Reporter nov 07f pdf

THE

Publication of the State Employees Association of North Carolina • November 2007 • Vol. 26 No. 1 • Circulation 55,000

Convention Delegates Make Bold Decisions for Future

SEANC Convention Repeals Ban on Union Affiliation

Bylaws to Allow Union Affiliation and $1 a Month Dues Increase Pass

By Toni Davis GREENSBORO—On Sept. 7, more than two-thirds of SEANC convention delegates voted to repeal Article II of SEANC’s bylaws prohibiting SEANC from affiliation with “any local, state or national labor union” and amend it with the language “SEANC, with the approval of the Convention, shall be able to affiliate with like-minded organizations.”

By Erica Baldwin GREENSBORO—Pleased with the direction of the association, nearly 800 delegates re-elected President Linda Rouse Sutton on Sept. 7 during the State Employees Association of North Carolina’s annual convention. Sutton, a Kinston resident and 26-year state employee, is a program assistant and general instructor at the Dobbs Youth Development Center in Kinston for the Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.

Other officers elected for the 2007-2008 term include the following:

PHOTO BY CARRI DERRICK

“I’m thrilled and humbled to lead the SEANC family for another exciting year,” said Sutton.

SEANC President Linda Rouse Sutton praised the decision by delegates. “The option to affiliate will strengthen SEANC’s ability to maintain quality public services and to protect worker benefits,” she said.

Newly elected SEANC officers prepare for the upcoming year during the annual convention on Sept. 8 in Greensboro. Pictured, left to right, are President Linda Rouse Sutton, First Vice President Tony Smith, Second Vice President Pat Reighard and Treasurer Art Anthony.

• First Vice President Tony Smith, Morganton resident and maintenance supervisor with the Department of Correction with more than 15 years of state service • Second Vice President Pat Reighard, Blowing Rock resident and professor emeritus in the Department of Communication at Appalachian State University with 29 years of state service • Treasurer Art Anthony, Raleigh resident and data manager at North Carolina State University with 19 years of state service The single-year terms for these officers began Oct. 1.

Historic vote In addition to electing officers, SEANC delegates made a historic vote to give the association the option to affiliate with a like-minded organization or union. The vote amended the previous bylaw, instituted by SEANC’s predecessor organizations and adopted into SEANC’s original bylaws in 1984, which prohibited union affiliation. See all bylaws amendments results on page 11.

Dues Increase SEANC delegates voted to increase association dues by $1 a month for all active and retired members, effective Jan. 1, 2008. Because dues are prepaid, members paying by payroll deduction will see the change in their December paychecks. Delegates noted the rising costs of postage, gas, operating expenses and replenishing SEANC’s reserves as the need for the increase.

Other Convention Highlights Convention highlights also included the following: • Ranking the association's top 10 policy platform objectives (see page 4) • Hearing addresses from Lt. Gov. Bev Perdue and State Treasurer Richard Moore

During the 30-minute floor debate, there was overwhelming support for the bylaws change to win regular pay raises, cost-of-living adjustments and benefit enhancements. Convention delegates speaking in favor of the bylaws change hailed from a variety of state agencies, including the Departments of Correction, Health and Human Services and Transportation, to name a few.

Retirees also voiced their support. Patsy Tilley, a retiree and District 21 chairwoman, noted her endorsement for the bylaws change in a flier, “Retiree benefits are increasingly under attack across the entire country. Having the option to affiliate will send a clear message that SEANC will fight to protect the benefits we were promised and ensure we can protect those benefits.”

The bylaws change was unanimously endorsed by the 2006-2007 Executive Committee as a means to deliver pay, retirement and health care benefits for members, increase membership and involvement, fend off national trends to eliminate pensions and privatize state services, build a powerful political program and to win and engage in collective bargaining.

Toni Davis can be reached at (800) 222-2758 or tdavis@seanc.org.

• Hosting legislators during the EMPAC legislative dessert reception (see page 9) • Donating backpacks and school supplies for at-risk children (see page 16) • Honoring SEANC’s predecessor organizations and 60-year history.

Erica Baldwin can be reached at (800) 222-2758 or ebaldwin@seanc.org.

See More Convention Highlights on Pages 8-11

health care

State Health Plan—Employee Coverage Healthy, Dependent Care Ailing

By Erica Baldwin As the 2008 presidential race heats up, affordable health care is generating a lot of debate. Indisputably, health care costs are rising across the country, escalating three to five times faster than employee salaries and inflation. So how do North Carolina’s state employees and retirees fare when compared to employee coverage on the national scale?

Premium-Free State Employee-Only and Retiree Coverage North Carolina is only one of 11 states providing premium-free coverage for its state employees, a benefit SEANC fights to maintain nearly every legislative session. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, about 80 percent of all workers, or four out of five, pay some type of premium for employee-only coverage. In both the public and private sectors, the average annual contribution an employee gives toward their individual health coverage is $694, while North Carolina state employees pay nothing. Additionally, North Carolina is only one of nine states that offer fully-paid premiums for vested retirees.

Family Coverage North Carolina falls short, however, when providing for employees’ family health care coverage— offering no subsidies for state employees’ or retirees’ dependent care. Three states (New Hampshire, North Dakota and Maryland) provide fully paid family coverage for their employees, while 71 percent of southeastern states subsidize dependent coverage.

For state employees, North Carolina has nearly the highest average monthly cost to employees for family health insurance at $534.88.

The Reporter Toni Davis, Editor in Chief Erica Baldwin, Managing Editor Carri Derrick, Associate Editor/Business Manager Beverly Guyton, Advertising Manager Ashley Ellis, Intern STATE EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION of NORTH CAROLINA P.0. Drawer 27727 • Raleigh, NC 27611 1621 Midtown Place • Raleigh, NC 27609 Telephone (919) 833-6436; (800) 222-2758 www.seanc.org

(Please use Post Office Drawer for mailing purposes.)

ADVERTISING POLICY 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 or 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.

Premium Increases This year, state employees and retirees in the North Carolina State Health Plan saw the cost of dependent coverage increase by 11.4 percent for the Indemnity Plan and 11.2 percent for Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans.

Since the State Health Plan is set on a biennium budget, another increase should not take place until 2009. Though the double-digits may seem high, the increase is almost half of what other workers are projected to pay. Comparatively, experts project a national increase in premiums by nearly 20 percent for the same two-year period.

Employee Coverage

$0

North Carolina state employees’ annual cost for employee-only coverage

$694

national average annual cost an employee pays for employee-only coverage

80%

of private and public employees nationally pay for employee-only coverage

In recent years, North Carolina employees have fared better than workers across the nation. For example, in 2005 and 2006, North Carolina employees’ dependent premiums increased a total of 12.3 percent, while workers nationwide saw premiums increase a total of 16.9 percent. Since 2001, premiums have increased 71.9 percent nationally—with North Carolina’s Indemnity Plan dependent premiums following closely at a 70.7 percent increase.

Deductibles Most North Carolina employees fare a little better in terms of deductible costs. The national average is $461 for employees with PPOs. State Health Plan members in the PPO plans pay $150, $300 or $600 depending on the PPO option, and Indemnity Plan members pay a $450 deductible.

Benefit Enhancements Another national trend is employers, including state governments, cost-shifting to employees or scaling back benefits, but North Carolina’s State Health Plan enhanced benefits this year and added more choice last year by offering PPOs. State employees now have unlimited visits to physical, occuTHE REPORTER USPS 009-852 (ISSN 1069 2142) is published in the months of March, May, August and November for $3 per year, per member, by the State Employees Association of North Carolina, Inc., P.O. Drawer 27727, Raleigh, NC 27611-7727. Periodicals postage paid at Raleigh, N.C. and additional offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: THE REPORTER, P.O. Drawer 27727, Raleigh, NC 27611-7727.

Dependent Coverage

71%

southeastern states subsidize state employee dependent coverage

3

states pay in full for state employee dependent coverage

$0

North Carolina subsidy for state employee dependent coverage

pational and speech therapists and for mental health and chemical dependency treatments. This past year, the State Health Plan also offered three months of free generic prescription drugs.

Protecting Employees’ Health Care SEANC and North Carolinians for Affordable Health Care continue their work to ensure state employees and retirees maintain affordable health coverage, successfully fighting back attempts to add employee premiums and other cost-shifting measures in the General Assembly. Each session it’s a battle to secure funding to help offset employee health care costs—a battle that SEANC has effectively weathered when comparing North Carolina employees’ and retirees’ health coverage to national trends. But the fight continues as health care costs rise and the entire country looks for a better way to provide health care.

Sources: Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Workplace Economics, Inc., 2006 State Employee Benefits Survey OSP Compensation & Benefits Report February 2007, 2006 Southeastern States Benefits and Pay Practices Survey State Health Plan Web site www.shpnc.org Erica Baldwin can be reached at (800) 222-2758 or ebaldwin@seanc.org.

health care

State Health Plan Q&A

By Chris Evans, State Health Plan Director of Network Operations and Strategic Planning The North Carolina State Health Plan would like to thank members for your questions during our training session at the SEANC convention on Sept.

7. Below are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.

Q: What is an out-of-pocket maximum? : An out-of-pocket maximum is the total amount A of money a member could pay in a benefit year before the plan begins paying 100 percent for benefit services. Deductibles, copayments, non-covered services and expenditures exceeding the allowed amounts for covered services do not apply to the out-of-pocket maximum.

Q: What is continuity of care? : Continuity of care, or “transition of care,” allows A members, under certain conditions, to continue receiving care from an out-of-network provider at the in-network benefit level, if the member changes plans or if their provider leaves the Blue OptionsSM network. This service is limited to members who are suffering from a chronic illness or condition, are in their second or third trimester of pregnancy, completing postpartum care or terminally ill, and is coordinated by customer service.

Q: What are the improved benefits for the PPO plans? : Based on member feedback, the State Health A Plan has expanded certain benefits for the PPO plans that became effective July 1, 2007. Both mental health and chemical dependency are now unlimited, meaning that there are no longer visit limits or day limits for mental health care, or dollar limits for chemical dependency care.

I n addition, physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy no longer have visit limits.

Chiropractic visits are no longer combined with physical therapy, and chiropractic care now has its own 30-visit limit per benefit year.

Q: Does my provider participate in the PPO Blue OptionsSM network? : The PPO Blue OptionsSM network includes A more than 22,000 health care providers including physicians, specialists, hospitals and other providers. In a recent study, the State Health Plan found that of the Costwise providers seen by Indemnity plan members, 95 percent of primary care providers, 97 percent of ob-gyns, and 98 percent of cardiologists are also in the PPO plans’ Blue OptionsSM network. This means that the overwhelming majority of members who transi-

tioned to one of the PPO plans did not have to change providers. To find out if a provider participates in the Blue OptionsSM network, visit www. shpnc.org and click “Find a Doctor.” Members may also call their health care providers to ask if the provider belongs to the PPO Blue OptionsSM network.

Q: What if there are no PPO Blue OptionsSM providers in my area? : Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina A has established Access to Care Standards to ensure that members’ needs are being met. Access to Care Standards are guidelines for provider services, including office visits, driving distances, and available providers per subscriber. If an in-network provider is not reasonably available to a member due to distance, for example, then the member would be able to see an out-of-network provider at the in-network benefit level. If an in-network provider is not available, the customer service representative will work with the member to obtain services at the in-network level of coverage from an out-of-network provider. These standards are maintained by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina.

Chris Evans can be reached at (919) 881-2300 or ppo.inquiries@shpnc.org.

PUBLIC POLICY

SEANC Members Bask in Presidential Glow

by Toni

PHOTO submitted BY Sidney m. sandy

It’s not every day that SEANC members get to hear from five presidential candidates, but on Sept. 17, incoming and current SEANC Executive Committee members and staff had the opportunity—thanks to SEIU, who hosted a delegation from SEANC.

SEIU President Andy Stern said, “2008 is our chance to elect a president who we don’t have to lobby or beg as if making work pay was some type of special interest—and who knows in their gut that what’s good for workers and unions is good for America.”

SEANC members who attended the conference included 2007-2008 Executive Committee mem-

Toni Davis can be reached at (800) 222-2758 or tdavis@seanc.org.

“I intend to be the best union president in the history of the United States.”

PHOTO BY TONI DAVIS

“In New Mexico, the union wage is the prevailing wage. All these candidates are for it, but I did it.”

– Gov. Bill Richardson

“It’s time we had a president who doesn’t choke when he says the word union. It’s nothing to be embarrassed about. It won’t kill you.”

– Sen. Barack Obama

“I’ve been a union guy from the day I entered Congress.”

PHOTO BY Gary dinunno

– Former Sen. John Edwards (pictured with SEANC members Tara Minter, Cathy Fields and Leonard Reynolds)

PHOTO BY TONI DAVIS

bers President Linda Rouse Sutton, Second Vice President Pat Reighard, South Central Representative Cathy Fields, North Central Representative Tara Minter and Western Representative Leonard Reynolds; 2006-2007 Executive Committee members First Vice President Sidney Sandy, Eastern Representative Carolyn Davis and South Central Representative Lewis Sasser.

In addition to hearing from the candidates, there were other conference activities. SEANC members watched a performance from Tony Awardwinning actress Sarah Jones, met with North Carolina Reps. Bob Etheridge (D), Walter B. Jones (R) Brad Miller (D) and Heath Shuler (D) on Capitol Hill, and some attended a Republican dinner. But hearing from a potential future U.S. President was a favorite activity. “Listening to the candidates, that’s a privilege that I’ve had that I wish every person in SEANC could have,” said Leonard Reynolds.

PHOTO BY TONI DAVIS

WASHINGTON—It sounded like a rock concert with blaring hip-hop music, 2,000 people dancing in the aisles screaming and cheering, funky purple lighting, noisemakers blaring and short films about five presidential aspirants who spent a day walking in the shoes of public service workers. But the presidential wannabes weren’t just on video—they were live together in Washington, D.C. to make their pitch to SEANC’s partner, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), for the union’s presidential endorsement and more than 1 million votes during SEIU’s biannual Members Political Action Committee Conference. North Central Region Representative Tara Minter summed up the excitement and the atmosphere as “contagious.”

Davis U.S. Sens. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.), Chris Dodd (D-Conn.), Barack Obama (D-Ill.), former Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.) and Gov. Bill Richardson (D-N.M.) addressed the conference. (All Republican candidates running for president declined the invitation to attend the conference.) The candidates each expressed support for universal health care and called for an end to privatizing public services.

Sen. Dodd noted his support for paid family medical leave and Sen. Obama pledged to put in cabinet officials who would enforce, instead of abandon, workers’ protections. “It’s not the department of management,” said Obama. “It’s the Department of Labor.”

– Sen. Chris Dodd

“People say to me, when I’m president will labor have a seat at the table? Labor built the table.”

– Sen. Hillary Clinton

SEANC’s 2008 Top 10 Policy Platform Objectives (as determined by the 2007 Convention) 1. Fully fund pay plan prior to considering other appropriations.

2. Seek continuation of a fully paid health care benefit for qualified employees and retirees.

3. Increase in retirement accrual rate to 2.0 to provide 60% of final compensation at retirement.

4. SEANC endorses the repeal of G.S. §95-98 and supports the enactment of legislation to govern collective bargaining by North Carolina public employees. SEANC will

seek to amend G.S. §143-3.3(g) and G.S. § 135-18.8 to delete language that voids dues deduction from payroll or retirement benefit if an employees’ or retirees’ association engages in collective bargaining.

5. Seek promotional priority for career employees over those who have not yet earned career status.

6. Amend retirement formula to use the two highest 12-month salary periods as averaging factor for retirement.

7. Seek policy change to increase vacation time to 20 hours per month at 25 years of service.

8. Seek policy change to ensure pay equity at agencies and universities on all issues.

9. Support equal treatment of all members of TSERS regarding post-retirement reemployment.

10. Permit conversion of annual leave in excess of 240 hours to sick leave upon separation from state employment.

COLUMNS

President’s Message by

Linda Rouse Sutton J

SEANC Family—A Myth?

Ok, sing along with me now. “We are family. Get up everybody and sing.” It’s an old song by Sister Sledge that reached number one in the charts in 1979—an oldie, but a Sutton goodie!

It’s also a song I chose to play during our recent annual convention because that’s how many of us truly feel about SEANC. I cannot count the hours that the SEANC family has spent celebrating each other’s victories and bearing each other’s burdens—not just our legislative results, but our personal triumphs, like new babies and grandchildren, and our struggles, like family illnesses.

Unfortunately, some members do not share that sentiment. Recently, I read an evaluation from our August Regional Summits: “All this SEANC family stuff is just a myth and there is much unrest in our organization.”

I hope with this column I can help dispel that myth and bring you into the fold of our family.

Do we have differences of opinion?

Sure we do, like ALL families. We also have a democratic way of governing— a way to hear all opinions and to make decisions for the good of the whole association. All members, through their representatives to the Board of Governors or convention, have an equal vote.

When the majority rules, we support the decision and move on.

I have always believed that we have a lot to do with our own destiny—although I believe the ultimate decision lies with a much higher power, my per-

sonal belief is it is with the good Lord above. I also feel you get a lot of what you give. To give is much better than to receive and that’s what makes SEANC special. We have the ability to help so many others across our state, while at the same time we help ourselves.

I have been fortunate enough to gain friends from all across North Carolina. I know I can travel anywhere from Murphy to Manteo and find a SEANC member who would assist me if I called at any time night or day. I know many of you also feel the same way, especially when the outpouring of prayers, cards, e-mails and a helping hand come during your time of need.

We all have hopes and dreams for the future of this association. We don’t always have to agree, but let’s work together to make the SEANC family stronger and united.

To finish our tribute to our SEANC family, help me sing along with Sister Sledge once again: Living life is fun and we’ve “ just begun To get our share of the world’s delights (HIGH!) high hopes we have for the future And our goal’s in sight (WE!) no we don’t get depressed Here’s what we call our golden rule Have faith in you and the things you do You won’t go wrong This is our family jewel.

We are family…”

Linda Rouse Sutton can be reached at (252) 559-0291 or lsutton@seanc.org.

c o l umns

by

Dana Cope

Stand Proud of SEANC’s Direction The following is an excerpt of the Executive Director’s speech from the SEANC convention.

Today, I want to share with you Cope why I am a proud SEANC member. I am proud to be here to celebrate the accomplishments of our SEANC leaders and the direction of the association. I am proud to facilitate SEANC’s direction according to your wishes—whatever direction wins any given vote. And I must tell you that the direction of SEANC, as set by you in guiding our policies, has resulted in unprecedented member satisfaction with the association.

How do I know this?

Well, according to a 2007 poll of SEANC members, conducted by Peter Hart research, the same polling firm that works for NBC News and the Wall Street Journal, some 91 percent of SEANC members have a positive view of SEANC’s direction. What this means is that 50,050 out of our nearly 55,000 members believe that SEANC is headed in the right direction.

So let’s talk about SEANC’s direction.

This year, state employees enjoyed their largest back-to-back pay raises in nearly two decades. This year’s 4 percent pay raise was remarkable—not only because it was a 60 percent increase over Gov. Easley’s proposed pay raise, but because it occurred in a nonelection year.

Yes, today I am a proud SEANC member here to celebrate the employee pay raise victory.

But the increase that led to our pay raise didn’t happen overnight. You see, three years ago when Rep. Linda Coleman stopped the budget on behalf of state employees, she did so all alone.

However, this year was a different story. During MAT Lobby Day, several members of the state House were willing to stop the budget on behalf of state employees. Why? Because of our direction that you set.

And this year was different in another way. In addition to SEANC members Rep. Linda Coleman and Sen.

Doug Berger, we elected another “one of us”—the newest legislator from the SEANC family—former deputy clerk of court employee and District 17 SEANC member Rep. Pat Hurley.

So I am proud to celebrate SEANC’s victories in the General Assembly.

This year, retirees enjoyed a 2.2 percent COLA—despite the fact that only enough funds were available from the retirement system for a 1 percent COLA because our retirement system has not performed nor been funded the way it should be.

You bet I am proud to celebrate SEANC’s victory in securing this year’s retiree COLA. In the last two years, all state employees maintained their premium-free health care benefit, added PPOs which save money to both employees and the state, and SEANC worked to secure an employee-spouse only option so that couples without dependents didn’t have to pay health care expenses for dependents that they didn’t have.

So absolutely I am proud to celebrate SEANC’s relationship with the State Health Plan and the major progress we have made in health care this year.

Have you heard what some folks in Raleigh pulled the last day of the legislature? Well, let me tell you.

SEANC beat back a last-minute attempt to pull some 15,000 DOT employees from major portions of the State Personnel Act to take away many of their guaranteed rights and benefits.

You bet I am proud to celebrate SEANC’s victory to maintain workplace protections for our members.

Folks, no one but the good Lord above is perfect. I’m not, SEANC some 60 years after its inception is not and let’s face it—you’re not perfect either. But I’m pleased to report to you today that 91 percent of our members think we’re doing a great or good job and are headed in the right direction.

Today I am asking you to throw away the negatives, focus like a laser beam on the positive and celebrate our many accomplishments. Join me in being a PROUD SEANC member.

Dana Cope can be reached at (800) 222-2758 or dcope@seanc.org.

by Toni

Davis

In one year, the SEANC Youth Council increased participation of young people in the association. After making an appeal to district chairpersons to fill vacant delegate slots with members 40 and under, district chairpersons met the Youth Council’s challenge. Last year at the SEANC convention, only 52 of the nearly 800 SEANC 2006-2007 Youth Council members Amanda VanGyzen of District 64, left, and Jonathan delegates were age 40 or unStephenson of District 19 meet and greet with der. This year that number President Linda Rouse Sutton on Sept. 6. surged to 101 at convention. year’s Youth Council members were “Once you get a person to attend a elected to 2007-2008 leadership poSEANC convention, it gets people sitions at the statewide and district fired up about the association,” said levels including: Tara Minter, North Amanda VanGyzen of District 64.

Central Region Representative to President Linda Rouse Sutton the Executive Committee and Dishosted a “meet and greet” function trict 42 chairwoman; Erica Harris, for under-40 delegates at the conchairwoman of District 26; Amaka vention to introduce the association’s Flynn, District 42 vice chairwoman young leaders to one another. “Many and State EMPAC member; Amantimes, there is only one young acda VanGyzen, district Scholarship tive person—or zero—in attendance Foundation Board and Jonathan Stewhen I visit a district meeting, and I phenson, District 19 vice chairman. wanted them to get to know one an-

PHOTO BY TONI DAVIS

Executive Director

SEANC Youth Get Active

other,” said Sutton.

In addition to an increase in attendance at convention, several of last

Toni Davis can be reached at (800) 222-2758 or tdavis@seanc.org.

COLUMNS Martin diverted the employer contributions from the retirement system in April 1991 and used it to help balance the budget.

Counselor’s Comments

By Tom Harris SEANC Chief of Staff/General Counsel

Pension Lawsuit to Determine if Treasurer Shirked Duties The Multi-Million Dollar Question Did State Treasurer Richard Moore and the North Carolina Board of Trustees (Board of Trustees) of the Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement SysHarris tem fail to perform their legal duties by not penalizing state agencies for nonpayment of $129 million into the retirement system in 2001?

The North Carolina Court of Appeals will be asked to answer this question when it hears the appeal of the SEANCsponsored class action lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Gov. Mike Easley’s diversion of those funds.

SEANC SUES THE GOVERNOR—TWICE In 2001, Gov. Easley diverted millions of state employee pension funds to the retirement system to help balance the budget. SEANC filed a lawsuit in 2001 challenging the constitutionality of the pension funds diversion. However, when its lawsuit was dismissed (on the grounds that SEANC is not a state employee per se who suffered direct harm), the association simultaneously appealed the dismissal and funded a second lawsuit that named 14 individual SEANC members as plaintiffs. Later, the trial court designated that lawsuit as a class action on behalf of all retirement system members.

In addition to alleging that the governor’s actions constituted violations of the federal and state constitutions, the class action lawsuit sought a court order requiring the State Treasurer and the Board of Trustees to perform their statutory duties to penalize the state agencies who had failed to send their pension contributions to the retirement system.

The North Carolina Superior Court decided earlier this year that the governor in fact had violated both the federal and state constitutions, but it refused to hold that the State Treasurer and Board of Trustees had failed to perform their statutory duties. Both sides appealed.

SEANC BELIEVES LAW REQUIRES PENALTIES SEANC is preparing a “friend of the court” brief that will urge the court of appeals to uphold the unconstitutionality of the governor’s diversion of pension funds and to reverse the holding that the State Treasurer and Board of Trustees were not duty bound to enforce the statutory penalties.

The General Assembly established the Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System in 1941. Not long thereafter, in 1950, the people of North Carolina emphatically spoke by amending the state constitution to establish the “inviolability” of retirement funds. By a vote of 299,187 to 65,512, the people adopted an amendment to the constitution prohibiting the funds of the Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System from being used for any purpose other than payment of benefits, refunds and the costs of administering the system and stating that retirement system funds shall not be diverted by any state officer.

This principle of inviolability ultimately found legislative expression as well. In July 1991, the General Assembly amended the retirement system statute by adding the following penalty: “In the event the employee or employer contributions required under this section are not received by the date set by the Board of Trustees, the Board shall assess the employer with a penalty of 1% per month with a minimum of $25.00.”

As the word “shall” indicates, there is no discretion for the Board of Trustees not to assess penalties when default in payment occurs.

THE GOVERNMENT’S CASE The North Carolina Attorney General’s office argues on behalf of the State Treasurer and Board of Trustees that this provision was not intended by the legislature to apply where the contributions are withheld by order of a governor to help balance the budget. However, the context in which the amendment was adopted appears to refute that argument. The amendment was adopted by the General Assembly just three months after then Gov. Jim

THE SEANC REBUTTAL Essentially, the state’s argument is that the governor’s constitutional mandate to balance the budget overrides all laws to the contrary. The trial court, however, held just the opposite, ruling that the state and federal constitutional provisions

protecting the retirement system funds prohibit the governor from using those funds for non-retirement related purposes. If this ruling is upheld, then clearly there will have been no excuse for the State Treasurer and Board of Trustees not to have assessed the penalties, and the courts should require them to assess and collect those penalties.

Tom Harris can be reached at (800) 222-2758 or tharris@seanc.org.

2 4 TH A N N U AL S EA N C C O N V E N T I O N Compiled By Erica Baldwiin 2006-2007 Executive Committee members reveal a hidden talent—acting—during a skit about the proposed $1 dues increase on Sept. 6. Pictured, left to right, are North Central Region Representative Shirley Bell of District 42, Eastern Region Representative Carolyn Davis of District 60, Piedmont Region Representative Jim Rowell of District 12 and South Central Region Representative Lewis Sasser of District 62.

PHOTO BY TONI DAVIS

State Treasurer Richard Moore of District 42, left, is welcomed by SEANC members Myrtle Smith of District 21, center, and Tara Minter of District 42 in the convention hall on Sept. 7.

PHOTO BY CARRI DERRICK

Susan “Rosie the Riveter” Strickland of District 64, left, and Art “Zoot Suit” Anthony of District 39 were the big winners of the 1940s-1950s costume competition on Sept. 6.

During a skit about the proposed bylaws amendment to allow affiliation with a union, First Vice President Sidney M. Sandy of District 11, left, tries to explain what happened to Pat Reighard, Western Region Representative and District 3 chairman, after he’s been asleep for five years.

PHOTO BY ERICA BALDWIN

PHOTO BY ERICA BALDWIN

District 61 members stand as they are named the district with the highest percentage growth and highest numerical growth in membership.

PHOTO BY TONI DAVIS

Lt. Gov. Bev Perdue of District 67 greets new and old friends before she addresses the convention crowd on Sept. 7.

PHOTO BY TONI DAVIS

S E P T . 6 - 8 , G REE N S B O R O Rep. Linda Coleman (D-Wake) of District 38, Rep. Pat Hurley (R-Randolph) of District 17 and Sen. Doug Berger (D-Franklin) of District 38, all former rank-and-file state employees and SEANC members, were recognized during Executive Director Dana Cope’s speech as SEANC heroes working on behalf of state employees and retirees in the legislature. Pictured before the EMPAC reception on Sept. 7, left to right, are Coleman, Hurley, President Linda Rouse Sutton, Berger and Cope.

PHOTO BY TONI DAVIS

Sen. Janet Cowell (DWake) of District 38, far right, talks with District 25 members Steve Hutton and Tommy Griffin and District 20 member Wanda Hunt.

District 17 members Wanda Kersey, Fran Randolph and Jeannette Dean thank Rep. Ty Harrell (D-Wake) of District 42, second from left, for his support during his freshman year as a representative.

PHOTO BY TONI DAVIS

PHOTO BY CARRI DERRICK

Rep. Tricia Ann Cotham (DMecklenburg) meets District 37 members, left to right, Ronald “Red” McNeill and Joseph Qubain and Wake County Senate candidate Jack Nichols of District 42 to discuss state employee and retiree priorities.

PHOTO BY CARRI DERRICK

Sterling Primus of District 10 welcomes Sen. Walter Dalton (D-Rutherford) of District 4 to EMPAC’s legislative reception and thanks him for his support in the Senate.

PHOTO BY CARRI DERRICK

Sen. Kay Hagan (D-Guilford), left, and Walton Jones of District 17 take time to recap how state employees fared during the legislative session.

PHOTO BY TONI DAVIS

Members of the General Assembly pose with Wake and Durham County SEANC members during the EMPAC reception on Sept. 7. The Wake County delegation members pictured are, starting third from the left on the front row, Reps. Grier Martin, Nelson Dollar, Ty Harrell of District 42, Linda Coleman of District 38 and Deborah Ross and Durham County Sen. Floyd McKissick, Jr. of District 38.

PHOTO BY CARRI DERRICK

10 2 4 TH A N N U AL S EA N C C O N V E N T I O N Compiled by Carri Derrick Photos by Erica Baldwin, Toni Davis and Carri Derrick

Member of the Year Award Wayne Fish of District 2 was honored as Member of the Year. A Weaverville resident and Department of Correction employee, he has served as district vice chairman and convention delegate. He is involved in district scholarship fundraising efforts. Fish also received his district’s Member of the Year Award this year. Fish is a MAT member, attended MAT Lobby Day and served on the inaugural SEANC Youth Council.

Distinguished Service Award District 62 Chairman Lewis Sasser received the prestigious Distinguished Service Award. Sasser, a resident of Wilmington, is retired with 35 years of state service from the Department of Insurance. On the district level, he has served as chairman five terms, vice chairman and chairman of numerous committees. Sasser was named his district’s Member of the Year three times and Outstanding District Member twice. On the state level, he has served as South Central Region Representative to the Executive Committee and on the Planning, Personnel Benefits and Policy Platform committees.

President’s Award winners, from left to right, are Beverly Moore of District 65, Marvin Williams of District 70 and Martha Fowler of District 19.

Glenn Elmore of District 70, left, waits to accept his President’s Award from President Linda Rouse Sutton.

President’s Awards The recipients of the President’s Awards are individuals selected by the SEANC president who have made valuable and lasting contributions to the association. This year’s honorees were Martha Fowler of District 19, Marvin Williams of District 70, Beverly Moore of District 65, Past President Cliff Brown and Glenn Elmore of District 70.

District Chairperson of the Year District 60 Chairwoman Carolyn Davis was named District Chairperson of the Year. A resident of Goldsboro, she is a Department of Health and Human Services employee at the O’Berry Center. Davis has been a state employee and SEANC member for more than 29 years. She has been active on the district and state levels, serving this past year as Eastern Region Representative to the Executive Committee and as chairwoman of the Career Banding Regional Committee. She is also a MAT member.

Darrell Arnold Awards The Darrell Arnold Awards are given to SEANC staff by the president in grateful appreciation for dedicated service to SEANC. This year’s winners were Finance Director Rex Foster, left, and Executive Director Dana Cope, right.

Member Discount Awards

Districts of the Year

Five Member Discount awards were presented in each region at the SEANC Regional Summits this year for recruiting the most businesses to give discounts to SEANC members. The top recruiters were: South Central–Glenn Allen (District 62) and Grace Thompson (District 24) North Central–Shirley Bell (District 42) Piedmont–Melva Daniels (District 16) Western–Henry Belada (District 7) Eastern–Veronica Boone (District 66)

District of the Year Awards are based on outstanding involvement from district members in advancing the goals of the association throughout the year and are divided into three categories based on membership size.

Accepting the awards on behalf of their districts, from left to right, are District 7 Chairman Henry Belada (Category A--1,000 or less members), District 66 Chairwoman Faye Davis (Category B--1,001 and 1,500 members) and District 42 Vice Chairwoman Tara Minter (Category C--1,500 or more members).

Membership Awards

Rita Woods of District 68, left, and Stanley Gales of District 26, right, accept $250 checks from Member Action Department Director Kevin LeCount for recruiting the most members during the Summer Membership Blitz that ran from July 11 to Aug. 22.

Chairman Ricky Rivenbark accepts the membership awards on behalf of District 61, which achieved both the highest percentage and highest numerical increases in membership over the past year.

EMPAC Awards State Employees Political Action Committee (EMPAC) Chairwoman Paula Schubert presented awards to districts for achieving 20 percent participation in the Building a Better Future Through EMPAC Campaign. Accepting the awards on behalf of their districts, left to right, are District 47 member Kathy Cope, incoming District 63 Chairwoman Anke Cahoon, District 26 Chairwoman Erica Harris, District 6 Chairman Wayne Freeman and District 23 Chairman Bill Hammond.

11 S E P T . 6 - 8 , G REE N S B O R O

Bylaws Amendments Results Allow Union Affiliation

PASSED

Votes cast: 764 Necessary for adoption (2/3): 510 Vote: 534 to 230

Article II. Purpose, Section: Last Sentence PRESENT WORDING: In the accomplishment of the above purposes, SEANC shall not be affiliated with any local, state, or national labor union.

SECTION AS AMENDED: In the accomplishment of the above purposes, SEANC, with the approval of the Convention, shall be able to affiliate with like-minded organizations.

Reduce District Dues Rebate

FAILED

Votes Cast: 762 Necessary for adoption (1/2): 382 Vote: 380 to 382

Article III. Membership, Section 8: Rebate of Membership Dues PRESENT WORDING: The SEANC Treasurer shall, within 30 days of collection, rebate 20% of membership dues to the district from which they were collected except for the dues paid by affiliate organizations.

PHOTO BY MITCH LEONARD

SECTION AS PROPOSED: The SEANC Treasurer shall, within 30 days of collection, rebate 20% of membership dues to the district from which they were collected except for the dues paid by affiliate organizations. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, for the 36-month period beginning with January 2008 and ending with December 2010, the rebate to the districts shall be reduced to 15% of membership dues, provided that the 5% of membership dues rebate retained by the SEANC Treasurer shall be used solely for the purposes of repaying the current long-term loan from SECU. If additional funds remain at the end of the 3-year period, these may be used to replenish reserves.

Campbell Wins SEANC Truck Raffle SEANC staff member Renee Vaughan, left, hands over the keys to a 2007 Ford Ranger to Pat Campbell of Kinston, who bought the winning ticket during this year’s SEANC scholarship truck raffle. Campbell purchased the ticket from Antonio Jackson of District 70; the drawing took place on Sept. 8. The scholarship fund raised $36,224 from ticket sales and district donations.

Addition of Insurance Board of Trustees Chairperson to Executive Committee

PASSED

Votes Cast: 762 Necessary for adoption (1/2): 382 Vote: 545 to 217

Article IV. State Executive Committee, Section 4: First Sentence PRESENT WORDING: The State Executive Committee shall consist of the SEANC Officers and the regional representative or alternate from each SEANC region.

SECTION AS AMENDED: The State Executive Committee shall consist of the SEANC Officers, the regional representative or alternate from each SEANC region and the Chair or Vice Chair in the absence of the Chair of the Insurance Board of Trustees.

Rank Policy Platform Objectives

PASSED

Votes Cast: 765 Necessary for adoption (2/3): 510 Vote: 675 to 90

Article XI. Meetings, Section 1: Annual Convention 1.5 PRESENT WORDING: None SECTION AS AMENDED: The annual convention agenda shall include time for delegates to rank their top ten policy platform objectives.

Judge Doug McCullough SEANC Member Since 2001 Up For Re-Election in 2008 I Need & Welcome the Support of My Fellow SEANC Members.

Go To www.re-electjudgemccullough.com

To Contact Me & Volunteer To Help.

12 2 0 0 7 - 2 0 0 8 S EA N C B o a r d o f gov e r no r s Compiled by Carri Derrick and Ashley Ellis

Executive Committee President, Linda Rouse Sutton. A Program Assistant/General Instructor for the Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention and resident of Kinston, she has 26 years of experience with the state. Sutton is a MAT member, and has served as president, first vice president, second vice president, general treasurer and Bylaws Committee chairwoman on the state level.

She is also active in District 70, where she has served on numerous committees.

First Vice President, Tony Smith. A resident of Morganton, he is a Maintenance Supervisor IV with the Department of Correction.

Smith has over 15 years with the state, and is active in District 5 and a MAT member. He has served as second vice president and Area 3 EMPAC chairman. On the district level he has served as chairman, vice chairman and on the Fundraising, Policy Platform and Bylaws committees.

Second Vice President, Pat Reighard. A resident of Blowing Rock, he is a Professor Emeritus at Appalachian State University.

He retired with 29 years of service and is active on the state and district levels. He has served as Western Region Representative to the Executive Committee, as co-chairman of the Planning Committee and worked closely with training workshops that resulted in the adoption of SEANC’s first vision statement.

He is a MAT member and has previously served as District 3 chairman.

General Treasurer, Art Anthony. A District 39 member and Raleigh resident, he is a Data Manager at North Carolina State University with 19 years of service. Anthony has served as general treasurer and is a MAT member. In his district, he has served as chairman, vice chairman and on the Membership, Member Discount and Communications committees. He is also a member of Area 10 EMPAC and has served on the state Member Discount Committee.

Past President, Cliff Brown. A resident of Aberdeen and retired Department of Correction employee with over 22 years of service, he has been a SEANC member almost as long. He has served as president, first vice president, second vice president, past president, state Membership Committee chairman, district chairman six terms, Grievance Committee chairman and on the Planning, Policy Platform, Personnel Benefits, Membership Services and Communications committees. He is a MAT member and is active in District 20, where he has served on all committees.

He has received numerous state and district awards, including this year’s President’s Award.

Parliamentarian, Ray Evans. A Hillsborough resident, he is a retired Division of Motor Vehicles employee with over 27 years of service. He has served as parliamentarian for three presidents and served on the state Bylaws Committee. He is a member of District 27 and MAT, and has served as chairman for District 2 (he lived in Buncombe County for 33 years).

Secretary to the President, Karen Rose. A 29-year state employee, Rose recently retired from the Department of Transportation. She is an active member of District 38 and has served as chairwoman of the Scholarship and Member Discount committees. Rose is a MAT member and Raleigh resident. She has served as secretary to the president and six terms on the state Scholarship Foundation Board.

Western Region Representative/District 8 Chairman, Leonard Reynolds. An 11-year state employee and SEANC member, he is a Transportation Worker for the Department of Transportation. He is a resident of Jonesville and a MAT member. Reynolds has served on the Policy Platform and Planning committees. He served as a district chairman for two years.

North Central Region Representative/District 42 Chairwoman, Tara Minter. A resident of Raleigh, she is a Research Assistant for the Department of Administration at the North Carolina Council for Women/Domestic Violence Commission. Minter has been a state employee and SEANC member for nine years and has served her district as vice chairwoman and EMPAC chairwoman. A MAT member, she served as vice chairwoman on the state inaugural Youth Council.

Eastern Region Representative/District 67 Chairman, Bruce Jones. Retired from the Division of Motor Vehicles, Jones worked 30 years as a state employee and has been a SEANC member for 20. He resides in New Bern and is active in his district, where he has served as vice chairman and EMPAC chairman. He is a MAT member.

Insurance Board of Trustees Chairwoman/ District 43 Chairwoman, Cheryl D. Moon.

A retired Division of Motor Vehicles employee, she worked for the state for over 30 years. She has served as Insurance Board chairwoman, on the Insurance Board and Executive Committee. She has held nearly every office in her district and served as Communications Committee chairwoman.

She has served as the state Awards Committee chairwoman and on the Planning Committee. She is a MAT member and resident of Knightdale.

Piedmont Region Representative/District 25 Chairman, Tommy Griffin. A HVAC Supervisor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he has been a state employee and SEANC member for 35 years. He has served on the Membership, Scholarship and Member Discount committees. Griffin served as a district chairman and is a MAT member.

South Central Region Representative/District 24 Chairwoman, Cathy Fields. A retired state employee from the Cooperative Extension with more than 30 years of service, she has been a SEANC member for over 20 years. Fields is a MAT member and returning district chairwoman for her third term. She has served as district secretary, chairwoman of the Membership and Communications committees, and also on the state Retiree Council. A resident of Elizabethtown, she currently works part time at the Cooperative Extension.

District 1, Jim Pressley. A Technology Support Analyst for the Department of Transportation, he is a resident of Cullowhee. He has been a SEANC member for nine years and a state employee for 11 years. On the state level he has served as the EMPAC vice chairman and treasurer and on the Communications/PR Committee. He is a MAT member. On the district level, Pressley served as vice chairman and chairman of the Bylaws Committee and Communications committees and EMPAC Area 1.

District 2, B.J. Hodges. A resident of Hendersonville, she retired from the Division of Motor Vehicles with over 30 years of state service, and has been a SEANC member just as long. A former member of District 43, she served as chairwoman seven terms and on all committees. She will be serving her third term as District 2 chairwoman. A MAT member, she has served as chairwoman of the state Awards Committee and on the state Scholarship and Bylaws Advisory committees.

District 3, Janice Smith. A four-year state employee and SEANC member, she is an Administrative Assistant of Housing and Residence Life at Appalachian State University. A resident of Fleetwood, Smith has served three years as vice chairwoman and as Fundraising chairwoman.

District 4, Jimmy Davis. A Correctional Sergeant at the Department of Correction, he has been a state employee for over 18 years and a SEANC member for 17 years. Davis is a resident of Forest City and has served as a chairman, vice chairman and on the Policy Platform Committee on the district level. A MAT member, he has also been involved in EMPAC Area 4 and on the state EMPAC. District 5, Johnny Burnette. A resident of Morganton, he is a Maintenance Director at Western Piedmont Community College. On the district level he has served as vice chairman, EMPAC chairman and on the Bylaws, Policy Platform and Fundraising committees. He has been a state employee and SEANC member for over 16 years and is a MAT member.

District 6, Wayne Freeman. A Physicians Assistant at Broughton Hospital, he has been a state employee for eight years. He has served as district vice chairman, Fundraising chairman and on EMPAC and the Scholarship Committee. He is a resident of Granite Falls.

District 7, Henry Belada. A resident of Morganton and MAT member, he has served as vice chairman, Member Discount chairman, secretary and on the Fundraising and Communications committees for his district. On the state level, he has served as chairman or as a member of the Member Discount Committee and received numerous Member Discount recruiter awards. He is a retired state employee from the Department of Health and Human Services with 30 years of service.

District 9, Jamie Robinson. A Transportation Supervisor III for the Department of Transportation, he is a 25-year state employee and a 24-year member of SEANC. He has been the recipient of the state Member of the Year award. On the district level he has served as chairman and EMPAC chairman, and as a member of the Membership, Fundraising and Scholarship committees. He is a Taylorsville resident and MAT member.

District 10, Sterling F. Primus. A resident of Salisbury, he retired from the Department of Correction with 22 years of state service and has been a SEANC member for 17 years. He has served as district chairman and chairman of the Awards, Policy Platform and Member Discount committees. He is a MAT member.

District 11, Susan Furr. An Accounting Technician IV with the Department of Transportation, she has been a state employee for over 10 years. She has been a secretary, Membership chairwoman, delegate and Communications chairwoman of her district. She is a resident of New London and a MAT member.

District 12, Marilyn Jean Martin. A resident of Salisbury, she is a Correctional Captain at the Piedmont Correctional Institution. She has been a state employee and SEANC member for 26 years. She has served as chairwoman, vice chairwoman, secretary and treasurer along with many other positions in her district. She is a MAT member.

13 2 0 0 7 - 2 0 0 8 S EA N C B o a r d o f gov e r no r s District 13, Jim Davis. An Insurance and Benefits Specialist at Central Piedmont Community College, he is a resident of Charlotte. He has been a state employee for 27 years and a SEANC member for 15. This is his second year as district chairman. He is also a MAT member.

District 16, Linda Dale Moore.

A MAT member, she is an Office Assistant IV with the Department of Transportation.

She has served her district as vice chairwoman, Scholarship chairwoman, Membership chairwoman and Collective Bargaining Committee chairwoman.

She is a resident of Walnut Cove and has been a state employee and SEANC member for over 17 years.

District 17, Ron Woodson, Sr. A Burlington resident and Correctional Food Service Manager II for the Department of Correction, he has been with the state and SEANC for 18 years. He has served his district as chairman, vice chairman, as well as chairman of the Planning Committee and served on the Bylaws Committee. He is a MAT member.

District 18, Pamela J. Locklear. A district EMPAC chairwoman, she has been a SEANC member for 13 years. She is a Correctional Program Supervisor for the Department of Correction and is a resident of Red Springs. She is a MAT member.

District 19, Marie Tate. A Human Resource Assistant for Orange County Schools, she has been a state employee for 26 years and a SEANC member for 20 years. She is a resident of Efland and a MAT member.

On the district level, she has served as first and second vice chairperson and chairwoman of the Nominations, Hospitality, Finance and Fundraising committees.

District 20, Edward Lechliter.

A resident of Pembroke, he is a Correctional Officer for the Department of Correction. He has been a SEANC member for over nine years and is an EMPAC chairman for his district. He is a MAT member.

District 21, Patsy Tilley. Employed by Vocational Rehabilitation as an Office Assistant for 42 years, she retired earlier this year. A resident of Hillsborough, she has served as district vice chairwoman, secretary and chairwoman of the Bylaws and Communications committees. She has also served on the state Communications, Planning and Membership committees. She has been a SEANC member for 30 years and is a MAT member.

District 22, John Wilkins. A Correctional Sergeant with the Department of Correction, he has been a state employee and SEANC member for 22 years.

A MAT member, he is active in membership recruitment and has served as district chairman.

He is a resident of Erwin.

District 23, Harold L. Faulk. A resident of Nakina, he is retired from the Department of Transportation with 28 years of service. Faulk has been a state employee for 28 years and a member of SEANC for over 35 years. A MAT member, he has held numerous district positions such as a vice chairman, Bylaws chairman and Policy Platform chairman.

District 26, Erica Harris. An Oxford resident, Harris is a Personnel Benefits Representative at the Polk Correctional Institution. She has been a state employee and SEANC member for 10 years. A MAT member, Harris also served on the inaugural Youth Council.

District 27 Chairwoman, Brenda Hooker. A Travel Officer at North Carolina Central University, she is a resident of Chapel Hill and has worked for the state for 14 years. She currently serves as North Central Region Representative alternate to the Executive Committee. A MAT member and returning chairwoman, she has served as vice chairwoman and chaired every districtlevel committee. She has served as the chairwoman of the state Membership Committee and on the EMPAC and Planning Committees, and served as Piedmont Region Representative.

District 36, Dianne K. Carter. A Raleigh resident, she is a Health Information employee for the Department of Health and Human Services with 16 years of state service. She is a MAT member and has been district chairwoman, vice chairwoman, and on the Scholarship and Policy Platform committees.

District 37, David Smith. A PreConstruction Staff Engineer at the Department of Transportation, he has been a state employee and SEANC member for 28 years. He has held positions such as district vice chairman, Policy Platform chairman and Membership Committee chairman. He currently resides in Garner and is a MAT member.

District 38, Bryant Tyndall. A retired state employee, he works part time at the Department of Insurance. A resident of Willow Springs, he is active in district recruiting and has served on several district and state-level committees.

District 39, Mary O’Neill. A state employee for 19 years, she is a Student Account Manager at North Carolina State University.

She has been a SEANC member for 12 years, has served as district Communications chairwoman for eight years and has been on various committees such as Membership, EMPAC and Scholarship. O’Neill is a MAT member and lives in Raleigh.

District 40, Tommy Pike. A resident of Princeton, he is a Correctional Officer for the Department of Correction and has been with the state for over 11 years, and SEANC member just as long. He has served his district as chairman, vice chairman and treasurer.

He is a MAT member.

District 41, Wendell L. Powell.

A Correctional Officer for the Department of Correction, he has been a state employee and SEANC member for three years.

At the district level, he served as a MAT chairman. He currently resides in Raleigh. A MAT member, he was a speaker at this year’s MAT Lobby Day. District 44, Karen Davis. A 27year state employee, she is an Administrative Operations Manager at the North Carolina Education Lottery. A 25-year SEANC member, she has served as secretary to the president and secretary to the Policy Platform Committee. She is a MAT member and resident of Clayton.

District 45, Charles T. Johnson.

A resident of Raleigh, he is a MAT member. Johnson is a Correctional Captain at the Department of Correction and has been a state employee and SEANC member for 15 years.

District 46, Dewey D. Hamilton, Jr. He is a MAT member and has been a vice chairman and Communications chairman for his district. Hamilton is a resident of Raleigh and is a Revenue Tax Auditor at the Department of Revenue. He has been a state employee and SEANC member for eight years.

District 47, Edna Todd. An Assistant Chief of Benefits with the Employment Security Commission, she has been a state employee for 25 years. Todd has served her district as vice chairwoman and on the state Policy Platform Committee, as Planning Committee secretary and as a convention delegate for 16 years. She is a Raleigh resident.

District 56, Percy W. Underdue.

A 27-year SEANC member and state employee, he is retired from the Department of Correction. A MAT member, he has served as chairman of the Scholarship and Member Discount committees for his district. He currently resides in Jackson.

District 57, Daisy Stancil. A resident of Wilson, she is a Personnel Assistant IV for the Department of Correction. Stancil is a 16-year state employee and a 14-year SEANC member. On the state level she served on the Career Banding Committee and has served her district as secretary and treasurer.

District 58, Connie O. Barton. An Assistant Director with Administrative Services for the Department of Correction, she is a nineyear state employee and SEANC member. A resident of Clayton and MAT member, she has served as vice chairwoman and EMPAC chairwoman of her district.

District 59, John T. Miller. A Housekeeping Administrator II for the Department of Health and Human Services, he has been with the state for 34 years and is a 32-year SEANC member. He is a MAT member. He has served his district as vice chairman and treasurer, and has been a member of numerous committees. On the state level he served as Eastern Region Representative to the Executive Committee.

District 60, Sandra M. Jones. A resident of Seven Springs, she is a 17-year state employee and a six-year SEANC member. She is a Buyer for the Department of Health and Human Services.

Jones has served as Communications chairwoman, vice chairwoman and secretary/treasurer for her district.

District 61, Ricky Rivenbark. An Assistant Superintendent for the Department of Correction, he has been a state employee and SEANC member for over 28 years. A resident of Willard and MAT member, he is a returning district chairman. He has served his district as vice chairman and chairman of the Membership and Member Discount committees.

District 62, William Ernest Blackburn. A 21-year SEANC member, he has served as chairman and vice chairman of the district as well as chairman of the EMPAC and Insurance committees. A MAT member, he is a resident of Wilmington and is a retired Division of Motor Vehicles Enforcement Officer. On the state level he served as Eastern Region Representative to the Executive Committee.

District 63, Anke Cahoon. A resident of Fairfield and MAT member, she is a Correctional Sergeant for the Department of Correction. She has been a state employee for 11 years and a SEANC member for six years.

Cahoon has served her district as secretary, assisted with the district golf tournament and as member of the Ways and Means and Policy Platform committees.

District 64, Valorie W. Sullivan.

An Accounting Technician IV for the Department of Transportation, she has been a state employee and SEANC member for nine years. Sullivan has served as district secretary/treasurer and chairwoman of several committees. On the state level she served on the Policy Platform and Bylaws committees. She is a resident of Greenville.

District 65, Vivian Diane Bazemore. A 26-year state employee and SEANC member, Bazemore is an Administrative Support employee at the East Carolina University School of Medicine. A MAT member and Greenville resident, she is a returning district chairwoman and has served as vice chairwoman, secretary, newsletter editor and on several committees. On the state level she served as Eastern Region Representative alternate to the Executive Committee.

District 66, Mike Kollock. A resident of Kinston, Kollock has been a state employee and SEANC member for 13 years.

He is an ICC Manager with the Department of Health and Human Services. He has served on the state Communications/PR Committee. On the district level Kollock has served as vice chairman and EMPAC chairman. He is a MAT member.

District 68, James W. Vaughan.

An Assistant Superintendent for Programs at the Department of Correction, he has been a state employee and SEANC member for 26 years. Vaughan currently resides in Swan Quarter and has served on the state Membership Committee and chairman of the Membership, Bylaws, Member Discount and Policy Platform committees in his district.

District 69, Tonya S. Jennings.

A Probation Officer for the Department of Correction, she is an 11-year state employee residing in Elizabeth City. Jennings is a returning district chairwoman and has served her district as vice chairwoman and chairwoman of the Insurance and Member Discount committees.

District 70, Roland Best. A retired state employee, he resides in Kinston. Best has been a SEANC member for 10 years and is a returning district chairman. He has served his district as vice chairman and on the Fundraising and Bylaws committees. He is a MAT member.

District 71, Lynn R. Ward. A resident of Nashville, he retired from the Department of Transportation with 32 years of service. Ward is a 30-year SEANC member and returning district chairman. He has served his district as chairman of the Bylaws and Communications committees. He is a MAT member.

14

Photo by Julie young

m e mb e r a c t ion

District 9 Members Brave Rain at Golf Tournament District 9 Chairman Jamie Robinson, front left, and Membership Chairman John Holton, front center, pose with their team at River Oaks Golf Course in Statesville on Sept. 14. Despite the rain, 53 golfers teed off to raise more than $2,000 for District 9.

Assistant Superintendent Joins SEANC

Photo by steve lawson

South Central Member Action Coordinator A.J. Albertson recruits Carolyn Royal, assistant superintendent of personnel services for Sampson County Schools, into District 61 at her office in Clinton on Aug. 21.

District 12 Holds Appreciation Event District 12 member Ashley Fenton, seated left, and Piedmont Member Action Coordinator Jimmy Gilbert, seated right, sign up new members at a district-sponsored membership appreciation event on Aug. 12 in Charlotte. The district served hot dogs and drinks to more than 90 members and recruited several new members. Piedmont Member Action Coordninator Steve Lawson was also at the event.

15 m e mb e r a c t ion

The best products for the best State Employees!

Colonial Introduces New Plan to Help Fill Coverage Gaps Enroll Now Until December 31

By Debbie Bowden, SEANC Director of Insurance

1-888-SEANC4U

As major medical plans move toward higher deductibles and copayments, you and your family may be left with more unexpected outof-pocket medical expenses. To help offset those expenses, SEANC and Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company are introducing the new Medical BridgeSM 3000 Plan.

In Raleigh, call: Barry Patterson (919) 785-2971 -or- Danny Cotten (919) 552-8584 In Charlotte: Tony Woodfin (704) 845-8460 In Greenville: Ken Lang (252) 353-7262 Agent-assisted internet enrollment is now available. barrett.patterson@coloniallife.com

Colonial’s Medical BridgeSM 3000 is a hospital confinement plan that can help you fill those gaps in coverage. It pays benefits directly to you, unless you specify otherwise, for a variety of inpatient and outpatient services, regardless of your major medical plan or any other insurance you may have with other companies. You can use the Medical BridgeSM 3000 benefits any way you choose, such as for deductibles, travel to a treatment center, child care, mortgage payments and more.

Accident Insurance | Cancer Insurance | Disability Insurance Critical Illness Insurance | Whole Life Insurance Hospital Confinement Indemnity Insurance

NEW! Statewide toll-free telephone number (1-888-732-6248)

Colonial Supplemental Insurance is the marketing brand of Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company. Exclusions and limitations may apply

The Reporter The (State Employee) Reporter March, May, August, Nov.

1 0 6 9

2 1 4 2 4

3 (919) 833-6436

1621 Midtown Place Raleigh, NC 27609 same as above same as above

Toni Davis, Editor-In-Chief

Erica Baldwin, same as above

State Employees Association

P.O. Drawer 27727

of North Carolina Inc.

Raleigh, NC 27611

For more information, see Colonial representatives’ information to the left.

Debbie Bowden can be reached at (800) 222-2758 or dbowden@seanc. org.

August 2007

10/01/07

Carri Derrick

PO Drawer 27727 Raleigh, NC 27611

During open enrollment from Oct. 1-Dec. 31, Level 1 of the Medical BridgeSM 3000 plan is offered guaranteed issue, which means you can get coverage regardless of your health.

The Medical BridgeSM 3000 plan also offers the following features: • Hospital confinement benefit • Wellness benefits, with no waiting period • Rehabilitation unit benefit • Waiver of premium • Outpatient surgical procedure benefit • No deductibles you have to meet before receiving benefits • Retirees up to age 74 are eligible

51,500

51,500

48,500

48,500

1,500

1,500

0

0

250

250

50,250

50,250

0

0

0

0

20

20

1,230

1,230

1,250

1,250

51,500

51,500

0

0

51,500

51,500

97.57%

97.57%

November 9/25/07

16 FEATURED MEMBER DISCOUNT VENDOR

“I am grateful to SEANC for helping to keep my retirement benefit tax free!”

Mariah McPherson, District 19

SEANC Delegates Donate School Supplies for At-Risk Children

By Ashley Ellis Communications/Public Relations Intern

SEANC members from across North Carolina donated the backpacks and school supplies, continuing the spirit of giving that takes place each convention and throughout the year.

“This is our future that we are investing in,” said Wanda Simmons of District 39, which donated 20 backpacks and three boxes of supplies.

The Governor’s One-on-One SEANC President Linda Rouse Sutton, left, presents 250 backpacks filled with Volunteer Program is admin- school supplies to the Governor’s One-on-One Volunteer Program’s Venecia Malloy on Sept. 7. istered by the Department of at-risk youth by promoting one-to-one relationships Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. between community volunteers and youth.

This program is a statewide mentoring initiative that former Gov. Jim Hunt began in 1982. It was Ashley Ellis can be reached at (800) 222-2758 or created to establish community alternatives for aellis@seanc.org.

State Employees Association of North Carolina PO Drawer 27727 Raleigh, NC 27611

PHOTO BY TONI DAVIS

GREENSBORO—During SEANC’s annual convention, the association teamed up with the Governor’s One-on-One Volunteer Program to donate 250 backpacks filled with school supplies to children in need. The backpacks were presented on Sept. 7 by SEANC President Linda Rouse Sutton to Venecia Malloy and other representatives from the Governor’s One-on-One Volunteer Program.

Periodical Postage

PAID Raleigh, NC