May Spotlight 2018

The Board of Governors met on May 18-19, 2018, at SEANC Headquarters in Raleigh to discuss business important to state employees and retirees. These are the highlights from the meeting.

Highlights

Clean audit for 2017 SEANC’s auditor, Rives & Associates, gave an unmodified opinion in its review of SEANC’s finances for 2017, which is the highest praise given by auditors. Jay Sharpe of the firm presented the audit to the board.

The firm recommended no accounting changes and reported no disagreements with management.

Update on state budget talks SEANC Executive Director Robert Broome and Government Relations Director Ardis Watkins gave an update on the ongoing General Assembly session. Most of the early focus has been on the state budget.

Gov. Roy Cooper released his budget on May 9 that included the largest pay raise for state employees in a decade. He also included five days of bonus vacation leave and a 1-percent cost-of-living adjustment for retirees, among other items.

Both the Cooper administration and legislative leaders were initially hesitant to commit to recurring pay raises this year. Cooper’s proposal was the result of numerous meetings between SEANC lobbyists and administration officials, including direct talks with the governor and the state budget director.

SEANC is encouraging legislative leaders to match or beat the governor’s proposal. After April revenue figures indicated a higher than expected revenue surplus, Broome said that legislators, “no longer have a math problem, they have a priorities problem.”

The Senate will release its budget soon. All SEANC members should go to www.seanc.org/engage today to reach out to their legislators easily and quickly. Tell them that state employees and retirees need increases at least as good as the governor’s plan.

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New insurance plans offered through Boston Mutual SEANC is launching three new insurance products through Boston Mutual, and members should make appointments to enroll now: • Whole Life – Permanent life insurance ensures you and your family are protected for the life of the policy. This coverage offers guaranteed cash value that can grow over the years. The plan will remain in force as long as premiums continue to be paid, and your premiums will not increase. Eligible members may purchase coverage for themselves, spouse, unmarried dependent children through age 25 and grandchildren to age 15.

• Accident – This coverage pays a benefit in addition to other insurance coverages if an accident occurs that results in medical expenses. Benefit amounts may vary based on the plan selected (Silver, Gold or Platinum.) You may also insure your spouse and children under the age of 26.

• Critical illness – Lessen the burden of out of pocket expenses, if diagnosed with one of the covered conditions. Members can purchase up to $35,000 without answering medical conditions. Spouse and children up age 26 may also be covered. There is no additional charge or medical questions for children.

Open enrollment for all current members will be available June 1 through June 30, with no medical questions asked. To schedule your appointment, visit www.seanc.org/bostonmutual or call (919) 833-6436.

Convention deadlines set Meetings and Convention Planner Tiffany Woodard announced several upcoming deadlines for districts ahead of the 35th Annual SEANC Convention, scheduled for Sept. 5-9 in Greensboro.

President Stanley Drewery also announced that the Saturday Night Awards Banquet would return this year. On Thursday night, an optional “meet-and-greet” reception with Executive Director Robert Broome will be held.

The deadlines are: – July 21 o Hospitality Preference Room o District Table Reservation $15 per day o Raffle Info o Awards Submission Deadline – July 27 o District Delegate Registration/Rooming List – August 15 o Banquet RSVP and ticket sales deadline o Remembrance information/photo submission Forms will be available on the SEANC website soon. District chairpersons will receive an email alerting them when the site is available.

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REAL ID Patrice Bethea from the Department of Transportation shared a presentation with the board on REAL ID, a convenient way to comply with tougher federal identification standards when flying, visiting a military base or other federal facility.

For more information, go to www.ncdot.gov/dmv/driver/realid/ Reports

Executive Director’s Report Executive Director Robert Broome announced several staff changes and provided an update on legislative items, including the budget debate and proposals to eliminate payroll deduction capabilities. He also announced that the administration had restored access to new employee orientations at state departments and agencies.

Broome reviewed SEANC’s new Voter Voice digital outreach platform. Members sent more than 3,000 messages to legislators in the first week of session through Voter Voice, which can be accessed at www.seanc.org/engage.

President’s Report President Stanley Drewery challenged each district to set up a membership drive in the 100 days leading up to the convention. He dismissed the board up into regional breakouts, where districts brainstormed possible events.

Treasurer’s Report General Treasurer Kirk Montgomery reported that revenue and spending for the association for 2017-2018 fiscal year is on target.

Audit Chair Keith Renner announced that the committee approved a committee procedures manual, discussed dues collection and membership, completed audits of Districts 5 and 65, and reviewed committee member terms at its last meeting.

The committee dismissed one member for excessive absences. Also, the committee plans to submit a bylaws amendment for vote at convention.

Awards Vice Chair Marie Tate asked members/districts to submit all awards nominations electronically by July 21.

Bylaws Committee Chair Jim Pressley reviewed the bylaws amendment process. Amendments must be submitted to the SEANC Office within 10 days of a district’s annual meeting, but no later than July 15. The committee’s next meeting is at 10 a.m. July 18.

Benevolence Committee Chair Deborah Fleming asked that districts send photos of recently deceased members to Jonathan Owens by Aug. 15.

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Connections Committee Chair Linda Rouse Sutton said the committee had awarded funds to the families of the four victims killed in the escape attempt at Pasquotank. A member who lost property in a recent fire also received assistance.

Emerging Leaders Chair Sonya Akbar reported that the council recommended that SEANC nominate and sponsor a member for Leadership North Carolina in 2019.

EMPAC Chair Tony Smith reported that seven of the nine candidates supported by EMPAC in the primary won their election – a 78% success rate. Several candidates pointed out that EMPAC’s help made a huge difference in their races.

Nominations are open for the Gloria Upperman Award. Find out more and access nominations forms at www.seanc.org/gloria-upperman-award-nominations Insurance Board of Trustees Chair Martha Fowler reported that the Insurance Insider can now be found online. She also reviewed Boston Mutual’s new programs.

Member Discount Chair Dennis Hartley announced that the winner of the most recent member discount contest is District 7 Chair Henry Belada. The committee launched a new contest, with a $200 Visa card going to the member who signs up the most new discounts by July 20.

Membership Committee Chair Cliff Johnson reported that SEANC lost 160 members in the last month. His committee plans to draft a bylaws amendment to require each district to spend 10 percent of their rebate on membership drives. Another amendment will be drafted to allow the immediate family of members to join.

Planning Committee First Vice President Jimmy Davis announced that the committee would meet on June 8 to discuss the SEANC budget for 2018-2019.

Policy Platform Chair Betsy Lee Hodges reviewed the process for submitting policy platform items. Changes must go through annual meetings in order to be considered at convention. The modification form can be found in the Post-BOG packet.

Retiree Council Chair Benny Brigman discussed the Retiree Lobby Day scheduled for May 23.

SEANC is working with several other groups to have as many retirees as possible at the legislature that day. SEANC is backing the two-percent COLA proposed in a bill

by Rep. Jonathan Jordan.

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Scholarship Foundation Chair Mike Bell announced that judging for this year’s awards would take place Monday-Wednesday. There are three seats without candidates for the upcoming election. Races will be held in all five regions.

Districts were encouraged to sell their raffle tickets and bring all tickets, sold or not, to the convention.

Select Committee on Prison Reform Chair Deborah Harney reported that SEANC has hosted six forums with prison personnel over the last four months collected more than 500 suggestions online.

The committee plans to host several more forums in coming months and will release its report in January for the 2019 long session.

Training Chair Steve Lawson reported that leadership training in May went well. The next event is District Chairperson/Treasurer Training, scheduled for Aug. 9-10 at Camp Caraway. The deadline for districts to submit the number of participants they will send is June 6, and the deadline for name submission is July 23.

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Announcements Wendell Powell of District 41 will run for Second Vice President Patricia Moore of District 67 will run for Eastern Region Representative Past President Ross Hailey of District 58 will run for Eastern Region Representative Tim Southard will replace Dennis Hartley as the Member Discount Committee Chairman.

Chenell Rose of District 12 will replace Dennis Hartley as the Piedmont Alternate Regional Representative.

Tonia Warnic will replace Dennis Hartley as the District 10 Chairperson.

Votes PASSED – A motion to accept and approve the SEANC Financial Audit Report.

PASSED – A motion that SEANC pay for all course related fees for the two SEANC Parliamentarians to complete online Parliamentarian Training. Cost for online training is $250 per participant.

PASSED – A motion to continue using the Keypad Voting System at Convention and to use our own trained SEANC members to run the Voting System at convention.

Staff changes

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Gwendolyn Kea was introduced by Executive Director Rob Broome as the new Finance Director for SEANC. Nathalie Ford was named as the new Member Service Insurance Specialist.

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C. J. Stephens has been promoted to the Lead Member Relations Representative.

Tamara Bridges has left Member Services to become a Member Relations Specialist.

Laresha Fortson has moved to the Government Relations team as a Lobbyist.

Dennis Hartley will become the full-time Member Relations Representative for the Piedmont Region effective June 1.

Mitch Leonard will serve as the Interim Director of Operations.

Next meeting: July 20-21

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