Officers, Bylaws, Legislative Priorities Set at SEANC’s Annual Convention
By Toni Davis
SEANC Communications Director
The SEANC Annual Convention gives state employees and retirees a chance to raise their voices and determine how they want their association to advocate on behalf of current and future members.
SEANC delegates re-elected the association’s statewide officers to help Build a Better Tomorrow at the 30th Annual SEANC Convention held in Greensboro on Sept. 5-7. Together SEANC’s officers have a combined 109 years of association membership. The officers are:
• President Sidney M. Sandy of Indian Trail
• First Vice President Art Anthony of Raleigh
• Second Vice President Stanley Gales of Durham
• Treasurer Betty “B.J.” Jones of Zebulon
SEANC officers are elected by members for a one-year term — Oct. 1, 2013, to Sept. 30, 2014.
Bylaws Votes
Delegates split the difference on a pair of votes to change the SEANC Bylaws. The first proposal, to do away with the SEANC Youth Council and replace it with an Emerging Leaders Council, failed. Delegates who spoke out on the floor were concerned that the new Emerging Leaders Council had
raised the age limit too high at 45 and that youth recruitment would suffer.
SEANC Past President Tony Smith said during debate that he opposed the proposal because, “When the Youth Council was formed it was for [persons] 40 and younger to emerge and get more involved in SEANC.”
A second amendment to make the Retiree Council chairperson a voting member of the annual SEANC Convention passed with widespread support. Previously, when the Retiree Council chairperson was added to the Executive Committee, no mention was made of them with regards to the annual convention.
tdavis@seanc.org
Convention Highlights
• Ranking SEANC’s 2014 Policy Platform Objectives
• Hearing from first-time delegates on the convention stage. Julie Wilson of District 5 said she came to Greensboro because, “As a delegate you do have a voice in what happens. Prior to this convention I had no idea SEANC was so involved in fighting for our benefits.”
• Watching the North Carolina premiere of “Inequality for All”
• Giving to the State Employees’ Credit Union Family House in Chapel Hill
• Honoring new officers and members during the “A Night with the SEANC Stars” banquet
Convention delegates re-elected (from right) President Sidney M. Sandy, First Vice President Art Anthony, Second Vice President Stanley Gales and Treasurer Betty “B.J.” Jones to a second term. Immediate Past President Charles Johnson (left) will serve another year as well.
President’s Message
By siDney M. sanDy seanC PresiDenT
It’s tIme For everyone to Get In the Game
Editor’s Note: The following is an excerpt from President Sidney M. Sandy’s address to delegates at the 30th Annual SEANC Convention on Sept. 6.
Good morning SEANC delegates! A while back I heard a preacher tell the story of a man who was recruited to be a youth soccer coach.
Now, this new coach, he didn’t know anything about soccer so he asked his young players, “Ya’ll tell me what you do best.”
One child answered, “run!” another child responded, “kick the ball,” and a third simply said, “I score.” But the last child looked up and told the coach, “I’m good at sitting. I’ll warm the bench.”
“No,” the coach responded. “This is a team and no one sits and warms the bench.”
Sandy
I believe the same holds true for SEANC. It’s not enough to be a card-carrying member warming the SEANC bench.
We can’t build a better tomorrow warming the seats. If your passion is politics, get off the bench and get involved in our political action committee, EMPAC.
Donating to EMPAC is an easy way to get into the game, and I thank you for the commitment that each of you made today, for the commitments that some of you have made for years and for your continued support to build for tomorrow.
Because building up our political action committee is a way to help build a better tomorrow.
Now some of us have more time than money. Yes, fellow retirees, I’m speaking to you! If you have a passion for policy, then come out to the General Assembly and help lobby. The session starts back next May and our lobbyists encourage and welcome your participation. You can stand up for retiree priorities and help explain the public service that you performed. You can make your voice heard without fear where others still on the job may have reservations. We are all on the same team and this gives you a chance to score for SEANC.
Now remember more than 50 percent of lawmakers are new in the General Assembly. They don’t have the same depth of knowledge about state service that you have. So come and help lobby.
...
It’s not too late to get in the game. It’s important not to get complacent and sit out your SEANC membership, or even worse, simply become a heckler. There is room for everyone to get involved and we don’t need anyone sitting on the sidelines. We need everyone in the game. It takes a TEAM — Together Everyone Accomplishes More — working to score. Winning is more fun as a team and sends a stronger message to the legislature. We must stand together as one and with one voice. We must all come together and make SEANC more powerful so we can protect the future for all of us and those that will come after us.
Score for your SEANC membership this year. Find your position on the field and run with it.
Join together SEANC delegates, stand with me and help build a better tomorrow. I believe in our team and am proud of all we have accomplished so far. I feel we are at halftime right now, so let’s make this year an even stronger second half and show the legislature and others what SEANC can do.
The Reporter, USPS 009-852 (ISSN 1069 2142), is published nine times a year in the months of February, March, April, May, June, July, September, November and December for $2.50 per year, per member, by the State Employees Association of North Carolina, Inc., 1621 Midtown Place, Raleigh, N.C. 27609. Periodicals postage paid at Raleigh and additional offices.
POSTMASTER
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SEANC accepts advertising material from companies and persons seeking to communicate with SEANC members. Acceptance of this advertising does not indicate SEANC approval or endorsement of any representation that the message, product or service is as represented by the advertiser. SEANC accepts no responsibility and shall not be liable for any use of or reliance on any such information, product or service. SEANC is a private entity and is under no obligation to carry advertisements of any nature, political or otherwise, that may be viewed as contrary to the interests of the association and its membership.
2013-2014 Seanc Board
Executive Committee
President Sidney M. Sandy District 11
Indian Trail Department of Transportation (retired)
First Vice
President
Art Anthony District 39
Raleigh N.C. State University
Second Vice
President
Stanley Gales District 26
Durham Department of Public Safety
Treasurer Betty “B.J.” Jones
District 42
Zebulon Department of Health and Human Services
Past President
Charles Johnson District 45
Raleigh Department of Public Safety
Piedmont Region
Marilyn Martin
District 12
Salisbury Department of Public Safety
north Central Region
Alfred Johnson District 42 Raleigh Department of Public Safety (retired)
South Central Region
Ricky Rivenbark District 61 Willard
Department of Public Safety (retired)
eastern Region
Stanley Drewery District 67 Grifton
Department of Public Safety (retired)
Western Region
Tony Smith District 5
Morganton Department of Public Safety
Retiree Council
Chairman
Spillman Grice
District 66 Kinston Department of Health and Human Services (retired)
Insurance Board of Trustees
Chairwoman
Doranna Anderson District 47 Raleigh Department of Health and Human Services
Assistants to the President
District Chairpersons
Secretary Betty Gautier District 38
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Parliamentarian
Kim Martin District 10 Concord Department of Public Safety
District 1
Tony Rickman Asheville Department of Transportation
District 2
Lesia Manos Weaverville Department of Public Safety
District 3
Bob Gibbard Boone Appalachian State University
District 4
Jerry Bridges Polkville Department of Transportation (retired)
District 6
Sonya Akbar Morganton Department of Health and Human Services
District 7
Henry Belada Morganton Department of Health and Human Services (retired)
District 8
Keith Haynes Millers Creek Department of Transportation
District 9
Jamie Robinson Taylorsville Department of Transportation
District 10
Jim nicholson
Salisbury Department of Public Safety
District 11
Kenny Brower Wadesboro Department of Transportation
District 13
Yolyndra Green Charlotte Central Piedmont Community College
District 16
Linda Moore Walnut Cove Department of Transportation
District 17
Sager Furr Blairs, Va. Department of Public Safety
District 18
Sharron Patterson
Rockingham Department of Public Safety
District 19
Martha Fowler Mebane
UNC-Chapel Hill (retired)
District 20
Jacquelyn Chatman
Red Springs Department of Public Safety
Board of GovernorS
2013 ConVenTIon
SeAnC executive Director Dana Cope (left), District 1 members Rick Allison, Chuck Irwin and Wendell Chastain, SeIU President Mary Kay Henry, District 1 Chairman Tony Rickman and District 1 member Teddy Greene at the end of the first day.
District 65 Chairwoman Gloria evans, District 7 Chairman Henry Belada and former District 42 Chairwoman Sara McDonald accept the district of the year awards in their respective categories.
District 10 Chairman Jim nicholson draws a winner of his district’s raffle while Tamra Misenheimer assists.
From left (clockwise), District 22 member Bill Spade, District 20 member Ron Fields and Past Presidents Cliff Brown and Linda Rouse Sutton received special awards from President Sidney M. Sandy for their work on behalf of the association.
District 39 member George Thiessen, District 39 Chairwoman Mary o’neill, District 19 Chairwoman Martha Fowler, former District 46 Chairman Dewey Hamilton Jr. and District 21 member Dee Carter network with other state employees during the convention.
President Sidney M. Sandy presided over the convention. He was given a hard hat by the Scholarship Foundation Board in appreciation for his SeAnC service.
District 7 Chairman Henry Belada (left), District 64 member Glen Allen and District 66 member Doug Ledford (not pictured) were presented prizes by Member Discounts Chairwoman Janet Bunch (right) for their efforts to recruit businesses to offer discounts to members. District 2 Chairwoman Lesia Manos (second from right) accepted on Ledford’s behalf.
Lead Member Action Coordinator Steve Lawson (right) was the master of ceremonies at the “A night with the SEANC Stars” banquet. Here, he finished the night off with interviews of first-time convention attendees, including William Puryear of District 21.
District 19 members Marie Tate (left) and Angela Lyght (right) share a moment with District 37 member Ronald “Red” Mcneill prior to the start of the Saturday night banquet.
Member Action
Coordinator A.J. Albertson and Communications
Director Toni Davis received the Darrell Arnold Award for outstanding service as a staff member for 2013.
A highlight of the Friday morning training session was the procession of kids from Hampton elementary School in Greensboro, who took to the stage representing the future of state services in north Carolina.
2014 Policy Platform Objectives
(as determined by the 2013 convention delegates)
SEANC’s legislative priorities are determined by you, the members, at district meetings and the annual convention.
Convention delegates rank the association’s policy platform objectives each year. Here are the Top 10 Policy Platform Objectives for 2014:
1. Request that the General Assembly fund employee salary compensation prior to considering other appropriations.
2. Oppose legislation that would remove state employees from the protections of the State Human Resources Act.
3. SEANC will oppose privatization and downsizing of government services.
4. SEANC supports continuation of a defined benefit retirement plan for current and future state employees.
5. Seek to have SEANC continue to protect dues deduction options from being deleted from the North Carolina state payroll.
6. Seek cost of living adjustment (COLA) for retired state employees in the amount equal to active state employee pay increases.
Bylaws Changes Voted on by Convention Delegates
Delegates voted on the following two bylaws amendments at the 30th Annual SEANC Convention on Sept. 6:
Proposed Amendment #1
Proposed change to Article X Advisory and Special Committees, Section 5 Youth Council
n This would have changed the name of the Youth Council to the “Emerging Leaders Council.” It would have also allowed members to serve on the council until the age of 45 and would have required all members to be elected at convention.
Proposed Amendment #2
Proposed change to Article XI Meetings, Section 1.1 Annual Convention
n This change adds the chairperson of the Retiree Council to the list of automatic delegates to the annual convention.
7. Seek to re-establish a fully paid individual health care benefit equivalent to the current PPO 80/20 in place as of June 30, 2013, for all qualified active and retired state employees.
8. Seek policy change and compliance with laws, policies and regulations governing equitable compensation for career state employees in comparison to current and/or future new compensation offers; and further, petition The Office of State Human Resources (formerly The Office of State Personnel) to take corrective action when agencies are found to be non-compliant.
9. Seek legislative change from the North Carolina State Treasurer serving as sole fiduciary of the retirement system.
10. Seek restoration of the employer’s contribution to the retirement system that will at least match the employee’s contribution.
EMPAC Sw EEPS tA k ES w i NNE r S
Grand Prize ($5,000)
District 57 member
Evonya Locus of Wilson
Second Prize ($1,000)
District 42 member
Phyllis Dammann of Cary Third Prize ($500)
District 57 member
Vicky Phillips of Wilson
S C h OLA r S hi P B OA rd rA ff LE w i NNE r S
Grand Prize ($6,000)
Carol Harper of New Bern
Second Prize ($3,000)
District 6 member George Tellefsen of Morganton Third Prize ($1,000)
District 39 member
Latoya Giles of Raleigh
Moore, Setzer Named Legislators of the Year
By JonaThan owens SEANC Asst. Communications Director
The Employees Political Action Committee (EMPAC), the political arm of SEANC, announced two winners of the Lisa B. Mitchell Legislator of the Year award on Sept. 7 at the state convention.
N.C. Reps. Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) and Mitchell Setzer (R-Catawba) received the award this year for their work during the 2013 General Assembly session.
Both Moore and Setzer were instrumental in the fight to protect the State Health Plan and retirement system from harmful changes and went above and beyond in supporting public services and the people who provide them.
The annual award is named in honor of Lisa B. Mitchell, an outstanding and dedicated state employee and SEANC member from District 27 in Durham. She worked many years for N.C. Central University and served EMPAC for several years. Mitchell died in 2008 after a courageous battle with cancer.
Recipients of the Lisa B. Mitchell Legislator of the Year Award are state representatives or senators who champion quality public services. This award comes with a maximum $4,000 campaign donation.
Moore and Setzer were gracious in accepting the award.
“What we do in Raleigh doesn’t mean anything without
Elk Mountain Christmas Tree Farm
Three tree lots open in the Triangle area
• Beaver Creek Crossings Shopping Center (Apex)
• US 64 east Wilsonville General Store (near Jordan Lake)
• Alexander Place on US 70 West (Raleigh) open nov. 24-Dec. 21 from 9 a.m.- 9 p.m.
Exclusively for 2013 — Choose and cut your live tree by horseback in the N.C. mountains in Newland! By appointment only. Contact Randy Ledford at (717) 799-5313 or randystrees@hotmail.com.
you folks working to carry out those policies,” said Moore. “I want you to know that we appreciate everything that state employees do. I know a lot of us wish this year in the budget we could have done more.”
“If it weren’t for you, everything would grind to a screeching halt,” added Setzer.
jowens@seanc.org
District 65 members joined with east Carolina University employees and other volunteers on July 27 to help construct a Habitat for Humanity home in Farmville. Tasks included staining the barn and painting the inside of the home. District 65 provided snacks and drinks for the volunteers during their morning break. Pictured with the homeowners are members Lynn Tuthill, Debbie Austin, District 65 Chairwoman Gloria evans, Bill Dawson and Beatrice White with her husband William.
n.C. Reps. Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) (left) and Mitchell Setzer (R-Catawba) were the recipients of the Lisa B. Mitchell Legislators of the Year Award for 2013.
Delegates Help Make SECU Family House a Home
By Josh MCCrain SEANC Communications Specialist
Each year SEANC members from all 100 North Carolina counties attend the SEANC Annual Convention in Greensboro and donate to a cause that benefits North Carolinians in need. This year, President Sidney M. Sandy selected the SECU Family House in Chapel Hill as the association’s annual community service project.
As a result of state employees’ and retirees’ generous donations, the house received $4,915 in cash and hundreds of household goods and grocery items, which replenished their pantry.
With the funds collected, family house officials purchased a new washing machine, microwave and recliner, and the remaining money will fund more than 70 nights for patients and their families to stay in the house.
“We were honored to be selected as SEANC’s service project this year and thoroughly enjoyed attending the convention,” said Allison Worthy, the SECU Family House’s Volunteer Coordinator.
The SECU Family House’s mission statement is to “provide an affordable, safe, nurturing home away from home for
seriously ill adult patients, their family members and caregivers from throughout North Carolina and beyond” while they receive treatment at UNC Hospitals. The family house has served patients and their families statewide and it is funded by grants and generous donations to sustain its services.
SEANC would like to thank all of the members that made this year’s community project a success and the hardworking staff at the SECU Family House for the vital services they provide. For more information on the house, visit www.secufamilyhouse.org.
The household goods and grocery items collected at the 30th Annual SeAnC Convention.
Quotes to Note
“It’s ridiculous. It’s a shame that DHHS is becoming the political patronage department of state government.”
Executive Director Dana Cope in a Sept. 20 WRAL article, “DHHS paid chief of staff $37,000 ‘severance’ after month of work”
“We knew that we had to get the governance changed, and everything else would fall into place. I don’t think it’s remarkable at all that we’ve seen this turnaround. I think we all knew that’s what would happen.”
Legislative Affairs Director Ardis Watkins in an Oct. 6 Greensboro News & Record article, “Blue Cross: Rebounding from near disaster” on the positive changes resulting from SEANC’s fight to clean up administration of the State Health Plan
f r OM th E CON v EN ti ON
SEANC Lead Member Action Coordinator Steve Lawson interviewed first-time delegates on their experiences at the 30th Annual SEANC Convention at the conclusion of Saturday night’s “A Night With the SEANC Stars” banquet.
“The convention helped me understand what SEANC is and why it exists. Being here, I have found that SEANC helped advocate for longevity pay, healthcare and keeping our jobs. I will tell [coworkers] it takes their voice to help make a difference.”
District 22 member Rashia Norman
“It was more than I could have expected. I walked into the room for the first time and thought, ‘Oh my god.’”
District 17 member Glenn Connally
“I believe we have a voice and our voice can be heard through SEANC as state employees.”
District 63 member Sybil Kearse
f r OM S OC i AL M E di A
“Great leadership makes ours a great organization. Best wishes to our board of governors as well.”
District 26 member Rob Garrett on a Sept. 10 Facebook post congratulating the 2013-14 SEANC officers
In North Carolina and on my way to join my sisters & brothers of @ SEANC2008 for their 30th Annual Convention #purplepower #seiu
SEIU President Mary Kay Henry (@MaryKayHenry) on Sept. 5 just before her speech at the convention
“Please join. SEANC is our fighting force for state employees.”
District member Tina Altman Coleman, in response to a Sept. 20 post announcing that 38 new members had signed up that week
@SEANC2008 We are so very grateful! An incredibly generous donation from a wonderful organization. Thank you!
A tweet from the SECU Family House (@SECUFamilyHouse) on Sept. 17 in appreciation for donations by SEANC delegates at the convention
1621 Midtown Place Raleigh, NC 27609
SEANC State Health Plan Forums a Success
SEANC hosted State Health Plan forums around the state in October to help members understand their health care options during open enrollment, which ended on Oct. 31.
Topics covered at the forums include the advantages and disadvantages of options for active employees and Medicareeligible retirees, as well as the actions required to avoid costly surcharges. Forums were held in Morganton, Raleigh, Elizabethtown, Shelby, Greenville and Winston-Salem, and the presentations were given at several district meetings.
The forums proved to be popular among state employees, with standing-room only crowds at several stops. In total, more than 1,000 members turned out.
