SPOTLIGHT
BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEETING
TOP 3 TAKEAWAYS
1 Convention is just 5 weeks away!
The theme for the 36th Annual SEANC Convention is "Rise Up, Move Forward"
Board members will meet at the Sheraton in Greensboro on Wednesday, Sept. 4, and the convention will get under way the next day!
This year's Community Service Project will be a cash call to support the Fallen Member/Disaster Relief Fund. Don't forget to bring your district checkbooks.
Tickets for the Saturday Banquet can be reserved by Aug. 14 at a cost of $35 each.
Delegate changes can be made until Aug. 26 by contacting Tiffany Woodard. Changes after then must be made at the information booth at convention.
Delegates/guests should wear identification/wristbands at all times.
IMPORTANT DEADLINES
• August 14
Reserve banquet tickets
Submit remembrance info/photo
• August 15
Submit handouts/promotional items for review
• August 23
Banquet ticket payment due
At this year's convention, delegates will consider whether to continue SEANC's relationship with Service Employees International Union or start the process to attempt to disaffiliate. This issue will be discussed on Thursday.
Delegates should read all documents found on the "Member only" section of the website (seanc.org/member-only) and come to the convention prepared to debate the matter.
2 State Budget Update
The House and Senate have agreed on a budget that gives most state employees and retirees the largest two-year pay increase in a decade (5%) and a 1% bonus for retirees.
Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed the plan because it didn’t contain Medicaid expansion, putting our raises and bonuses in jeopardy. He took the unprecedent step of issuing a “counterproposal” that included a huge 9.2% increase for teachers.
The stalemate may result in the legislature leaving Raleigh without a budget in place, meaning NO RAISES AND NO BONUSES at all for state employees and retirees! SEANC has not taken an official stance on Medicaid, but losing raises and bonuses is unacceptable.
SEANC is working with legislators to insert into a technical corrections bill to the budget language that would provide another $50 million to extend the 5% raise to all university staff as well.
Members should reach out to their legislators by visiting seanc.org/engage to tell them to support a veto override.
3 Clear Pricing Project Update
State Treasurer Dale Folwell has signed up more than 27,000 to the plan, but hospitals continue to hold out.
Folwell has increased reimbursement rates up to 196% of Medicare rates. Though not ideal, the plan will still save $166 million for taxpayers and $34 million for plan members.
Affordable Healthcare for North Carolina, a group created by SEANC for this fight, has launched an advertising campaign featuring Vidant Health CEO Mike Waldrum, who has made himself the face of the hospital's' greed.
Television ads featuring SEANC members in Eastern North Carolina are now airing on Greenville television stations. The website milliondollarmike.com has launched as well.
SEANC members are encouraged to contact their local hospitals to ask if they plan to sign on to the plan.
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LEADERSHIP REPORTS
President’s Report President Jimmy Davis
President Jimmy Davis presented a resolution honoring the lives of longtime members and SEANC leaders Bob Hopper Percy Underdue and Michael Craven to their district chairs with instructions to deliver them to their families.
Executive Director’s Report Executive Director Robert Broome
Broome's full report to the board can be found in the Post-BOG E-Packet.
Treasurer’s Report Treasurer Chevella L. Thomas
General Treasurer Chevella Thomas reported that revenue and spending for the association for 2018-2019 is on target.
Planning Report First Vice President Martha Fowler
The proposed SEANC budget for the 2019-2020 fiscal year was reviewed and approved.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Audit Chair Linda Rouse Sutton
There are still slots available for the Audit Committee elections at convention. A resume must be sent to the SEANC office by Aug. 15 to apply. No nominations are taken from the floor.
Several files are missing from the committee’s locked file cabinet at the office. A task force has been appointed to track them down, and punishments will be leveed on the individual responsible when found. The file cabinet has been rekeyed.
Awards Pam Hailey
The committee will meet for judging on Aug. 6.
Benevolence Deborah Fleming
An updated list of deceased members from each district is included in the Post-BOG packet.
Chairs are encouraged to gather pictures for the remembrance presentation at convention. Deadline for submission is Aug. 14. Send to Jon Owens at jowens@seanc.org or upload online at seanc.org/convention
Bylaws Kim Martin
The state Bylaws Committee met on July 24 and approved three bylaws amendments to be considered at convention
DHHS Study committee Sonya Akbar
SEANC hosted a town hall on the proposed move of DHHS Heaquarters that had around 75 attendees. Three new members signed up, and it received favorable press coverage.
SEANC's DHHS survey now has 385 responses. It will appear in the Scoop the next two weeks.
DPS Prison Reform Deborah Harney
The Department of Public Safety conducted a survey for employees on safety. The results have not yet been announced.
Emerging Leaders Emily Jones
COMMITTEE REPORTS
The council helped District 22 with a successful #Hashtag Lunchbag event in Fayetteville on July 13, packing more than 300 bags to feed the needy.
Sherry Washington won the scholarship to attend LeadershipNC, and now must be accepted in the program to attend.
The council will assist with new delegate orientation at convention
The council hosting “SEANC night with the High Point Rockers” on Aug. 24. $12 will buy a ticket and meal.
EMPAC Mark Dearmon
Dearmon presented the first lapel pin to former EMPAC Chairman Tony Smith recognizing his status as a Gold level donor. District 42 Chair Shirley Bell and Scholarship Foundation Chairman George Theissen also received gold pins
He also recognized Dennis Hartley as EMPAC’s fourth platinum donor, meaning he gives $50 per month to the PAC. Hartley received a Platinum level pin as well.
Nominations for the Gloria M. Upperman EMPAC Activist Award are due by Aug. 1. Access applications here
Higher Education Study Committee Mark Dearmon
Earlier this spring the committee sent out surveys to 2,260 members at university and community colleges and received 572 responses from UNC employee and 146 responses from community college employees
IBT Janice
Smith
Mass Mutual and Gerber final expense policies will be launched at convention.
Membership Vice Chairman Cliff Johnson
District 66 had the highest total growth and District 28 had the highest percentage growth in June.
New contest: From September to December, every time you recruit a new member, you are entered into a drawing for $250. Incentives are increasing as well – $10 per member, Sept-Oct.;$15 per member,Nov.-Dec.
Member Discount Tim Southard
20 new business have signed up since May 20; a total of 98 new businesses this year
Policy Platform Betsey Lee Hodges
Met on June 25 and voted to renew two objectives scheduled for deletion. The convention will vote on this on Friday.
Retiree Council Benny Brigman
Retiree forum checklist distributed; Staff requests that the forms be used when asking to host a forum in your district.
There are openings on the council up for election at convention. Nominations can be taken from the floor.
Scholarship Foundation George Theissen
Announced that the Bowlathon – held later in the day Saturday – had already passed its goal of $4,600 from sponsorships.
Scholarship tickets selling well, but chairs were reminded that they are responsible for all tickets they received. Fines will be leveed for each unreturned ticket.
The Scholarship Foundation is now able to accept monthly donations at scholarship.seanc.org.
SEIU Study Cliff Johnson
COMMITTEE REPORTS (CONTINUED)
Anyone with concerns about the report should submit them to the committee at seancseiu@gmail.com
Standards Review Tara Minter
Updates to the SEANC Operations manual will be considered at the convention board meeting
Training Steve Lawson
Trainings at convention:
District Treasurer Training, 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4. All district treasurers should attend.
New Delegate Orientation, 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 5.
Please provide a list of your new delegates to Lynn Cote by Aug. 16.
Convention breakout trainings are planned for Friday afternoon.
Other upcoming trainings:
Leadership Development Training, Oct. 24-26 at the SEANC Central Office.
District Chair Training, Thursday before the November BOG meeting.
Motions from Board of Governors
PASSED
KEY MOTIONS
To accept and approve the BOG minutes from May 17-18, 2019.
PASSED To accept and approve the utilization of the new fillable Travel Expense Form.
PASSED To accept and approve the 2019-2020 budget.
PASSED To accept the recommendation from the Audit Committee to approve Willard Young to serve on the Audit Committee and finish out the term through Sept. 30, 2021.
PASSED To accept and approve the recommendation from the Membership Committee that no membership deletions from the delinquent list will be made at the end of July.
PASSED That SEANC pay up to $50,000 for the SEIU Avoidance Strategy to prepare for the vote at the SEANC Convention.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Individuals announced that they would be running for the following positions:
Kemrey Lamarr – Piedmont Regional Representative
Chenell Rose – Piedmont Regional Representative
Rita Woods – Eastern Regional Representative
Resolution of Comfort and Respect:
Robert “Bob” Harper
Percy Underdue
Mike Craven
Tony Smith – Western Regional Representative
Lewis Sasser – S. Central Regional Representative
Jeremy Register – S. Central Regional Representative
Angela Mickey – Insurance Board of Trustees (S. Central)
Charlotte Williams – Retiree Council (S. Central)
Remember some of our State Employees who have received injuries in the course of their work this week:
• On 7/22/19, Trooper Christopher Wooten, Charlotte, was injured in a motorcycle accident during a traffic stop.
• On 7/26/19, SBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Timothy Luper and Special Agent Brian Joy were injured in an explosion in Sampson County.