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The SEANC Scoop STATE EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION OF NORTH CAROLINA IMPORTANT LINKS Member-Only Discounts SEANC Insurance SEANC in the News Update Contact Info Calendar of Events The Reporter
March 6, 2015
McCrory's budget proposal contains no across-the-board raises, COLAs After two weeks of weather delays, on Thursday Gov. Pat McCrory unveiled his spending plan for the next biennium, with $21.5 billion in spending in the 201516 fiscal year. The proposal did not contain an across-theboard pay increase for all state employees, instead opting for raises to certain groups. It also contained no cost-ofliving adjustment for retirees. It is SEANC’s goal to improve these numbers as the budget process continues in the General Assembly. In order to make that goal a reality, members should make their voice heard by contacting their lawmakers.
NEW DATE! Bowling for Scholarships! Due to the impending winter weather and the postponment of the Board of Governor's meeting, the second annual SEANC Scholarship Foundation Bowl-a-Thon also has been postponed.
The administration rationalized their piecemeal approach to funding pay raises as money “better spent in hard to fill positions. Targeted [pay raises] is better-than-across the board to attract retain and motivate state employees.” Click here for more budget details and the rest of the Legislative Update. Want to talk to your lawmakers yourself? Click here for their contact information and click here for SEANC's legislative priorities.
The makeup date will be Saturday, March 14! Deadling to register is now March 12! If there is still space available after that, it will be first-come, first-served at the door.
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Congratulations to the 82 new members who chose this week to empower themselves and the public services they provide by joining SEANC! They come to us from the state departments of Health and Human Services, Public Safety and Transportation, the Administrative Offices of the Courts, UNC Hospitals, McDowell Technical Community College, UNC-Chapel Hill, Winston-Salem State University, and schools in Cumberland, Guilford, Transylvania and Union counties.
The SEANC Scholarship Foundation applications are now open for members, their spouses and their dependent children to apply.
Contact Lynn Cote for more information on hosting an event at your worksite.
The General Assembly is back in session so stay connected!
Access SEANC discounts in your area or traveling using the free PerksConnect app. Download the app in iTunes or Google Play and visit the SEANC PerksCard website to access the group code. Start saving by showing the discount right on your phone. Questions?
Sign up today for our text messaging service to receive Special Action Alerts about what's happening at the General Assembly or for urgent member news. Just type the word SEANC into the body of the text and send it to the number 787753!
Save on the Go with PerksConnect!
Contact a Member Benefits Specialist at 800-2222758 to learn more.
Long-term Care Insurance Did you know as a SEANC member you can purchase longterm care insurance for yourself, parents and grandparents? Long-term care includes a wide range of services that help loved ones maintain the normal activities of daily living. Call Southeastern Senior Strategies at 866-582-5260 or 919-3599910 for a free quote today. For more information, visit the SEANC Insurance page or contact a Member Benefits Insurance Specialist at 800-222-2758.
State Employees Association of North Carolina 1621 Midtown Place Raleigh, NC 27609 800-222-2758 | seanc.org
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The SEANC Scoop STATE EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION OF NORTH CAROLINA IMPORTANT LINKS Member-Only Discounts SEANC Insurance SEANC in the News Update Contact Info Calendar of Events The Reporter
March 13, 2015
Leonard tells lawmakers they can't repair a leaking boat one hole at a time Last week Gov. Pat McCrory gave legislators his $51.7 billion spending plan for the next biennium. Of that, $21.5 billion is budgeted for the 2015-16 fiscal year. And while it contains a proposed salary increase for correctional officers and Highway Patrol troopers and other employees earning below their market rates, there are no across-the-board pay increases or retiree COLAs. SEANC Executive Director Mitch Leonard explained that SEANC is advocating for an across-theboard raise because many state employees are making salaries that are below market rates and because “piecemeal just doesn’t work.” He likened it to trying to repair a leaky boat one hole at a time – as soon as one is plugged water, will just pour in another until the boat sinks. Click here for the rest of the Legislative Update Want to talk to your lawmakers yourself? Click here for their contact information and click here for SEANC's legislative priorities.
TOMORROW! Bowling for Scholarships! The second annual SEANC Scholarship Foundation Bowl-a-Thon is being
held tomorrow, Saturday, March 14.
It's not too late! Come register tomorrow at the door. First-come, first-served. Register as a team or as an individual for one of two flights (1-2:45 p.m. & 3-4:45 p.m.) at Buffaloe Lanes North in Raleigh. There also will be a silent auction with items from the Carolina Panthers, the Carolina Hurricanes, the Durham Bulls, the Carolina Mudcats, the N.C. Symphony, the N.C. Aquariums, the N.C. Zoo, Dave & Busters and many more. The silent auction will close at 2:45 p.m. Proceeds go to help SEANC members, spouses and dependents attend college.
Get help paying for those college expenses! The SEANC Scholarship Foundation applications are now open for members, their spouses and their dependent children to apply.
The General Assembly is back in session so stay connected! Sign up today for our text messaging service to receive Special Action Alerts about what's happening at the General Assembly or for urgent member news. Just type the word SEANC into the body of the text and send it to the number 787753!
SEANC in the news Gov. Pat McCrory's proposed budget has been the hot topic in the news this week and SEANC has had several opportunities to weigh in on the discussion and advocate for an across-the-board pay increase and retiree cost-of-living increase. Speaking on Time Warner Cable News Channel 14's Capitol Tonight program on Tuesday, SEANC Interim Executive Director Mitch Leonard explained the need for raises. “We have tons of hard-to-fill positions across state government because we’re really not competitive with the market in most of the positions,” Leonard said. SEANC Member Benefits Director Brenda Hooker then put a face to the state's uncompetitive salaries while talking to WFMY News 2 in Greensboro on Thursday. She explained how when she left state employment as the travel director of N.C. Central University for 18 years, she was was making less than she would in a similar position in the private sector. "We were living paycheck-to-paycheck and I had a child that wanted to go to college, and I needed to pay for it," she said. And as the WFMY story notes, those below-market salaries hurt the employees, as well as taxpayers with voluntary turnover costing the state more than $300 million in each year.
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Congratulations to the 65 new members who chose this week to empower themselves and the public services they provide by joining SEANC! They come to us from the state departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Health and Human Services, Public Safety and Transportation, the Administrative Offices of the Courts, N.C. A&T State University, N.C. Central, N.C. State University, UNC-Chapel Hill, UNC-Pembroke, Haywood Technical College, Southwestern Technical College, and the N.C. School of Science and Math, as well as schools in Ashe, Cabarrus, Columbus, Dare, Duplin, Granville and Pitt counties. We also had one active military member join this week. Contact Lynn Cote for more information on hosting an event at your worksite.
Need some new SEANC swag? Then visit the SEANC store. With several new items, the SEANC store has everything you need from shirts to coffee cups to bags to help you make SEANC more visible in your workplace!
Want easy access to SEANC discounts? Then make sure you download the PerksCard app - PerksConnect. Available on the App Store and Google Play, this lets you start saving by showing local deals, right on your phone! Just be sure to use the group code SEANC when you register! Click here for more information.
Get in on the hoops action pro style! SEANC members can still purchase exclusive discount tickets to see the Charlotte Hornets in action this year! There are only a few games left in the season, so don't miss out on your chance to cheer on Kemba Walker, Al Jefferson and the team at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte. Visit the SEANC Benefits page to order your tickets today!
Get your life insurance policy today! SEANC members can purchase whole life insurance policies from Colonial and Aflac. What is whole life insurance? Whole life offers lifetime protection with a guaranteed death benefit that will not change as along as premiums are paid when due. Whole life provides a level premium that stays the same from the day you purchase the policy and guarantees the cash value amount. For more information, visit the SEANC Insurance page or contact a Colonial Life representative at 866-265-3599 or Aflac representative at 855-616-7302.
State Employees Association of North Carolina 1621 Midtown Place Raleigh, NC 27609 800-222-2758 | seanc.org
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Get help paying for those college expenses! The SEANC Scholarship Foundation applications are now open for members, their spouses and their dependent children to apply.
Want easy access to SEANC discounts? Then make sure you
March 20, 2015
The Executive Committee statement to members
issues
new
The past few weeks have been a turbulent time for the State Employees Association of North Carolina, its membership, staff, Board of Governors, and for each of us – the members of the Executive Committee. Less than two months ago, we found ourselves publicly defending former SEANC Executive Director, Dana Cope, against what we thought at the time were unfair, personal attacks on his management style. Our defense of Mr. Cope and our reaction to the claims against him were based on our perception of the truth, grounded in part on an inadequate internal investigation performed at that time. Since then, Mr. Cope has resigned and SEANC has participated in two independent investigations, one conducted by the State Bureau of Investigation and the other by a reputable, third party CPA firm. Both investigations – still ongoing – have already resulted in the revelation that an executive level mismanagement of funds occurred during Mr. Cope’s tenure as Executive Director. This is a matter that we have taken very seriously and as such, Mitch Leonard, our Executive Director, has restored order, begun implementing the necessary safeguards in our financial systems, and will be taking further action based on the final reports from both investigations. This is far from the last word on changes that will be taking place within SEANC as we reexamine all aspects of the way we pursue our mission. We will continue to update our members as we move forward. Given the new findings of the ongoing investigations, it has become clear to us that our characterization of the actions taken by Mrs. Betty "B.J." Jones and Mr. Arthur Anthony to alert the Board of Governors of their rightful concern about the former Executive Director’s management style was wrong and unfair. We apologize to Mrs. Jones and Mr. Anthony for mischaracterizing the motivations for their actions. Furthermore, we appreciate their willingness to stand up for SEANC and protect the organization that we all love and are proud to serve.
download the PerksCard app - PerksConnect. Available on the App Store and Google Play, this lets you start saving by showing local deals, right on your phone! Just be sure to use the group code SEANC when you register! Click here for more information.
Help us get in touch with you! Update your contact information today! Have you moved? Changed agencies? Changed phone numbers? Changed email addresses? Then be sure to let us know! Click here to update your membership information.
RECRUIT! RECRUIT! RECRUIT! Do you have co-workers who are not SEANC members? Tell them why they should sign up today! Share with them your copy of the Scoop or the Reporter. Tell them about our legislative victories, including the $1,000 pay raise and 5 bonus days. Tell them that SEANC is a strong advocate for public employees and the vital services they provide - the only association that speaks for all state employees and works to improve North Carolina. For more information, visit our website, www.seanc.org and be sure to check out our Recruiter Resources.
The SEANC Executive Committee Wayne Fish, President Ross Hailey, First Vice President Stanley Drewery, Second Vice President Gloria Evans, General Treasurer Sidney Sandy, Immediate Past President Spillman Grice, Retiree Council Chairman Doranna Anderson, Insurance Board of Trustee Chairwoman Benny Brigman, Eastern Rep. Gracie LeSane, North Central Rep. Deborah Harney, South Central Rep. Marilyn Martin, Piedmont Rep. Barbara Leatherman, Western Rep. Charles Johnson, Past President
SEANC lobbyists meet with legislators, advocate for jobs & raises Two weeks after Gov. Pat McCrory presented the General Assembly with his $21.5 billion spending plan for 2015-16, House budget writers are busy crafting their own proposal. More details will begin to take shape as the April 15 tax filing deadline makes the state's revenue picture clearer. Currently a $270 million revenue shortfall is projected for the current 201415 fiscal year, though what impact that might have on next year's budget remains to be seen. What is being discussed in the General Assembly right now are the questionable merits of privatization and the lack of efficiency and savings being provided by private vendors - most notably in the subcommittees looking at the Departments of Health and Human Services, Public Safety and Transportation. Sen. Shirley Randleman (R-Wilkes), SEANC's 2014 Legislator of the Year, was appointed chairwoman of a Program Evaluation Subcommittee that will be addressing private contracts. "Lawmakers need to question privatization," SEANC Executive
Director Mitch Leonard said. "SEANC has long maintained, and even the Department of Public Safety's own report last year on prison maintenance privatization demonstrated that privatization is a waste of taxpayer dollars. Time and time again, studies and practical experience show that state employees can provide higher quality services at a lower cost than private, for-profit businesses." Click here for the rest of the Legislative Update Want to talk to your lawmakers yourself? Click here for their contact information and click here for SEANC's legislative priorities.
SEANC Scholarship Foundation Bowl-a-Thon is a fun & successful event The second annual SEANC Scholarship Foundation Bowl-a-Thon was held Saturday, March 14, at Buffaloe Lanes North in Raleigh. For the nearly 100 attending including about 60 bowlers - it was a fun and relaxing event, and most importantly, a great way to raise funds to help SEANC members, their spouses and their dependents afford to attend both two-year and four-year colleges and universities. The event featured not only more than 10 lanes of teams and individuals bowling, but also a silent auction with items that ranged from gift certificates to The Pit, to tickets to the Durham Bulls and Carolina Mudcats, to tickets to theme parks and Myrtle Beach attractions, to handmade pottery. All total, more than $4,500 was raised. Two teams were awarded trophies at the tournament.
The first - pictured top with Scholarship Foundation Chairman Mike Bell at left - was the First Place Team comprised, from second to left, of C.J. Stephens, District 38 Chairwoman Susan Gentry, Emmett Garner and Donovan Garrett. The second - pictured below with Scholarship Foundation Chairman Mike Bell at left - was the Most Opportunity to Improve Team. This team, comprised of District 65 members, included, from second to left, Deborah Austin, Angela Easter, District 65 Chairwoman Alicia Simpson, Cynthia Hart, Jacqueline Caudill and Lina Johnson. The sponsors of this year's tournament were Doug Sutton Insurance Services, Adsource Media Inc, Aflac, Colonial Life, Augeo Marketing, and SEANC Districts 1, 10, 12, 17 and 61. Thank you all. And don't forget! If you or a qualifying family member need help paying those expensive college bills, there is still time to apply for a SEANC Scholarship Foundation scholarship. Click here for more information and applications. All applications must be postmarked to your district scholarship chairperson by April 15.
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Congratulations to the 76 new members who chose this week to empower themselves and the public services they provide by joining SEANC! They come to us from the state departments of Commerce, Environment, Health and Natural Resources, Health and Human Services, Public Safety, Revenue and Transportation, as well Administration, the Administrative Office of the Courts, UNC-Chapel Hill, UNC-Pembroke, UNC Hospitals, Winston-Salem State University, Randolph Community Colelge, and schools in Weldon City, Chatham, Iredell, Wake and Wilson counties. Contact Lynn Cote for more information on hosting an event at your worksite.
Take in a show at DPAC! If you have never been to the Durham Performing Arts Center, now is your chance to experience world-class entertainment at a discounted price thanks to your SEANC membership. SEANC members save 10 percent on tickets to see "Stomp," "Jersey Boys,"
"Rain," "Pippen," and "Newsies." Click here for performance dates and times and to order your tickets.
Save on your auto insurance with MetLife! Make the most of your SEANC Benefits and take advantage of competitive rates on your auto insurance with MetLife. Take advantage of their convenient payment plan through payroll deduction. Click here or call 800-438-6388 for more information and to receive a free quote.
State Employees Association of North Carolina 1621 Midtown Place Raleigh, NC 27609 800-222-2758 | seanc.org
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The SEANC Scoop STATE EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION OF NORTH CAROLINA IMPORTANT LINKS
March 27, 2015
Member-Only Discounts SEANC Insurance SEANC in the News Update Contact Info Calendar of Events The Reporter
EMPAC committee members Hiawatha Jones, Tina Sutton, Paul Buday and Len Henderson discuss legislation with Sen. Louis Pate (R-Wayne).
Statewide EMPAC Chairman Tony Smith wants SEANC to return to grassroots lobbying Retiring soon? Get your Retirement Health Plan questions answered! Are you already over 65 or turning 65 in the next 12 months and nearing retirement? The State Health Plan is now offering information sessions to help you maximize your health plan options. Click here for dates and times. Seating is limited so register early.
I have a goal and a challenge for SEANC this year. I want all members to re-engage in grassroots lobbying. Grassroots lobbying is what SEANC and its predecessor organizations were founded on, and today we are in a day and age where grassroots lobbying is as important as any money we put toward any candidate. So what is grassroots lobbying? Grassroots lobbying is you talking to your legislators about SEANC’s priorities. It is you going to Raleigh to meet your senators and representatives in their offices. If you are unable to come to Raleigh, it is you calling and emailing lawmakers and meeting with them in your hometowns. Most of all, grassroots lobbying is keeping a personal pressure on
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legislators who are endorsed by and who receive money from EMPAC, making sure they are following through on their promises to us – North Carolina's state employees and retirees.
The SEANC Scholarship Foundation applications are now open for members, their spouses and their dependent children to apply.
But true and effective grassroots lobbying requires participation from everyone. It can’t be the same few members over and over.
Want easy access to SEANC discounts?
I remember when hundreds and even thousands of people would attend lobby days at the General Assembly, many traveling with the financial and logistical help of their districts. Now only a few attend, and those who do, come only sporadically.
Then make sure you download the PerksCard app - PerksConnect. Available on the App Store and Google Play, this lets you start saving by showing local deals, right on your phone! Just be sure to use the group code SEANC when you register! Click here for more information.
It is so important that we have members in the halls, meeting with legislators, talking about our priorities. I know not everybody can come to Raleigh and I know it’s hard for some people to come on their own dime, but at some point, SEANC members have to be willing to make sacrifices to do this.
But grassroots lobbying works. Just look at SEANC's success at blocking the effort to privatize prison maintenance a couple of years ago. We had the balconies of the General Assembly full and we blocked that bill that night. We can really put our lawmakers on notice just by showing up and that’s something we need to get back to. Thank you, Tony Smith Statewide EMPAC Chairman
Help us get in touch with you! Update your contact information today! Have you moved? Changed agencies? Changed phone numbers? Changed email addresses? Then be sure to let us know! Click here to update your membership information.
RECRUIT! RECRUIT! RECRUIT! Do you have co-workers who are not SEANC members? Tell them why they should sign up today! Share with them your copy
Lawmakers look at privatizing DOT ferry service but keep 500 DOT jobs in gas bill Despite a mound of evidence to the contrary, including a report last year showing how it would actually be more costly and less efficient in prison maintenance, lawmakers continue to bring up the idea of privatizing vital public services. This time the target is the Department of Transportation’s ferry
of the Scoop or the Reporter. Tell them about our legislative victories, including the $1,000 pay raise and 5 bonus days. Tell them that SEANC is a strong advocate for public employees and the vital services they provide - the only association that speaks for all state employees and works to improve North Carolina. For more information, visit our website, www.seanc.org and be sure to check out our Recruiter Resources.
services. In a bill filed this week, lawmakers are proposing that the nation’s second-largest ferry system be privately owned and operated. With your help, SEANC lobbyists will be advocating against this bill and any attempt to privatize vital public services. One successful push against layoffs and privatization occurred with a conference committee agreeing on a compromise gas tax bill that avoids the 500 DOT layoffs that were originally proposed. This bill is now going back before the House and Senate to be voted on before going to the governor's desk. As has been said before, state employees answer to the taxpayers of North Carolina and have a proven track record of doing the best job they can at the most efficient price point they can – better than those private, for-profit companies who report to shareholders. Click here for the rest of the Legislative Update. Want to talk to your lawmakers yourself? Click here for their contact information and click here for SEANC's legislative priorities.
More
state
workers
side
with
SEANC!
Congratulations to the 58 new members who chose this week to empower themselves and the public services they provide by joining SEANC! They come to us from the state departments of Agriculture, Health and Human Services, Insurance, Labor, Public Safety, Revenue and Transportation, as well as the Administrative Office of the Courts, the Office of Information Technology Services, East Carolina University, UNC-Chapel Hill, James Sprunt Technical Community College, Wake Technical Community College, and Richmond County schools. Contact Lynn Cote for more information on hosting an event at your worksite.
Theme park tickets coming soon to SECU! Once again, SEANC and the State Employees Credit Union are teaming up to offer you savings at eight different theme parks in North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee and
South Carolina. Starting next week you can purchase your discounted tickets to all the best theme and water parks in the area! Stop by any of the State Employees Credit Union (SECU) branches to purchase your discounted tickets. Visit the SEANC Benefits page for ticket prices and park calendars. And don't forget! Water Country USA in Williamsburg, Va., will be sold online through the SEANC website and at the SEANC central office, beginning in early May.
Something to quack about! SEANC members can enroll in supplemental insurance with Aflac, which helps provide a safety net for you and your family. Aflac offers insurance for the cost of daily living paying you cash to help with life's unexpected expenses. The plans offered to SEANC members, which can be accessed through SEANC's Insurance page, and through Aflac, are: Group Critical Illness Insurance, Group Accident Insurance, Group Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Group Disability Insurance and Group Whole Life Insurance.
State Employees Association of North Carolina 1621 Midtown Place Raleigh, NC 27609 800-222-2758 | seanc.org