758 or mleonard@seanc.org.
Entry Form
Don Jones Memorial Golf Tournament June 18-19
Auto Insurance Program for SEANC Members
Entry Fee $95 (payable to SEANC Golf)
Is your mom or dad a state employee/retiree and a SEANC member? Are you a SEANC member?
Entry Deadline: June 4
Apply today for a SEANC scholarship!
If golfers want to make up a foursome, please send entries together and so note.
SEANC District Number: ____________________________ Member ID Number: ________________________________ Name: _____________________________________________
SEANC Scholarship Program
Address: ___________________________________________ City, State and Zip: ________________________________ Telephone Number: ________________________________ Handicap: _________ _____ Check here if you are 55 or over and want to compete in the Seniors’ Division. ______ Check here if you are bringing a guest to dinner on Friday night. Please provide the name of the guest or guests below and include an additional $10 for each dinner guest.
GrE At SAvINGS. GrE At SErvICE. GrE At BENEfItS
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
[
Mail form to: SEANC Don Jones Memorial Golf Tournament P.O. Drawer 27727 Raleigh, NC 27611
Schedule of Events Thursday, June 17
Practice round (on your own)
Friday, June 18
1:30 p.m. Shot Gun Start, then dinner
Saturday, June 19
8:30 a.m. Shot Gun Start, prizes and awards immediately after play
Hotel Information Days Inn 805 SW Service Rd. off US Hwy 1 Southern Pines Rates: $63.75 + tax A hot breakfast is included. For reservations, call 800-262-5737 or 910-692-8585. Hyland Inn 130 Fairway Ave., US Hwy 1 N Southern Pines Rates: $60 + tax (double occupancy) For reservations, contact Patty Thompson at 910-692-6400 or patty@sandhillspackagepros.com.
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Application Deadline April 15, 2010 Three types of scholarships are available: • Financial Need • Merit • Member Only
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Insurance is underwritten by The Travelers Indemnity Company or one of its property casualty affiliates, One Tower Square, Hartford, CT 06183. In FL: Auto insurance policies are underwritten by First Floridian Auto and Home Insurance Company, The Travelers Home and Marine Insurance Company, or by The Travelers Commercial Insurance Company. In MA: Auto policies are underwritten by The Premier Insurance Company of Massachusetts, an independent, single-state subsidiary of The Travelers Indemnity Company. In NJ: Auto insurance policies are underwritten by Travelers Auto Insurance Co. of New Jersey, a single state, independent subsidiary of The Travelers Indemnity Company. In TX: Auto insurance is offered by Travelers MGA, Inc. and underwritten by Consumers County Mutual Insurance Company. © 2010 The Travelers Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Coverage provided and underwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and its affiliates, 175 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA. In TX: Coverage provided by Liberty Mutual County Insurance Company. CA Department of Insurance license number: 0F52987. Minnesota Department of Insurance number 40015723. Liberty Mutual is an Equal Housing Insurer. © 2010 Liberty Mutual Insurance Company. All rights reserved. MetLife Auto & Home is a brand of Metropolitan Property and Casualty Insurance Company and its affiliates: Economy Fire & Casualty Company, Economy Preferred Insurance Company, Metropolitan Casualty Insurance Company, Metropolitan Direct Property and Casualty Insurance Company, Metropolitan General Insurance Company, Metropolitan Group Property and Casualty Insurance Company, and Metropolitan Lloyds Insurance Company of Texas, all with administrative home offices in Warwick, RI. © 2010 MetLife Auto & Home. L0110085230[exp1212][All States] Coverage, discounts, repair options and billing options are subject to state requirements and availability, individual qualifications and/or the insuring company’s underwriting guidelines. Homeowners coverage in FL is very limited and several restrictions may apply. Travelers, Liberty Mutual, and MetLife Auto & Home operate independently and are not responsible for each others’ financial obligations. All costs associated with marketing this program are paid for by Travelers, Liberty Mutual, and MetLife Auto & Home.
For more information, please visit www.seanc.org/membership/ scholarship.aspx or contact Renee Vaughan at 800-222-2758 or rvaughan@seanc.org.
PL-14889 New 1-10
MARCH 2010
MARCH 2010
7
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scholarship
scholarship SEANC Scholarship Golf Tournament Becomes the Don Jones Memorial Golf Tournament By Amber Ernst
For the past 25 years, SEANC has sponsored a golf tournament to benefit the scholarship program. For many years Don Jones of District 41 served as the Golf Tournament Committee chairman. In his memory, the SEANC Scholarship Golf Tournament has been renamed the Don Jones Memorial Golf Tournament. During his years in state government, Jones was actively involved in the N.C. State Employees Association (NCSEA), serving at both the area and state levels. He served as NCSEA president from 1970-72 and again in 1978-79. He is the only Jones three-term president in the history of SEANC or its parent associations. Jones’ work in the association and his commitment to the SEANC Scholarship Foundation will be remembered for years to come. Through his efforts and the efforts of those who served with him on the tournament committee, the Scholarship Foundation has benefited greatly from the thousands of dollars the tournament has provided over the years. “As chair of the Scholarship Foundation Board,” said Mike Bell, “I am pleased that the decision was made to rename the tournament to honor Don Jones. Considering all the contributions that Don made to the state, the association and the scholarship program, this action in his memory is most befitting and deserved. We are excited that this golf tournament, bearing his name, will continue on for many years to come – a living legacy to this good man.” This year’s tournament will be June 18-19 at Hyland Golf Club in Southern Pines. The tournament is open to all SEANC members and their families. The $95 entry fee must accompany a completed entry form by June 4. The field is limited on a first-come, first-serve basis, so enter today! Golfers pay $25 for a practice round after 11:00 a.m. on Thursday and rates for starting times on Sunday are $40. Players must make their own tee times for Thursday and Sunday. A Seniors’ Division is available for those age 55 and older. Seniors who wish to compete for the Tournament Championship must play from the regular tees. For more information about the Don Jones Memorial Golf Tournament, please contact Retirees Director Mitch Leonard at 800-222-2758 or mleonard@seanc.org.
Entry Form
Don Jones Memorial Golf Tournament June 18-19
Auto Insurance Program for SEANC Members
Entry Fee $95 (payable to SEANC Golf)
Is your mom or dad a state employee/retiree and a SEANC member? Are you a SEANC member?
Entry Deadline: June 4
Apply today for a SEANC scholarship!
If golfers want to make up a foursome, please send entries together and so note.
SEANC District Number: ____________________________ Member ID Number: ________________________________ Name: _____________________________________________
SEANC Scholarship Program
Address: ___________________________________________ City, State and Zip: ________________________________ Telephone Number: ________________________________ Handicap: _________ _____ Check here if you are 55 or over and want to compete in the Seniors’ Division. ______ Check here if you are bringing a guest to dinner on Friday night. Please provide the name of the guest or guests below and include an additional $10 for each dinner guest.
GrE At SAvINGS. GrE At SErvICE. GrE At BENEfItS
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
[
Mail form to: SEANC Don Jones Memorial Golf Tournament P.O. Drawer 27727 Raleigh, NC 27611
Schedule of Events Thursday, June 17
Practice round (on your own)
Friday, June 18
1:30 p.m. Shot Gun Start, then dinner
Saturday, June 19
8:30 a.m. Shot Gun Start, prizes and awards immediately after play
Hotel Information Days Inn 805 SW Service Rd. off US Hwy 1 Southern Pines Rates: $63.75 + tax A hot breakfast is included. For reservations, call 800-262-5737 or 910-692-8585. Hyland Inn 130 Fairway Ave., US Hwy 1 N Southern Pines Rates: $60 + tax (double occupancy) For reservations, contact Patty Thompson at 910-692-6400 or patty@sandhillspackagepros.com.
Great time to put your benefits to work for you! Here are just a few of the many advantages Group savings Money-saving discounts Convenient payment options 24/7 claim reporting Free quotes and coverage reviews
request your free quotes today!
1-800-524-9400 (Client # 101391)
1-888-695-4640
]
Application Deadline April 15, 2010 Three types of scholarships are available: • Financial Need • Merit • Member Only
1 800 GEt-MEt 8 (1-800-438-6388)
Insurance is underwritten by The Travelers Indemnity Company or one of its property casualty affiliates, One Tower Square, Hartford, CT 06183. In FL: Auto insurance policies are underwritten by First Floridian Auto and Home Insurance Company, The Travelers Home and Marine Insurance Company, or by The Travelers Commercial Insurance Company. In MA: Auto policies are underwritten by The Premier Insurance Company of Massachusetts, an independent, single-state subsidiary of The Travelers Indemnity Company. In NJ: Auto insurance policies are underwritten by Travelers Auto Insurance Co. of New Jersey, a single state, independent subsidiary of The Travelers Indemnity Company. In TX: Auto insurance is offered by Travelers MGA, Inc. and underwritten by Consumers County Mutual Insurance Company. © 2010 The Travelers Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Coverage provided and underwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and its affiliates, 175 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA. In TX: Coverage provided by Liberty Mutual County Insurance Company. CA Department of Insurance license number: 0F52987. Minnesota Department of Insurance number 40015723. Liberty Mutual is an Equal Housing Insurer. © 2010 Liberty Mutual Insurance Company. All rights reserved. MetLife Auto & Home is a brand of Metropolitan Property and Casualty Insurance Company and its affiliates: Economy Fire & Casualty Company, Economy Preferred Insurance Company, Metropolitan Casualty Insurance Company, Metropolitan Direct Property and Casualty Insurance Company, Metropolitan General Insurance Company, Metropolitan Group Property and Casualty Insurance Company, and Metropolitan Lloyds Insurance Company of Texas, all with administrative home offices in Warwick, RI. © 2010 MetLife Auto & Home. L0110085230[exp1212][All States] Coverage, discounts, repair options and billing options are subject to state requirements and availability, individual qualifications and/or the insuring company’s underwriting guidelines. Homeowners coverage in FL is very limited and several restrictions may apply. Travelers, Liberty Mutual, and MetLife Auto & Home operate independently and are not responsible for each others’ financial obligations. All costs associated with marketing this program are paid for by Travelers, Liberty Mutual, and MetLife Auto & Home.
For more information, please visit www.seanc.org/membership/ scholarship.aspx or contact Renee Vaughan at 800-222-2758 or rvaughan@seanc.org.
PL-14889 New 1-10
MARCH 2010
MARCH 2010
8
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member action
NOC, NOC! Who’s there? Two hundred fifty organizers, newly trained in the fields of membership, political action and retirees’ issues! Do you want to be more active in SEANC? Are you interested in politics, retirees’ issues or growing SEANC’s membership and looking for a way to do more? Then come to the North Carolina Organizer Corps (NOC) Training. As a part of SEIU’s National Organizing Corps Training, SEANC is holding five, two-day trainings across the state in April and May. The NOC Training is designed to engage SEANC members to become more active and take on leadership roles promoting SEANC’s mission and making it a stronger association. On the first day, attendees will learn how
By Mary Adelaide Bell
to organize employees through presentations and work site meetings, home visits and phone messaging. On day two, attendees will break into one of three groups – membership recruitment, political action or retiree action – where members will learn about planning, responsibility and accountability elements as it pertains to their section. The training is open to all members, including those who have been previously MAT trained. Districts should ensure their retiree coordinator, membership chairperson and EMPAC chairperson attend one of the five trainings. The trainings will take place in Greenville on April 12-13, Raleigh on April 15-16, Fayetteville on May 6-7, Winston-Salem on May 10-11 and Asheville on May 17-18. Register now on the SEANC Web site! For more information, contact Mitch Leonard at mleonard@seanc.org. mbell@seanc.org
Doug Sutton
Insurance Services Providing quality and affordable insurance to SEANC members for over 30 years. We appreciate doing business with you!
Please call us if we can be of service.
919-836-9993 or Toll Free: 1-800-788-7771 dougsutton@dougsuttonins.com
MARCH 2010
What: North Carolina Organizer Corps (NOC) Training Who: All SEANC members
SEANC Welcomes Political Organizers
SEANC Members Receive State Employees’ Highest Honor
By Kevin LeCount, Member Programs/Political Director
When: Five, two-day trainings throughout April and May
Judy M. Jones
Where: Greenville, Fayetteville, Raleigh, Winston-Salem, Asheville Why: Build leadership and organizing skills, become a leader in your area of interest – whether it is membership, politics or retirees How: Sign up on the SEANC Web site, www.seanc.org
SEANC Political Organizers Heather Welborn, Sophie Brauns and Resha Fortson attend training at the SEIU National Organizing Corps training in Silver Spring, Md., on Jan. 22-24.
With 2010 elections on the horizon, SEANC members will see three new faces across the state with the recent addition of political organizers Sophie Brauns, Resha Fortson and Heather Welborn. The political organizers will work with the Member Action Team, the Employees Political Action Committee (EMPAC) and SEANC’s Member Programs and Political Department to promote political activism and to empower members to help SEANC achieve its goals. Additionally, the organizers will be involved in member communication efforts to let members know which candidates have received EMPAC endorsements. “I’m excited that districts will have more staff to help with membership recruitment and political involvement,” said District 42 Chairwoman B.J. Jones. “This election year, it’s critical to hold legislators accountable and to help elect employeefriendly candidates to the General Assembly.” Sophie Brauns earned a degree in business management and leadership studies from Peace College. She has worked for her alma mater, the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce, the North Carolina Department of State Treasurer and internationally in Portugal and Qatar. Brauns will work primarily with SEANC districts 24, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69 and 70. Resha Fortson earned a political science degree from UNC-Charlotte. Since graduation, she has been active in the political arena by working on various campaigns including SEANC’s health care reform campaign last year. Fortson will work primarily with SEANC districts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 18, 20, 22 and 23. Heather Welborn earned a history degree at the University of Virginia. Since her graduation in May, she worked with SEANC as an organizer on the health care reform campaign and then as a labor organizer with SEIU in Pennsylvania. Welborn will work primarily with SEANC districts 17, 19, 21, 25, 26, 27, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 56, 57, 63 and 71. The Member Action Department was reorganized to help create the political organizer roles. This action required no additional funding from the SEANC budget. klecount@seanc.org
by
Mary Adelaide Bell
The Governor’s Awards for Excellence honor state employees for exceptional service and dedication to the state and citizens of North Carolina. Created in 1982, this award is the highest honor a state employee may receive, and this year, five SEANC members were recipients.
PHOTO BY lynn cote
NOC Training
member action
Mary S. Garner
Jacksonville resident and District 61 member Judy M. Jones, an employee with the Employment Security Commission, was honored for Outstanding Government Service.
Goldsboro residents and District 60 members Mary S. Garner and Versa Stevens, employees of the O’Berry Neuro-Medical Treatment Center, Department of Health and Human Services, were honored for Safety and Heroism.
Versa Stevens
Boone resident and District 3 member Robin S. Greene, an employee with Academic and Student Affairs, University of North Carolina General Administration, was honored for Innovations.
Welcome resident and District 16 member Jonathan Sowers, an employee with Department of Insurance Fire/Rescue Training, was honored for Innovations.
Robin S. Greene
The Employment Security Commission received the Special Agency Award for Outstanding State Government Service due to its employees’ hard work and increased workload during the economic downturn.
Congratulations to all of the winners of the Governor’s Awards for Excellence! Jonathan Sowers
mbell@seanc.org
PHOTOS BY MARY ADELAIDE BELL
MARCH 2010
8
9
member action
NOC, NOC! Who’s there? Two hundred fifty organizers, newly trained in the fields of membership, political action and retirees’ issues! Do you want to be more active in SEANC? Are you interested in politics, retirees’ issues or growing SEANC’s membership and looking for a way to do more? Then come to the North Carolina Organizer Corps (NOC) Training. As a part of SEIU’s National Organizing Corps Training, SEANC is holding five, two-day trainings across the state in April and May. The NOC Training is designed to engage SEANC members to become more active and take on leadership roles promoting SEANC’s mission and making it a stronger association. On the first day, attendees will learn how
By Mary Adelaide Bell
to organize employees through presentations and work site meetings, home visits and phone messaging. On day two, attendees will break into one of three groups – membership recruitment, political action or retiree action – where members will learn about planning, responsibility and accountability elements as it pertains to their section. The training is open to all members, including those who have been previously MAT trained. Districts should ensure their retiree coordinator, membership chairperson and EMPAC chairperson attend one of the five trainings. The trainings will take place in Greenville on April 12-13, Raleigh on April 15-16, Fayetteville on May 6-7, Winston-Salem on May 10-11 and Asheville on May 17-18. Register now on the SEANC Web site! For more information, contact Mitch Leonard at mleonard@seanc.org. mbell@seanc.org
Doug Sutton
Insurance Services Providing quality and affordable insurance to SEANC members for over 30 years. We appreciate doing business with you!
Please call us if we can be of service.
919-836-9993 or Toll Free: 1-800-788-7771 dougsutton@dougsuttonins.com
MARCH 2010
What: North Carolina Organizer Corps (NOC) Training Who: All SEANC members
SEANC Welcomes Political Organizers
SEANC Members Receive State Employees’ Highest Honor
By Kevin LeCount, Member Programs/Political Director
When: Five, two-day trainings throughout April and May
Judy M. Jones
Where: Greenville, Fayetteville, Raleigh, Winston-Salem, Asheville Why: Build leadership and organizing skills, become a leader in your area of interest – whether it is membership, politics or retirees How: Sign up on the SEANC Web site, www.seanc.org
SEANC Political Organizers Heather Welborn, Sophie Brauns and Resha Fortson attend training at the SEIU National Organizing Corps training in Silver Spring, Md., on Jan. 22-24.
With 2010 elections on the horizon, SEANC members will see three new faces across the state with the recent addition of political organizers Sophie Brauns, Resha Fortson and Heather Welborn. The political organizers will work with the Member Action Team, the Employees Political Action Committee (EMPAC) and SEANC’s Member Programs and Political Department to promote political activism and to empower members to help SEANC achieve its goals. Additionally, the organizers will be involved in member communication efforts to let members know which candidates have received EMPAC endorsements. “I’m excited that districts will have more staff to help with membership recruitment and political involvement,” said District 42 Chairwoman B.J. Jones. “This election year, it’s critical to hold legislators accountable and to help elect employeefriendly candidates to the General Assembly.” Sophie Brauns earned a degree in business management and leadership studies from Peace College. She has worked for her alma mater, the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce, the North Carolina Department of State Treasurer and internationally in Portugal and Qatar. Brauns will work primarily with SEANC districts 24, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69 and 70. Resha Fortson earned a political science degree from UNC-Charlotte. Since graduation, she has been active in the political arena by working on various campaigns including SEANC’s health care reform campaign last year. Fortson will work primarily with SEANC districts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 18, 20, 22 and 23. Heather Welborn earned a history degree at the University of Virginia. Since her graduation in May, she worked with SEANC as an organizer on the health care reform campaign and then as a labor organizer with SEIU in Pennsylvania. Welborn will work primarily with SEANC districts 17, 19, 21, 25, 26, 27, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 56, 57, 63 and 71. The Member Action Department was reorganized to help create the political organizer roles. This action required no additional funding from the SEANC budget. klecount@seanc.org
by
Mary Adelaide Bell
The Governor’s Awards for Excellence honor state employees for exceptional service and dedication to the state and citizens of North Carolina. Created in 1982, this award is the highest honor a state employee may receive, and this year, five SEANC members were recipients.
PHOTO BY lynn cote
NOC Training
member action
Mary S. Garner
Jacksonville resident and District 61 member Judy M. Jones, an employee with the Employment Security Commission, was honored for Outstanding Government Service.
Goldsboro residents and District 60 members Mary S. Garner and Versa Stevens, employees of the O’Berry Neuro-Medical Treatment Center, Department of Health and Human Services, were honored for Safety and Heroism.
Versa Stevens
Boone resident and District 3 member Robin S. Greene, an employee with Academic and Student Affairs, University of North Carolina General Administration, was honored for Innovations.
Welcome resident and District 16 member Jonathan Sowers, an employee with Department of Insurance Fire/Rescue Training, was honored for Innovations.
Robin S. Greene
The Employment Security Commission received the Special Agency Award for Outstanding State Government Service due to its employees’ hard work and increased workload during the economic downturn.
Congratulations to all of the winners of the Governor’s Awards for Excellence! Jonathan Sowers
mbell@seanc.org
PHOTOS BY MARY ADELAIDE BELL
MARCH 2010
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10 member action
member action UNC-Greensboro’s Spartan stopped by SEANC’s booth to pick up information on membership. SEANC sponsored a table at the school’s benefits fair on Nov. 16.
Photo by Orie Henry Jr.
District 59 donated Thanksgiving meals to 28 families in and around Wayne County. District 59 Community Action Chairwoman Shirley Wynn led the giveaway with great help from fellow district members. Pictured are Wynn, left, and Orie Henry Jr.
District 65
District 59 hosted a Christmas party for the residents of the children and youth unit at Cherry Hospital on Dec. 21. The health care staff shared a Christmas movie, and everyone enjoyed snacks and wonderful company. Pictured at the event, left to right, are District 59 members Mavis Fuller, Carolyn Moore, Dr. Linda Deans and District 59 Chairman John Miller.
Photo by Lynn Tuthill
District 65 members Debbie Austin, Linda Nelson, Alicia Simpson, Laranda Boone, Lynn Tuthill, Lynn Gammell, Lori Hines, Candace Moore, Regenia Hopkins and Katrina Searcey gathered on Dec. 1 to make miniature Christmas trees for the residents of Golden Living Nursing center in Greenville.
MARCH 2010
Photo by Tonya Sampson
“What SEANC is Doing For and With You” District 13 member Lewis Jefferies listens intently and takes notes as SEANC Legislative Affairs Director Ardis Watkins speaks. Districts 11-13 hosted “What SEANC is Doing For and With You” on Nov. 12 at Central Piedmont Community College-CATO campus in Charlotte. Members learned about SEANC’s legislative platform and what to expect in the upcoming legislative session.
Every year District 65 raises money selling miniature Christmas trees and adopts two children from the Greenville Community Shelter’s Club Rudolph Program with the proceeds. This year they were able to spend $200 on each child and $50 on each child’s mother. “We look forward to this community project each year because we know we are helping a family in need and making a child’s Christmas bright,” said District 65 member Debbie Austin. Pictured with the toys are Austin, left, and Lynn Tuthill.
Sen. Don Davis (D-Greene) speaks to District 22 members at their November meeting at the Lillington Public Library. District 22 members spent the meeting planning for the June 8 SEANC Lobby Day and hearing from Davis on his hopes for the upcoming legislative session.
UNCC Employee Appreciation Picnic District 13 Chairwoman Sue Eldridge, left, talks with UNC-Charlotte employees about the benefits of SEANC membership during UNCC’s Employee Appreciation Picnic on Oct. 13. District 13 sponsored a ring toss during the picnic.
Photo by Steve Lawson
District 59 members, left to right, Orie Henry Jr., Lorice Worrells, Carolyn Sutton and William Berry supported District 58 at a Reverse Drawing Fundraiser at Neuse Correctional Institute on Nov. 6.
Photo by Lynn Tuthill
Contributed by Orie Henry Jr.
District 59
During SEANC’s Statewide Recruitment Day on Oct. 22, District 16 held a Fun and Games Night at the Anderson Center at Winston-Salem State University’s campus. Attendees learned about SEANC, played games and took line dancing lessons! Pictured, left to right, are District 16 members Willie Bailey, Chairman Steve Thompson and Bill Murrell.
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District 18 member Leroy Martin Jr. was named Richmond Juvenile Detention Center’s (RJDC’s) Employee of the Year on Dec. 16 for his performance on the job. This is Martin’s second year winning this award! Pictured, left to right, are RJDC Director Kathy Bethea, SEANC Member Action Coordinator A.J. Albertson, Martin, and teacher and RJDC Chairman of the Building Blocks Committee Dwight Creech.
Check out auto loan rates at State Employees' Credit Union.
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TATEWIDE ALES AND ERVICE Fran Albritton, LUTCF Rob Jernigan Locust, NC Fayetteville, NC Fran Albritton, LUTCF Rob Jernigan Ty Cobb,NC CFP Scott KittrellNC Locust, Fayetteville, Angier, NC Sanford, NC Ty Cobb, CFP Scott Kittrell Junior Shelley Kittrell Angier,Edge NC Sanford, NC Fayetteville, NC Sanford, NC Junior Edge Shelley Kittrell Fayetteville, NC LUTCF Sanford, NC Steve Hamilton, Page Simpson Barnardsville, NC Raleigh, NC Steve Hamilton, LUTCF Page Simpson Barnardsville, NC Raleigh, Chris Harris Jeff TateNC Greenville, NC Henderson, NC Chris Harris Jeff Tate Greenville, Henderson, John Hill NC Will WaltersNC New Bern, NC Fayetteville, NC John Hill Will Walters New Bern, Fayetteville, NC Kevin Hill NC Chris Woodby New Bern, NC Burnsville, NC Kevin Hill Chris Woodby NewJackson Bern, NC Burnsville, NC Ron Mark Younts Raleigh, NC Salisbury, NC Ron Jackson Mark Younts Raleigh, NC Salisbury, NC PROTECTIVE LIFE NC State Employees Service Office PROTECTIVE LIFE 8364 Six Forks Road Suite 200 Raleigh, 27615 Service Office NC StateNC Employees Toll 800-334-1217 8364Free Six Forks Road Suite 200 Local 919-844-1777 Raleigh, NC 27615 www.ncbenefits.com Toll Free 800-334-1217 Local 919-844-1777 www.ncbenefits.com
Gov. Bev Perdue takes a moment to speak with District 1 Chairman Teddy Greene during her visit to the rockslide on Interstate 40 in October. Perdue met with many DOT workers from District 1 during her visit where she declared the slide a state of emergency and thanked the employees for their hard work and dedication.
District 18 Member Wins Award for Second Time!
STATEWIDE SALES AND SERVICE S
Gov. Perdue Visits Rockslide
Photo by Wayne Patterson
District 9 member Mark Leatherman, right, discusses the benefits of SEANC membership with a State Highway Patrol officer during the district’s hot dog lunch on Oct. 22 in Newton. District 9 recruited new members from the highway patrol and the Employment Security Commission during the lunch.
Photo by Michele Shaw
District 9 Luncheon
SEANC Members & Holiday Giving
Fun & Games in District 16
Photo by Keetra Sturdivant
lcote@seanc.org
Davis Speaks to District 22 Photo by Steve Lawson
Photo by Mary Adelaide Bell
In January, SEANC blue shirts were out in force, as staff and district leaders recruited 140 new members in Wake County. This effort included 39 membership recruitment events and participation from all Wake County SEANC districts. District members Districts 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 42, 43, 44, 46 and 47 volunteered manpower and celebrate with staff at the SEANC office after raising SEANC spent more than $511 to boost membership recruitment. A big thank $1,000 to provide food and you to these districts for their commitment to growing other items for recruitment SEANC’s membership! events. “We recruited 29 new members! As we grow in membership, we grow stronger in our ability to protect our health insurance, our benefits and most importantly, our jobs,” said District 38 member Betty Gautier. To raise funds, Districts 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 42, 43, 44, 46 and 47 participated in a state employee holiday party in the Wake County area to help strengthen membership. They raised $511 from the party and graciously donated all the proceeds SEANC’s Member Action Department to offset some of the costs associated with the membership blitz.
SEANC at UNCG
Photo by Steve Lawson
Lynn Cote, Member Action Director
Photo by Steve Lawson
by
Photo by Steve Lawson
Wake County Membership Blitz Successful
D A V ID G. S CH ILLER K A TH R Y N H . S CH ILLER M A R VIN S CH ILLER C AR O L M . S CH ILLER R e tire d
PROFESSIONAL PARK AT PLEASANT VALLEY 5540 MUNFORD ROAD • SUITE 101 RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA 27612 www.schillerfirm.net (919) 789-4677
Class Actions
Retirement Benefits
Employment Law
Social Security Benefits
Family Law
Wills & Estates
Personal Injury
Workers’ Compensation
Marvin Schiller was lead class counsel in Faulkenbury v. Teachers’ & State Employees’ Ret. Sys. (1997) (recovering disability retirement benefits for several thousand State employees, teachers, law enforcement officers, other public employees, and their families) and Simpson v. Local Govt. Ret. Sys. (1987) (public employees’ benefits vest after 5 years of public service). He authored the SEANC amicus curiae brief in Bailey v. State (1998) (exempting some public employees from State income tax on their retirement benefits). Firm members have ably represented hundreds of State employees and teachers for over 30 years in employment, retirement benefit, workers’ compensation, and injury cases. Firm members established the Carol Masters Schiller Distinguished Scholar of Neurology Chair at the University of North Carolina Medical School at Chapel Hill.
Put yourself in the driver's seat! Visit your local branch, contact the SECU Call Center or go to www.ncsecu.org. www.ncsecu.org
MARCH 2010
11
10 member action
member action UNC-Greensboro’s Spartan stopped by SEANC’s booth to pick up information on membership. SEANC sponsored a table at the school’s benefits fair on Nov. 16.
Photo by Orie Henry Jr.
District 59 donated Thanksgiving meals to 28 families in and around Wayne County. District 59 Community Action Chairwoman Shirley Wynn led the giveaway with great help from fellow district members. Pictured are Wynn, left, and Orie Henry Jr.
District 65
District 59 hosted a Christmas party for the residents of the children and youth unit at Cherry Hospital on Dec. 21. The health care staff shared a Christmas movie, and everyone enjoyed snacks and wonderful company. Pictured at the event, left to right, are District 59 members Mavis Fuller, Carolyn Moore, Dr. Linda Deans and District 59 Chairman John Miller.
Photo by Lynn Tuthill
District 65 members Debbie Austin, Linda Nelson, Alicia Simpson, Laranda Boone, Lynn Tuthill, Lynn Gammell, Lori Hines, Candace Moore, Regenia Hopkins and Katrina Searcey gathered on Dec. 1 to make miniature Christmas trees for the residents of Golden Living Nursing center in Greenville.
MARCH 2010
Photo by Tonya Sampson
“What SEANC is Doing For and With You” District 13 member Lewis Jefferies listens intently and takes notes as SEANC Legislative Affairs Director Ardis Watkins speaks. Districts 11-13 hosted “What SEANC is Doing For and With You” on Nov. 12 at Central Piedmont Community College-CATO campus in Charlotte. Members learned about SEANC’s legislative platform and what to expect in the upcoming legislative session.
Every year District 65 raises money selling miniature Christmas trees and adopts two children from the Greenville Community Shelter’s Club Rudolph Program with the proceeds. This year they were able to spend $200 on each child and $50 on each child’s mother. “We look forward to this community project each year because we know we are helping a family in need and making a child’s Christmas bright,” said District 65 member Debbie Austin. Pictured with the toys are Austin, left, and Lynn Tuthill.
Sen. Don Davis (D-Greene) speaks to District 22 members at their November meeting at the Lillington Public Library. District 22 members spent the meeting planning for the June 8 SEANC Lobby Day and hearing from Davis on his hopes for the upcoming legislative session.
UNCC Employee Appreciation Picnic District 13 Chairwoman Sue Eldridge, left, talks with UNC-Charlotte employees about the benefits of SEANC membership during UNCC’s Employee Appreciation Picnic on Oct. 13. District 13 sponsored a ring toss during the picnic.
Photo by Steve Lawson
District 59 members, left to right, Orie Henry Jr., Lorice Worrells, Carolyn Sutton and William Berry supported District 58 at a Reverse Drawing Fundraiser at Neuse Correctional Institute on Nov. 6.
Photo by Lynn Tuthill
Contributed by Orie Henry Jr.
District 59
During SEANC’s Statewide Recruitment Day on Oct. 22, District 16 held a Fun and Games Night at the Anderson Center at Winston-Salem State University’s campus. Attendees learned about SEANC, played games and took line dancing lessons! Pictured, left to right, are District 16 members Willie Bailey, Chairman Steve Thompson and Bill Murrell.
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District 18 member Leroy Martin Jr. was named Richmond Juvenile Detention Center’s (RJDC’s) Employee of the Year on Dec. 16 for his performance on the job. This is Martin’s second year winning this award! Pictured, left to right, are RJDC Director Kathy Bethea, SEANC Member Action Coordinator A.J. Albertson, Martin, and teacher and RJDC Chairman of the Building Blocks Committee Dwight Creech.
Check out auto loan rates at State Employees' Credit Union.
S
TATEWIDE ALES AND ERVICE Fran Albritton, LUTCF Rob Jernigan Locust, NC Fayetteville, NC Fran Albritton, LUTCF Rob Jernigan Ty Cobb,NC CFP Scott KittrellNC Locust, Fayetteville, Angier, NC Sanford, NC Ty Cobb, CFP Scott Kittrell Junior Shelley Kittrell Angier,Edge NC Sanford, NC Fayetteville, NC Sanford, NC Junior Edge Shelley Kittrell Fayetteville, NC LUTCF Sanford, NC Steve Hamilton, Page Simpson Barnardsville, NC Raleigh, NC Steve Hamilton, LUTCF Page Simpson Barnardsville, NC Raleigh, Chris Harris Jeff TateNC Greenville, NC Henderson, NC Chris Harris Jeff Tate Greenville, Henderson, John Hill NC Will WaltersNC New Bern, NC Fayetteville, NC John Hill Will Walters New Bern, Fayetteville, NC Kevin Hill NC Chris Woodby New Bern, NC Burnsville, NC Kevin Hill Chris Woodby NewJackson Bern, NC Burnsville, NC Ron Mark Younts Raleigh, NC Salisbury, NC Ron Jackson Mark Younts Raleigh, NC Salisbury, NC PROTECTIVE LIFE NC State Employees Service Office PROTECTIVE LIFE 8364 Six Forks Road Suite 200 Raleigh, 27615 Service Office NC StateNC Employees Toll 800-334-1217 8364Free Six Forks Road Suite 200 Local 919-844-1777 Raleigh, NC 27615 www.ncbenefits.com Toll Free 800-334-1217 Local 919-844-1777 www.ncbenefits.com
Gov. Bev Perdue takes a moment to speak with District 1 Chairman Teddy Greene during her visit to the rockslide on Interstate 40 in October. Perdue met with many DOT workers from District 1 during her visit where she declared the slide a state of emergency and thanked the employees for their hard work and dedication.
District 18 Member Wins Award for Second Time!
STATEWIDE SALES AND SERVICE S
Gov. Perdue Visits Rockslide
Photo by Wayne Patterson
District 9 member Mark Leatherman, right, discusses the benefits of SEANC membership with a State Highway Patrol officer during the district’s hot dog lunch on Oct. 22 in Newton. District 9 recruited new members from the highway patrol and the Employment Security Commission during the lunch.
Photo by Michele Shaw
District 9 Luncheon
SEANC Members & Holiday Giving
Fun & Games in District 16
Photo by Keetra Sturdivant
lcote@seanc.org
Davis Speaks to District 22 Photo by Steve Lawson
Photo by Mary Adelaide Bell
In January, SEANC blue shirts were out in force, as staff and district leaders recruited 140 new members in Wake County. This effort included 39 membership recruitment events and participation from all Wake County SEANC districts. District members Districts 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 42, 43, 44, 46 and 47 volunteered manpower and celebrate with staff at the SEANC office after raising SEANC spent more than $511 to boost membership recruitment. A big thank $1,000 to provide food and you to these districts for their commitment to growing other items for recruitment SEANC’s membership! events. “We recruited 29 new members! As we grow in membership, we grow stronger in our ability to protect our health insurance, our benefits and most importantly, our jobs,” said District 38 member Betty Gautier. To raise funds, Districts 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 42, 43, 44, 46 and 47 participated in a state employee holiday party in the Wake County area to help strengthen membership. They raised $511 from the party and graciously donated all the proceeds SEANC’s Member Action Department to offset some of the costs associated with the membership blitz.
SEANC at UNCG
Photo by Steve Lawson
Lynn Cote, Member Action Director
Photo by Steve Lawson
by
Photo by Steve Lawson
Wake County Membership Blitz Successful
D A V ID G. S CH ILLER K A TH R Y N H . S CH ILLER M A R VIN S CH ILLER C AR O L M . S CH ILLER R e tire d
PROFESSIONAL PARK AT PLEASANT VALLEY 5540 MUNFORD ROAD • SUITE 101 RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA 27612 www.schillerfirm.net (919) 789-4677
Class Actions
Retirement Benefits
Employment Law
Social Security Benefits
Family Law
Wills & Estates
Personal Injury
Workers’ Compensation
Marvin Schiller was lead class counsel in Faulkenbury v. Teachers’ & State Employees’ Ret. Sys. (1997) (recovering disability retirement benefits for several thousand State employees, teachers, law enforcement officers, other public employees, and their families) and Simpson v. Local Govt. Ret. Sys. (1987) (public employees’ benefits vest after 5 years of public service). He authored the SEANC amicus curiae brief in Bailey v. State (1998) (exempting some public employees from State income tax on their retirement benefits). Firm members have ably represented hundreds of State employees and teachers for over 30 years in employment, retirement benefit, workers’ compensation, and injury cases. Firm members established the Carol Masters Schiller Distinguished Scholar of Neurology Chair at the University of North Carolina Medical School at Chapel Hill.
Put yourself in the driver's seat! Visit your local branch, contact the SECU Call Center or go to www.ncsecu.org. www.ncsecu.org
MARCH 2010
State Employees Association of North Carolina P.O. Drawer 27727 Raleigh, NC 27611
Periodical Postage
PAID
Raleigh, NC
SAVE THE DATE
SEANC members Come Cheer on the Carolina Hurricanes!
SEANC Lobby Day
Get Select Tickets at a 38% Discount* SEANC has teamed up with the Carolina Hurricanes to bring SEANC members an exclusive opportunity to save up to 38% off the game‐week price for the following Carolina Hurricanes home games:
June 8, 2010 10:00 a.m. Halifax Mall, Raleigh (just outside the General Assembly building)
Thursday, March 25, 7:00 p.m. vs. the Washington Capitals Thursday, April 8, 7:30 p.m. vs. the Montreal Canadiens Regular Game‐Week Price Center Ice Seats $110 Lower Level Seats $80 Upper Corner Seats $40 *Ticket Prices
SEANC Price
$70 $55 $25
The deadline to order tickets is 7 days prior to the game. Tickets are on a first‐come, first‐served basis and subject to availability.
To order tickets: 1) Go to www.seanc.org and click “View our featured discounts.” 2) Click on the Carolina Hurricanes flier for more information and to purchase tickets.
For questions, please contact Brian Kapusta, Carolina Hurricanes Group Sales Manager, at 919‐861‐5452, 919‐861‐6238 (fax), or BrianK@CarolinaHurricanes.com.
All State Employees & SEANC Members Needed! Register online at www.seanc.org. For more information, please contact Tiffany Woodard at 800-222-2758 or twoodard@seanc.org.