SPOTLIGHT
HIGHLIGHTS
Visit from Gov. Roy Cooper
Fresh off his re-election victory, Gov. Roy Cooper joined the meeting to thank SEANC and EMPAC for our endorsement and work in support of him. He stated that he was proud to have SEANC’s endorsement throughout his time in the legislature, as Attorney General and now in two elections for governor and pledged to work with us on state employee and retiree issues in his second term.
Cooper said he worked hard to always bring SEANC into his decision-making process and give us a voice, adding that he has required his cabinet members to give employees information on SEANC regularly. He pointed to the paid leave policies he has implemented both for new families and for SEANC members attending convention.
He also stressed the need to wear masks and practice social distancing as COVID infection rates continue to rise nationally.
“We don’t want to go backward. We need to slow the spread to save lives and not overwhelm our hospital systems, “ he said.
Dale Folwell thanks board for support
State Treasurer Dale Folwell also joined the meeting to thank SEANC and EMPAC for our support in his re-election campaign. He said he was outspent 7-to-1 in the election by Wall Street and big hospital executives, and SEANC was the key to his success.
In his next term, he plans to continue his work to make healthcare affordable for state employees and retirees. He pointed to the elimination of copays for insulin and care provided by Clear Pricing Project providers as recent examples, and said he expects to continue to build the CPP network in his next term.
He described his approach as “Simple, Honest and Upward,” adding he has a “loyalty to those who teach, protect and serve, not to Wall Street, hospital CEOs and drug companies.”
Election recap
EMPAC Statewide Chairman Mark Dearmon and SEANC Political Strategist Amanda Finelli presented on SEANC and EMPAC’s efforts in the election. SEANC members shattered our record for turnout this year, with more than 93% of registered voters voting!
That turnout translated to a better than 80% win rate for EMPAC-endorsed candidates. At least 81 candidates endorsed by EMPAC won their races, including eight of 10 Council of State candidates, with a few races yet to be called.
Our primary focus was on re-electing Dale Folwell, whose opponent raised three times more than him and had at least nine groups supporting him. Folwell had one – our Build a Better Future Committee. Despite the odds against us, we were able to mobilize members and nonmembers strategically enough to win.
Through Build a Better Future, Finelli sent mail to more than 500,000 voters in 71 counties and targeted those same voters in digital advertising. More than 200,000 texts were also sent.
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SEANC also ran the biggest member-to-member communication effort in our history. We sent out a total of 14 mailers to more than 37,000 members and made more than 47,000 calls and 35,000 texts to members supporting all EMPAC-endorsed candidates, especially Folwell. We also posted more than 150 graphics and more than 30 videos from members to social media.
SEIU update
Andy Potter from SEIU and the Michigan Corrections Organization stopped by to give an update on the efforts to support prison safety reform efforts. He said SEANC’s support for the One Voice campaign has been integral in its successes. Moving forward, continued work will be needed as states face budget cuts and possible layoffs.
SEIU has launched a unionwide campaign to demand relief, recovery and reimagining for an economy that works for everyone with the motto “Respect us, protect us and pay us.”
Finance report
General Treasurer Chevella Thomas reported on the year-end numbers for the 2019-2020 fiscal year. Despite the pandemic, SEANC was able to receive 97% of its projected revenue for the year, while cutting expenses to just 79% of the budgeted amount. SEANC also took in 130% of expected revenue from insurance programs, and spent just 89%.
Zoning issue
SEANC Director of Operations Brenda Johnson and attorney Hardy Lewis gave an update on an ongoing land use and zoning issue concerning the SEANC Central Office property. The City of Raleigh Planning Board is attempting to change the area’s zoning from Business and Commercial Services to medium density residential. SEANC opposes the change to medium density residential because it would negatively affect the property’s value.
The planning board has approved and moved it to the city council. Lewis believes there are several options on the table for the city council, including a “middle-ground” plan that may result in increased value for SEANC because it includes both residential and commercial zoning in the area.
There will be a public hearing on the issue followed by a vote by the city council.
Executive Director’s report
Executive Director Ardis Watkins started by commending the full staff for its efforts in the election. Every department at SEANC contributed, and it was a real bonding opportunity.
Watkins played clips of segments from North Carolina political shows “N.C. Spin” and “Front Row” where pundits pointed to SEANC’s work as critical to electing our candidates. She said the work is already paying off, as she has heard from several winners including Commissioner of Insurance Mike Causey and State Superintendent Catherine Truitt who pledged to work directly with SEANC.
One endorsed candidate, N.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Cheri Beasley’s race is headed to a recount. The board passed a motion to contribute to her recount fund.
Watkins also praised the Member Relations Department for recruiting 204 members in October! That is the largest monthly total during the pandemic and is especially encouraging considering most worksites still aren’t allowing SEANC to recruit in-person.
Membership Committee Chairman Spillman Grice also expressed his pleasure with the recruiting numbers for October, saying “Good things are happening in member relations.” Retiree Council Chairman Benny Brigman added that SEANC’s retiree membership continues to grow toward 20,000 members.
Motions from Board of Governors
KEY MOTIONS
PASSED: A motion to approve and accept the BOG minutes from September 19, 2020 with revisions to reflect that Mark Clark of District 13 and Ernest Fleming of District 70 were in attendance on September 19.
PASSED: A motion to make changes, retroactive to October 1, 2020, to the Insurance Fund and the General Fund. The General Fund is to be increased by $20,239 and the Insurance Fund is to be decreased by $21,238. The current approved Insurance Budget covers 6.6% of SEANC salaries. The proposed changes will reflect that the Insurance Fund will cover 6.3% of SEANC salaries.
PASSED: A motion to utilize $11,629 that is currently in the 1630 Media Funds Account for the Cheri Beasley Recount Defense Fund.
PASSED: A motion to bring out of Executive Session:
• (1) To fill a vacant IT Assistant Position. Three other positions will remain vacant for now – Executive Assistant, a Member Relations position, and a Government Relations position.
• (2) The two attorney contracts have been approved to be renewed. No changes will be made in the contract language or rates.
