2008 reporternov08final

THE

Publication of the State emPloyeeS aSSociation of north carolina • november 2008 • vol. 27 no. 1 • circulation 55,000

Perdue for Governor

Photo by toni davis

With overwhelming approval by the Board of Governors, SEANC’s Employees Political Action Committee (EMPAC) moves into a new and exciting era – one with a gubernatorial candidate who promises to work with and for the state’s working families and retirees. On July 19, EMPAC met to discuss endorsements in statewide races after spending two days interviewing all candidates who responded. In the race for governor, the answer was clear – SEANC member and state employee Bev Perdue.

Bev Perdue, center, SEANC’s candidate for governor, meets District 18 member Lisa Martin, left, and District 47 member Shirley Ballard, right, on Sept. 5 at the SEANC annual convention.

Bev Perdue values the opinions of state employees and will give SEANC a place at the table – her table, not one of her assistant’s. As a former state senator and current lieutenant governor, Perdue advocates for the state’s working families and for change that benefits all North Carolinians, not just a few businesses.

She works to ensure state employees are treated equally and with respect.

Perdue told EMPAC that all state employees should be protected under the State Personnel Act and will fight attempts to replace hardworking public employees with private contractors. She vowed to make state business more transparent and give SEANC meaningful access to state agencies.

“My support for state employees did not just start in this election…and my support won’t stop the day I win the election,” Perdue told SEANC’s delegates on Sept. 5.

“The next four years will be very, very dif different – a hands-on governor who listens and works with the state’s work force.”

Perdue, a long-time state employee advocate, will continue to better employees’ pay, health care and retirement. SEANC urges all members to support Bev Perdue for governor.

SEANC Convention: Time for Change

New Officers, New $1 per Month Dues Increase for Active Employees GREENSBORO – Even the threat of Tropical Storm Hanna didn’t stop nearly 800 SEANC deldel egates from voting in the association’s 2008-2009 officers at the 25th annual convention at the Koury Convention Center in Greensboro on Sept. 4-6.

The elections took an unusual twist when the threeway treasurer’s race required not one, not two, but three ballot votes over a two-day period before a winner was declared.

President Tony Smith highlighted the importance of membership and collective bargaining in his Sept. 6 acceptance speech. “As we prepare for the time when state employees receive the right to bargain collectively, it is crucial that we increase our membership to include more than 50 percent of the active state employees in North Carolina,” he said.

After the dust settled, SEANC officers included the following: President Tony Smith, Morganton resident and maintenance supervisor in the Department of Correction with 16 years of state service First Vice President Pat Reighard, Blowing Rock resident and professor emeritus of communication at Appalachian State University with 30 years of state service Second Vice President J.C. Boykin, Kenly resident and project manager for design and construction services at North Carolina State University with 16 years of state service Treasurer Cheryl Moon, Knightdale resident and retired 30-year Division of Motor Vehicles employee.

Each officer was elected to serve from Oct. 1, 2008, to Sept. 30, 2009.

Photo by erica baldwin

By Toni Davis

Dues Increase SEANC delegates voted to increase association dues by $1 per month for all active members, effective Jan. 1, 2009.

In an effort to retain retired members in the association, delegates passed a bylaws amendment to cap retiree dues at $60 per year effective Oct. 1.

The 2008-2009 SEANC officers pictured, left to right, are Past President Linda Rouse Sutton, President Tony Smith, First Vice President Pat Reighard, Second Vice President J.C. Boykin and Treasurer Cheryl Moon.

Highlights Ranking 2009 Policy Platform Objectives Cheering from SEANC members as Lt. Gov. Bev Perdue rocked the house with her speech

Hosting EMPAC-endorsed legislators and a record number of SEANC members during the annual legislative dessert reception Giving back to our communities with backpacks and school supplies for youth in need. tdavis@seanc.org

2 PUBLIC POLICY

Death, Taxes and Your Health Benefits By arDis WaT a kins, legislaT egisla ive affairs DirecTor The only three things certain in life are death, taxes and efforts to reduce your State Health Plan (SHP) benefits!

Attacks on state employee health benefits literally began within hours of the return of Dr. Jack Walker as SHP executive administrator on July 9, with a proposal to increase member co-pays for office visits and prescription drugs by $10 in the final days of the 2008 General Assembly session. A flood of calls and e-mails from SEANC members was successful in defeating those proposals. But Jack is back, and it appears he was brought in to do what he did the last time he was executive administrator – cut your health benefits and pass on costs to you.

On Sept.15, Walker reported to the Joint Legislative Select Committee on Employee Health and Medical Benefits that without a reduction in benefits, the plan would need $800 million in additional funding for the 2009-2011 biennium budget.

Walker expressed that there was no expectation the General Assembly will provide that type of funding – meaning he expects the money to come from you!

Moreover, he forecast premiums for dependent coverage could increase 32 percent to 38 percent.

The following day at the SHP Board of Trustees meeting, Walker again indicated there was no expectation that the General Assembly would provide the funding needed to maintain benefits. In fact he stated, “We are looking at (benefit) changes in every line.”

Legislative leaders claim there is a huge deficit in the SHP. In his presentation Walker anticipated a shortfall of $264 million in the plan budget. He claims this is due in part to over-estimates of provider discounts, over-estimates of cost sharing by members and under-estimates of outpatient PPO utilization by previous Executive Administrator George Stokes. However, the estimates Walker criticizes were approved by the very same actuary he’s now using to validate his forecast.

So how can plan members rely on numbers approved by the same actuaries Walker claims were off the mark by hundreds of millions of dollars six months ago? And how would the Joint Legislative

SEANC Appeals Retirement Public Records Decision Mary aDelaiDe Bell On July 26, the SEANC Board SEANC filed the lawsuit against of Governors voted to protect state Treasurer Richard Moore and retirement security for state emhis office in February following ployees with an appeal to the 11 months of unfulfilled public North Carolina Court of Appeals records requests. The association of the ruling that dismissed made public records requests in SEANC’s public records lawsuit March and October of 2007 after against state Treasurer Richard an article in Forbes magazine highMoore. lighted Moore’s practice of hiring

Committee on Healthcare Oversight for the plan have been totally oblivious to the problem if it was as troubling as Walker contends?

Finally where are the cost-saving measures suggested by Stokes before he was fired? He had identified a number of savings, including a suggestion to legislative leaders that the plan renegotiate contracts with vendors. Walker does not factor this in his economic forecast for the plan. Walker’s plan also leaves more money in the hands of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, a “nonprofit” company whose profits last year totaled almost $200 million and whose CEO was paid over $3 million.

That’s right. Once again to SHP is being used to help businesses prosper at employees’ expense. And Walker is potentially creating a crisis where it does not exist in order to do so.

So where does the SHP really stand financially?

It’s hard to be sure. But one thing is certain: Jack “The Knife” Walker is back. And once again, your health benefits are under attack. awatkins@seanc.or awatkins@seanc.org

SEANC Meets with B BEACON EACON Leader to Resolve Payroll Disputes

By Toni Davis

By

Although SEANC is “Either there are a whole bunch in receipt of more than of documents that should exist that 2,000 pages of docudon’t, which means the treasurer’s ofments, it still has not refice hasn’t maintained the records ceived all of the relevant they should have, or they haven’t documents requested by given us all the records they have.” the association to de– seanc General counsel tom harris termine whether the treasurer’s office made money managers who invest state questionable investments based on pension money and contributed to campaign contributions by money his state treasurer and gubernatomanagers. rial campaigns.

“Either there are a whole bunch This is not the first time that of documents that should exist that SEANC has experienced adversidon’t, which means the treasurer’s ty at the North Carolina Superior office hasn’t maintained the reCourt before winning for retirees cords they should have, or they in an appellate court. SEANC last haven’t given us all the records experienced this with its lawsuit they have,” said SEANC Chief of against Gov. Mike Easley over his Staff/Legal Counsel Tom Harris. withholding of employer contribu“Either way, more information is tions to the retirement system in needed to determine whether pay2001. for-play with state employees’ retirement money has occurred.” mbell@seanc.org

The SEANC Central Office has taken numerous calls from members experiencing trouble with the new BEACON financial and business system. Chief among the complaints, SEANC members are not receiving the correct amount of money in their paychecks for time worked. To add insult to injury, outgoing State Controller Robert Powell was blaming agencies for payroll failures when state employees called the controller to fix their paycheck shortfalls.

To address members’ concerns, Past President Linda Rouse Sutton made good on her promise to convention delegates to meet with the new State Controller David McCoy, who took of office in September. During the Oct. 1 meeting, Sutton along with Second Vice President J.C. Boykin, SEANC Executive Director Dana Cope and Chief of Staff/Legal Counsel Tom Harris met with McCoy. The change in attitude toward BEACON’s problems was immediately apparent beginning with McCoy’s can-do positive attitude to get any financial problems straight.

Sutton said, “He [McCoy] was genuinely concerned” about the disruption of the livelihood of many of our members.

McCoy offered several pieces of welcome news. He informed SEANC leaders that he installed a new leadership team and receives a daily update on the number and nature of the payroll problems. McCoy also stopped the finger pointing and is working on solutions for problems with the BEACON system by insisting on a system of collaboration with his office and agency staff. State employees may now call either the controller or their payroll contact within the agency, and the two officers will work with each other to resolve the employees’ issues without having to make numerous phone calls.

The controller is committed to a continuous dialogue on BEACON. McCoy plans to meet with SEANC in January to determine where state employees stand with BEACON and how we can continue to work together to improve the system.

If you have an unresolved BEACON problem, please contact Belinda Williams at the SEANC Central Office at bwilliam@seanc.org and include the appropriate documentation.

3 PUBLIC POLICY

Close Call for Pension Fund

SEANC Protects Retirement System in GA

By scoTT MooneyhaM Five years ago, America’s best known investor, Warren Buffett, called derivatives trading, at the heart of Wall Street’s woes, “financial weapons of mass destruction” devised by “madmen.”

Buffett, in that letter to investors at Berkshire Hathaway, said the complex financial instruments were time bombs not just for those invested in them but the economic system as a whole.

Buffett, quite obviously, is a prophet. Or, if he isn’t, Wall Street financiers are simpletons and conmen, greedy, soulless buffoons. Take your pick.

I don’t claim to fully understand derivatives. A simple explanation is that they’re contracts tied to the performance of credit, currency and other indexes. Originally, they were tied to other investments to hedge against potential losses.

But then the investment banking world decided to start trading the derivatives themselves, unfettered to those original investments. Unlike stocks, bonds or commodities, those who trade in them own nothing.

They’re essentially just bets, not much different than plopping down money in Las Vegas on this weekend’s football games.

That attitude apparently prevailed in State Treasurer Richard Moore’s office earlier this year.

Moore’s chief investment officer, Patricia Gerrick, convinced state Sen. David Hoyle, D-Gaston, to file a bill that would have allowed state pension funds to be invested in derivatives. The legislation would have also permitted the state to eliminate a 5-percent pension fund cap on venture capital and other alternative investments.

The recent dismal failures of the New York Stock Exchange highlight the necessity for state employees and retirees to follow legislation regarding the retirement system. A prime example is an attempt by state Treasurer Richard Moore’s office to pass legislation in the last General Assembly session.

Moore, in his first year in office, talked legislators into bumping up that cap from 2 percent to 5 percent.

Senate Bill 2100, titled “State Treasurer’s Investment Programs,” was introduced late in the session. A more appropriate title would be “An Act to Allow the state treasurer to Invest in Almost Anything He Wants.”

The bill would have allowed the state treasurer to hire investment managers to handle bond investments for the first time. This is currently being handled by state employees on staff in the state treasurer’s office who do a wonderful job. The return on bond investments made by state employees is the envy of most public retirement systems. As reported by Scott Mooneyham, the bill would also increase the limit on pension dollars to be invested in riskier stocks and funds from 5 percent to 65 percent. Literally – 5 percent to 65 percent!

Fortunately for state pensioners, the Wall Street meltdown, with Bear Sterns’ takeover, was at least bubbling by this spring. The Florida pension fund had also sued AIG (ever heard of them?) over losses in its derivatives portfolio. Hoyle, the powerful co-chair of the Senate Finance Committee, never held a hearing on the bill.

It’s not real clear whether Gerrick, when she asked for the legislation, was acting on behalf of Moore or his potential Democratic successor, state Sen. Janet Cowell.

Gerrick is probably very bright. So is Cowell.

If you want a more thorough explanation, you’ll need to talk to a financial guru. But even then, you might be disappointed.

But are they smarter than all those geniuses on Wall Street who have ravaged your retirement holdings with their recklessness? I don’t know.

Most people on Wall Street, with years of experience and education in finance, don’t really understand derivatives. For them, derivatives trading and mortgage-back securities were just a get-richquick scheme, a ride on which others appeared to be having a lot of fun.

I do know this: On the best hour of their best day, they aren’t smarter than the smartest investor in America, a man who for decades has understood that slow and steady wins the investment race, a man who saw this day coming.

So, why not hop aboard? Who cares if some crotchety, old man is predicting doom and gloom?

By MiTch leonarD, reTiree DirecTor

One example of these type of investments are “derivative securities.” Please read Mooneyham’s editorial at left for more information on derivatives, including a quote from Warren Buffett stating that derivatives are “financial weapons of mass destruction.” If you are really interested in finding out what derivatives are, just “Google” it, turn on your radio or TV and listen to some of the explanations of what is wrong with the U.S. financial market today.

Editor’s Note: This column is reprinted with the author’s permission and was published on Sept. 22 in The Courier-Tribune. Scott Mooneyham is the editor of The Insider, a state government news service.

Photo by mitch leonard

When Senate Bill 2100 was filed, SEANC questioned the bill sponsor, Sen. David Hoyle (D-Gaston), who directed all questions to the treasurer’s chief investment officer, the current treasurer and Sen. Janet Cowell (D-Wake).

After meeting with them, it was clear that SEANC strongly opposed the bill. SEANC lobbyists shared our concerns with Sen. Hoyle, who never placed the bill on the committee calendar for consideration.

Cope Rallies for Health Care Executive Director Dana Cope spoke during the Divided We Fail rally on Aug. 26 in Raleigh. SEANC joined the Divided We Fail effort, a coalition of the AARP, Business Roundtable, Service Employees Union (SEIU) and National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) working for bipartisan solutions to ensure quality, affordable health care and longterm financial security for all. Pictured, left to right, are state AARP Advocacy Director Bill Wilson, Cope, state AARP Communications Director Bob Garner and state AARP Director Bob Jackson.

You decide. Given the current financial meltdown, would you want your pension dollars invested in securities that create additional risk to your future retirement benefits? And what would happen if SEANC was not there to read bills and ask the hard questions? This is only one example of why you should encourage your fellow employees and retirees to become members. As members we must not only protect current benefits, but ensure benefits for future state employees and retirees are also protected. mleonard@seanc.org

4 2008 SEANC CONVENTION

SEANC’s 2009 Top 10 Policy Platform Objectives (as DeTerMineD By The 2008 annual seanc convenTion)

1.

2.

3.

4.

25th Annual SEANC Convention

“Time to Drive” Sept. 4-6, 2008

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

Fully fund the pay plan prior to considering other appropriations.

Seek continuation of a fully paid individual health care benefit for qualified active and retired state employees.

Oppose legislation that would remove state employees from the protections of the State Personnel Act. SEANC endorses the repeal of G.S. 95-98 and supports the enactment of legislation to govern collective bargaining by North Carolina public employees; further SEANC will seek to amend G.S 143-3.3(g) and G.S. 135-18.8 to delete language that voids dues deduction from payroll or from a retirement benefit if an employees’ or retirees’ association engages in collective bargaining.

Propose legislation to provide SPA employees equal percentage increases as teachers, EPA administration employees and faculty employees.

Seek an increase in the retirement accrual rate to 2.0 to provide employees with 60 percent of their final compensation upon retirement.

Oppose privatization and downsizing of state government services.

Support federal and state legislation to provide access to quality and affordable health care for all U.S. citizens based on principles similar to those established by the N.C. Health Access Coalition.

Seek elimination of restrictions on salary and other limitations for retired employees returning to work for state government.

Amend the retirement formula to use the two highest 12-month salary periods as an averaging factor.

Convention Delegates Adopt Five of Six Bylaws Amendments During the 25th Annual SEANC convention, nearly 800 delegates voted on Sept. 5 on the following bylaws amendments. The first five listed were adopted.

✓ ✓

Cap retiree dues at $60 per year (or $5 a month). (Article III, Section 6.2)

✓

Add the Retiree Council chairman to the SEANC Executive Committee. As a result, the Executive Committee consists of the five SEANC officers, regional representatives or alternates from each SEANC region, the Insurance Board of Trustees chairman (or vice chairman in the chairman’s absence) and the Retiree Council chairman (or vice chairman in the chairman’s absence). (Article IV, Section 4)

✓ ✓

Add the Retiree Council chairman to the SEANC Board of Governors.

As a result, the board consists of the SEANC officers (president, first vice president, second vice president, treasurer and past president), each district chairperson, the Insurance Board of Trustees chairman and the Retiree Council chairman. (Article IV, Section 3)

Change the Retiree Council chairman and vice chairman from appointed positions to elected positions. The chairman and vice chairman will be elected by Retiree Council members. (Article X, Section 3) Add the Youth Council as one of SEANC’s Special Committees. (Article X, Section 5)

✘ Reduce district membership dues rebate from 20 percent to 15 percent.

This bylaws amendment was presented to create funds for SEANC participation in SEIU meetings and trainings, repayment of the association’s loan for the SEANC Central Office building and replenishment of SEANC reserves. This was the only bylaws amendment to fail a majority vote.

The bylaws can be viewed on the SEANC Web site at www.seanc.org under “About SEANC.”

5 2008 SEANC CONVENTION

SEANC Gives Backpacks for Children in Need

By Mary aDelaiDe Bell

Beatty Wins Truck Raffle SEANC Retiree Director Mitch Leonard, right, hands Curtis Beatty Jr. the keys to his brand-new 2008 Ford Ranger. Beatty won the truck through the Scholarship Foundation Board’s annual truck raffle. David King of District 17 sold the winning ticket. Melody Hogg of Clayton won $200 as the second-place winner of the raffle, and Minon Faison of Clinton was the third-place winner. He received $100.

On Sept. 5 Lt. Gov. Bev Perdue stopped by the Koury Convention Center in Greensboro with a backpack just in time to help President Linda Rouse Sutton present the backpacks to Venecia Malloy, program coordinator with the Governor’s One-onOne Program.

Photo by carri derrick

Photo by renee vaUGhan

GREENSBORO – For the second consecutive year, SEANC convention delegates donated more than 200 backpacks filled with school supplies to the Governor’s One-onOne program during the September convention.

Lt. Gov. Bev Perdue, left, and President Linda Rouse Sutton, center, present Venecia Malloy of the Governor’s One-on-One Program with more than 200 backpacks on Sept. 5 in Greensboro.

The backpacks will be donated statewide to at-risk children who are served by this program.

The Governor’s One-on-One program, administered by the Department of Juvenile Justice and

The best products for the best State Employees!

Accident Insurance | Cancer Insurance | Disability Insurance Critical Illness Insurance | Whole Life Insurance Hospital Confinement Indemnity Insurance

NEW! Statewide toll-free telephone number

1-888-SEANC4U (1-888-732-6248)

In Raleigh, call: Barry Patterson (919) 785-2971 -or- Danny Cotten (919) 552-8584 In Charlotte: Tony Woodfin (704) 845-8460 In Greenville: Ken Lang (252) 353-7262 Agent-assisted internet enrollment is now available. barrett.patterson@coloniallife.com Colonial Supplemental Insurance is the marketing brand of Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company. Exclusions and limitations may apply

Delinquency Prevention, is a mentoring initiative created in 1982 by former Gov. Jim Hunt. mbell@seanc.org

6 2008 SEANC CONVENTION coMpileD By Mary aDelai elaiD De Bell

Photo by carri derrick

Photo by carri derrick

Ronald Woodson of District 17 welcomes Mary Fant Donnan, the democratic nominee for commissioner of labor, to the EMPAC reception on Sept. 5.

Photo by carri derrick

Photo by toni davis

SEANC President Linda Rouse Sutton (2006-2008) introduces SEIU President Andy Stern.

Walter Dalton, democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, left, and District 4 Chairman Jimmy Davis discuss the upcoming election during the EMPAC reception on Sept. 5.

Photo by toni davis

Photo by carri derrick

Rep. Ty Harrell (D-Wake), left, speaks with William Williamson of District 17 about his goals for the upcoming legislative session.

SEANC Idol winner James Adams, third from left, celebrates his victory with South Central Member Action Coordinator A.J. Albertson, Amaka Flynn of District 42, Susan Strickland of District 64 and Past President Cliff Brown.

Photo by toni davis

Superintendent of Public Instruction June Atkinson, left, greets convention delegates and thanks them for their support in November’s election.

Area 10 EMPAC members pose for a picture with Reps. Ty Harrell (D-Wake), Linda Coleman (D-Wake) and Dan Blue (D-Wake), as well as candidates Josh Stein (D-Wake), Chris Mintz (D-Wake) and Jimmy Garner (D-Johnston) during the legislative dessert reception.

7

Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, left, speaks with Bruce Jones, center, and Bill Boyle, both of District 67, about state employee and retiree priorities.

Rep. Linda Coleman (D-Wake) takes a moment to speak with newly elected President Tony Smith of District 5 during the EMPAC reception.

Photo by cliff brown

Photo by toni davis

Scholarship Foundation Board members prepare to draw the winning name for their truck raffle at convention. See page 5 for more on the winner!

Photo by carri derrick

Photo by erica baldwin

2008 SEANC CONVENTION

Photo by toni davis

Lt. Gov. Bev Perdue greets EMPAC Chairwoman Paula Schubert as President Linda Rouse Sutton (2006-2008) and other SEANC leaders look on.

Photo by carri derrick

SEANC Executive Director Dana Cope, left, and State Auditor Les Merritt talk during the EMPAC reception on Sept. 5.

Photo by carri derrick

Convention delegates cheer on SEANC Idol contestants during the Friday night competition.

Candidate Josh Stein (D-Wake), right, speaks with District 22 member Chuck Capps about the changes he’d like to be a part of when elected to the North Carolina Senate.

8 2008 SEANC CONVENTION coMpileD By carri Derrick y erica BalDWin, Toni Davis anD carri Derrick phoTos By

District Chairperson of the Year Marilyn Jean Martin of District 12 was named District Chairperson of the Year. She spends long hours at her computer keeping district members informed on SEANC issues and activities. As a MAT member, she encourages district members to become MAT trained. She attended MAT Lobby Day, and participated in SEIU trips to Oregon and Puerto Rico. In addition to her district duties, Martin was a member of the state Collective Bargaining Committee.

Membership Award Congratulations to District 24 for earning the highest percentage (25.94%) and numerical membership increase (289) since the 2007 convention! District 24 also received the Youth Council award for recruiting the most under-40 members over the past year.

Member of the Year John Holton of District 9 was named SEANC’s Member of the Year. Holton served as district Membership Committee chairperson, participated in numerous recruitment events and created a new district membership incentive. He assisted in numerous fundraising projects, including a golf tournament that raised more than $2,300. He attended Leadership, MAT and MAT Advanced training and served on the state MAT Committee. Holton is also active in EMPAC.

Darrell Arnold Awards The Darrell Arnold Awards are presented to SEANC staff members by the president for dedicated service to the association. This year’s honorees were Member Action Department Assistant Director Lynn Cote, left, and Chief of Staff/General Counsel Tom Harris, right.

Distinguished Service Henry Belada of District 7 received the Distinguished Service Award. Belada served numerous terms as disdis trict chairperson and on many district committees. He maintains an e-mail tree for District 7, helps produce a district newsletter and serves as district photographer.

Belada is dedicated to promoting SEANC’s member discount program, recruiting hundreds of businessbusiness es over the years and serving on the state Member Discount Committee.

EMPAC Lisa Mitchell Legislator of the Year EMPAC Chairwoman Paula Schubert, left, presents Rep. Linda Coleman (D-Wake) with the inaugural EMPAC Lisa Mitchell Legislator of the Year award for her continued support of state employees and retirees. The award was named for the late Lisa Mitchell, former EMPAC and District 27 member, who lost her battle to cancer earlier this year.

Member Discount Awards The top Member Discount business recruiters in each region were recognized and received $100 to $500 awards.

Congratulations to Glen Allen, pictured, who led the pack with 70 new businesses!

1. T. Glen Allen of District 64 (East) 2. John Holton of District 9 (West)

Districts of the Year District of the Year awards are based on outstanding involvement from district members in advancing the goals of the association throughout the year and are divided into categories based on district size. At left, District 63 accepts the award for districts with 1,000 members or less. At right, District 3 accepts the award for districts with 1,001 to 1,500 members.

3. Janet Bunch of District 27 (North Central) 4. Al McLean of District 18 (Piedmont) 5. George Kapetanakis of District 37 (South Central)

9

SEANC Vot e r ’ s

Guid e

EMPAC Endorses in 15 Statewide and 106 Legislative Races Time to Vote for Bev Perdue and Public Services

The choice for state employees is stark.

Bev Perdue supports quality public services and the people who provide them, while Cope Pat McCrory wants to privatize our jobs just like he did to public employees in Charlotte.

Bev Perdue believes something is wrong in North Carolina when state employees have to work two jobs to make ends meet. Pat McCrory wants to privatize our jobs because, as he told our EMPAC panel, he would be in favor of privatizing jobs like those people who cut the grass. He noted (and I’m paraphrasing here) that when he privatized Charlotte public services, other public employees were happy because more money was available for remaining employees to have better salaries.

Photo by JUlie yoUnG

This year EMPAC endorsed 15 statewide candidates and in 106 legislative races. I hope when you go to vote for governor Nov. 4 that you will vote with the future of quality public services in mind.

SEANC District 9 members show their support for Bev Perdue for governor at a campaign event in Statesville on Sept. 10. Pictured, left to right, are Barbara Leatherman (district chairwoman), John Holton, Perdue, James Burgess and Jamie Robinson.

StAtEwidE RACES

What public employees was McCrory talking about? The hardworking state employees that you and I know don’t balance the budget on the backs of their fellow employees.

SEANC and I support Bev Perdue because she hasn’t just talked about state employees, she is a state employee and a long-standing member of SEANC District 67. As head of the Senate, she worked with state employees to gain the largest back-to-back pay increases in nearly two decades. She stood in the rain with us on MAT Lobby Day to work to get us to a professional salary level. Her goal is to invest in the future of state employees and make state employment a viable career path for our young people.

Governor

Lt. Governor

Auditor

Attorney General

Bev Perdue (D)

Walter H. Dalton (D)

Leslie Merritt* (R)

Roy Cooper* (D)

Commissioner of Insurance

Commissioner of Agriculture

Commissioner of Labor

Secretary of State

Wayne Goodwin (D)

Ronnie Ansley (D)

Mary Fant Donnan (D) Elaine F. Marshall* (D)

Pat McCrory, on the other hand, likes to go to Washington, D.C. and brag before Congress about the virtues of privatizing city services and his role in it.

And make no mistake about it, Pat McCrory has complained about unions during his debate. So we get it, Pat – privatize our jobs, no collective bargaining and no unions like SEANC. Now it’s our turn – say “NO” to Pat McCrory and his campaign against quality public services. Vote for a governor who works with state employees, who is a state employee, who is one of us. How’s that for change? Say “yes” to quality public services for North Carolina’s 9 million citizens. Say “yes” to Bev Perdue on Nov. 4.

Supreme Court Associate Justice Suzanne Reynolds

Court of Appeals Judges

dcope@seanc.org

Superintendent of Public Instruction June St. Clair Atkinson* Atkinson* (D)

John S. Arrowood*

Linda Stephens*

Doug McCullough*

James A. (Jim) Wynn*

Kristin Ruth *Incumbents

10 GEnERAL ASSEMbLy Alamance Senate 24 House 63 House 64

Clay Tony Foriest* (D) Alice Bordsen* (D) Henry Vines (D)

Alexander Senate 45 House 88

Steve Goss* (D) Ray Warren* (D)

Alleghany House 90

Sarah Stevens (R)

Arthur Williams* (D)

Ed Jones* (D) Annie Mobley* (D)

William Brisson* (D)

Martin Nesbitt* (D) Susan Fisher* (D) Bruce Goforth* (D) Jane Whilden (D)

Burke Senate 44

Jim Jacumin* (R)

Cabarrus Senate 36 House 82

Fletcher Hartsell* (R) Jeff Barnhart* (R)

Caldwell Senate 44

Jim Jacumin* (R)

Caswell Senate 24 House 50

Tony Foriest* (D) Bill Faison* (D)

Austin Allran* (R) Ray Warren* (D) Mitchell Setzer* (R) Mark Hilton* (R)

Chatham Senate 18

Bob Atwater* (D)

John Snow* (D)

House 73

House 4

Larry Brown* (R)

Senate 18 Senate 20 House 29 House 30 House 31

Russell Tucker* (D)

Bob Atwater* (D) Floyd McKissick* (D) Larry Hall* (D) Paul Luebke* (D) Mickey Michaux* (D)

Jean Farmer Butterfield* (D)

Ed Jones* (D) Tim Spear* (D)

House 51

Senate 47 Senate 50 House 118

House 113

Pete Brunstetter* (R) Linda Garrou* (D) Larry Womble* (D) Earline Parmon* (D) Larry Brown* (R) Dale Folwell* (R)

Doug Berger* (D) Lucy Allen* (D)

Don Vaughan (D) Katie Dorsett* (D) Pricey Harrison* (D) Alma Adams* (D) Maggie Jeffus* (D) Earl Jones* (D)

James Forrester* (R) David Hoyle* (D) Marvin (Eddie) Wyatt (D) Davy Lowman (D)

Gates Ed Jones* (D) Annie Mobley* (D)

Senate 50

Senate 47 House 118

House 8

Jimmy Love* (D)

Joe Sam Queen* (D) John Snow* (D) Ray Rapp* (D)

Senate 37 Senate 38 Senate 40 House 100 House 101 House 106

Senate 47

Ed Jones* (D) Annie Mobley* (D)

Moore

Doug Yongue* (D)

Tim Spear* (D)

Dan Clodfelter* (D) Charlie Dannelly* (D) Malcolm Graham* (D) Tricia Cotham* (D) Beverly Earle* (D) Martha Alexander* (D)

Joe Sam Queen* (D)

House 52

Jerry Tillman* (R) Melanie Wade Goodwin* (D)

Betty Mangum (D)

Nash Senate 11 House 7 House 25 House 49

A.B. Swindell* (D) Angela Bryant* (D) Randy Stewart (D) Lucy Allen* (D)

New Hanover Fletcher Hartsell* (R) James Forrester* (R) Austin Allran* (R) Mitchell Setzer* (R) Ric Marshall (D)

Senate 9 House 18

John Snow* (D)

Lee Bob Atwater* (D) Jimmy Love* (D)

Ed Jones* (D) Michael Wray* (D)

Onslow House 4

Kay Carroll (D) Jimmy Garner (D) James Langdon* (R)

Julia Boseman* (D) Sandra Spaulding Hughes* (D)

Northampton Senate 4 House 27

Johnston

Senate 18 House 51

Joe Sam Queen* (D)

Mitchell

Senate 29 House 66

Iredell

Senate 12 House 26 House 28

Edith Warren* (D)

Mecklenburg

David Guice (R)

Hyde

Senate 50

Joe Sam Queen* (D) Ray Rapp* (D)

Montgomery

Hoke

Senate 36 Senate 41 Senate 42 House 89 House 92

John Snow* (D)

McDowell

Hertford

House 2

James Forrester* (R) Jonathan Rhyne (R)

Martin

Senate 47 Ed Jones* (D) Angela Bryant* (D) Lucy Allen* (D)

Jackson

Gaston

Senate 41 House 97

Madison

Henderson

House 46

Forsyth

Senate 41 Senate 43 House 108

Don Davis (D)

Halifax Senate 4 House 7 House 49

William Wainwright* (D)

Macon

Guilford

Senate 4 House 5

Edgecombe

Senate 7 House 49

Doug Berger* (D) Jim Crawford* (D)

Greene

Senate 27 Senate 28 House 57 House 58 House 59 House 60

House 12

Lincoln

Haywood

Durham

Senate 31 Senate 32 House 71 House 72 House 73 House 74

John Snow* (D)

Harnett

Duplin

Senate 4 House 5

Chowan Senate 4 House 2

Tim Spear* (D)

Davidson

House 110

Cherokee Senate 50

Larry Shaw* (D) William Brisson* (D) Marvin Lucas* (D) Elmer Floyd (D) Rick Glazier* (D)

Franklin

Catawba Senate 42 House 88 House 89 House 96

Alice Underhill* (D) William Wainwright* (D)

Dare

House 24

Senate 7 House 32

Senate 5

House 2

Buncombe Senate 49 House 114 House 115 House 116

Keith Melton (D) Davy Lowman (D) Tim Moore* (R) Bob England* (D)

Joe Sam Queen* (D)

Bladen House 22

Senate 46 House 110 House 111 House 112

House 3 House 12

Senate 50

Lenoir

Granville

Senate 21 House 22 House 42 House 43 House 45

Bertie Senate 4 House 5

Cleveland

Cumberland

Beaufort House 6

John Snow* (D)

Steve Goss* (D)

Avery Senate 47

Senate 50

Craven

Ashe Senate 45

Graham

Russell Tucker* (D)

Orange Senate 23 House 50 House 56

Ellie Kinnaird* (D) Bill Faison* (D) Verla Insko* (D)

11 GEnERAL ASSEMbLy Pamlico House 3

Richmond Alice Underhill* (D)

Pender House 18

Sandra Spaulding Hughes* (D)

Perquimans Senate 4 House 5

Ed Jones* (D) Annie Mobley* (D)

Ellie Kinnaird* (D)

Don Davis (D) Arthur Williams* (D) Edith Warren* (D) Marian McLawhorn* (D)

Polk House 113

House 46

House 76 House 77

Senate 46 House 112

House 21 House 28

David Guice (R)

Doug Yongue* (D)

Jerry Tillman* (R) Pat Hurley* (R) Harold Brubaker* (R)

Fred Steen* (R) Lorene Coates* (D)

Keith Melton (D) Bob England* (D)

Larry Bell* (D) James Langdon* (R)

Doug Yongue* (D)

Surry Sarah Stevens (R) Ric Marshall (D)

Swain Senate 50

Senate 50 House 113

House 2

John Snow* (D) David Guice (R)

House 68

Mike Cognac (D)

John Snow* (D)

Senate 7 House 27 House 32

Doug Berger* (D) Michael Wray* (D) Jim Crawford* (D)

Vernon Malone* (D) Chris Mintz (D) Josh Stein (D) Dan Blue* (D) Grier Martin* (D) Jennifer Weiss* (D) Nelson Dollar* (R) Ed Ridpath (D) Deborah Ross* (D) Linda Coleman* (D) Ty Harrell* (D)

Warren Senate 7 House 27

Steve Goss* (D)

Wayne Senate 5 Senate 12 House 21

Don Davis (D) Kay Carroll (D) Larry Bell* (D)

Wilkes

Wake Senate 14 Senate 15 Senate 16 House 33 House 34 House 35 House 36 House 37 House 38 House 39 House 41

Tim Spear* (D)

Watauga Senate 45

Vance

Scotland

House 90 House 92

Washington

Union

Sampson

House 46

Randolph Senate 29 House 70 House 78

Robeson

Rutherford

Pitt Senate 5 House 6 House 8 House 9

Melanie Wade Goodwin* (D)

Rowan

Person Senate 23

House 66

Transylvania

Doug Berger* (D) Michael Wray* (D)

Senate 45 Steve Goss* (D) House 94 Shirley Randleman (R)

Wilson Senate 11 House 24

A.B. Swindell* (D) Jean Farmer Butterfield* (D)

Yadkin House 92

Ric Marshall (D)

Yancey Senate 47 House 118

Joe Sam Queen* (D) Ray Rapp* (D)

Editor’s Note: If a county is not listed, no endorsements were made in those races.

EMPAC Q&A Why does SEANC make endorsements?

As a state employee, your job is political. Fair or not, your pay, benefits and way of life depend on politipoliti cians. SEANC’s Employees Political Action Committee (EMPAC) is a critical tool to succeed in the fight to secure pay raises and improve health care and retirement benefits. SEANC makes endorsements to support public officials who value state employee and retiree concerns.

State law prohibits SEANC from using dues money to support political candidates. One way in which you can improve your future is to become politically active and join EMPAC. When you contribute to EMPAC, you can help elect public officials who value quality public services and the employees who provide them.

Who decides which candidates will be endorsed?

SEANC endorses statewide, House and Senate candidates for the North Carolina General Assembly who embrace state employee issues – regardless of political party.

SEANC’s State EMPAC initiates and oversees the candidate endorsement process on the statewide level. On the local level, each SEANC district is part of one of EMPAC’s 15 areas. Each EMPAC Area consists of a chairperson (who also is a voting member of the State EMPAC), vice chairperson, secretary and representatives from each SEANC district in that area.

Candidates are given the opportunity to fill out questionnaires or participate in interviews with the State or Area EMPAC. Statewide endorsement recommendations are approved by the SEANC Board of Governors.

Because each EMPAC Area has a representative on the State EMPAC, every district (and, in essence, every member!) has a voice during the endorsement process.

Why should I vote for the endorsed candidates?

It’s your right to choose your preferred candidates. EMPAC’s endorsements are recommendations of candidates who support quality public services. Not everyone will have time to research each candidate’s position on state employee issues, so SEANC endorsements point out those candidates who pledge to stand up for you in the General Assembly and statewide offices.

on

Nov. 4!

Early voting ends Nov. 1. Go to www.sboe.state.nc.us for more information on where to vote in your county.

12 PAID POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT

13 COLUmNS

President’s Message

by Tony

SmiTh

Let’s Go Get ’Em This article is a reprint of SEANC President Tony Smith’s acceptance speech on Sept. 6.

Fellow SEANC leaders and guests, it is an honor to have the opportunity to serve as your president for the coming year.

It is a challenge Smith that I take very seriously, and I will do everything in my power to listen to the ideas of our members and to address their concerns.

Over the past few years SEANC has changed a lot, and we must continue to change in the years to come if we are to grow and be successful. There is one guiding principle that we must adhere to as we change in the coming year: we must first and foremost listen to our members, the heart and soul of our association, as we address the challenges we face.

The theme of this year’s convention was “Time to Drive.” This year we’re going to put our members in the driver’s seat because we are going to need every one of them to work with us to move this great association forward.

One of the top goals in our recently approved five-year plan is to increase our membership. As we prepare for the time when state employees receive the right to bargain collectively, it is crucial that we increase our membership to include more than 50 percent of the active state employees in North Carolina. This is an important threshold in most collective bargaining agreements and will help assure that SEANC is the bargaining agent for all state employees. Otherwise we could see state employees broken into multiple, competing bargaining units.

To reach our membership goals, we are going to need your help and the help of all of the delegates and members of SEANC. When you return home, I hope you will begin work immediately to tell the SEANC story to your co-workers who are not currently SEANC members. Tell them how SEANC is standing up to Jack Walker and others who wish to destroy our health insurance. Tell them how

SEANC is fighting for us every day in the legislature to improve our pay, benefits and working conditions. Tell them how their SEANC membership could save them money through our member discount program and various insurance programs. And tell them about the great progress that EMPAC has made in recent years and our goal of becoming the biggest and best political action committee in North Carolina.

When you recruit a new member, encourage them to become EMPAC contributors and then ask them to go forward and recruit at least one more new SEANC member within a week.

Always listen to their ideas and encourage them to become active in their district.

There is probably nothing that has happened in the past few years that I am prouder of than the tremendous growth of EMPAC. We must encourage all of our members to work hard between now and the Nov. 4 election to support our endorsed candidates by working at the polls or working for the candidates in the coming weeks. That support will make our voice in the legislature even stronger.

4 o

Quotes to Note

4 o

“It’s very rewarding. If I can do something to help one state employee, I’ve helped us all.” SEANC President Tony Smith in the Sept. 15 Morganton News Herald article, “State employee president from Burke.”

The North Carolina Court of Appeals ruling that confirmed Gov. Easley violated the constitution when diverting retirement funds to balance the state budget “keeps retirement funds where they should be – with retirees who have dedicated their careers to serving the public.” Executive Director Dana Cope in the Aug. 6 Associated Press article “Court: Use of pension funds inappropriate.”

“State employees are extremely pleased with the ruling. The ruling helps ensure that no public official will ever again take retirement funds except for their intended beneficiaries.” SEANC Communications Director Toni Davis on News 14 Carolina on Aug. 6, upon the North Carolina Court of Appeals ruling against Gov. Mike Easley’s diversion of $130 million of retirement funds in 2001.

“I heard nothing from (Walker) to substantiate any of the numbers.”

SEANC Legislative Affairs Director Ardis Watkins in the Sept. 15 Associated Press article “NC state employee health plan can wait for cash,” regarding State Health Plan Executive Administrator Jack Walker’s claims that the plan has a projected $200 million shortfall.

“We’ll always continue to advocate for state employees’ retirement security and open government and holding our state officials accountable.” SEANC Executive Director Dana Cope in The News & Observor online on July 21 regarding SEANC’s appeal of a judge’s decision to dismiss the public records lawsuit against state Treasurer Richard Moore.

“The state employees do not begrudge a living wage for teachers, but state employees need to be able to provide the same quality services and meaningful pay is one way in which the state can show the public how they value quality public services.” SEANC Communications Director Toni Davis in the Sept. 11 Associated Press article, “NC teachers unhappy with bonus cuts lobby for more.”

During my term as president, I pledge to you that I will listen to your ideas and concerns, and I promise I will do everything in my power to help make SEANC better tomorrow than it is today. Working together, there are so many things that we can accomplish to improve the pay, benefits and working conditions of our active and retired state employees.

SEANC is the only voice they have, and if we work together we can do great things. I promise that I will be there for you every step of the way.

Thank You. NOW LET’S GO GET ’EM. smithfamily28655@charter.net

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.

14 COLUmNS

Counselor’s Comments

by Tom harriS SEanC ChiEf of STaff/GEnEral CounSEl

State Employee Retirement Lawsuit Wins in N.C. Court of Appeals SEANC won a major victory in August in the state employees’ lawsuit it sponsored against Gov. Mike Easley, Stone et al. v. State Harris of North Carolina.

On Aug. 5, the North Carolina Court of Appeals upheld the 2007 rulings of Superior Court Judge Joseph R. John Sr. that the diversion of state pension funds violated the state and federal constitutions.

violated Article X, section 1 of the U.S. Constitution, better known as the “Contract Clause,” which provides that ”[n]o state shall . . . pass any . . . law impairing the obligation of contracts.”

Applying a three-part test created by the U.S. Supreme Court, the appeals court held the Contract Clause had been violated for the following reasons:

The lawsuit was filed in June 2002 after the governor diverted $130 million of employers’ contributions from the Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System (TSERS) to fill budget holes in 2001. SEANC also issued its own lawsuit against the governor in 2001, but that case, which contests funds diverted from the legislative and judicial retirement systems, got sidetracked on the issue of SEANC’s standing to sue and is on hold while the employees’ case is being resolved.

(2) The diversion of the employers’ contributions in 2001 impaired the right of state employees to a retirement system funded in an actuarially sound manner.

The unanimous North Carolina Court of Appeals panel, which consisted of Judges Linda McGee, who wrote the opinion, James Wynn and Anna Marie Calabria, addressed first the state employees’ contention that the governor had violated Article IV, section 6(2) of the state constitution, which prohibits the diversion of TSERS funds by the state or any state officer. The governor opposed this contention by arguing that since the employer contributions never were deposited into TSERS, those funds never became funds of the retirement system and, thus, were immune from the constitutional prohibition against diversion. The Court of Appeals rejected this argument, stating “[a]pplying the plain meaning of the term ‘diverted,’ we hold that the prohibition against seizure of the Retirement System’s funds applies to, and includes, those funds appropriate and intended for the Retirement System, but not yet deposited therein.”

The Court of Appeals next addressed the state employees’ contention that the diversion of the pension funds

(1) State employees have a contractual right to the funding of TSERS in an actuarially sound manner.

(3) The diversion of the employer contributions was not reasonable or necessary to help balance the 2001 state budget.

The Court of Appeals’ ruling will help ensure that no state official can use retirement funds except to pay benefits or administrative costs.

Unfortunately, the governor filed an appeal of this ruling to the state Supreme Court. It will likely be next year before that court renders its decision. In the meantime, though the $130 million principal has been paid back over the last five years, SEANC will continue to seek interest owed through the General Assembly. tharris@seanc.org

ENDORSED

Judge Doug McCullough SEANC Member Since 2001 Up For Re-Election in 2008 i need & welcome the support of my fellow seanc members.

Go to t

www.re-electjudgemccullough.com t contact me & volunteer to to t help.

Paid for by the Committee to Re-Elect Judge McCullough.

15 mEmBEr ACTION

Membership Recruitment Takes Front Seat Destination 2,500 New Members by Dec. 31 By erica BalDWin

“The momentum is exciting,” said Member Action Department Director Kevin LeCount. “We need

members’ support to help reach our goal of 2,500 new members.”

This summer SEANC leaders laid out a five-year victory plan, which includes gaining 2,500 new members and 300 new Member Action Team trained members by the end of 2008.

SEANC districts are encouraged to get involved by hosting local membership recruitment events on Nov. 12 (see box below). ebaldwin@seanc.org

JOIN US!

Photo by marcie Green

The SEANC Member Action Department revved up its organizing efforts and is well on its way to recruiting a net 2,500 new members by Dec. 31.

In July and August, SEANC staff and members recruited 426 new members during a two-week blitz in Wake and Orange counties and 250 new members at the Department of Correction in two days. At East Carolina University, District 65 signed up 80 new members in one day.

District 60 Provides Cheer for Hospital Patients District 60 members provide snacks for the Southeastern Oncology Department in Goldsboro on July 8. Pictured, left to right, are Marcie Green, Tracy Whitley, Travis Thompson and Angelina Holden.

SEANC Statewide Recruitment Day Nov. 12, 2008

help get all 53 seanc districts to recruit members on the same day. Plan a recruitment effort at your workplace on nov. 12! let us know your district’s plans by contacting lynn l cote at lcote@seanc.org or 919-792-3326.

SEANC Scholarship Golf Tournament Mark Your Calendars!

2009 Scholarship Golf Tournament June 20-21, 2009 Hyland Hills Golf Club Southern Pines (Open to SEANC members and spouses) Please note the updated 2008 golf tournament total is $2,027 for the SEANC Scholarship Fund, which will fund up to four scholarships.

Smile!

SEANC Offers New Dental Plan A new benefit of your SEANC membership is the MetLife dental plan, which includes the following: ✓ Annual individual deductible from $25 to $50 ✓ Preventative care 100% covered with no deductible (two visits per year) ✓ Affordable rates starting from $18.25 per month for the member standard option

Find out details at www.seanc.org and click on “Insurance” or call SEANC at 800-222-2758.

Enroll today! Coverage begins Jan. 1, 2009.

Don’t Get Caught Short-Sighted! if you are on leave without pay and have an insurance product through seanc, please contact the insurance department at 800-222-2758 or dbowden@seanc.org to ensure continuous coverage.

16 2 0 0 8 - 2 0 0 9 S E A N C B oa r d o f G ove r no r s Compiled by Erica Baldwin, Mary Adelaide Bell and Carri Derrick

Executive Committee President Tony Smith* A resident of Morganton, he is a Maintenance Supervisor IV for the Department of Correction. Smith has over 16 years with the state, and is active in District 5.

He has served as first vice president, second vice president and Area 3 EMPAC chairman.

On the district level he has served as chairman, vice chairman, and on the Fundraising, Policy Platform and Bylaws committees.

First Vice President Pat Reighard* A resident of Blowing Rock, he is a Professor Emeritus at Appalachian State University. He retired with 30 years of service and is active on the state and district levels. He has served as Western Region Representative to the Executive Committee, as co-chairman of the Planning Committee and worked closely with training workshops that resulted in the adoption of SEANC’s first vision statement. He previously served as District 3 chairman.

District 1, Jim Pressley* A Technology Support Analyst for the Department of Transportation Division 14, he is a resident of Cullowhee. He has been a SEANC member for 10 years and a state employee for 12 years. On the state level he has served as the EMPAC vice chairman and treasurer and on the Communications/PR Committee, which he will chair this year. On the district level, Pressley served as chairman, vice chairman and chairman of EMPAC Area 1 and on the Bylaws, Membership and Communications committees.

District 2, Wayne Fish* A resident of Asheville, he is a Correctional Food Service Manager with the Department of Correction Buncombe Correctional Center. He has 10 years of state service and eight years of SEANC membership. He served as vice chairman of the state Youth Council and of his district. He also served as district Ways and Means chairman, on the Scholarship Committee and on the Area EMPAC. He was named the 2006-2007 Member of the Year.

Second Vice President J.C. Boykin A Project Manager for Design and Construction Services at North Carolina State University, he has 16 years of state service and SEANC membership. On the state level he has served as Bylaws Committee chairman, South Central Regional Representative to the Executive Committee and on the EMPAC and Planning committees. On the district level he has served on several committees and held leadership roles. He is a Kenly resident.

Treasurer Cheryl Moon* A Knightdale resident, she is a retired Department of Motor Vehicles employee with 30 years of state service. She served as Insurance Board of Trustees chairwoman, on the Insurance Board and Executive Committee. She served as district chairwoman and as a member organizer. She also served as the state Awards Committee chairwoman and on the Planning Committee.

Past President Linda Rouse Sutton* A Program Assistant/General Instructor at Dobbs Youth Development Center and resident of Kinston, she has 27 years of experience with the state. She has served two terms as president, first vice president, second vice president, general treasurer and Bylaws Committee chairwoman on the state level.

She is also very active in District 70, where she has served on many committees.

Piedmont Region Representative/District 12 Chairwoman Jean Martin* A resident of Salisbury, she is a Correctional Captain at the Piedmont Correctional Institution. She has been a state employee and SEANC member for more than 27 years. She has served as chairwoman, vice chairwoman, secretary and treasurer along with many other positions in her district, and received the Chairperson of the Year award at this year’s convention.

Retiree Council Chairman Bob Hopper Hopper, a retired Department of Motor Vehicles Enforcement Deputy Director, retired with 30 years of service. He served his district as an officer at every level and on the state SEANC Membership and Nomination committees. A Hickory resident and District 9 member, he has been a member for 47 years.

South Central Region Representative/District 62 Chairman Robert Barnhill An 18-year SEANC member, Barnhill is a Lieutenant with the Department of Correction. He resides in Burgaw and has served in numerous district officer positions including EMPAC chairman, Membership chairman and treasurer.

Western Region Representative/District 8 Chairman Leonard Reynolds* A 12-year state employee and SEANC member, he is a Transportation Worker for the Department of Transportation. A resident of Jonesville, Reynolds is serving his second term as Western Region Representative and has served on the state Policy Platform and Planning committees. He is serving his third term as district chairman.

Eastern Region Representative/District 68 Chairman James Vaughan* An Assistant Superintendent of Programs at the Department of Correction, Vaughan has been a state employee and SEANC member for 27 years. Vaughan currently resides in Swan Quarter and has served on the state Membership Committee and as chairman of the Membership, Bylaws, Member Discount and Policy Platform committees in his district.

North Central Region Representative/District 45 Chairman Charles Johnson* A resident of Raleigh, he is a Correctional Captain at the Department of Correction. He has been a state employee and SEANC member for 16 years.

He has served as district chairman and vice chairman.

Insurance Board of Trustees Chairman Not elected as of press time.

Secretary to the President Betty Gautier* An Administrative Officer with the Department of Agriculture, Gautier has been a state employee for 32 years and a SEANC member for 28 years. A resident of Benson, she has served as District 38’s treasurer and secretary.

* Denotes MAT Members

District 3, Janice Smith* A five-year state employee and SEANC member, she is an Administrative Assistant at Appalachian State University. A resident of Fleetwood, Smith served as district vice chairwoman and on the Fundraising Committee. She also worked closely with EMPAC Area 2 on candidate interviews.

District 4, Jimmy Davis* A Correctional Sergeant for the Department of Correction, he has been a state employee for 19 years and SEANC member for 18 years. Davis is a resident of Forest City and is serving his third term as district chairman. He has served as vice chairman, on the district Policy Platform Committee and as EMPAC Area 4 chairman.

District 5, Steve Jones* A resident of Marion, he is a Staff Psychologist at Foothills Correctional Institution.

On the district level he has served as chairman, vice chairman and on the Policy Platform and Bylaws committees. He also served on the state Policy Platform Committee. He has been a state employee and SEANC member for more than 13 years.

District 6, Wayne Freeman* A Physician’s Assistant at Broughton Hospital, he has been a state employee for nine years and SEANC member for eight. He is serving his third year as district chairman, and has served as chairman of the Auditing, Communications and Awards committee. He is also actively involved in membership recruitment and raising money for the district’s scholarship fund. He is a resident of Granite Falls.

District 7, Scott McMahan A resident of Rutherfordton, he has served his district as vice chairman and chairman of the Membership and Insurance committees. He is a Social Worker at the Department of Health and Human Services’ J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center with 12 years of state service and five years of SEANC membership.

District 9, Barbara Leatherman* A Transportation Technician IV for the Department of Transportation, she is a 21-year state employee and SEANC member. She has served as district EMPAC chairwoman, secretary and treasurer. She is a resident of Newton.

District 10, Ken Beaver A resident of Kannapolis, he is a Captain for the Department of Correction. He has 17 years of state service and SEANC membership. He has previously served as district chairman.

Parliamentarian Roy McGalliard A resident of Morganton and member of District 5, he is retired from Western Piedmont Community College with 25 years of state service. He has been a SEANC member for 36 years and has served as parliamentarian many times, on both the state and district levels. He has also served as chairman of his district and on various state committees.

District 11, Vickey Henry A retired Department of Transportation employee, she worked for Anson County Maintenance. She had over 28 years of state service, and almost as many years as a SEANC member. She has been a convention delegate and district and chapter secretary. She is a resident of Polkton.

District 13, Jim Davis* A former Insurance and Benefits Specialist at Central Piedmont Community College, he retired with 27 years of state service. He is a resident of Mt. Holly and an 18-year SEANC member. This is his third term as district chairman.

17 2 0 0 8 - 2 0 0 9 S E A N C B oa r d o f G ove r no r s District 16, Steve Thompson* A Lewisville resident, he is an Information Processing Technician with the Department of Transportation. He has served his district as vice chairman, Policy Platform Committee chairman and on the EMPAC and Scholarship committees. He has been a state employee and SEANC member for 18 years.

District 25, Tommy Griffin* A HVAC Supervisor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he has been a state employee and SEANC member for 36 years. He has served on EMPAC and the Membership and Scholarship committees. He was last year’s Piedmont Regional Representative to the Executive Committee. Griffin is a resident of Moncure.

District 17, Dan Efird An Asheboro resident and Sergeant for the Department of Correction, he has been a state employee and SEANC member for 18 years.

He has served his district as vice chairman and chairman of EMPAC Area 5.

District 26, Stacy Dowdy A Butner resident, she is an Accounting Technician IV at the Department of Correction’s Polk Correctional Institution. She served her district as vice chairwoman, Fundraising chairwoman and as EMPAC Area 9 secretary. She has been a state employee and SEANC member for seven years.

District 18, Pamela J. Locklear* A returning chairwoman, she has been a state employee and SEANC member for 14 years. She is a Department of Correction employee at the Scotland Correctional Institution and a resident of Red Springs. She served on the Collective Bargaining Committee and as a convention delegate.

District 19, Marie Tate* An Office Assistant for the Orange County Board of Education. she is a 27-year state employee and 23-year SEANC member. She is a resident of Efland. On the district level, she has served as a first and second vice chairwoman and as chairwoman of the Awards, Hospitality and Nominations committees.

District 20, Tammi W. Blake* A resident of Raeford, she is an Accounting Clerk for Hoke Correctional Institution for the Department of Correction. She is a 10-year state employee and SEANC member. On the district level, she has chaired the Communications, Membership and Nominating committees.

District 21, Patsy Tilley* Employed by Vocational Rehabilitation as an Office Assistant for 42 years, she retired last year.

A resident of Hillsborough, she has served as district vice chairwoman, secretary and chairwoman of the Bylaws and Communications committees. She also served on the state Communications, Planning and Membership committees. She has been a SEANC member for 30 years.

District 22, Flint M. Benson* A retired Superintendent for the Department of Correction, he has 25 years of state service and 21 years as a SEANC member.

He served as SEANC president in 2000-2001 and as state Bylaws Advisory Committee chairman.

He served as Insurance Board of Trustees chairman and state first vice president. He is a resident of Benson.

District 23, Harold L. Faulk* A resident of Nakina, he is a retired Department of Transportation employee. Faulk has 28 years of state service and has been a SEANC member for 37 years.

He serves on the state Retiree Council and held numerous district positions including vice chairman, Policy Platform chairman and Retiree chairman.

District 24, Cathy Fields* A retired state employee from the Cooperative Extension with more than 37 years of service, she has been a SEANC member for over 21 years. Fields is a returning district chairwoman for her fourth term.

She has served on the state Retiree Council and as South Central Regional Representative to the Executive Committee. She is a resident of Elizabethtown.

District 27, Gracie LeSane* An Endowment Accountant at North Carolina Central University, she is a Durham resident. She has been a state employee for five years and SEANC member for four. She has served as district vice chairwoman and Scholarship chairwoman.

District 36, Bruce Dixon* A Youngsville resident, he is a Health Care Technician III at the Department of Health and Human Services’ Dorothea Dix Hospital. He has been a state employee for 21 years and SEANC member for nine. He has served on the district Awards, Member Discount, Membership and Insurance committees.

District 37, George Kapetanakis* A Litter Programs Coordinator for the Department of Transportation, he is a five-year state employee and four-year SEANC member. He served his district as vice chairman, treasurer, secretary and on EMPAC Area 10. He is a Raleigh resident.

District 38, Kim Glover* An Administrative Assistant with the Department of Health and Human Services, she is a 22-year state employee and 21-year SEANC member. She served as the president’s secretary last year and as district secretary and Scholarship Foundation chairwoman. Glover is a Sharpsburg resident.

District 39, Mary O’Neill* A state employee for 20 years, she is a Student Account Manager at North Carolina State University.

She served on EMPAC Area 10, the district Communications and Planning committees, and as district Communications chairwoman.

A Raleigh resident, she is a 13-year SEANC member.

District 40, Julie Parrish* A Clayton resident, she is an Administrative Assistant I at the Department of Correction. She is a 17-year state employee and SEANC member. She has served as district vice chairwoman and Membership chairwoman.

District 41, Wendell L. Powell* A Correctional Officer for the Department of Correction, he has been a state employee and SEANC member for four years. He served as district MAT chairman and on the state Youth Council. He resides in Raleigh.

District 42, Tara Minter* A resident of Raleigh, she is a Research Assistant for the Department of Administration at the North Carolina Domestic Violence for Women Commission. Minter has been a state employee and SEANC member for 10 years and has served her district as vice chairwoman and EMPAC chairwoman. She was last year’s North Central Regional Representative to the Executive Committee and she served as vice chairwoman on the state inaugural Youth Council.

District 43, Debra Dunston* A Raleigh resident, she is an Emissions Specialist for the Department of Motor Vehicles. She has 13 years of state service and 11 years as a SEANC member.

She previously served as district chairwoman and auditor.

District 44, Bruce Garner A 32year state employee, he is a Deputy Secretary for the Department of the Secretary of State.

With 25 years in SEANC, he has served as district chairman, vice chairman and treasurer. He is a Raleigh resident.

District 46, Dewey D. Hamilton Jr.* A Tax Auditor at the Department of Revenue, he has nine years of state and SEANC service. He has been vice chairman and Communications chairman for his district.

Hamilton is a resident of Raleigh.

District 47, Doranna Anderson* With 12 years in state government, she is in charge of the Oral Health Education Branch for the Department of Health and Human Services. She is a Raleigh resident and 12-year SEANC member. She served her district as vice chairwoman, secretary/treasurer and chairwoman of the Scholarship and Retiree committees. She is a member of EMPAC Area 10.

District 56, Percy W. Underdue* With 27 years of state service, he is retired from the Department of Correction. He has served as district Scholarship chairman, on the Scholarship Foundation Board and as district EMPAC chairman. A 28-year SEANC member, he resides in Jackson.

District 57, Daisy Stancill* A resident of Wilson, she is a Personnel Assistant V for the Department of Correction. Stancill is a 17year state employee and 14-year SEANC member. She served on the state Career Banding Committee and as district secretary and treasurer.

District 58, Eddie Brogden* A Facility Maintenance Supervisor IV for the Department of Correction, he is a 24-year state employee and 18-year SEANC member. He has served his district as Scholarship chairman, as a fundraiser and on the Member Discount Committee.

He is a Pikeville resident.

District 59, John Miller* A Housekeeping Administrator II for the Department of Health and Human Services at Cherry Hospital, he has been with the state for 35 years and SEANC for 33 years. He has served his district as vice chairman and treasurer, and has been a member of numerous committees. On the state level he served as Eastern Region Representative.

He is from LaGrange.

District 60, Sandi Jones A resident of Seven Springs, she is a 17-year state employee and seven-year SEANC member. She is a Buyer for Cherry Hospital with the Department of Health and Human Services. Jones has served on EMPAC and as district Communications chairwoman, vice chairwoman and secretary/treasurer. She was a district and state SEANC scholarship recipient.

District 61, Mark Turlington* A Transportation Supervisor III for the Department of Transportation, he has been a state employee for 25 years and SEANC member for three. Turlington resides in Clinton and has served as his district’s EMPAC chairman.

District 63, Michael Cahoon* A resident of Fairfield, Cahoon has served as district chairman and on EMPAC. He is a Correctional Officer with the Department of Correction. He has 11 years of state service and 10 years of SEANC membership.

District 64, Valorie W. Sullivan* An Accounting Technician IV for the Department of Transportation, she has been a state employee and SEANC member for 10 years. A resident of Greenville, she is a returning district chairwoman. Sullivan has served as district secretary/treasurer and chairwoman of the Bylaws, Policy Platform and Communications committees. On the state level she served on the Policy Platform and Bylaws committees.

District 65, Del Kingsland* An 18-year state employee and SEANC member, Kingsland is a Steam Plant Supervisor at East Carolina University. He has previously served as his district’s vice chairman. He is a resident of Greenville.

District 66, Mike Kollock* A resident of Kinston, Kollock has been a state employee and SEANC member for 16 years.

He is a Food Service Supervisor with the Department of Health and Human Services at the Caswell Center. Kollock is a returning district chairman who has also served as his district’s vice chairman and EMPAC chairman.

District 67, William “Bill” Boyle* A 19-year state employee and SEANC member, Boyle is a Correctional Training Instructor II with the Department of Correction. He lives in New Bern and has been involved in his district as a convention delegate for five years and served as an alternate on statewide EMPAC. District 69, Tonya Jennings A Probation Officer with Community Corrections for the Department of Correction, she is a 12-year state employee residing in Elizabeth City. Jennings is a returning district chairwoman and has served her district as vice chairwoman and chairwoman of the Insurance and Member Discount committees.

District 70, Arvis Sutton* A 17year state employee and SEANC member, Sutton is a Cottage Parent Supervisor at Dobbs Youth Development Center. She has formerly served as chairwoman of her district’s and area’s EMPAC and as vice chairwoman of her district.

District 71, Stuart Glover* Glover is retired from the U.S. military. He is a five-year state employee and SEANC member. He is a Transportation Technician with the Department of Transportation and a Wilson resident.

18 mEmBEr ACTION the (state employee) reporter

1 0 6 9

2 1 4 2

10/01/08

march, may, august, november mary adelaide bell

P.o. drawer 27727 raleigh, nc 27611

919-833-6436

1621 midtown Place raleigh, nc 27609

same as above

Photo by steve lawson

t davis, editor-in-chief, same as above toni

erica baldwin, same as above

District 12 Shows Member Appreciation

state employees association

P.o. drawer 27727

of north carolina inc.

raleigh, nc 27611

District 12 Chairwoman Jean Martin, left, and Warren Welch, second from left, speak with prospective members during a District 12 membership recruitment/ appreciation event on July 31 at the Mecklenburg County Courthouse in Charlotte.

The event drew 250 employees and 13 new members.

A Salute to Our Veterans Veterans Day ★ November 11

We honor our state employees and retirees who have served our country!

the reporter

Thank You!

august 2008

51,550

51,550

48,550

48,550

1,550

1,550

0

0

300

300

50,400

50,400

0

0

0

0

50

50

1,250

1,250

1,300

1,300

51,700

51,700

0

0

51,700

51,700

97.49%

97.49%

november 10/01/08

19

Photo by Anke Cahoon

m e m be r action

District 63 Hosts Successful Membership Drive District 63 held a membership drive on Sept. 25 in Everetts, where they recruited 15 new members and signed up a total of 19 members for SEANC’s insurance programs. Pictured, left to right, are District 63 members Alvin Lewis, Paige Taylor (winner of a SEANC portfolio), Sharon Evans (winner of a $20 Wal-Mart gift card) and district Membership Committee Chairwoman Marion Drake.

The Reporter Toni Davis, Editor-in-Chief Erica Baldwin, Managing Editor Mary Adelaide Bell, Associate Editor/ Advertising Manager STATE EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION of NORTH CAROLINA P.0. Drawer 27727 • Raleigh, NC 27611 1621 Midtown Place • Raleigh, NC 27609 Telephone 919-833-6436; 800-222-2758 www.seanc.org (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 responsi-

bility 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.

20 Shop the Online SEANC Store!

FEATURED MEMBER DISCOUNT VENDOR

• Shirts • Bags • Umbrellas • Blankets • Hats and more!

Order your SEANC merchandise at www.seanc.org

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 seanc at 800-222-2758 or meetings@seanc.org to secure your conference room today.

State Employees Association of North Carolina P.O. Drawer 27727 Raleigh, NC 27611

Periodical Postage

PAID raleigh, nc