SEANC Nearly Doubles Governor’s Pay Proposal by Securing 2.75% Pay Raise, 2.2% COLA
RALEIGH – Although it’s not what state employees and retirees desired from legislators, SEANC increased the governor’s recommendations by nearly 83 percent in the final budget passed on July 16. While the governor proposed only 1.5 percent pay raises and 1.2 percent retiree cost-of-living adjustments (COLA), state employees will receive a 2.75 percent or $1,100 (whichever is greater) recurring base pay raise and retirees will receive a 2.2 percent COLA due to SEANC’s lobbying efforts.
Employees making $40,000 or less will receive the $1,100. State employees receiving 3 percent pay raises include teachers, university EPA faculty and nonfaculty, and community college faculty and professional staff. Pay raises and COLAs are retroactive to July 1.
Lobby Day Success
During SEANC’s Member Action Team Lobby Day on June 24, nearly 250 SEANC members sweat out the 90-degree heat to share their personal commitment to public services and the need for equitable pay raises.
By Erica Baldwin
“We do our jobs to keep our communities safe every day, but quality services cost money,” said District 45 member Pamela Thorpe to the cheering crowd. “We need pay equity for all state
employees – for the holidays we work, for the weekends we work, all 12 months of the year. Food and gas is high for all state employees.”
Thorpe, whose husband and daughter were there
to support her, stressed how difficult it was to make ends meet with the rising costs of basic living expenses. Many members, in a sea of blue SEANC shirts, held signs reading “Ask me about my second job” and “Food and gas costs the same for all state employees.”
The Senate attempted to include a provision that would allow the governor to give teachers higher raises, above the 3 percent included in the budget, if revenues exceeded projections. This effort would sidestep the typical budget process and favor one set of state employees, teachers, above the rest. SEANC lobbyists and members worked diligently with House members in support of pay equity, and the provision was removed from the final budget.
Following Thorpe’s comments, Rep. Ty Harrell (D-Wake) pumped up the crowd with his enthusiastic support of pay equity, retirement reform and collective bargaining.
“I want you to knock on these doors and say, ‘Ask me why it is that I have to have a second job. Ask me how we can reform our retirement plan. Ask me how fair and equitable pay raises are the best thing for all of us,’” said Rep. Harrell. “We need to make sure that that song is heard, not by the choir, but by the congregation. Will you help me sing it? Will you help me reach the members of the legislature?”
Other lobby day speakers included SEANC President Linda Rouse Sutton, Sen. Kay Hagan (D-Guilford), Jonathan Stephenson of District 19 and SEANC Executive Director Dana Cope.
More Work to Do
Though the session is over, SEANC members can make an impact this fall during the November elections.
“We’re going to elect people who are committed to our values, then we’re going to hold them accountable,” Cope told the crowd on lobby day.
As of press time, Employees Political Action Committee (EMPAC) members were making endorsement recommendations for statewide offices and legislative seats. EMPAC’s endorsements of state employee friendly candidates will be published in the next Reporter.
ebaldwin@seanc.org
Jerome Hasty of Distict 23, left, and Jerry Thompson of District 43 cheer on lobby day speaker Ty Harrell (D-Wake) on June 24 in Raleigh.
Photo by erica b aldwin
SEANC Members Rally in Raleigh on MAT Lobby Day June 24
compilEd By Erica Baldwin
legislators on lobby day.
front row, left to right, are nicole Hunter of District 43, north Central Regional Representative to the Executive Committee Tara Minter, District 65 Chairwoman Vivian Bazemore and Youth Council Chairwoman Amaka Flynn, Diane Castellow and Betty Jones, all of District 42. Pictured back row, left to right are District 41 Chairman Wendell Powell, Insurance Board of Trustees Chairwoman Cheryl Moon of District 43, Whit Bridgers of District 56 and Joe Trostel of District 46.
“I want to thank each and every one of you for all of the hard work that you do for our state. You are what makes the state of North Carolina great.”
– Sen. Kay Hagan
(D-Guilford)
“It’s time for these folks to recognize fairness, dignity and justice. We’re asking for them to allow us collective bargaining rights. Working families demand equality.”
– SEANC Executive Director Dana Cope
Sidney Sandy of District 11 and Rep. Pat Hurley (R-Randolph) of District 17 share a quick “hello” before the House session begins.
SEANC members gear up to talk to their
Pictured
Rep. Alice Graham Underhill (D-Craven) of SEANC District 67, left, offers her support for SEANC’s legislative priorities to SEANC President Linda Rouse Sutton and eastern Regional Representative to the Executive Committee Bruce Jones of District 67.
Minority Leader
group
“We all believe in quality service…North Carolina is number one in my mind, but we have a lot of work ahead of us.”
“You are the ones that make the engine of this state run, and if we continue to treat you like second-class citizens, the car ain’t going to go that far.”
– Rep. Ty Harrell (D-Wake) of SEANC District 42
District 22 members Sharon
SEANC Legislative Affairs Director Ardis Watkins, center, and SEANC Lobbyist Suzanne Beasley Malysz, right, show appreciation to state employee advocate Rep. Linda Coleman (D-Wake) of SEANC District 38.
– Jonathan Stephenson of District 19, a University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill employee, speaking on the importance of improving pay and benefits to reduce turnover
Sen. Steve Goss (D-Watauga) listens intently as SEANC members from western North Carolina request better pay and retirement security on behalf of all state employees.
“I do work hard for my money – and you all work hard for your money to make a difference in our communities every day.”
– Department of Correction health care technician Pamela Thorpe of District 45
Senate
Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) meets a
of state employees from his district on lobby day.
Shoshana Serxner, left, and Jayne Gallo, both of District 39, take time in the elevator to talk with Sen. Walter Dalton (D-Rutherford) of District 4 about SEANC’s legislative priorities.
Rep. arthur Williams (D-Beaufort) and Pam Hailey of District 58 discuss what’s in store for state employees for this short session.
SEANC
Hucks, left, and Kathy Blackmon, right, meet with Rep. Margaret Dickson (D-Cumberland), also of SEANC District 22, in the hallway of the Legislative Building.
SEANC Stops Health Plan Co-Pay Increases
By Erica Baldwin
The State Health Plan (SHP) was unexpectedly active this short session, a time when health plan issues are typically not addressed. It began with the sudden firing of SHP Executive Administrator George Stokes in early July, when legislative leaders claimed the plan was at a loss of at least $65 million. Stokes was immediately replaced with former SHP head Jack Walker as interim administrator – a man who has had a lessthan-cordial relationship with health plan members.
As part of his first official duties, Walker and legislative leaders attempted to shift costs to employees and retirees by raising doctor visit and prescription co-pays by $5 to $10. SEANC members mobilized quickly and called their legislators, letting them know that members could not afford the burden of this so-called “loss” in the health plan. As of press time, SEANC has not
seen a single actuarial report backing the claims of such a large loss in the SHP.
“Our members have let the legislature know unequivocally that they will not stand by with manufactured numbers creating cost-shifting to them,” SEANC Legislative Affairs Director Ardis Watkins
told WRAL on July 16. “They’re not positive where the problem is. They just keep giving a number that seems to be completely false.”
After the influx of calls and e-mails, House members backed off their efforts to raise co-pays. Senate Democrats, however, persisted with their attempts to make employees burden higher costs, but ended session without passing any increases on to SHP members.
SEANC urged legislators that enough money existed in the $21.4 billion budget and the almost $1 billion rainy day fund to fix the health plan, if in fact a problem existed. SEANC hopes legislative leaders look for more long-term solutions next session rather than asking for more money from employees and retirees.
ebaldwin@seanc.org
Quotes to Note
“I think the average rank-and-file state employee is going to be beside themselves and just feel like this is one more slap in the face. (An) 88 percent raise when state employees were suggested by the governor to get 1.5 percent is just preposterous.” SEANC Legislative Affairs Director Ardis Watkins on WRAL’s “Mary Easley defends 88 percent pay increase” on July 2.
“That seems to be ridiculous. When state employees get additional job duties, very oftentimes they will get at best a 5 percent pay increase of what they were making.” SEANC Executive Director Dana Cope on Mary Easley’s 88 percent pay raise in the July 3 News & Observer article “May Easley’s NCSU pay soars.”
“We can’t believe this would happen. We certainly can’t believe it would happen this year. It’s one thing for the governor to be meanspirited and give raises that don’t provide enough for a dollar value meal or gas to get to work for state employees, but the hypocrisy of $60 hamburgers and 88 percent raises being okay for the first lady.”
SEANC Legislative Affairs Director Ardis Watkins on WTVD’s “First Lady’s pay increase questioned” on July 2.
“We keep hearing about this rainy day fund for the legislature; well, there’s a monsoon where I live.” Brenda Hooker of District 27 on the proposed pay raise in The News & Observer article “State workers rally for better pay, bargaining” on June 24.
“I’ve worked for the state almost 30 years now, so I’ve pretty much dedicated my life to working for the citizens of North Carolina, and I cannot live on what I’m making.” Carol Ann Huneycutt of District 45, a Department of Correction employee who also works part time in a veterinarian’s office, on WTVD’s “State employees rally for money” on June 24.
“Our voices need to be heard, but legislators don’t even give us the opportunity to talk about the things we need like a safe environment, a healthy environment.” SEANC Insurance Board of Trustees Chairwoman Cheryl Moon in The News & Observer article “State workers rally for better pay, bargaining” on June 24.
“We think that would achieve parity and send a strong message to all of the state employees across North Carolina that they are respected and treated with dignity.” SEANC Executive Director Dana Cope on pay equity for state employees and teachers in The Associated Press article “Budget talks: NC state workers want higher pay” on June 24.
“We’ve got to have better pay so we can survive.” Dennis Hartley of District 10 in The Associated Press article “Budget talks: NC state workers want higher pay” on June 24.
“North Carolina is one of only two states whose public employees don’t have collective bargaining. We’ve got to start rewarding folks who do their job with a collaborative rather than adversarial effort.” SEANC President Linda Rouse Sutton in The News & Observer article “State workers rally for better pay, bargaining” on June 24.
“We all serve the state and the counties in different capacities, and it’s all vital.” District 41 Chairman Wendell Powell discussing the importance of both state employees and teachers in The News & Observer article “Lawmakers, Easley clash over raises” on June 17.
“They should have anticipated these problems and we want them to be fixed. If the state doesn’t resolve this issue quickly by paying our state employees what they deserve and what they work for, then we will be looking to file a formal complaint with the U.S. Department of Labor.” SEANC Executive Director Dana Cope regarding the state’s payroll problems on WRAL’s “Payroll issue has state employees coming up short” on July 2.
President’s Message
by Linda Rouse sutton J
Time to Make Hannah Grace and Colby Lane Proud
Of all the accomplishments and proud moments that we achieved together over the past two years at SEANC, a recent event in my life has made me realize why all the work we do advocating to make a better life for our families is worth it. On July 1, for the second time, I became a Granna. It made me think about the past, the present and the future.
When Hannah Grace and Colby Lane grow up, I pray they won’t have to struggle as we state employees have had to for decent pay raises and a secure retirement. And I hope that our work has laid the foundation for great things to come in the future for SEANC members.
This year, after much debate, discussion and member input, our SEANC delegates voted overwhelmingly to affiliate with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). Now our organization is leading the way for state employees in the South and Southwest, and we are focused on growing our membership and making life better for state employees and retirees. Now I don’t expect this affiliation to get us all 88 percent pay increases like some folks, but by work-
THE REPORTER USPS 009-852 (ISSN 1069 2142) is published in the months of March, May, august and November for $3 per year, per member, by the State employees Association of North Carolina, Inc., P.O. Drawer 27727, Raleigh, NC 27611-7727. Periodicals postage paid at Raleigh, N.C. and additional offices. PoSTMaSTeR: Send address changes to: THe REPORTER, P.O. Drawer 27727, Raleigh, NC 27611-7727.
ing with SEIU we will increase our political strength, win collective bargaining which will lead to better pay, have representation in the U.S. Congress and join a national network of state employees.
This year we also connected with our future and our past by celebrating more than 60 years of representing state employees. We remembered and honored the work of our past SEANC presidents and revitalized this group seeking their input with meetings and ideas for future growth. We created the first SEANC Youth Council and the result was a new generation of future leaders for the association — at the district, regional and state levels.
I want to thank each and every one of you who have stood firm by our SEANC principles in the good times and the hard times, especially my family and my supervisors. We have surely been challenged like never before. We must continue to be open to change, but at the same time never compromise our principles.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to serve as your SEANC president these past two years. I hope our actions made you — and one day, when they are old enough to read and understand this column, Hannah Grace and Colby Lane — proud.
lsutton@seanc.org
SEANC Member Since 2001 Up For Re-Election in 2008
i need & welcome the Support of My Fellow Seanc Members. Go to www.re-electjudgemccullough.com to contact Me & Volunteer to help. Paid for by the Committee to Re-Elect
Sutton
Judge Doug McCullough
Counselor’s Comments
by tom HaRRis seanC CHief of staff/GeneRaL CounseL
Time to Keep Pension Funds Secure
Few things are more important to SEANC members than the integrity of the funds that pay for their pension benefits. Consequently, SEANC devotes significant resources to oversee the system that invests the state’s pension funds. This year two bills in the General Assembly brought retirement fund investment issues to the forefront: House Bill 2758 and Senate Bill 2100. This article highlights the critical factors that led SEANC to support the first and oppose the second in the pursuit of keeping state pension funds secure.
Safety in numbers
SEANC supports House Bill 2758, which would change North Carolina from a sole investor system. Currently the state treasurer is the only person making the pension fund investment decisions. Recognizing that a sole investor system provides both opportunities and temptations for investment fraud, 46 states have enacted laws to spread the investment authority to more than one person, usually a board.
The threat of fraud is real. The former sole investment officer for Connecticut’s state employees’ retirement system is serving a prison term for taking bribes to give lucrative contracts to certain investment firms. While we can hope that similar fraud will never happen in North Carolina, the current system certainly increases that risk. We only have to examine what has happened during the current administration to see.
It has been estimated that investment firms selected by current State Treasurer Richard Moore will have been paid nearly $1 billion in investment fees by the end of his term of office (paid from the assets of the pension system). During that same period, people connected to those and other financial firms have made combined campaign contributions of up to $1.5 million to the sitting treasurer. While there is no firm evidence that any investment decisions are based on who
makes campaign contributions, circumstances can easily give that impression and the opportunity will always be present. In fact, any state treasurer who receives and chooses to retain campaign contributions from the very companies he or she grants lucrative investment contracts will always have a cloud of suspicion hanging over his or her head.
House Bill 2758 will help eliminate any appearance or existence of actual fraud by spreading the investment decisions to the board of trustees of the retirement system. While the state treasurer would still be involved in making investment decisions as chairperson of the board, he or she would share that responsibility with the other members of the board, which includes persons appointed by the governor, the speaker of the House and the president pro tempore of the Senate. These board members are all fiduciaries who are required by law to act in the best interests of the members of the retirement system and who are legally accountable for their actions. SEANC will continue to press for retirement reform in next year’s legislative session.
“Moore” of the Same?
Senate Bill 2100, introduced at the request of outgoing State Treasurer Moore, would expand the investment authority of the state treasurer in ways that will make the fraud concerns addressed by House Bill 2758 even worse. If adopted, this bill will allow the state treasurer to contract with investment firms in vastly greater instances than the law currently permits. For example, for the entire existence of the state pension plan, employees of the Department of the State Treasurer have managed investments in bonds and have done so with very good results. Under Senate Bill 2100, however, the treasurer would be given authority to contract with private investment companies to make bond investments. Not only would this result in more state pension funds being spent on fees to investment companies, leaving less funds for paying benefits, but it would create a whole new category of companies and persons who
would likely make campaign contributions to the treasurer, raising the same questions about whether fraud might be involved.
There are other problems with Senate Bill 2100, as well. It would authorize the treasurer to invest in stock “derivatives,” a risky form of investment that historically has led to the bankruptcy of several governments. It also removes the current 1.5 percent limit on how much of the total pension system assets can be invested in the stock of one company. This increases the risk that the system might heavily invest in one company and could lose significant assets if that company goes under,
which happened to other states’ pension plans when Enron went bankrupt. Moreover, Senate Bill 2100 would permit investments in riskier “alternative” investments to grow beyond the limits set for those types of investments under current law. These are just some of the provisions that led SEANC to oppose Senate Bill 2100 on the grounds its passage would be not be in the best interests of state pension plan members.
The Senate did not move on this bill this session, but SEANC will continue to fight these and similar efforts next year.
tharris@seanc.org
Harris
Member Action
by Kevin LeCount
membeR aCtion diReCtoR
Time to Drive Membership
In an effort to realize a net increase of 2,500 new SEANC members by Dec. 31, the SEANC Member Action Department kicked off an aggressive membership organizing, or recruiting, campaign on July 14.
Now that affiliation with the Service Employees International Union has been achieved, it is time to commit time, energy and resources to building and organizing a bigger and better SEANC. Targeting tens of thousands of non-SEANC active employees and retirees, the potential is huge for an increase in SEANC membership.
(PlEasE usE PosT officE DrawEr for MailiNg PurPoses.)
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 or 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
It is going to take buy-in from our active members across the state, our Member Action Team members and our district leaders. I am confident this goal can be achieved.
Our biggest enemy in terms of membership loss is turnover. As state employees leave for better paying jobs in the private sector, we lose SEANC members. We need to recruit two members to grow our overall membership number by one. It’s always two steps forward, one step back.
Join us in bringing new employees and retirees into the SEANC family. Educate them about our legislative successes, member discounts, insurance programs and the importance of power in numbers.
klecount@seanc.org
We are happy to announce that once again your SEANC membership card is also your SEANC PerksCard. Visit www.seancperks.com to SAVE MONEY on a variety of things such as home improvement, theme parks, movie tickets, restaurants, dry cleaning, automotive services and much more. we encourage you to take advantage of the discounts available to you. the more you use your SEANC PerksCard, the more you will save! 877-253-7100 www.seancperks.com
LeCount
Annual Convention: “Time to Drive”
On Sept. 4-6, approximately 900 delegates from across North Carolina will convene at the Koury Convention Center in Greensboro to make important decisions on behalf of SEANC’s 55,000 members. In addition to commemorating the association’s 25th annual convention, highlights from the agenda include the following:
➤ Election of SEANC officers
➤ Bylaws and Policy Platform decisions
➤ Training opportunities
➤ Community service backpack project
➤ SEANC spirit themed dinner
➤ Presentation of awards to outstanding SEANC members
➤ Drawing for a 2008 Ford Ranger to benefit the SEANC Scholarship Program
➤ SEANC banquet and officer induction ceremony Please visit the SEANC Web site at www.seanc.org for additional convention information.
Sept.
Candidates for SEANC Statewide Office Announced
By mary adElaidE BEll
SEANC leadership for 2008-2009 will be determined by approximately 900 delegates at the 25th annual convention on Sept. 5. SEANC Bylaws allow members to submit their candidacies for SEANC office to the Board of Governors up to 45 days prior to the convention, or nominations can be submitted from the convention floor. Officers’ terms begin Oct. 1 and run through Sept. 30, 2009.
In addition to the election of statewide officers, district chairpersons will elect regional representatives to the Executive Committee by their respective regions (East, South Central, North Central, Piedmont and West). Only 2008-2009 district chairpersons are eligible to run for these positions.
As of press time, the following members had announced their candidacies for statewide SEANC office: mbell@seanc.org
Candidates for President:
art anthony, a District 39 member and Raleigh resident, currently serves as SEANC treasurer. A 20-year state employee, he is a Research Specialist at the Center for Urban Affairs and Community Services at North Carolina State University.
Tony Smith, a District 5 member and Morganton resident, currently serves as first vice president. A 16-year state employee, he is a Maintenance Supervisor IV for the Department of Correction.
Candidates for Treasurer:
Sharon Dobson, a District 46 member and Raleigh resident, currently serves as her district’s EMPAC chairwoman. A 10-year state employee, she is an Auditor for the Department of Revenue.
Shanticia Hawkins, a District 26 member and Durham resident, currently serves as the Member Action Team/ Training Committee chairwoman. An 11-year state employee, she is the Central Region Program Manager for the Department of Correction.
Pat Reighard, a District 3 member and Blowing Rock resident, currently serves as second vice president. A retired 30-year state employee, he is a Professor Emeritus at Appalachian State University.
Cheryl Moon, a District 43 member and Knightdale resident, currently serves on the Executive Committee as the Insurance Board of Trustees chairwoman. A 30-year state employee, she is a retired Driver’s License Hearings/ Problem Resolution Officer from the Department of Transportation, Division of Motor Vehicles.
Candidates for EMPAC Chairperson:
Tommy Griffin, a Moncure resident, currently serves as the District 25 chairman and the Piedmont Region representative to the Executive Committee. A 35-year state employee, he is an HVAC Supervisor I at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Mark Dearmon, a District 39 member and Raleigh resident, currently serves as the Area 10 EMPAC chairman and the vice chairman of the State EMPAC. A 32-year state employee, he is a Media Production Specialist with the Department of Communication Services for North Carolina State University.
Susan Strickland, a District 64 member and Raleigh resident, currently serves as the Member Discount Committee chairwoman and State EMPAC secretary. A 20-year state employee, she works as an Office Assistant IV for the Department of Labor, Elevator and Amusement Device Bureau.
BACKPACKS, BACKPACKS!
Delegates to the 25th Annual SEANC Convention are invited to donate backpacks filled with school supplies when they come to Greensboro in September. The backpacks will be donated to the Governor’s One-on-One Volunteer Program for distribution to children in need around North Carolina. A list of grade-specific school supplies can be found on the SEANC Web site, www.seanc.org, or by calling the SEANC Central Office at 800-222-2758. Please mark the bag with the grade for which the backpack is designated.
Thank you for helping continue SEANC’s tradition of giving!
S e A nc S c H o LA r SH ip S
SEANC Awards Annual Scholarships
this year, the Seanc scholarship program awarded 48 statewide scholarships valued at a total of $39,500. districts also awarded more than $50,000 in district-level scholarships. the five categories of scholarships are:
• Four-year financial — a $1,000 scholarship to attend a two-year junior college or four-year college or university
• Two-year financial — a $500 scholarship to attend a community college, technical school or trade school
• Four-year merit — a $1,000 merit scholarship to attend a two-year college or four-year college or university
• Two-year merit — a $500 merit scholarship to attend a community college, technical school or trade school
• Member only — a $500 scholarship awarded to state employees who are Seanc members congratulations to all of this year’s recipients! cderrick@seanc.org
compilEd By carri dErrick
40 and Doris Greer of District 3.
The Scholarship Foundation Board met at the SEANC Central Office in Raleigh May 13-15 to judge 114 applications. Pictured, left to right, are Chevella Thomas of District 27, Carol Howard of District 43, B.J. Hodges of District 2, Carolyn Rajacich of District 16, Shoshana Serxner of District 39, George Thiessen of District 39, Chairman Mike Bell of District 61, Amanda VanGyzen of District 64, Albertina McGirt of District 17 and Sue Chosewood of District 64. Not pictured: Percy Underdue of District 56, Terry Westry of District 17, Judy Causby of District 5, Carol Caldwell of District
AMY COWEN
creedmoor
SCHOOL: Vance-Granville community college, criminal Justice
SEANC DISTRICT 26 MEMBER: Processing assistant iii, Polk correctional institute, doc
Lee eDMUnDSon
Pikeville
SCHOOL: north carolina a&t State University, agriculture education
SEANC DISTRICT 59 MEMBER: Grounds Supervisor ii cherry hospital, dhhS
GWENDOLYN EVANS
Greensboro
SCHOOL: University of north carolina at Greensboro, business administration
SEANC DISTRICT 17 MEMBER: executive assistant,
OF SEANC DISTRICT
22 MeMBeR: tracey Smith, information technology, cumberland county Schools
JEREMY UPCHURCH
Fuquay-Varina
SCHOOL: barton college, Psychology
SON OF SEANC DISTRICT 40
MeMBeR: dinah Grace Jones Upchurch, retired, doc
RaSHIDa WHITeneR winterville
SCHOOL: north carolina a&t State University, nursing
DAUGHTER OF SEANC DISTRICT 64 MEMBER: tammy Vines, review appraiser, dot
BaRBaRa GReen
YOLYNDRA GREEN
PATRICIA ARRINGTON
rocky Mount
SCHOOL: north carolina wesleyan college, criminal
Justice
SEANC DISTRICT 56 MEMBER: correctional officer, caledonia correctional institution, doc
12 member A ction
District officer Training to Focus on Organizing New SEANC Members
Aug. 21-22, Caraway Conference Center, Asheboro
By Tiffany woodard, mEmBEr SErvicES coordinaTor
SEANC’s Member Action Department is retooling the District Officer Training to include a strong focus on organizing, or recruiting, more state employees and retirees into the SEANC family.
Whether you are a first-time district secretary or a seasoned district chairman, SEANC invites you to District Officer Training Aug. 21-22 at the Caraway Conference Center near Asheboro. Training begins at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 21, and concludes at 2 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 22.
Each year SEANC conducts this training to empower and inform incoming and returning district officers. With an enhanced focus on membership recruitment, please con-
sider coming again even if you have attended this training before.
Other topics include:
• District responsibilities
• Conducting effective meetings
• Empowering members
• Member Action Team
• Employees Political Action Committee
• Retiree issues
• SEANC’s insurance products
This is an exciting training that you won’t want to miss. Up to three members from each district are invited to attend, including but not limited to, district chairmen, district secretaries and district treasurers.
twoodard@seanc.org
compilEd By carri dErrick and dylan Barlow
District 47 member Doranna Anderson, left, signs up Assistant Insurance Commissioner and Assistant State Fire Marshal Wayne Goodwin at the Central Office in Raleigh on April 14.
Photo by c arri
District 63 Holds Successful Membership Drive
Sgt. Marion Drake, right, recruits a new member during District 63’s membership drive on June 19 at the Everettes Call Center in Williamston. Drake and District 63 Chairperson Anke Cahoon, with the assistance of SEANC Eastern Member Action Coordinator Benny Brigman, recruited 12 new members.
District 65 Raises Money for Cancer Research
District 65 members pose for a picture at Pitt County’s Relay for Life fundraiser in Greenville held April 25-26. SEANC members helped raise approximately $8,000 for the American Cancer Society’s signature event.
District 59 Helps Fellow State Employee
District 59 member Orie Henry, Jr., right, presents a gas card and check to Tomeka Wooten on April 8 at Cherry Hospital in Goldsboro to assist in her travels to Pitt County Memorial Hospital in Greenville, where her son is being treated for chronic lung disease. Wooten is an employee at Wayne Correctional Center in Goldsboro. Photo
14 member A ction
District 39 Recruits District Court Judge
District 63 Holds MAT Training
District 16 Retirees Stay Active
District 63 held Member Action Team (MAT) training at Bertie Correctional Institution on June 11 with 17 members in attendance. Training was conducted by SEANC Member Action Coordinators Jimmy Gilbert and Benny Brigman.
Pictured front row, left to right, are District 63 members (except those noted) Kim Lee, Kendell Mullen, Synovia Smallwood, Marion Drake, Theresa Walker of District 68, Doris Burke, Dorreen McClay and Reginald Russell.
Pictured back row, left to right, are Anke Cahoon, Iris Liverman, Sheila Perry, Jesse Mobley, Mashell Wilson, Perri Small of District 64, Janet Martin and Linda Keech of District 68.
District 39 member George Thiessen recruited Wake County District Court Judge Kristin Ruth on May 22 in Raleigh.
District 65 members, left to right, Mary Taylor, Carolyn Debmon, Lynn Tuthill, James Willis and Debbie Austin volunteer with the Children’s Miracle Network on May 31 and June 1 in Greenville. With their help, the Children’s Miracle Network raised over $1 million for the University Health Systems Children’s Hospital.
Golf Tournament Raises Money for SEANC Scholarship Fund
By don JonES
The Hyland Hills Golf Club hosted the annual SEANC Golf Tournament June 14-15 to raise funds for the SEANC scholarship program. With the help of 53 golfers and sponsoring partners, the event raised $644 for the program, which awards nearly $100,000 in state and district scholarships to deserving SEANC members and their dependents each year.
Harvey Taylor of District 66 won the tournament for a second time by posting a two-day score of 146. Kay Manning of District 57 won the ladies’ championship, shooting a two-day score of 180. The senior championship was won by David Steinbock.
SEANC thanks golf tournament sponsors Acudata Forms, Boston
Mutual Insurance, Carolina Custom Golf, Carolina Mudcats, Carowinds, Colonial Insurance, Doug Sutton Insurance Services, Emerald Pointe Water Park, Golfsmith, Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, Kings Dominion, Liberty Mutual Insurance, Marriott Courtyard, State Employees’ Credit Union, Inc., Sutherland Benefit Group and Tweetsie Railroad. A special thanks to Colonial Insurance, who donated a set of golf clubs that were raffled off and raised an additional $600 for the scholarship fund.
SEANC congratulates all of the 2008 golf tournament champions and all of those who support the SEANC scholarship program.
djones@nc.rr.com
Kay Manning, left, accepts the ladies’ championship trophy from Scholarship Golf Tournament Coordinator Don Jones.
Scholarship Golf Tournament Coordinator Don Jones, left, presents two-time winner Harvey Taylor with the championship trophy.
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New SEANC Web Site… Coming in Early September!
SEANC Conference Rooms
conference rooms for up to 100 people are available for rent at the Seanc central office for individuals, organizations and companies. a daily fee of $150 per room per weekday includes a professional business environment with audiovisual equipment, access to a food preparation area and room arrangement to suit your needs. conference rooms a and b can be combined into one large room for $300 per weekday.
(1) Mitch leonard conference room a, 859 sq. ft.
(2) Mitch leonard conference room b, 859 sq. ft.
(3) conference room c, 280 sq. ft.
location: 1621 Midtown Place, raleigh, nc 27609 let Seanc provide an impressive environment to make your meeting or training session a success! contact Mary adelaide bell at 800-222-2758 or mbell@seanc.org to secure your conference room today.
