SPOTLIGHT
BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEETING MAY 19-20, 2023 HIGHLIGHTS
SEANC signs contract with Luther Sales
Eric Glikstein of Luther Sales spoke to the board after SEANC signed a contract to partner with the company on a extended payment program similar to Purchasing Power.
Luther Sales offers most of the same products as our last partner, but members will now have up to three years to pay off a purchase. The company also reports payment progress to the credit bureaus, meaning members will be able to use it build their credit scores.
Glickstein said members will be pleased with his company’s commitment to customer service and ability to work with members on a payment plan that works best for them.
In addition to the many consumer goods members are used to purchasing, Luther Sales also includes a vacations platform with a full-service travel agency that he feels members will enjoy.
The program will be available to members in about a month.
Aetna provides update on State Health Plan changes
AETNA Vice President of Client Affairs Michael Driscoll visited the board meeting to discuss the upcoming change in third-party administrators of the State Health Plan.
On Jan. 1, 2025, AETNA will assume the role of administrator over the Plan, taking over for Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina.
Driscoll told the board that AETNA has been in busines for 160 years and is now owned by CVS Health. It plans to have 600 employees dedicated to serving the State Health Plan when the transition occurs.
He said state employees can expect the same plan and benefits with AETNA with some enhanced care and service options. A big concern for employees is the size of AETNA’s provider network. Driscoll said he expects that most providers now serving the Plan to be in-network, but if members encounter problems AETNA is willing to include any doctors not covered.
SECU executive discusses credit union changes
State Employees’ Credit Union Chief Operating Officer Leigh Brady visited the board meeting to discuss changes currently happening at the credit union.
She talked about SECU’s longstanding relationship with SEANC, which includes more than $55 million in theme park tickets sold in branches since 2002.
Among the many changes at SECU, Brady touted the new customer service experience both in person and through call-in, as well as a new website and mobile app.
She discussed House Bill 410 and said it is not SECU’s intention to let just anyone join.
BOG members expressed their concerns about risk-based lending, the elimination of tax preparation services, and other issues important to state employees and retirees.
Brady responded that she did not expect the tax services to resume because they are too costly and time consuming.
LEADERSHIP REPORTS
President’s Report President Martha Fowler
President Fowler asked board members to tell their delegates and district members to please contact their legislators when we’re asked to do so over the next few weeks while the state budget is being debated.
She discussed the end of the Purchasing Power contract and she is excited for the new partnership with Luther Sales. Look for additional information to come soon.
SEANC leadership is still engaged in good-faith talks with SEIU regarding disaffiliation. SEIU President Mary Kay Henry will speak at the July board meeting.
Executive Director’s Report Executive Director Ardis Watkins
Watkins reported on the ongoing state budget debate. She has appeared on several talk radio and TV news programs to make SEANC’s case for better raises and bonuses, as well as retiree cost-of-living adjustments.
A press conference is scheduled this week with Council of State members to draw attention to the vacancy crisis.
District rebates for Oct. 2022-Jan. 2023 have been issued. The next rebates for February and March 2023 are scheduled to be issued the first week of June.
SEANC bonding coverage: Districts will be notified soon regarding the option to join, renew, or make changes to their bonding coverage through SEANC. The current bond is scheduled to automatically renew Oct. 1, 2023.
SEANC staff: Watkins introduced Internal Auditor Dee Ann Brower to the board.
First Vice President’s Report First Vice President Kirk Montgomery
Planning Committee — Working with Brenda Williams and Brenda Johnson on budget numbers; subcommittee to work on a 3-5 year plan; Brenda Johnson has requested that the department heads send her final budget items; Committee meeting scheduled for third week in June.
SRS Update — The process of finding a new vendor and/or custom building a new system is ongoing. There are seven vendors left to evaluate. SRS is also building the team — Business Analyst started May 3; Data Analyst starting May 15; API Developer starting May 22 and they are currently searching for SQL Developer.
Montgomery graduated from the North Carolina Institute of Political Leadership on Saturday, May 20.
Second Vice President’s Report Second Vice President Wendell Powell
Participated in SEIU conference calls on several different occasions, to discuss various concerns.
Strengthening SEANC’s infrastructure by making sure each committee and SEANC bylaws as whole match their respective duties within our association and that our policies will match our Operational Manual.
Attended the Museum of Natural Science Legislative Reception, One Voice United Corrections Council Meetings and continue to participate in various committee meetings. Plan to attend district meetings and events in different areas within the coming months.
Treasurer’s Report Treasurer Emily Jones
SEANC General Fund Budget: Currently, Membership dues income is running about $50k less per month than projected. April dues are projected at a 6-8% increase, so we expect to see some improvement in coming months.
Executive Board passed motion to clarify that the increase of $800,000 for IT needs would be covered by a transfer from the Reserve account.
Convention Update Jacque Chatman
Chatman reported that planning has begun for this year’s convention, scheduled for Sept. 7-10. The theme is “Enhancing our Future Together.”
New this year, there will be an “Entrepreneur’s Avenue” on the third floor, where members with businesses can set up booths to sell items. The booths cost $150 without power, or $200 with power. Registration for the booths begins June 1, and they are on a first come, first serve basis. If you know a vendor who may be interested in attending the convention, let Jacque know.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Audit Alicia Warren
The committee met on April 20.
Effective April 13, 2023, Anne Marie Bellamy resigned her position on the committee. The committee met to discuss the vacancy. To remain consistent with practice and the by-laws, the committee reviewed the pool of candidates that remained on file. The committee voted to accept Tony Smith as the next candidate to serve in the vacant position.
Next Meeting Date: June 15 via Zoom at 10 a.m. Contact Warren for meeting link.
Awards Janice Bass
New this year, in addition to receiving a trophy, 2023 state award recipients will also receive monetary awards. (2023 District of the Year recipient will not receive a monetary reward).
Begin the nominating process today! Go to seanc.org/awards for the nomination form criteria.
Nomination form deadline: Received at SEANC Central Office no later than Saturday, July 22, 5 p.m.
Awards Committee Judging Meeting: August 1, 10 a.m., SEANC Central Office.
Benevolence Deborah Fleming
Fleming reported that the committee continues to send cards to the families of members who have passed. When a person passes in your district, please contact Fleming at seancbenevolencechair@gmail.com, so she can send a card.
She asked that board members continue to send photos for the convention memorial presentation to Communications Director Jon Owens (jowens@seanc.org).
Bylaws Kim Martin
The Bylaws Chairs met by Zoom via May 16 to review amendments recommended by SRS Consulting. These amendments will have to be passed by a district in order to be considered during the convention.
The Bylaws Advisory Committee will meet on Friday, July 14, at 10 a.m., and the full Bylaws Committee will meet on Saturday, July 15, at 10 a.m. Bylaws amendments will still be accepted on July 15 until 5 p.m.
Anyone with questions about the bylaws process should email Kim Martin at Ksmartin34@yahoo.com.
Districts proposing changes must complete the Bylaws Amendment Form and submit it to State Bylaws Committee no later than ten working days following the district annual meeting. It must be received at the SEANC office no later than July 15. Email to bylaws@seanc.org.
Connections B.K. Garrett
There have been no applications for aid submitted since the last meeting.
DHHS Sonya Akbar
Akbar reported that a report on the findings of the committee’s survey had been distributed to legislators. Copies of the report were available to board members.
Emerging Leaders Council Kiana Price for Carl Elliott
Emerging Leaders Council ended its Leadership North Carolina scholarship applications on April 28. One person will be selected as the 2023 SEANC ELC recipient. The LNC program starts October 1, 2023.
The Council completed its Adopt-A-Highway project on May 6. The next clean up and meeting will be on July 8.
ELC is sponsoring a Community Health & Wellness event in Raleigh in August. If any District would like to contribute, please make checks payable to SEANC and write in memo field ELC Wellness Event.
EMPAC Mark Dearmon
Dearmon distributed a flyer on the Million Dollar Mission, which is going on now. Please share the flyer information with your district members.
Investment Advisory Patsy Acquista
The committee is in the process of developing an investment policy for SEANC.
COMMITTEE REPORTS (CONTINUED)
Growth & Expansion Charles Streeter
The committee has not met since the last BOG meeting.
Insurance Board Laura Overstreet
The Insurance Board (IB) met on May 2, 2023.
IB is pursuing cancelling the contract with Colonial due to many factors.
The Home Health Care policy approved by IB and BOG is progressing.
IB members will make every effort to attend all district annual meetings.
Nominations to the Insurance Board must be made before July 15. There are no nominations from the floor at convention.
Member Discount Tim Southard
There were 28 new businesses signed up between February 20, 2023 and May 12, 2023. The winner of the $100 gift card was Tracey Webb.
The next contest will start May 22 and end on August 25, 2023. The person who signed up the most businesses will receive a $100 gift card.
There are representative openings in the East and South Central regions. Submit nominations to Tim at rtntune@carolina. rr.com or 704-473-2619.
Theme parks: Most theme park tickets are available on SEANC website. Waiting on contracts to be signed by Carowinds/Kings Dominion.
Our State magazine: $5 off one-year subscription available on SEANC website.
Membership Spillman Grice Membership incentive through August 31: Recruiters receive $20 per member recruited, and if you refer a friend and they join you get $20 as well. You also get $25 for each event you schedule and hold.
Spillman Grice recognized the districts that are in the positive in membership numbers for April.
Other initiatives: Retirees in the Workplace flyer passed out. Recruit the Recruiter passed out.
Awards for recruiting at the convention this year: 3rd place $150, 2nd place $250, 1st place $350.
The cut-off for the number of convention district delegates is July 31.
Policy Platform Betsy Lee Hodges
Hodges asked that districts review the policy platform objectives up for deletion at their annual meetings. All five framework objectives are up for deletion.
Prison Reform Deborah Harney
Prison Reform Committee met May 4.
Sec. Todd Ishee approved One Voice and SEANC to conduct a staff wellness survey.
President Martha Fowler, Second Vice President Wendell Powell, Western Region Representative Cliff Johnson and Deborah Harney attended a One Voice conference in Colorado Springs in April that included corrections employees from all over the nation and five other countries.
Public Education Mark Dearmon
The 2023 Chancellor’s Cup Golf Tournament will be held at the Bryan Park Golf Course in Greensboro on Sept 26. N.C. A&T University will be the host university. SEANC will be the sponsor again in 2023, and will be asking the 14 SEANC districts that include universities to contribute at least $500 to the sponsorship. Mail checks to Lynn Cote at the SEANC Central Office.
Retiree Council Benny Brigman
The Council made a $200 donation to N.C. Coalition for the Aging.
Council Nominations: There will be no nominations from the floor this year for the Retiree Council. Please submit nominations no later than July 15.
Next meeting: July 13.
COMMITTEE REPORTS (CONTINUED)
Scholarship Foundation Mike Bell
The committee distributed cash raffle tickets at the last board meeting. Contact Phyllis Byrd if you need additional tickets.
Board will meet later this month to judge the applications for this year.
PASSED MOTIONS from the Board of Governors
PASSED : A motion from the Retiree Council that in order to serve on the SEANC Retiree Council, potential candidates must submit intentions in writing (to run) to the SEANC Director of Member Relations and the current SEANC Retiree Council Chair no later than July 15. Nominations may NOT be accepted from the floor at convention. Effective immediately.
PASSED : A motion to continue using the Hampton Inn (Raleigh) for lodging.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
District 41 member Stacy Crabtree is running for General Treasurer.
DuBoris Peterkin of District 28 is running for First Vice President.