2022-2023 • Volume 41, Issue 4
THE
REPORTER
State Employees Association of North Carolina
Final budget includes raises, bonuses for retirees The House and Senate passed a $30 billion state budget on Sept. 22 and sent it to Gov. Roy Cooper for signature. Cooper let the budget become law without his signature. The budget contains pay raises for state employees and a one-time bonus for retirees. SEANC Executive Director Ardis Watkins told reporters the raises do not go far enough to tackle the vacancy crisis in state government. “This is a very dangerous gamble with public health and safety,” she told WRAL. “Employees will keep leaving if this is what they get when there is plenty of money for a better
raise, and more than 20% of state jobs are vacant. And the public, unfortunately, will pay the price for the lack of services these vacancies cause.” Though the budget has passed, there is still time for legislators to do the right thing regarding a bonus to help retain employees. SEANC is advocating for a separate bill with a holiday bonus of $5,000. The state is sitting on a surplus of over $3 billion built on unspent funds because of vacant jobs. Meanwhile, employees are overworked and leaving in droves.
The State Budget includes: • A 4% pay raise in 2023 and a 3% raise in 2024 for most state employees, including non-certified school personnel, community college, and UNC employees. • A 4% one-time supplement for retirees in 2023. • A 5.5% pay raise in 2023 for employees on a step-pay plan and an additional 3% in 2024. • Labor market reserves for agencies to use to address certain position salaries to bring them more in line with similar positions. • Funding for the State Health Plan and the Retirement System. • An average of 2% pay raise for bus drivers in addition to the 4% across the board in 2023. Increases in year two for a total of 8%.
Convention Delegates Elect Officers for 2023-2025 Delegates at the 39th Annual SEANC Convention in Greensboro Sept. 7-9 elected Kirk Montgomery of Burlington (District 25) as the 2023-2025 SEANC President. Wendell Powell of Fayetteville (District 41) was elected First Vice President, Emily Jones of Clayton (District 41) was elected Second Vice President, and Stacie Crabtree of Moncure (District 41) was elected General Treasurer. Martha Fowler of Mebane (District 19) is the Immediate Past President. They assumed their new roles on Oct. 1. EMPAC presented its Lisa B. Mitchell Legislators of the Year awards to House Minority Leader Rep. Robert Reives II and Rep. Donna White for their commitment to state employee and retiree issues during the 2023 General Assembly session. Delegates also honored Joe Fearrington, a 61-year-old UNC-Chapel Hill staff member who shepherded students to safety during the recent shooting on campus. Fearrington was in attendance at the convention. As part of the annual community service project, members
Kirk Montgomery (center) was elected SEANC President at the SEANC Convention on Sept. 7. Wendell Powell (right) was elected First Vice President, Emily Jones (second from left) was elected Second Vice President, and Stacie Crabtree (second from right) was elected General Treasurer. Martha Fowler (left) will serve as Immediate Past President.
and districts donated to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Association and the American Diabetes Association. They also made donations to the SEANC Scholarship Foundation.
The Reporter is going digital! The next issue of The Reporter will be a digital-only publication. Members will receive an email from SEANC when it is ready to view online. To read this and other issues of The Reporter online, visit www.seanc.org/publications
SCHOLARSHIP The SEANC Scholarship Foundation, Retiree Council and SEANC districts across the state announced they are awarding $137,300 in scholarships. $38,500 of that is being given out by the statewide SEANC Scholarship Foundation to 47 deserving students. The five categories of statewide scholarships include: Member-Only, Two-Year Merit, Two Year Financial, Four-Year Merit and Four Year Financial.
Four-Year Merit ($1,000)
Taylor Grace Sollie Garner-Webb University
Avery Bass North Carolina State University
Lauren Sanchez North Carolina State University
Mason Parker UNC-Pembroke
Mackenzie R. Singletary UNC-Chapel Hill
Amie Masemore Duke University
Daughter of District 2 member Eric Sollie Haywood County Schools
Daughter of District 58 member Tara Thompson Wake Technical Community College
Daughter of District 39 member Rebecca Sanchez North Carolina State University
Alex Liverman North Carolina State University
Charles Bagwell UNC-Chapel Hill
Talula Martin UNC-Chapel Hill
Kensley Grace Phillips East Carolina University
Son of District 56 member George Liverman Department of Transportation
Son of District 13 member Amy Bagwell Central Piedmont Community College
Two-Year Financial ($500)
Emanuel Scott Ohio Technical College Son of District 24 member Terri Oxendine Robeson County Schools
Matthew Lavender Tri Community College Son of District 1 member Sherri McConnell Department of Health & Human Services
Remi Jeanmarie-Jennings Wake Technical Community College
Son of District 23 member Joseph Parker, Jr. Department of Transportation
Daughter of District 24 member Melissa Singletary Bladen County Schools
Daughter of District 38 member Sushma Masemore Department of Environmental Quality
Daughter of District 57 member Curtis Martin Department of Health & Human Services
Alison Ward Cape Fear Community College
Annali Rae Silver Gardner-Webb University
Seth Hughes North Carolina State University
Gracie Hall East Tennessee State University
Cameron Askins UNC-Chapel Hill
Daughter of District 40 member Linda Jennings-Collins Department of Adult Corrections
Daughter of District 61 member William Ward Department of Adult Correction
Daughter of District 3 member Misty Woody Silver Mayland Community College
THE
REPORTER
Son of District 42 member Monica Hughes Wake County Public Schools
Daughter of District 6 member Lori Hall Department of Health & Human Services
State Employees Association of NC 1621 Midtown Place • Raleigh, NC 27609 919-833-6436 • 800-222-2758 • www.seanc.org
Jonathan Owens, Editor-In-Chief • Beth Dew, Managing Editor
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. © Copyright 2023 SEANC. All rights reserved.
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THE REPORTER • 2022-2023, Issue 4
Son of District 61 member Jennifer Askins Onslow County Schools
Daughter of District 1 member Tressie Phillips Department of Public Safety
Bethany Davis UNC-Greensboro Daughter of District 16 member Ray Davis, Jr. Department of Adult Correction
The Reporter, USPS 009-852 (ISSN 1069 2142), is published four times a year in the months of October, February, May, and August for $2.50 per year, per member, by the State Employees Association of North Carolina, Inc., 1621 Midtown Place, Raleigh, NC 27609. Periodicals postage paid at Raleigh and additional offices. POSTMASTER, Send address changes to: The Reporter 1621 Midtown Place, Raleigh, NC 27609.
SCHOLARSHIP Four-Year Financial ($1,000)
Gregory Williams UNC-Charlotte
Kamaya Royster NC A&T University
Son of District 17 member Shirrell Williams City of Reidsville
Kevin Andrew Pernell NC A&T University Son of District 56 member Lillie W. Pernell Retired
Daughter of District 57 member Janet Royster Department of Adult Correction
Jada Alise Ezzell North Carolina Central University
Daughter of District 58 member Lakita E. Brodie Department of Adult Correction
Zamaria Wilson NC A&T University
Daughter of District 65 member Lisa Hagans East Carolina University
Braylon Aldridge Western Carolina University
Son of District 2 member Cayle Aldridge Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services
Amyah Farrington NC A&T University
Daughter of District 20 member Katrina Farrington Robeson County Public Schools
Azariah Best NC A&T University
Daughter of District 42 member Portia Best Wake County Public Schools
Hunter Cothron Western Carolina University
Son of District 5 member David Cothron Department of Adult Correction
Andrew Bowen North Carolina State University
Son of District 39 member Ronnie Bowen North Carolina State University
Sylvia K. Jennings East Carolina University Daughter of District 69 member Tonya Jennings Administrative Office of the Courts
Bridgett Latrice Tedder Devry University Member of District 12 CharlotteMecklenburg Schools
Destiny Rouse North Carolina Central University
Daughter of District 59 member Donald Rouse Retired
Elizabeth Patteson University of San Francisco Daughter of District 7 member Lynn E. Webber Department of Health & Human Services
Hailey Minton UNC-Wilmington
Daughter of District 8 member Santania Greene Administrative Office of the Courts
Two-Year Merit ($500)
Kelsie Hooper Sovah School of Health Professions
Daughter of District 17 member David M. Hooper Department of Transportation
Benjamin Parsons Stanly Community College
Son of District 11 member Jeffrey Parsons Stanly Community College
Kyla Quanz Martin Community College
Daughter of District 9 member Heather Quanz Administrative Office of the Courts
Alison Claire Roper Caldwell Community College Daughter of District 7 member Amanda N. Roper Department of Health & Human Services
Christian Ray Scott Southwestern Community College Son of District 1 member Donna Scott Retired
Latoya Satterwhite Vance Granville Community College
Daughter of District 21 member Margie Satterwhite Retired
Member-Only ($500)
Greg Johnson Fayetteville State University Member of District 5 Department of Adult Correction
Alyssa Ramsey Spence North Carolina State University
Member of District 70 East Carolina University
Donna L. Lipsomb North Carolina State University Member of District 41 Department of Health & Human Services
Alexandra R. McCoy Pitt Community College Member of District 64 Pitt Community College
Sharema Williams Capella University Member of District 42 Department of Health & Human Services
Aaron Shawn Hooper Anderson University Member of District 7 Department of Health & Human Services
Brittany Odum UNC-Wilmington
Member of District 61 Administrative Office of the Courts
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RETIREE FOCUS Retiree Grandchild Scholarships
Samuel Ryan Caldwell UNC-Asheville Grandson of District 6 member Bruce Hawkins, Sr.
Kaleb Cooper University of Virginia Grandson of District 13 member Ronnie Bell
The SEANC Board of Governors voted unanimously in February to begin the process of disaffiliation from the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), with whom SEANC had been affiliated since 2008. On Aug. 11, SEIU finally agreed to end our affiliation. Then President Martha Fowler sent a message to members explaining the issue. It read in part: “As your president, I believe that disaffiliating from SEIU is in the best interest of SEANC and our members. But it’s not just my opinion – it’s the unanimous opinion of SEANC’s Retiree Council, Membership Committee, Board of Governors, and every past president dating back to the 1990s.”
Cora Hunt UNC-Charlotte
Granddaughter of District 7 member Thomas A. Hunt
Gabriel A. Richmond N.C. State University Grandson of District 20 member Mary L. Roukema
SEANC's affiliation with SEIU ends
Lorelei Byrd UNC-Chapel Hill
Granddaughter of District 27 member Mary Moseley
Doug Sutton
Insurance Services Providing quality and affordable insurance to SEANC members for over 40 years.
Ellen Sidney Ramsey North Carolina State University
Corbett Williams Barton College
Granddaughter of District 57 member Lynn Randall Ward
Grandson of District 64 member Helen Marshall
Please call us if we can be of service! Chrystyan Syn'Cere Bowden Cape Fear Community College Grandson of District 62 member Cheryl Hayes
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Tamia Hart Winston-Salem State University
Granddaughter of District 21 member Patsy Moore
THE REPORTER • 2022-2023, Issue 4
Teyshawn Jerrell Johnson North Carolina State University
Grandson of District 61 member Ethel L. Johnson
919-836-9993 or toll free:
800-788-7771 We appreciate doing business with you! dougsutton@dougsuttonins.com
CONVENTION 39th Annual SEANC Convention Sept. 7-9, 2023 Greensboro
ENHANCING OUR FUTURE TOGETHER
Second Vice President Emily Jones explains what to expect to new delegates.
District 22 members pose for a group photo with Executive Director Ardis Watkins. The district was named "District of the Year" at Saturday's banquet.
Joe Fearrington, a UNC-Chapel Hill employee, seen here with Past President Jimmy Davis, was honored for his heroism during the recent shooting on campus.
Then President Martha Fowler presided over her third-straight convention.
President Kirk Montgomery (left) and First Vice President Wendell Powell react to the announcement of Montgomery as new president.
Past Presidents were honored on stage on Saturday.
Delegates socialize during a break.
View more pictures from the convention online by scanning the QR Code or visiting https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAUL2R
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MEMBERS IN ACTION
District 7 held an event for employees at J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center in Morganton on May 24.
SEANC had a ball on the Halifax Mall in Raleigh on Cinco de Mayo, May 5.
MARY TILLEY
District 69 member Trina Gregory (right) signed up five new members on May 21 at an event she helped organize at Seven Sounds Brewing Co. in Elizabeth City.
District 21 gained 13 new members at its annual Members Appreciation Event at the Gazebo in Butner on May 17.
District 66 recruited 57 new members at Caswell Developmental Center on May 3.
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District 3 held its annual golf tournament in May to raise money to award college scholarships to members, their children and grandchildren.
District 9 visited employees at Iredell County Adult Corrections on May 25.
MEMBERS IN ACTION
SEANC recruited 46 new members with District 58 at Eastern and Greene Correctional Institutes in June.
District 28 hosted an appreciation event at Central Regional Hospital in Butner on May 10.
District 17 hosted an appreciation event for employees at the N.C. Zoo in Asheboro on June 22.
District 17 visited the Department of Transportation office in Graham on May 16. SEANC attended the Juvenile Justice state event on May 15 at Kerr Lake.
District 57 showed its appreciation to employees at Longleaf NeuroMedical Treatment Center in Wilson on June 7.
District 24 provided an appreciation lunch for the employees at the DOT Call Center in Bladen County on June 13. (Pictured above) Junior Hulen, SEANC's state vice chair of EMPAC, stopped by to show his support for SEANC as well.
District 40 held a successful employee appreciation event at N.C. Correctional Institution for Women on June 8.
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MEMBERS IN ACTION
District 9 provided lunch for employees at the Department of Adult Correction offices in Gastonia on June 23.
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services employees came out for a sweet treat on July 12 at the Agricultural Sciences Center in Raleigh compliments of SEANC and District 38.
District 22 provided lunch for employees at the Cumberland County Courthouse on July 11.
SHONDA KELLY
District 60 Chairwoman Anita Marable and district members showed appreciation to employees at O’Berry Treatment Center in Goldsboro on July 26.
Our Emerging Leaders Council was out bright and early on July 8 cleaning up as part of their Adopt-a-Highway community service project.
District 42 made a contribution to The Clayton Center for Active Aging for their Bingo night. The ladies also hosted some of the bingo games along with some other state employees from the DHHS Medicaid Division. Pictured from District 42 are Gretchen Williams, Shirley Bell and Stephanie Nmashie.
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District 1 Chairman Mark Haskett (far right) visited the Graham County DOT maintenance yard on July 12 and signed up three new members.
MEMBERS IN ACTION
District 18 hosted a breakfast for DOT Staff in Montgomery County on July 13.
District 12 visited employees at the Union County Judicial Center in July.
District 25 members represented SEANC at The Society of Research Administrators International North Carolina Chapter Conference in Chapel Hill on July 25.
District 16 sponsored a breakfast at the DOT Maintenance Department on July 6.
District 17 hosted a Lunch and Learn with Vocational Rehab employees in Alamance County on July 5.
District 69 was a proud sponsor of the Department of Community Corrections Division 1 Field Day on June 25 in Hertford.
MARY TILLEY
SEANC's Emerging Leaders Council held a Health & Wellness Fair on Aug 12 at the Southeast Raleigh YMCA that included fun activities like yoga, food trucks, and other health vendors.
District 12 held several events at various Charlotte area state agencies during August.
District 21 provided lunch for employees at Murdoch Center on August 23. The district added more than 50 new members at the event.
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S E A N C h e a ds
with public school employees around the state!
During back-to-school time, SEANC visited many convocation events around the state to let public school employees know about the benefits awaiting them as a SEANC member. From Cumberland to Anson to Perquimans to Chatham counties, the SEANC team works to ensure that school personnel get the most out of their SEANC membership.
LEADERS IN ACTION
Emerging Leaders Council Chair Carl Elliott and Prison Reform Chair Deborah attended the Northeastern Regional Wellness Workshop for the N.C. Corrections Association on June 9.
Proud Aggie alum and then SEANC President Martha Fowler visited the N.C. A&T State University Spring Fling on May 17.
SEANC First Vice President Wendell Powell, District 2 Chairman Cliff Johnson, Prison Reform Chairwoman Deborah Harney and then President Martha Fowler attended the One Voice United Elevating Our Profession conference on corrections on April 28. They are seen here with Art Beeler (middle) from the Department of Adult Correction.
Past President Stanley Drewery assisted during District 65's Friends and Family Day at East Carolina University on June 26. The event included fun activities and a cookout lunch.
SEANC was proud to once again sponsor N.C. Black Summit, hosted by the North Carolina Black Alliance on May 2.
Past President Wayne Fish and Second Vice President Emily Jones attended the N.C. Corrections Support Seminar in Greensboro
First Vice President Wendell Powell visited Catawba Correctional Institution on Aug. 9 with District 9 for an appreciation event for employees there.
SEANC was "all in" at the Probation and Parole Association's Spring Workshop in June. (Second Vice President Emily Jones and Secretary of DAC Todd Ishee are pictured in the bottom right photo).
District 21 was honored as one of thirteen honorees on April 19, at the Community Partnership Recognition Ceremony in Henderson. Vance County High School submitted District 21 for their community support with the Cap and Gown Project. Pictured from left are Angela Cusaac, Senior Class Principal, Claretha Wood, District 21 Chairwoman Virginia Lindsey, Mary Tilley, and Principal Nealie Whitt III.
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