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 800-222-2758 or 919833-6436. The Spotlight can be found on the SEANC website, www.seanc.org, under “News/Publications.”
TheBoardofGovernors(BOG)metonJuly22-23,2011,todiscussbusinessmatters importanttostateemployeesandretirees.
New Officer Announcement:
PresidentCharlesJohnsonappointedNorthCentralRepresentativetotheExecutive CommitteeDorannaAndersontofillthepositionofSEANCSecondVicePresidentdueto theresignationofCherylMoon.
Candidate Announcements:
ThefollowingmembersannouncedtheirintentiontorunforSEANCofficeforthe20112012year:
DorannaAndersonofDistrict47forSecondVicePresident
GloriaHighsmithofDistrict65forEasternRegionalRepresentative
BettyJonesofDistrict42forNorthCentralRegionalRepresentative
AngelaLyghtofDistrict19forPiedmontRegionalRepresentative*
MicheleShawofDistrict22forSouthCentralRegionalRepresentative
*Incumbent
SEANC Budget Adopted:
PlanningCommitteeChairmanTonySmithpresenteda$4.2millionbudgetproposaltothe BOGtofundallSEANCoperationsandservicesforthe2011-2012year(Oct.1,2011-Sept. 30,2012). TheBOGvotedunanimouslytoacceptthebudget.
Treasurer’s Report:
MarilynJeanMartinreportedSEANC’sfinancesaredoingextremelywellwithreceiptsat 84percentanddisbursementsat62percent.
BOG Member Named to SHP Board:
District22ChairwomanMicheleShawwasappointedbySenateleaderPhilBergertothe newly-formedStateHealthPlan(SHP)BoardofTrustees. Shaw’stermrunsthroughJune 30,2013.
Executive Director’s Report:
Budget Update:
ExecutiveDirectorDanaCopewaspleasedtoreportnumerousvictoriesforSEANC membersasaresultofthe2011GeneralAssemblysessionandthebudgetthatbecamelaw onJune15.
SEANCstayedtruetoitspoliticalphilosophythattheassociationhasnopermanentfriends andnopermanentenemies,onlypermanentissues. Itisaphilosophythatserveduswell.
SEANCwasabletoworkwiththeRepublicanleadershipintheGeneralAssemblyto achievethefollowingvictoriesforstateemployeesandretirees,including: savingjobsof SEANCmemberswhoalertedthestaffaboutprogramsonthechoppingblock(DHHSOral Healthsection,DOCprisonmaintenance),blockingprivatizationefforts(DOCprison maintenance,ITS),securingmeritpayraisesfor2012-2013,avoidingpaycuts/furloughs, achievingaSHPgovernancechange,protectingapremium-freehealthcareoption,fully fundingtheretirementsystemandmaintainingSPAprotectionsfor22,000university employeesandstateworkers’personnelfiles,includingperformanceevaluations,from beingreleasedtothepublic. InallSEANCachievedfiveoftheassociations’Top10Policy PlatformObjectives,atremendoussuccessinamulti-billiondollarbudgetshortfall.
Thefinalbudgetwasbetterforstateemployeesandgeneralgovernmentthanthe governor’sbudget.Herbudgetproposedthefollowing:10,000jobcuts(3,000ofwhich werefilledwithstateemployeeswhilefundingallteachersandteacherassistantsat100 percent),changestotheSHPwithapremiumfortheStandard80/20planandonly providinghalfthecontributionnecessarytofullyfundtheretirementsystem.
InJuly,SEANChostedexclusivebudgetbriefingsinMorgantonandGreenvillewith approximately50peopleattendingeacheventtogetthewordoutabouttherealfacts concerningthestatebudget. ThefinalbriefingwillinRaleighonAug.9attheSEANC CentralOffice.
SEANClobbyistsworkedhardtohelpoverrideSB781,abillthatallowsajudge,notastate agency,tohavethefinaldeterminationwhenastateworkerandstateagencyhavea dispute. ThegovernorvetoedSB781andtheSenateunanimouslyoverrodetheveto beforesendingittotheHouse,whichpasseditonJuly25.
“Take Pride in Carolina” Campaign:
LawmakersincludedanumberofSEANCmembers’money-savingideasfromour“Take PrideinCarolina”reportinthebudgetorotherlegislationthissession,including: incenting SHPmemberstoauditmedicalcharges,returningGoldenLeafmoniestothegeneralfund andmaximizingaccesstofederalMedicaiddollars. Thecampaignhassignificantresources availablefornextyeartorunTVandradiocommercials.
BOG Members Thank SEANC Staff for Saving Jobs:
BOGmembersprovidedpersonaltestimonialsonhowtheSEANCstaffhelpedsavetheir jobsintheDepartmentsofHealthandHumanServicesandCorrection. SecondVice
PresidentDorannaAndersonmadeaspecialpresentationhonoringtheLegislativeAffairs Stafffortheirdedicationandhardworkthatincludedsaving50jobsthissessioninthe DHHSOralHealthSection.
Convention Updates:
PresidentCharlesJohnsonprovidedupdatesonthe28th AnnualConvention–“TakePride inCarolina.”TheconventionwillbeheldSept.8-10attheKouryConventionCenterin Greensboro.Thisyear’scommunityserviceprojectisOperationAll‘BoutChildren (OperationABC),whichcollectsbabyitemsandhostseventstodistributethegiftsfor NorthCarolina’sjunior-enlistedmilitaryfamilies(E1-E6).SEANCwillbecollectingnew babyshoweritemsonThursday,Sept.8,attheconvention.
Convention Bylaws Amendments:
ChairmanCliffBrownpresentedseveralbylawsproposalsthatreceivedfavorablevoteson July20andwillbevotedonbythisyear’sconventiondelegates. Twobylawsamendments involvetwo-yearofficertermsandabiennialconventionstructurethatwouldbeginin 2014.Abiennialstructuremeansthattheconventionwouldbeheldeveryotheryear insteadofannually. TherationaleistoalignofficertermsandtheSEANCconventionmore closelywiththestateelectioncycle. DelegateswillalsovotetoelectmemberstotheSEIU conventiontoconcurwithfederallaw. ThebylawsamendmentsarepostedontheSEANC website,seanc.org,andcanbeaccessedbyclicking28th AnnualConvention/PolicyPlatform &Bylaws.
Policy Platform Objectives:
ChairwomanDebbyButlerreportedthatthePolicyPlatformCommitteemetonJuly21and approvednewpolicyplatformobjectivesforconventiondelegates’considerationand rankingforthe2012Top10PolicyPlatformObjectives. Thislistofobjectivesprovides SEANCstaffwithlobbyingguidanceintheGeneralAssembly. Policyplatformobjectives arepostedontheSEANCwebsite,seanc.org,andcanbeaccessedbyclicking28th Annual Convention/PolicyPlatform&Bylaws.
EMPAC/Convention:
CongratulationstonewEMPACChairmanWayneFishwhowaselevatedfromvicechairmanwiththeresignationofAmakaFlynn. ChairmanFishannouncedthatGloria Uppermanwaselectedvice-chairwomanbythecommittee. Fishurgedallmembersto contributetoEMPACbypayrolldeductiontohelpachieveits$1millionmissionforthe 2012elections. TheEMPACoperationsmanualwasamendedtoconformwithSEANC’s ethicspolicyandnineEMPACbylawsamendmentsaregoingtoconventionfordelegates’ consideration
EMPACisonceagainhostingtheir“SEANC’sGotTalent”eventonThursday,Sept.8,at convention. MemberswhosignupforEMPACpayrolldeductionorincreasetheir deductionwillbeenrolledinadrawingfor$250,$100and$50prizes. Winnerswillbe announcedatconvention.
EMPACisalsoconductingasweepstakesforallmembersasofJuly1. Ticketswillbe mailedtomembersandseveralcashprizes$5,000to$500willbeawarded. Youmust returntheticketsbyAug.27tobeeligibletowin. Winnerswillbeannouncedat convention.
Meet and Confer Success:
District22ChairwomanMicheleShawdescribedarecentsuccessfulmeetandconfer processatHarnettCorrectionalInstitutionalthatresultedinimprovedmorale, communicationsandmanagement/staffrelations. PleasecontactSEANC IntergovernmentalLiaisonLindaRouseSuttonatlsutton@seanc.orgformoreinformation onmeetandconfer,orreadExecutiveOrder45.
Scholarship Foundation Board:
ChairmanGeorgeThiessenreportedthatthescholarshipboardmetonMay24-26tojudge scholarshipentriesandawarded45scholarshipsinexcessof$36,000. Scholarshipraffle ticketsarenowonsalefor$1tobenefitthefoundation.Thisyearthefoundationwillaward $10,000inprizesatconvention–grandprizeis$6,000,firstprizeis$3,000andsecond prizeis$1,000. ThefoundationisalsosellingmugsintheSEANCstorefor$3tobenefitthe scholarshipfund. Holesponsorshipsareavailablefor$100fortheDonJonesMemorial GolfTournament,whichwillbeheldSept.24-26attheHylandHillsGoldClub.
Insurance Board of Trustees:
Pet: TheHealthyPawsPetHealthPlan,whichwasapprovedbytheBOGinMay,willbe rolledoutatconvention.
BostonMutual: GoodnewsfornewSEANCmembers! BostonMutualamendedtheir insurancepolicytoallowactivememberstoobtain$100,000guaranteedissueofterm-life insuranceduringthefirst180daysofSEANCmembership. TheBOGapprovedaBoston Mutualpilotprojectwhichwouldprovidenewmemberswithanautomatic$10,000in term-lifeinsurancefreeofchargeduringthefirstthreemonthsofSEANCmembership. Stateemployeememberswhorejoinaftermorethantwoyearsofinactivitywouldalsobe eligible. ThepilotprojectstartsonOct.1.
AD&D: RelianceStandardLifeInsuranceCompanyproposedanincreaseinSEANC’srates basedonourexperience Asaresult,SEANCreviewedothercarriersforcostcomparison. CIGNAInsuranceproposedlowerratestoSEANCmembersandtheBOGadopteda proposaltoswitchAD&Dcarriers. AllcurrentReliancepolicyholderswillrolloverto CIGNAandpayalowerrate. Cignaallowsmembersbuyingnewcoveragetopurchase insuranceuptofivetimestheirsalarywithamaximumof$500,000,effectiveOct.1.
Membership Committee:
ChairmanSpillmanGricereportedthat457newmembersjoinedtheassociationinJune. GriceencouragedconventiondelegatestoparticipateintheirFantasticFivechallenge MemberswhosuccessfullyrecruitfivenewpeoplewillgetaT-shirtand$10. Currently29 ofthe53districtsand55individualshaveparticipatedinthechallenge.
Member Strength:
ChairmanPrestonMoorereportedthatthecommitteeiscreatingateamofSEANC member-leaderscommittedtoTransforming,Educating,AgitatingandMobilizing(TEAM!) stateemployeesandretirees. ThecommitteewilltransitionfromMAT,NOCandAdvance trainingstoTEAM! Thegoalistohave10percentofallSEANCmembersparticipate.
Thecommitteehasbeenactivelyinvolvedindistrictofficertrainingwhichwillbeheldon Aug.3-5attheEmbassySuitesinGreensboro. Thethemeofthisyear’sdistrictofficer trainingisSEANC: WhereDoYouFitIn? ContactKevinLeCountatklecount@seanc.orgfor moredetails.
Minority Council:
ChairmanNileshSurtifinalizedananonymoussurveytogatherdataregardingminority issuesintheworkplacefromSEANCmembers.Itwillbedistributedsoontoallmembers. Thecommitteeisalsoexploringdiversitytraininginitiatives.
Member Discount:
ChairwomanJanetBunchreported21newbusinesseshavebeenrecruitedsincethelast BOGmeetingforatotalof182businessesthisyear. Thedeadlineforrecruitingbusinesses thisyearisJuly31 ThecommitteemetonJuly9toincreaseincentivesforthe2011-2012 year. Thethreetoprecruiterswillbeawardedatotalof$1,000forbusinessesrecruited betweenAug.1,2011andJan.31,2012andwillincreasetherecruitmentincentivefrom$3 to$5. Membersmustrecruitaminimumoffivebusinessesinordertoreceivethis incentive.
Retiree Council:
ChairmanBobHopperthankedtheSEANCstafffortheirhardworkduringtheGeneral Assemblysession.
Youth Council:
ChairwomanEmilyJonesreportedthatthecommitteeawardedthefirstYouthCouncil ScholarshiptoLatinaShelleyofDistrict64andthatthecommitteefinalizeditsmission statement. Thecommitteecontinuestosellraffleticketsfor$1tobenefitthescholarship. PrizeswillbeawardedatconventionandincludetripstoMyrtleBeach,Carowindsand KingsDominion.
Important Dates:
July29 LastdayforSHPannualenrollment
Aug.3-5 Districtofficertraining,Greensboro
Aug.18 RetireeCouncilmeeting,Raleigh
Aug.20 YouthCouncilmeeting,Raleigh
Sept.6 ExecutiveCommitteemeeting,Greensboro
Sept.7 BOGmeeting,Greensboro
Sept.8-10 28th AnnualSEANCConvention
Sept.24-26 DonJonesMemorialGolfTournament,HylandHillsGolfClub,Pinehurst
Votes:
PASSED-TheSEANCbudgetforFiscalYear2011-2012.
PASSED-Amotiontosetdatesforthe2011-12BoardofGovernors’meetings: Nov.4-5, 2011,Feb.17-18,May18-19,andJuly20-21,2012
PASSED-AmotiontoupdatetheSEANCPersonnelPolicyManual’sunlawfulharassment policytoincludesexualorientationoradisablingcondition.
PASSED-Amotionfor$5,000infinancialassistancetoaidthelawsuitofaSEANCmember. ThememberisbeingsuedbytheN.C.BaptistHospitalforblowingthewhistleonBlue CrossandBlueShieldofNorthCarolina’soverpaymentstotheSHP.
PASSED-AnIBTpilotprojecttopaystipendsof$10toColonialInsurancerepresentatives whosellBostonMutualpolicies(Oct.1,2011-May31,2012).
PASSED-AnIBTpilotprojectofferedbyBostonMutualtoprovide$10,000interm-life insuranceforactiveemployeeswithcertainconditions.
PASSED-AnIBTmotiontoswitchAD&DcarriersfromReliancetoCigna.
The next BOG meeting will be Sept. 7 in Greensboro.