Scoop April 2013

Email Not Displaying Correctly? Click Here to View in Browser

Like

Tweet

The SEANC Scoop STATE EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION OF NORTH CAROLINA IMPORTANT LINKS

August 2, 2013

Member-Only Discounts SEANC Insurance SEANC in the News Update Contact Info Calendar of Events The Reporter

A Mixed Bag for State Employees at the GA

Legislative Update

In a busy seven months at the General Assembly, SEANC was able to accomplish many of the objectives set forth at last year’s convention. The bright spots of the session include a fully funded retirement system and the maintenance of worker protections guaranteed by the State Personnel Act, to name a few. This week’s Legislative Update has a recap of the highlights of the session for state employees.

SEANC in the News

Upcoming Events The Don Jones Memorial Golf Tournament will be held Aug. 9 at Keith Hills Golf Club in Buies Creek.

Sign Up Here

The 30th Annual SEANC Convention will be heldSept. 5-7

SEANC Executive Director Dana Cope was interviewed this week for an appearance on State Government Radio’s People in Politics, which will air on Saturday at 9 a.m. on WPTF 680 AM in the Triangle area. Cope and host Donna Martinez talked primarily about the recent session of the General Assembly and how state employees fared. The interview will be posted on the People in Politics page early next week.

More State Employees Side with SEANC

Congrats to the 69 new members who recently chose to empower themselves and the public services they provide by joining SEANC! Welcome to new members from N.C. A&T University, Department of Administration, Central Piedmont Community College, Cumberland County schools, Departments of Health and Human Services, Public Safety, Transportation, East Carolina University, Fayetteville State University, Courts, N.C. State University, Pitt County schools, Robeson County schools, Stanly County schools, State Employees Credit Union, Surry Community College and Warren County schools.

Also, SEANC’s Membership Committee launched asummer recruitment incentive program recently to reward the association’s new and best recruiters! For more information, contact Member Action Director Lynn Cote.

Hyatt Legal Plan Enrollment Now Open Hyatt Legal Plan is holding an open enrollment Aug. 1 through Sept. 30 with coverage effective Nov. 1. The legal plan provides you with easy access to a national network of over 10,000 attorneys for your most frequently needed personal legal services. For more information, visit theSEANC website or contact the Member Strength Department at 800-222-2758.

SEANC to Host Forum on Trans-Pacific Partnership SEANC will host a forum at 6 p.m. on Tuesday night to discuss theTrans-Pacific Partnership and its effects on labor rights, the environment, food safety, public health, consumer rights and financial regulations. The forum is open to the public and light refreshments will be served. If you are interested in attending, click here for more information.

Beat the Heat at Jungle Rapids

Heading to the beach this summer?

Take a break from the sand and surf and spend the day at Jungle Rapids Water Park in Wilmington. SEANC members can purchase discounted Jungle Rapids Water Park tickets at any State Employees' Credit Union branch. For more information click here.

Member Discount: North Carolina Theatre Take advantage of a single tickets presale today for tickets to all shows in the N.C. Theatre's 2013-14 Season in partnership with Broadway Series South. Act now to get access to the best seats available before they go on sale to the general public on Aug. 6. Plus, for a limited time, enjoy buy one get one free tickets to “CATS�! Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.

State Employees Association of North Carolina P.O. Drawer 27727 Raleigh, NC 27611 800-222-2758 | seanc.org

Email Not Displaying Correctly? Click Here to View in Browser

Like

Tweet

The SEANC Scoop STATE EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION OF NORTH CAROLINA IMPORTANT LINKS

August 9, 2013

Member-Only Discounts SEANC Insurance SEANC in the News Update Contact Info Calendar of Events The Reporter

SEANC in the News SEANC Executive Director Dana Cope was quoted in a News & Observer storyTuesday on changes to the State Personnel Act that passed through the General Assembly this session. Cope said, “The House version of the bill would really have been devastating to state employees and to the independence of state employees to be able to do their public service jobs. But in the end, the process became so much fairer, and we had a final product in which we compromised with the governor’s office and the General Assembly and which will serve North Carolina well.”

Also, Cope’s interview from Saturday on the State Government Radio show “People in Politics” can be heard here.

Legislative Update

Coach Dean Smith Receives Presidential Medal of Freedom

Upcoming Events The 30th Annual SEANC Convention will be heldSept. 5-7

Congrats to former UNC Men’s Head Basketball Coach Dean Smith and 25year SEANC District 19 member Dean Smith. The White House announced Thursday that Smith would be among the 16 recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, along with President Bill Clinton, Oprah Winfrey, Hall of Fame baseball player Ernie Banks, country music legend Loretta Lynn and others. He joined SEANC in 1988.

More State Employees Side with SEANC Congrats to the 60 new members who recently chose to empower themselves and the public services they provide by joining SEANC! Welcome to new members from N.C. A&T State University, Bladen County Schools, the Departments of Health & Human Services, Public Safety, Revenue and Transportation, James Sprunt Community College, Lenoir County Schools, UNC hospitals and UNC-Chapel Hill. Also, SEANC’s Membership Committee launched asummer recruitment incentive program recently to reward the association’s new and best recruiters! For more information, contact Member Action Director Lynn Cote.

Save on Your Trip to Dollywood Taking a trip to the mountains soon?

Let your SEANC membership save you money at one of the top attractions in the high country. SEANC members save $9 per regular ticket and $8 per child’s ticket on Dollywood tickets. Tickets are valid any operating day through January 4, 2014. Click here for ordering information.

Catch the Symphony at a Town Near You The North Carolina Symphony is coming to a town near you in coming months, and your SEANC membership entitles you to a big discount on tickets! Click here to find a show in your area and save up to 40 percent off regular ticket prices!

State Employees Association of North Carolina P.O. Drawer 27727 Raleigh, NC 27611 800-222-2758 | seanc.org

Email Not Displaying Correctly? Click Here to View in Browser

Like

Tweet

The SEANC Scoop STATE EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION OF NORTH CAROLINA IMPORTANT LINKS

Member-Only Discounts SEANC Insurance SEANC in the News Update Contact Info Calendar of Events The Reporter

Legislative Update

August 16, 2013

Young McCrory Staffers Get Big Raises It pays to have friends in high places, apparently. After months of talk from Gov. Pat McCrory and his administration about the need to cut spending, it was revealed Wednesday that two of his former campaign staffers – both 24 years old – received hefty raises at their positions in the Department of Health and Human Services. DHHS Communications Director Ricky Diaz got a bump of $23,000 – a whopping 35 percent raise – and Chief Policy Analyst Matthew McKillip got a bump of $22,500 in annual salary at a time when all other state employees received no pay increase at all.McCrory defended the raises in an interview on Thursday. What do you think about the raises? Visit SEANC’s Facebook page to join in on the discussion!

State Workers Continue Do to Amazing Work

Upcoming Events The 30th Annual SEANC Convention will be heldSept. 5-7

Meanwhile, state employees who did not get raises this year are doing some amazing things. A professor at N.C. State University who also directs the Biodiversity lab at the N.C. Museum of Natural History was part of a team that discovered an entirely new species of carnivore, the “olinguito,” which has been described as a cross between a house cat and a teddy bear.Firefighters from western North Carolina who are members of the N.C. Forest Service Fire Attack Support Team will spend the next two weeks battling a wildfire that has burned 25,000 acres in Alaska.

A state public information officer at the N.C. Symphony has beennominated for an International Bluegrass Music Award. And Department of Transportation workers continue to make progress after massive flooding closed 26 roads in Catawba, Lincoln, Cleveland and Iredell counties. These are just a few of the many good deeds our state employees do every day. None of these

workers will receive a 35-percent raise from the governor, though.

Time is Running Out to Enter Sweepstakes Time is running out to enter SEANC's Employees Political Action Committee (EMPAC) Sweepstakes! Tickets were mailed to each SEANC member in early June and must be returned to the Central Office by Aug. 23 in order to qualify.

Donations are optional. Just fill in your information on each ticket and mail them to SEANC. Winners will be drawn at the 30th Annual SEANC Convention on Sept. 7 in Greensboro.

Hyatt Legal Open Enrollment Now Available Hyatt Legal Plan is holding an open enrollment Aug. 1 through Sept. 30 with coverage effective Nov. 1. The legal plan provides you with easy access to a national network of over 10,000 attorneys for your most frequently needed personal legal services. For more information, contact the SEANC Office at 800-222-2758.

More State Employees Side with SEANC Congrats to the 75 new members who recently chose to empower themselves and the public services they provide by joining SEANC! Welcome to new members from Cultural Resources, Health & Human Services, Public Safety and Transportation, Cumberland County schools, East Carolina University, James Sprunt Technical College, Central Piedmont Community College, N.C. Central University, NCSU, UNC Hospitals, UNC-Charlotte, Western Piedmont Community College and several retirees. Also, this is the last week to submit forms for the summer incentive program for an increased cash reward. During the last week alone, SEANC has awarded more than $740 to hardworking member recruiters! For more information about recruiting, contact Member Action Director Lynn Cote.

Get Wet 'N Wild with SEANC Take a break from the summer heat and hit the waves at Wet ‘N Wild Emerald Pointe in Greensboro, one of the waterparks offering discounts to SEANC members! Members can get a deal on admission at any branch of the State Employees Credit Union. For more information, click here.

Sylvan Heights is for the birds!

Did you know that the largest bird park in North America is located in North Carolina, and you can get a discount on admission with your SEANC membership card! SEANC members receive $1 off when visiting Sylvan Heights Bird Park in Scotland Neck just by showing your member ID card.

State Employees Association of North Carolina P.O. Drawer 27727 Raleigh, NC 27611 800-222-2758 | seanc.org

Email Not Displaying Correctly? Click Here to View in Browser

Like

Tweet

The SEANC Scoop STATE EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION OF NORTH CAROLINA IMPORTANT LINKS

Member-Only Discounts SEANC Insurance SEANC in the News Update Contact Info Calendar of Events The Reporter

Legislative Update

August 23, 2013

McCrory signs SPA bill, more fallout from DHHS raises Gov. Pat McCrory signed a bill into law this week that changes certain aspects of the State Personnel Act. As you recall, SEANC strongly opposed the original version of this bill, but was able to work with legislators to ensure that unfair grievance procedures, political patronage and other harmful aspects were not included in the final act. In total, 36 troubling provisions were negotiated out by SEANC. Also this week, McCrory continued to defend the huge salary increases two 24-year-old staffers in the Department of Health & Human Services received in July even though most other state employees received no pay increase at all. What is more, the News & Observer pointed out that these campaign aides have the same pay but less experience than their predecessors. And former FBI agent Frank Perry was tapped to head the Department of Public Safety. Head over to our Facebook page to join the conversation on these issues and many others.

Scholarship Board nominations still open Upcoming Events The 30th Annual SEANC Convention will be heldSept. 5-7

The SEANC Scholarship Foundation Board has five regional board seats open for election this year at the 30th Annual SEANC Convention. Interested SEANC members can nominate themselves to be a candidate. Please know that any SEANC member in good standing is eligible to run for a board seat. You do not have to be present at the convention or be a SEANC delegate to run for one of these positions. The job description for board seats can be found byclicking here. Each interested candidate should send his/her name and electronic photo to scholarship@seanc.org.

Contact Beth Dew at bdew@seanc.org with any questions.

SEANC Welcomes 269 New Members!

Congrats to the 269 new members who recently chose to empower themselves and the public services they provide by joining SEANC! Welcome to new members from the Appalachain State University, Cumberland County Schools, The Departments of Commerce, Health and Human Services, Instruction, Natural Resources, Safety, and Transportation, East Carolina University, Elizabeth City State University, Harnett County Schools, N.C. Central University, N.C. State University, Southwestern Technical College, UNC Chapel Hill, UNC Charlotte, Wake County Schools, Western Carolina University and several retirees. Also, today is the last day to participate in SEANC’s Membership Committee launched a summer recruitment incentive program recently to reward the association’s new and best recruiters! For more information, contact Member Action Director Lynn Cote.

Time is Running Out to Hit the Water Parks With the summer drawing to a close, time is running out to take advantage ofSEANC’s great deals at several area theme parks. Deals at Jungle Rapids Waterpark in Wilmington, Wet ‘n Wild Emerald Pointe in Greensboro and Myrtle Waves in Myrtle Beach will expire in early September. Take one last splash by purchasing tickets at any State Employees’ Credit Union branch.

Take in a Show at DPAC If you’ve never been to the Durham Performing Arts Center, now’s your chance to experience world-class entertainment at a discounted price thanks to your SEANC membership. SEANC members can receive a discount to see either the Blue Man Group Sept. 6-8 or Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Oct. 8-13. Click here for more details.

State Employees Association of North Carolina P.O. Drawer 27727 Raleigh, NC 27611 800-222-2758 | seanc.org

Email Not Displaying Correctly? Click Here to View in Browser

Like

Tweet

The SEANC Scoop STATE EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION OF NORTH CAROLINA IMPORTANT LINKS

August 30, 2013

Member-Only Discounts SEANC Insurance SEANC in the News Update Contact Info Calendar of Events The Reporter

SEANC's 30th Annual Convention - Building a Better Tomorrow

Legislative Update

SEANC's 30th Annual Convention will be held next week in Greensboro on Sept.

5-7.

SEANC holds an annual convention where the association's delegates vote on issues important to the association. Convention delegates determine legislative priorities, elect SEANC officers, award outstanding members, receive valuable training, raise funds for scholarships and conduct a community service project. Due to next week’s activities, the SEANC Scoop will be sent the following Tuesday with the election results. Follow us on Facebook for the most recent convention updates!

Hyatt Legal Open Enrollment Now Available Happy Labor Day! In observation fo the Labor Day Holiday, the SEANC Central Office will be closed Monday, Sept. 2.

Upcoming Events The 30th Annual SEANC Convention will be heldSept. 5-7

Hyatt Legal Plan is holding an open enrollment Aug. 1 through Sept. 30 with coverage effective Nov. 1. The legal plan provides you with easy access to a national network of over 10,000 attorneys for your most frequently needed personal legal services. For more information, visit theSEANC website or contact the SEANC Office at 800-222-2758.

SEANC Welcomes 87 New Members!

Congrats to the 87 new members who recently chose to empower themselves and the public services they provide by joining SEANC! Welcome to new members from the Cumberland County Schools, The departments of Administration, Agriculture, Commerce, Health and Human Services, Justice, Public Instruction, Public Safety, Transportation, East Carolina University, Edgecomb Community College, James Sprunt Community College, Lenoir County Schools, N.C. State University, State Employees Health Insurance Plan, UNC Chapel Hill, UNC Charlotte, UNC Wilmington, Wake County Schools, Wilson County Schools and several retirees.

Contact Lynn Cote for more information.

Enjoy the Last Days of Summer at Biltmore!

Are you looking for a fun family vacation or a nice place to enjoy the late summer weather in North Carolina? SEANC members can get discounted tickets to the gorgeous Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. You can also go ahead and purchase admission to the Candlelight Christmas evenings at Biltmore which runs from November 9 – December 31. Click here for more information.

State Employees Association of North Carolina P.O. Drawer 27727 Raleigh, NC 27611 800-222-2758 | seanc.org