July 2010 Spotlight

A bulletin distributed after each Board of Governors meeting for use in district newsletters, websites and meetings. For more information, contact the SEANC Communications/PR Department at 800­222­2758 or 919­833­6436. The Spotlight can be found on the SEANC website, www.seanc.org, under “News/Publications.”

The Board of Governors met on July 23‐24, 2010, in Raleigh to discuss business important to state employees and retirees.

OFFICER CANDIDATE ANNOUNCEMENTS The following members announced their intention to run for SEANC office for the 2010‐2011 year: • • • • • • • • • • •

Sharon Dobson of District 46 for First Vice President Mike Kollock of District 66 for Second Vice President Marilyn Jean Martin of District 12 for Treasurer (previously sent letter) Amaka Flynn of District 42 for EMPAC Chairwoman Jim Pressley of District 1 for EMPAC Chairman Henry Belada of District 7 for Western Regional Representative Doranna Anderson of District 47 for North Central Regional Representative Cliff Brown of District 20 for Piedmont Regional Representative Mike Bell of District 61 for South Central Regional Representative Lewis Sasser of District 62 for South Central Regional Representative Mike Gould of District 41 for Alternate North Central Regional Representative

TREASURER’S REPORT Cheryl Moon reported that the association is at 76 percent of receipts and total disbursements are at 65 percent, which is excellent for this time of year.

CONVENTION BYLAWS AMENDMENT This September convention delegates have only one bylaws amendment to consider. The proposed bylaws amendment would reduce the rebate to each district by $0.50 per member each month and apply those funds to the payment of dues owed by SEANC membership to SEIU. The bylaws amendment is posted on the SEANC website, www.seanc.org, and can be accessed by clicking 27th Annual Convention/Policy Platform & Bylaws.

SEANC BUDGET ADOPTED The BOG passed a $4.1 million budget to fund all SEANC operations and services for members for the year 2010‐2011 (Oct. 1, 2010 – Sept. 30, 2011).

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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT During Dana Cope’s report, the BOG went into executive session to discuss two legal matters. As a result of discussions, the BOG voted to have co‐counsel Chief of Staff/General Counsel Tom Harris and Legislative Affairs Director Ardis Watkins pursue SEANC’s public record lawsuit against former state Treasurer Richard Moore at the trial court level. On June 17, SEANC was victorious in its Supreme Court public records case, thus entitling SEANC to be heard in a trial court in order to obtain records associated with a Forbes magazine article, “Pensions, Pols and Payola.” Forbes highlighted Moore’s practice of hiring money managers who invested state pension money and were also campaign contributors. The article led SEANC to file a public records request to determine if investment decisions were based on political favors or North Carolina state employees’ best interest.

The BOG also voted to have Harris explore legal action on a separate matter involving retirement system funding.

SEANC WARRIORS RECOGNIZED FOR LOBBYING EFFORTS Ardis Watkins thanked members for their grassroots lobbying efforts and for the difference that all members made during the 2010 legislative session. Mary O’Neill of District 39 and Doranna Anderson of District 47 were presented with “SEANC Warrior” t‐shirts for their overnight stay on the last day at the General Assembly.

INSURANCE Vision: The BOG adopted a new two‐year rate structure from OptumHealth, formerly known as Spectera, passed by the Insurance Board of Trustees and presented by Chairwoman Pam Hailey. Rates for the vision insurance will increase due to lower‐than‐expected enrollment.

Dental: The BOG renewed the MetLife five‐tier dental plan for one year. A new benefit to the high‐option plan is implants.

Identity Theft: The Insurance Board of Trustees proposed a new identity theft insurance plan offered by Kroll’s after reviewing four options. The ID theft program will cost $96/year per individual and $72/year additional to add a domestic partner or spouse. The BOG voted to adopt the board’s recommendation and start the plan Oct. 1.

DHHS EMPLOYEES: INPUT NEEDED FOR MEET AND CONFER Past President Linda Rouse Sutton and Dana Cope met with DHHS Secretary Lanier Cansler regarding the framework to discuss issues of mutual concern called Meet and Confer (also known as Project Excel within the agency). Meet and Confer is the result of Gov. Bev Perdue’s Executive Order 45 which guarantees state employee groups like SEANC, whose membership is 20 percent or more of a given executive agency quarterly, access to meet with the bosses of the agency. Sutton would like input from all DHHS employees on how SEANC can offer suggestions to improve agency efficiency, improve working conditions and how to cost‐effectively deliver public services. Please send suggestions to lsutton@seanc.org.

CONVENTION UPDATE Event Planner Amber Ernst presented a convention update on the 27th Annual SEANC Convention, themed “Charting the Course.” Convention will be held Sept. 9‐11 in Greensboro.

Ticketed Events: Due to popular demand, the evening buffet will return on Thursday, Sept. 9. Come dressed as your favorite pirate and win a prize for best costume. Tickets for the buffet are $37. This year awards are moving from convention business to the Saturday night banquet, which will feature a plated 2

dinner and humorist Jeanne Robertson at a cost of $44 per attendee. Both the buffet and banquet ticket order forms are due Aug. 13 and are available to district chairmen and secretaries on the convention section of the website.

Community Service Project: This year delegates will be asked to donate non‐perishable food items to benefit the six largest food banks across North Carolina. Districts may also make monetary contributions in addition to food donations. Each district will have an opportunity to present their monetary donation from the convention floor. For a detailed list of suggested donations, please visit the Community Service Project page on the convention section of the website.

POLICY PLATFORM OBJECTIVES Chairwoman Kay Hovious distributed the 2011 Policy Platform initiatives that will be voted on at convention. The document is listed on the SEANC convention website section under Policy Platform & Bylaws.

MINORITY COUNCIL MEMBERS NAMED Pres. Smith named Nilesh Surti of District 37 the inaugural chairman of SEANC’s Minority Council. The council is comprised of a chairperson and three members from each SEANC region. Council members’ names and contact information are available on the SEANC website under About SEANC/Committees/Minority Council. Minorities are defined as women, people of color and persons with disabilities.

BLUE RIBBON COMMITTEE UPDATE Chairman Ray Evans updated the BOG on the progress of the Blue Ribbon Committee. The committee is considering recommending changing the association from an annual to a biennial structure (in terms of officer terms and the convention and to change associated documents that would allow the biennial structure). Several subcommittees have been formed, but progress is slow for this enormous task.

VOTES PASSED – The SEANC 2010‐2011 Annual Budget PASSED – Renew Optum Health vision insurance and a two‐year rate structure PASSED – Renew MetLife five‐tier dental plan for one year PASSED – A proposal by the Insurance Board of Trustees to offer Kroll identity theft insurance PASSED – 2010‐2011 Board of Governors Meeting Dates: Nov. 5‐6, Feb. 18‐19, May 13‐14, July 22‐23 The Board of Governors will meet next in Greensboro on Wednesday, Sept. 8.

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