SPOTLIGHT
HIGHLIGHTS
Budget compromise includes raises, bonuses
Senate Leader Phil Berger spoke to the board by Zoom to thank SEANC for its hard work at the legislature this session, and give a short update on the budget, which was unveiled Monday.
The budget includes:
• A 5% pay raise for most state employees (including community college and university employees) and an average 5% pay raise for teachers over the biennium.
• An increase in the minimum wage for all non-certified personnel and community college staff to $15 per hour beginning in 2022.
• An experience-based step pay plan for corrections that would result in an average raise of 7%.
• An experience-based pay plan for probation and parole that would result in an average raise of 17%.
• The creation of a separate cabinet-level agency for adult and community corrections.
• A 5% supplement for state retirees over the biennium.
• A bonus for all state employees and local education employees of $1,000.
• An additional $500 bonus (for a total of $1,500) for employees earning less than $75,000, as well as ALL law enforcement officers, workers in the Department of Public Safety, Correction and Juvenile Justice with job duties requiring frequent in-person contact, and Department of Health and Human Services workers in 24-hour residential or treatment facilities.
The compromise will be passed by the General Assembly this week. Governor Roy Cooper has committed to signing it as well. The raises will be paid retroactive to July 1, 2021, with the additional salary from July to December paid in one lump sum with the bonus.
XYZ University reports on attracting young members
Sarah Sladek of XYZ University Inc. joined the meeting by Zoom to unveil the results of her research on SEANC and recommendations to better position the association for the future.
Sladek said that associations all over the country are feeling the strain of a generational shift of the workforce. Through extensive surveys of members and nonmembers, meetings with shareholders, and a variety of research methods, Sladek found:
• 66% of SEANC’s membership is 57 years old or older
• Baby Boomers still make up 44% of our membership.
• Only 14% of our membership is under 40
She reviewed results of the surveys, which were overall positive, and offered recommendations on ways to improve SEANC’s approach, including everything from changes to the benefits and insurance products we offer, updates to our online presence both on the website and through social media, and the creation of a sense of community among our membership. She also offered ideas for changing SEANC’s governance structure to allow younger members to participate.
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President’s Report – Martha Fowler
RepoRts
President Martha Fowler started by reviewing the president’s retreat, which was held in Wrightsville Beach in October.
She discussed the XYZ University findings and asked board members to be willing to teach and allow for new leaders to take the reins of the organization. Current leaders are needed to help groom them for service. She encouraged board members to consider bringing young members and even nonmembers to the convention to show them how hard delegates work.
She also stated that she wants SEANC to utilize virtual conferencing programs like Zoom more to accommodate the schedules of younger members who can’t get off to come to Raleigh.
Fowler also recognized Jimmy Davis for his three years as president, and presented him with a gavel and picture book of photos from his term. Davis spoke about losing his father during convention, thanked the executive committee from last year for its support, and wished Fowler well in her term.
IT Update
First Vice President Kirk Montgomery reviewed many IT deficiencies that have been uncovered at SEANC in recent months. He also discussed problems with the implementation of the Impexium management system that has affected every facet of SEANC operations.
Executive Director’s Report – Ardis Watkins
Watkins began her report by introducing SEANC employees who board members may not be familiar with, but who are critical to the operations of the association. She wants the board to get to know the whole staff. Pat Evans from Member Relations, Korey Wheeler from Communications, Randy Wall from Insurance and Michael Norris from Finance each spoke to the board about their jobs.
Watkins then talked about the huge burden that the troubles with the Impexium transition had put on the whole staff, and thanked First Vice President Kirk Montgomery for volunteering his time to help. A plan is in place to hire a new IT person and lessen the burden on him soon.
After highlighting projects to “broaden the net” of recruiting at public schools and among young workers, Watkins called on each of the directors to report on their department’s work.
Communications Director Jon Owens asked board members to make their own Google review in an effort to raise SEANC’s score, which was a miserable 2.1 stars before the meeting. That rating was raised to 4.3 stars by the end of the meeting, with 35 board members filing a review.
Director of Operations Brenda Johnson alerted the board that the main conference room at SEANC’s Central Office can only accommodate 59 people. The BOG has more than 75 members, meaning board meetings exceed capacity.
Government Relations Director Suzanne Beasley provided an update on what was known about the budget as of Friday as well as other bills of interest.
Member Services Director C.J. Stephens discussed various insurance changes including the change to Delta Dental. Member Relations Director Lynn Cote discussed efforts to grow membership.
Regional breakouts
The board members gathered with their peers from each of the five SEANC regions (West, Piedmont, North Central, South Central, and East. The regions discussed XYZ University findings and the issues with the building.
Audit – Linda Rouse Sutton
Committees
• The committee met by Zoom on Oct. 5. Sutton was elected chair and Alicia Simpson Warren was elected Vice Chair.
• Two new committee members were approved at an in-person meeting on Nov. 11: Nina Griswell of District 68 and Diane Leaven of District 39.
Awards Committee –
Janice
Bass
• The committee will hold its first meeting on Dec. 17
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Benevolence Committee – Deborah Fleming
• The committee met by Zoom on Nov. 4. Work for the committee will be divided into regions.
• All district chairs should email the name, address and picture of any deceased member from Sept. 1, 2021-present to seancbenevolencechair@gmail.com.
Bylaws – Kim Martin
• The committee has not met.
• Martin asked that each district submit the name of its bylaws chair as soon as possible.
• Districts should also send an updated copy of their district bylaws to the office.
Connections – BK Garrett
• Garrett stated that the committee would consider raising the amounts it gives out to members affected by tragedy.
DHHS Study Committee – Kathy Merritt for Sonya Akbar, chair
• The committee recently met to discuss issues at DHHS facilities. DHHS is facing terrible staffing issues and shortages. The department is giving new employees large bonuses but not current employees.
• Executive Director Ardis Watkins has a one-on-one meeting planned with DHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen to address these issues and other of importance to employees.
Emerging Leaders – Carl Elliott
• Elliott said the council plans to work with XYZ University on implementing their recommendations for the association.
• He asked every district chair to identify one active member in their district and to begin working with them on becoming more active in the association.
• Next meeting is Dec. 11 at the SEANC office. The council will continue to college hygiene products for care packages and appreciates donations.
EMPAC – Mark Dearmon
• EMPAC will meet this Saturday, Nov. 20, at the office.
• Dearmon reminded the group that each district should have four representatives at the district level.
Financial advisory – Duane Smith for Patsy Acquista, Chair
• This is a new committee which met on Nov. 10 via Zoom. Its main goal is to offer the Executive Committee recommendations for investing SEANC funds.
Growth and Expansion – Martha Fowler
• This committee has yet to meet, but will be tasked with implementing the recommendations from XYZ University.
Insurance Board of Trustees – Janice Smith via Zoom
• The Trustees met on Nov. 3 at the SEANC Office.
• Mass Mutual presented a strategy for marketing Life Insurance to the younger (Millennials) SEANC members. The IBT determined it would use an in-house approach.
• SEANC Insurance Staff has been fielding an overwhelming amount of calls during Open Enrollment. The Insurance Staff is to be commended for their hard work and dedication during these times.
• Delta Dental is available for enrollment offering a wide coverage of providers. Policies will become effective January 2022. If you are presently enrolled in the UHC Dental Program, your policy will roll over to Delta Dental
• Contact IBT Members with questions on Insurance products offered by SEANC and information of your District meetings/events: South Central - Laura Overstreet, Jakima Hill; West - Janice Smith, Henry Belada; Piedmont – Marilyn Martin, Barbara Pace; N. Central - Gracie LeSane, Lynn Stephenson; East - Pam Hailey, Russell Anderson
• IBT’s next meeting is scheduled for Feb. 9, 2022 at 10 a.m. Continued
Member Discounts – Tim Southard
• The new minimum requirement is two businesses to receive an incentive. Each business recruited is $10.
• There will be a total of three contests for the year, which includes one contest per quarter. The top recruiter will be recognized at convention. Email Felicia Grimes at fgrimes@seanc.org for more information.
Membership – Lynn Cote for Spillman Grice, chair
• Incentives for member recruitment have been lowered from $20 per member to $10 per member
• There is now a 30-day waiting period on recruitment money
• We are currently working with the Department of Public Safety on allowing SEANC to recruit at training schools.
• A membership training will be held on Jan. 13 at the SEANC Office.
Policy Platform – Betsey Lee Hodges
• The committee is creating a survey for employees to get feedback from workers to guide future objectives.
Prison Reform – Deborah Harney
• Harney reported that the effects of COVID are still hitting home for corrections. Two wives of correctional officers recently died after their husbands brought COVID home to them from the prison.
• Harney and Western Region Rep. Cliff Johnson recently attended a leadership conference at Gettysburg, PA.
Public Education – Mark Dearmon
• SEANC was the naming sponsor of the 2021 SEANC – UNC Staff Assembly Chancellor’s Cup golf tournament on Sept. 29 at Tobacco Road in Sanford. This year’s tournament raises more than $30,000.
• SEANC and District 69 hosted a recruitment event at Elizabeth City State University that netted 36 new members!
• District 1 hosted drive-through breakfasts at Southwestern Community College and Western Carolina and fed more than 300 people!
Retiree Council – Jamie Robinson for Benny Brigman, Chair
• The council met on Nov. 4 by Zoom.
• Robinson thanked all the districts that donated to grandchildren scholarships.
• He also mentioned that all districts should plan a retiree forum.
Scholarship – Angela Lyght for Mike Bell, Chair
• The Scholarship Foundation cleared over $21,000 in the cash raffle and received $20,000 in donations.
• There is still a vacancy on the board in the South Central Region. If interested, please contact Mike Bell.
• We will award $40,000 in scholarships next year.
Training – Angela Lyght
• The committee met on Nov. 1.
• District Chair Training will be held Dec. 1-2 at headquarters.
• Leadership Training to be held in 2022 (possibly April). The committee is currently exploring qualified individuals to lead this training including the previous leader Dr. Alexis Davis.
Motions from Board of Governors
KEY MOTIONS
PASSED: A motion to postpone vote on changes in District 21 and District 28 membership until further research and discussions have occurred.
PASSED: A motion to approve and appoint two new members to the Audit Committee to fill vacancies -- Nina Griswell (District 68) and Dianne Leaven (District 39).
The next BOG meeting is scheduled for February 18-19, 2022.
