Scoop July 2012

State Employees Association of North Carolina The SEANC Scoop July 6, 2012 Legislative Update: SEANC gets raises, time off for state employees

The 2012 session of the General Assembly wrapped up this week, but not before some fireworks of its own. Gov. Beverly Perdue's veto of the budget last week put public services in jeopardy, but the leadership was able to get enough votes to override that veto. Several brave Democratic legislators crossed the aisle to vote for the override specifically to support a 1.2 percent pay raise for state employees. SEANC never gives up advocating for the best deal we can make for state employees and retirees. In the end, SEANC lobbyists were able to convince legislators to add five extra days of annual leave as well. Read more in this week’s Legislative Update.

Click here to read the June Reporter!

SAVE THE DATE! The Don Jones Memorial Golf Tournament will be held Aug. 10 at Keith Hills Country Club in Buies Creek.

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SEANC in the News

As expected during the final days of the legislative session, SEANC was well-represented in the news this week. WRAL reported on SEANC’s behind-thescenes work to get the extra leave. The News & Observer also credited SEANC with gaining the extra leave. And the Winston-Salem Journal had an article on the whistleblower protection bill advocated for by SEANC that passed the legislature and was signed into law by Gov. Perdue.

Gas Card Giveaway: Congrats to Kristen Kirkland of District 17!

Do you forward The SEANC Scoop on to other state employees and retirees? Want to win something for doing it? Simply send SEANC's Communications Department the names and email addresses of all the people to which you forwarded The Scoop. Each week, a random winner will receive a $25 gas card. Last week's winner was Kristen Kirkland of District 17! For more information, contact SEANC Communications Specialist Jonathan Owens.

Be Safe on Your Travels This Summer

Make sure your family’s summer travels are as safe as possible. SEANC members receive $10 off first time enrollment. If already an AAA member, you can receive $10 off gift memberships for family and friends. Click here for more.

SEANC Hot Spots:

Member Discounts Benefits Bulletin SEANC in the News SEANC Insurance Update Your Contact Info Calendar of Events www.seanc.org 800-222-2758

State Employees Association of North Carolina The SEANC Scoop July 13, 2012 Legislative Session a Productive One for SEANC Members

With the General Assembly adjourned, SEANC takes a look back at what was a productive session for state employees. The lobbying efforts of SEANC and its members resulted in the first pay raise for employees and cost-of-living adjustment for retirees since 2008. SEANC also successfully fought to keep the retirement system fully funded, block privatization and maintain worker rights during the session. For more on SEANC's victories, read this week’s Legislative Update.

Click here to read the June Reporter!

SAVE THE DATE! The Don Jones Memorial Golf Tournament will be held Aug. 10 at Keith Hills Country Club in Buies Creek.

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SEANC Lobbyist Recognized for 35 Years of Service

SEANC Executive Director Dana Cope presented lobbyist Mitch Leonard with an award for 35 years of service to the organization on Monday. Leonard was SEANC’s first field representative and was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine in February. Thank you, Mitch, for your commitment to the association!

SEANC in the News

A statewide media organization is requesting the help of SEANC members for a story on monthly cancer drug costs. If any member is interested in sharing their experiences on the cost of battling cancer as well as their Explanation of Benefits, please contact SEANC’s Communications Department.

Gas Card Giveaway: Congrats to Sharon Jacobs of District 44!

Do you forward The SEANC Scoop on to other state employees and retirees? Want to win something for doing it? Simply send SEANC's Communications Department the names and email addresses of all the people to whom you forwarded The Scoop. Each week, a random winner will receive a $25 gas card.

Last week's winner was Sharon Jacobs of District 44!

For more information, contact SEANC Communications Specialist Jonathan Owens.

EMPAC Sweepstakes

Would you like the chance to win cash prizes

SEANC Hot Spots:

Member Discounts Benefits Bulletin SEANC in the News SEANC Insurance Update Your Contact Info Calendar of Events www.seanc.org 800-222-2758

anywhere from $250 to $5,000 while also supporting SEANC’s Employees Political Action Committee (EMPAC)? Check your mailbox for tickets to enter the 2nd Annual EMPAC Sweepstakes. Donations are optional. Just fill in your information on each ticket and mail them to SEANC. Winners will be drawn at the 29th Annual SEANC Convention on Sept. 8 in Greensboro.

Save on your stay at the lodge

Are you taking advantage of SEANC’s theme park discount by visiting Busch Gardens in July? Why not make a weekend of it by using your SEANC membership to get 30 percent off the best available rate at nearby Great Wolf Lodge in Williamsburg, Va.? For more information on staying at the lodge, see this brochure.

State Employees Association of North Carolina The SEANC Scoop July 20, 2012 First FMAEP Meeting Held at DENR

The first meeting between SEANC members who work at the N.C. Department of the Environment and Natural Resources and the DENR management team occurred last week as part of the Facilitated Management and Employee Process (FMAEP) at DENR headquarters in Raleigh. FMAEP is the result of Gov. Beverly Perdue’s Executive Order 45, which provides an opportunity for employee associations who represent 20 percent of the employees in a department to meet with agency heads on “areas of mutual concern.” At the meeting, three SEANC members shared the results of a department-wide survey that received tremendous response from the department’s employees with DENR Secretary Dee Freeman and Office of State Personnel Interim Director Ann Cobb, among others. Read more from last week’s meeting in September’s Reporter.

Click here to read the July Reporter!

SAVE THE DATE! The Don Jones Memorial Golf Tournament will be held Aug. 10 at Keith Hills Country Club in Buies Creek.

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A Busy Week at SEANC!

There has been a flurry of activity this week at the SEANC Central Office in Raleigh as the association gears up for the 29th Annual SEANC Convention in September. On Wednesday, the Policy Platform Committee (pictured) met to discuss the association’s top legislative goals for the coming year. On Thursday, the Bylaws Committee met to discuss important rules and guidelines for moving the association forward.

Today and Saturday, the full Board of Governors is meeting.

Gas Card Giveaway: Congrats to Rhonda Ashby of District 64!

The final drawing in this round of the SEANC Scoop email forwarding contest was held this week.

Congratulations to District 64 member Rhonda Ashby of Greenville for winning the final $25 gas card. We plan to hold the contest again in the near future, so keep reading and forwarding to spread the word about SEANC!

Cheer on the Panthers with SEANC!

The Carolina Panthers and SEANC have teamed up to give members a chance to be a part of the NFL action this season at a reduced rate! The team is offering SEANC members a special single game group ticket rate of $32 for a select group of games this season. For games and ordering information, click here.

SEANC Hot Spots:

Member Discounts Benefits Bulletin SEANC in the News SEANC Insurance Update Your Contact Info Calendar of Events www.seanc.org 800-222-2758

State Employees Association of North Carolina The SEANC Scoop July 27, 2012 SEANC in the News

SEANC Executive Director Dana Cope joined Tim Boynum on Tuesday’s episode of “Capital Tonight” on News 14 Carolina to talk about SEANC’s nonpartisan philosophy and how that has served members in the General Assembly. Cope brings this philosophy to SEIU’s Executive Committee, as a vice president, where he will help guide the union's political program. Cope's interview begins 8:30 into the full episode. Also in the news is Cope's fiveyear contract extension as SEANC’s Executive Director, which was recently highlighted in the News & Observer.

Click here to read the July Reporter!

SAVE THE DATE! The Don Jones Memorial Golf Tournament will be held Aug. 10 at Keith Hills Country Club in Buies Creek

Quick Links:

EMPAC Council of State Forums Start Today at the Central Office!

The Employees Political Action Committee (EMPAC) will host its Council of State forums starting this weekend at the SEANC Central Office in Raleigh.

The forums are open to members and are an opportunity for EMPAC Committee members to help decide whether to endorse candidates in the November elections. The first forum will start at 7 p.m. tonight, featuring candidates for insurance commissioner, labor commissioner and agriculture commissioner. Two sessions will be held on Saturday, at 9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., with candidates for secretary of state, superintendent of public instruction and insurance commissioner. Another forum will be held on Aug. 4, with candidates for governor and state auditor speaking. Endorsement decisions will be finalized in late August.

Sweepstakes Deadline Fast Approaching

EMPAC is giving all SEANC members a chance to win up to $5,000 in a sweepstakes drawing to be held at the SEANC convention on Sept. 8.

Members should have received tickets in the mail. If you would like to enter, tickets must be returned with a postmark no later than Aug. 24 to be eligible. Absolutely no purchase, contribution or donation is necessary to enter. All that is necessary is mailing in the completed tickets in order to be eligible. This offer was mailed to SEANC members with a valid mailing address as of July 1.

SEANC Hot Spots:

Member Discounts Benefits Bulletin SEANC in the News SEANC Insurance Update Your Contact Info Calendar of Events www.seanc.org 800-222-2758

Cheer on the Panthers with SEANC!

A limited number of discount tickets remain for Carolina Panthers' games in the upcoming season.

The team and SEANC have teamed up to give members a chance to be a part of the football action this season at a reduced rate! SEANC members can receive a special single-game group ticket rate of $32 for a select group of games this season. For more information, click here.