State Employees Association of North Carolina The SEANC Scoop February 3, 2012 T.E.A.M! Training in Concord
More than 350 SEANC members came together for a three-day intensive T.E.A.M! Training in Concord Wednesday through Friday. The training focused on SEANC’s legislative priorities for 2012 including opposing privatization, maintaining SPA rights and retirement security and how to recruit, communicate and motivate state employees and retirees. For more from the event, visit SEANC's Facebook page.
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SEANC Hero Linda Coleman Running for Lt. Governor
SEANC member and N.C. State Personnel Director Linda Coleman spoke to the T.E.A.M! training yesterday and shortly later announced she would run for lieutenant governor. Coleman was hailed after her T.E.A.M! speech by SEANC Executive Director Dana Cope as “a true SEANC hero.”
Dalton, Tillis speak to our T.E.A.M!
SEANC members got a behind-the-scenes look at state government Thursday at the training from leaders of both houses of the legislature. N.C. House Speaker Thom Tillis spoke held a frank discussion of the issues during the morning session, calling state employees the “state’s biggest asset.” Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton, a SEANC member who presides over the N.C. Senate, then spoke at dinner, telling members, “You are the important ones in the room. You are the state of North Carolina.”
SEANC Members Dalton, Faison Running for Governor
The race to replace Gov. Beverly Perdue is starting to take shape. SEANC members Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton and state Sen. Bill Faison announced last week they would seek the Democratic Party nomination, and were joined by former U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge on Thursday. Pat McCrory announced on Tuesday he would seek the Republican Party’s nomination. EMPAC will decide SEANC endorsements at a later date.
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Benefits Bulletin Member Discounts SEANC in the News SEANC Insurance Update Your Contact Info Calendar of Events www.seanc.org 800-222-2758
SEIU Nominations Due Today
Today is the final day to submit a nomination for the SEIU delegate election. Approximately 57 delegates (52 district and five statewide) will be selected to attend the 2012 SEIU Convention May 27-30 in Denver, Colo. Nomination forms are available in the Members Only section of SEANC’s website. For more information, contact SEANC General Counsel Tom Harris.
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Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and but have you ordered flowers yet for the special people your life? From You Flowers offers a 25 percent discount to PerksCard holders by entering code 720 at checkout.
State Employees Association of North Carolina The SEANC Scoop February 10, 2012 General Assembly to reconvene next week for mini-session
The N.C. General Assembly will reconvene next Thursday for a legislative minisession, but N.C. House Speaker Thom Tillis pledged earlier this week that no official votes would be taken during the “skeleton” session. SEANC’s Legislative Affairs team will be there, ensuring that state employees are represented.
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SPA Rights at the Forefront Again
The State Personnel Act rights of workers in the University of North Carolina system are once again on the table. SEANC Member Action Director Lynn Cote and Legislative Affairs Director Ardis Watkins met with employees at N.C. Central University in Durham Thursday night to discuss the issue and SEANC’s strategy for ensuring members’ voices are heard. As you know, maintaining SPA rights is one of SEANC’s Top 10 legislative priorities for the year. If you would like for SEANC to visit your university and speak to your coworkers, contact Cote by email.
Tips to Help You Save $$$
< font size="3">Did you know that, if you itemize deductions and your medical expenses for 2011 were more than 7.5 percent of your gross income, you are allowed to deduct your State Health Plan premium this year? Also, if you were vested in the state retirement system prior to Aug. 12, 1989, you do not have to pay state taxes in North Carolina in accordance with the Bailey Settlement, thanks to the efforts of SEANC. If you are a member of the State Employees Credit Union, you may be eligible for free or low-cost tax preparation to help you sort through these and other matters.
Make Sure Your Insurance Informa tion is Up-to-Date
Have you updat ed the beneficiaries of your insurance plans with SEANC recently? Do you have a son or daughter who has turned 25 and is longer eligible for coverage under your plans? Let SEANC’s Insurance Department know by calling (919) 833-6436 or emailing the department directly.
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Visit Sonic Dr ive-In locations across the state and enjoy 10 percent off your bill thanks to your SEANC membership! Visit SEANC’s website to see if your local restaurant is on the list!
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Benefits Bulletin Member Discounts SEANC in the News SEANC Insurance Update Your Contact Info Calendar of Events www.seanc.org 800-222-2758
State Employees Association of North Carolina The SEANC Scoop February 17, 2012 SEANC Director to appear on state government radio show
Internet.
SEANC Executive Director Dana Cope will appear on WPTF’s “People in Politics” program over the weekend. Topics featured in the segment include state employee jobs, politics and the state health plan. The broadcast will play at 5 p.m. Sunday in the Raleigh market on WPTF 680 AM. The station’s website also has a link to live streaming audio over the
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SEANC heads to Pirate Country
State personnel rights at the UNC system continue to be a hot-button issue. SEANC Legislative Affairs Director Ardis Watkins will visit Greenville on Feb. 23 to discuss the issue with employees at East Carolina University. The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m in the C.M. Eppes Recreation Center at Thomas Foreman Park. If you would like a visit from SEANC at your university, contact Watkins or Member Action Director Lynn Cote.
February Board of Governors meeting commences
SEANC’s Board of Governors opened their meeting this morning in the Mitch Leonard Conference Room at SEANC’s Central Office. Follow SEANC on Twitter and “like” us on Facebook for up-to-the-minute updates from the two-day meeting. Also be sure to catch up on the details in the Spotlight, a recap of the weekend’s events that will be posted to SEANC’s website Tuesday afternoon.
No votes taken in Thursday's legislative mini-session
As N.C. House Speaker Thom Tillis promised, no votes were taken in floor sessions Thursday. The House and Senate gaveled into meetings at noon and adjourned within 15 minutes. Up to three days had been set
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Benefits Bulletin Member Discounts SEANC in the News SEANC Insurance Update Your Contact Info Calendar of Events www.seanc.org 800-222-2758
aside months ago largely to consider redistricting legislation, but they weren't needed because new sets of maps remain intact. SEANCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Legislative Affairs team was on hand, though, to ensure your rights were protected.
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Join or renew your BJ's Warehouse Club membership today with your SEANC card and receive $10 off the $50 annual membership fee, as well as two additional months of membership free. This offer is not available online or at any BJ's Club location. Complete and mail this form to the address on the form for the offer.
State Employees Association of North Carolina The SEANC Scoop February 24, 2012 SEANC launches media campaign supporting Linda Coleman for Lt. Governor
SEANC made its first splash in the 2012 election cycle on Wednesday, launching a radio spot in support of N.C. State Personnel Director and former state Rep. Linda Coleman’s bid for Lieutenant Governor. The ad, which can be heard here, is an independent expenditure of SEANC and was not affiliated with EMPAC, which will conduct its standard interview process before deciding on endorsements. It will run in the Fayetteville market first. A poll conducted earlier this week shows Coleman with a commanding lead over the primary field among likely Democratic voters. Coleman garnered 41 percent in the poll, besting the competition by 18 percentage points.
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SEANC's Leonard receives state's highest honor
Longtime SEANC staffer Mitch Leonard, who currently lobbies for state employees in the area of retirement, received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the highest honor given by the governor of North Carolina, last Friday before SEANC’s Board of Governors meeting. Leonard started working for the Department of Transportation in 1970, then started working for SEANC’s predecessor, the North Carolina Government Employees Association, in 1977, is its first field representative. SEANC President Charles Johnson presented Leonard with the honor, and Leonard’s family made a surprise visit to the presentation as well. Thanks, Mitch, for all you have done and continue to do for state employees!
EMPAC to host forum for Lt. Governor's race
as well.
EMPAC will host its first political forum of 2012 on March 3 at 9 a.m. at the SEANC Central Office. All candidates for Lieutenant Governor, regardless of political affiliation, have been invited to speak at the forum. All SEANC members are invited to attend
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Benefits Bulletin Member Discounts SEANC in the News SEANC Insurance Update Your Contact Info Calendar of Events www.seanc.org 800-222-2758