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Happy Fourth of July!
In honor of Independence Day and to allow our employees to celebrate with their families, SEANC offices will be closed on Friday, July 4. They will reopen Monday, July 7. Thank you all state employees who are working in our prisons, hospitals and other facilities over the holiday weekend.
July 3, 2014
Legislative Update: General Assembly hopefully moving closer to budget
Despite hopeful statements from lawmakers earlier in the session that a new spending plan would be in place by the end of the 2013-14 fiscal year and the session would be wrapped up by the Fourth of July holiday, there appears to still be at least a week togo.
The new fiscal year began Tuesday with no new spending plan in place, but because the budget approved each long session is a twoyear plan and the short session exists simply to allow for adjustments,thestate is continuingtooperate.
What that means for now, though, is that state employees are not seeing the raises they have waited so long to receive, and which lawmakers inbothchambers,as well asGov.Pat McCrory,havesaid all yearare amongtheirtop priorities.
Once budget negotiations resume next week after the Fourth of July holiday, SEANC lobbyists will be on hand at the General Assembly every day, reminding lawmakers of the need to value vital public servicesandthepeople whoprovidethem.
Click hereforthefullLegislativeUpdate.
Sign up today for our new text messaging service to receive Special Action Alerts about what's happening at the General Assembly or for urgent member news. Just type the word SEANC into the body of the text and send it to the number 787753!
Set SEANC's policy platform
SEANC members decide every year what the association's legislative priorities will be for the upcoming session. Learn how SEANC's policy platforms are created and then get involved.
meetings are going on now
Want to become more involved in SEANC, perhaps become a convention delegate?
It all begins at your district's annual meeting.
It's award season!
Know a member who goes above and beyond in his or her dedication to SEANC and its efforts?
Check out our four categories of awards and submit your nominations by July 26.
Convention time is fast approaching!
The 31st Annual Convention website is now live.
Show off your SEANC spirit for a chance at $1,000
What does SEANC mean to you? That's the question members are trying to answer this year for the opportunity to win $1,000 at this year's annualconvention.
Districts or individual members are asked to submit videos telling us what SEANC and this year's convention theme "Building a Better Tomorrow: Work in Progress"meanto you.
Be creative with your approach. Videos should be no longer than three minutes and must be submitted by Aug. 27. Any camera or phone with digital video capabilities will work, but if you have questions, call Matt Whittle at 919-833-6436 or email mwhittle@seanc.org. Completed videos should also be emailed to mwhittle@seanc.org
The top three videos will be chosen by the Board of Governors and will be shown at the convention. Delegates will vote for the best. The winner will receive $1,000.
Please be clear whether the video is being submitted by a district or anindividual.
By submitting a video to SEANC, each entrant affirms that he or she is at least 18 years of age, consents to SEANC's use and publication of the information provided to SEANC, including names, photographs, videos and any other information given to SEANC, and releases SEANC and its employees and agents from any liability and all claims arising out of SEANC's use and publication of the information provided.
Each year at the annual state convention, SEANC remembers those members who passed away during the last year. This is an opportunityto paytribute to fellow state employees and retirees and the impact they had on North Carolina and on the association.
Take a moment to fill out the Remembrance Form on our website. Tell us about your fellow members who have passed away - where they worked, how many years they were with the state and SEANC,
Want to serve on a statewide committee?
Nominations are being accepted now through July 17 for the Insurance Board of Trustees, the Retiree Council and the Scholarship Foundation Board. Click here for more information.
any titles or positions they may have held with the association, any awards or recognitions they earned, and anything else you'd like to add about whatmadethem aspecialperson and SEANCmember.
Contribute to the convention's community service project
This year's official Community Service Project at the 31st Annual SEANC Convention will be the SEANC Scholarship Foundation A cash call will be held on the business floor of the convention on Thursday during the Community Service time. Thank you for your donations to help your fellow SEANC members, their spouses and their children attend college.
The SEANC Store is now online!
Looking for a summer getaway with fun rides, roller coasters and beautiful attractions? Visit Busch Gardens in historic Williamsburg, Virginia. SEANC members can purchase discounted Busch Gardens tickets at any State Employees' Credit Union (SECU) branch. Click here for ticket prices, ordering information, and tofind an SECUbranchnear you.
800-222-2758 | seanc.org
IMPORTANT LINKS
Member-Only Discounts
SEANC Insurance
SEANC in the News
Update Contact Info
Calendar of Events
Reporter
Sign up today for our new text messaging service to receive Special Action Alerts about what's happening at the General Assembly or for urgent member news. Just type the word SEANC into the body of the text and send it to the number 787753!
July 11, 2014
Legislative Update: General Assembly still discussing budget; SEANC members, contact lawmakers now for pay equity
More than a week into the new fiscal year, the General Assembly has yet to pass a budget. While House and Senate budget conferees have reached compromises on several issues, they have not come to an agreement on pay raises.
The Senate has remained steadfast in its proposal of an $809 base salary increase for employees and a 0.8-percent COLA for retirees. The House has continued to offer a $1,000 base salary increase and five bonus days leave for employees and a 1.44-percent COLA for retirees.
For teachers, however, the Senate has offered an 11-percent pay increase, while the House has increased its offer from 5 percent to 6 percent.
SEANC believes that ALL state employees, including teachers and others, work hard for North Carolina and that ALL deserve the SAME pay increase. SEANC also is advocating for a 1.9-percent COLA for retirees.
Convention time is fast approaching!
Visit the 31st Annual Convention website for more information.
Your lobbyists are hard at work advocating for these raises at the General Assembly. Now's the time to add your voice. There is strength in numbers.
To find out how and for information, read the full Legislative Update here
Show off your SEANC spirit for a chance to win
$1,000
What does SEANC and this year's convention theme "Building a Better Tomorrow: A Work in Progress" mean to you? Answer that in a 3-minute video submitted by Aug. 27 and you could win $1,000.
Click here for details.
SEANC members in memoriam
Help SEANC pay tribute to those members who have passed away since the last annual convention. Fill out a remembrance form.
Want to serve on a statewide committee?
Nominations are being accepted now through July 17 for the Insurance Board of Trustees, the Retiree Council and the Scholarship Foundation Board Click here for more information.
It's award season!
Know a member who goes above and beyond in his or her dedication to SEANC and its efforts? Check out our four categories of awards and submit your nominations by July 26.
Contribute to the convention's community service project
This year's official Community Service Project at the 31st Annual SEANC Convention will be the SEANC Scholarship Foundation
A cash call will be held on the business floor of the convention on Thursday during the Community Service time. Thank
As budget talks continue in the General Assembly, SEANC has continued to be an advocate for pay raises for employees and retirees, as well as an advocate for transparency - and cost-savings - in the statepensionsystem.
Investigative reporter Benjamin Briscoe with WFMY2 in Greensboro highlighted this pension issue Thursday night, describing how state Treasurer Janet Cowell is keeping secret pension investment information that she deems to be trade secrets, and how two bills before the General Assembly would enshrine this current practice into law. He also notes that not only does this continued pension secrecy threaten the future and the security of state employees and retirees, italsoputsNorth Carolina taxpayers at risk.
More state workers side with SEANC
Congrats to the 92 new members who recently chose to empower themselves and the public services they provide by joining SEANC! Welcome new members from Appalachian State University, East Carolina University, N.C. A&T University, N.C. Central University, N.C. State University, UNC-Chapel Hill, UNC Hospitals, the state departments of Agriculture, Environment, Health and Natural Resources, Health and Human Services, Public Safety, Revenue, Transportation, Administrative Officeof theCourts andtheOfficeof StateController.
Contact Lynn Cote for more information on hosting a membership event at your worksite.
Did you know that last year, identity theft was a $21 billion crime impacting more than 13 million Americans? Luckily a newsolution is availableto SEANCmembers!
InfoArmor's industry-leading technology seeks to detect fraud at its source- whenthievesfirst use your informationto applyforaccounts. This allows InfoArmor to detect misuse sooner and minimizes
you for your donations to help your fellow SEANC members, their spouses and their dependent children attend college.
The SEANC Store is now online!
damages.Enroll todaytoprotect yourself and yourfamily.
Click here to learn more and to receive special discounted pricing. You must be logged into the SEANC site to access the special discounts. Find InfoArmor under the Insurance Programs tab in the Legal section. For questions, call InfoArmor at 1-800-789-2720, 7a.m.to5p.m.PST.(10a.m.to8p.m.EST.)
IMPORTANT LINKS
Member-Only Discounts
SEANC Insurance
SEANC in the News
Update Contact Info
Calendar of Events
Sign up today for our new text messaging service to receive Special Action Alerts about what's happening at the General Assembly or for urgent member news. Just type the word SEANC into the body of the text and send it to the number 787753!
July 18, 2014
Legislative Update: General Assembly hears SEANC's voice but we need to be louder
The budget negotiators in the House and Senate continued to work toward a compromise this week, but the two sides still remain apart - including on the issue of state employee and retiree payraises.
The Senate did move closer to the House's proposal, agreeing to a $1,000 base salary increase for state employees, but did not include the five bonus days in its latest proposal. It also refused to increase its proposed retiree COLA of 0.8 percent. The House plan, which is backed by Gov. Pat McCrory, is offering a 1.44percentCOLA.
SEANC members remain concerned by the inequity in proposed pay increases for teachers and other state employees. The Senate plan offers an 8-percent pay raise to teachers, while the House is offering 6 percent. SEANC believes ALL state employees should receive an equal pay raise. SEANC also believes that retirees should receive a 1.44 percent COLA. And while your lobbyists are at the General Assembly every day advocating for a higher COLA and pay equity, evenmoremembervoices areneeded.
Convention time is fast approaching!
Visit the 31st Annual Convention website for more information.
Also this week, SEANC Legislative Affairs Director Ardis Watkins spoke out against the Senate's plan to reform the state's Medicaid system. The plan would remove State Human Resources Act protections from some state workers. It also would move the state's Medicaid system closer to privatization, and would result in reduced qualityof careforsomethestate's mostvulnerablecitizens.
Click here to find out who to call to advocate for a higher COLA and pay equity between state employees and teacher and for the rest of theLegislativeUpdate.
Show off your SEANC spirit for a chance to win $1,000
What does SEANC and this year's convention theme "Building a Better Tomorrow: A Work in Progress" mean to you? Answer that in a 3-minute video submitted by Aug. 27 and you could win $1,000.
Click here for details.
SEANC members in memoriam
Help SEANC pay tribute to those members who have passed away since the last annual convention. Fill out a remembrance form. It's award season!
Know a member who goes above and beyond in his or her dedication to SEANC and its efforts? Check out our four categories of awards and submit your nominations by July 26.
Show off your SEANC spirit for a chance to win $1,000 (note the new deadline!)
What does SEANC mean to you? That's the question members are trying to answer this year for the opportunity to win $1,000 at this year's annualconvention.
Districts or individual members are asked to submit videos telling us what SEANC and this year's convention theme "Building a Better Tomorrow: Work in Progress"meanto you.
Be creative with your approach. Videos should be no longer than three minutes and must be submitted by Aug. 27. Any camera or phone with digital video capabilities will work, but if you have questions, call Matt Whittle at 919-833-6436 or email mwhittle@seanc.org. Completed videos should also be emailed to mwhittle@seanc.org.
The top three videos will be chosen by the Board of Governors and will be shown at the convention. Delegates will vote for the best. The winner will receive $1,000.
Please be clear whether the video is being submitted by a district or anindividual.
Contribute to the convention's community service project
This year's official Community Service Project at the 31st Annual SEANC Convention will be the SEANC Scholarship Foundation A cash call will be held on the business floor of the convention on Thursday during the Community Service time. Thank you for your donations to help your fellow SEANC members, their spouses and their dependent children attend college. The SEANC Store is now online!
By submitting a video to SEANC, each entrant affirms that he or she is at least 18 years of age, consents to SEANC's use and publication of the information provided to SEANC, including names, photographs, videos and any other information given to SEANC, and releases SEANC and its employees and agents from any liability and all claims arising out of SEANC's use and publication of the information provided.
More state workers side with SEANC
Congrats to the 51 new members who recently chose to empower themselves and the public services they provide by joining SEANC! Welcome new members from the state departments of Agriculture, Environment, Health and Natural Resources, Health and Human Resources, Public Safety, Transportation, the Administrative Office of the Courts and the Treasurer's Office, as well as from UNC-Chapel Hill, Central Piedmont Community College, Pitt Community College and Franklin CountySchools.
Contact Lynn Cote for more information on hosting a membership event at your worksite.
Step back in time and experience firsthand what it was like to live during the 18th century, as the United State of America was being founded. In Colonial Williamsburg's 301-acre Historic Area are hundreds of restored, reconstructed and historically furnished buildings. Costumed interpreters tell the stories of the men and women of the 18th century cityand the challenges theyfaced as they helped build their state and their country. In this historic place, the future can learn from the past.
Best of all? SEANC members can save up to $10 off each ticket to historic Colonial Williamsburg! Just click here to purchase your discountedtickets.
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IMPORTANT LINKS
Member-Only Discounts
SEANC Insurance
SEANC in the News
Update Contact Info
Calendar of Events
Sign up today for our new text messaging service to receive Special Action Alerts about what's happening at the General Assembly or for urgent member news.
Just type the word SEANC into the body of the text and send it to the number 787753!
July 25, 2014
Legislative Update: Still waiting - General Assembly goes quiet on budget
State budget writers do not appear to be any closer to an agreement than they were when the week began, despite closeddoor meetings between the governor and lead senators and a new offer from the House.
The latest offer from the House, made privatelyto the Senate earlier this week, offers a 7-percent raise to teachers - an increase from earlier offers. However, the House plan would still keep other state employees at theproposed$1,000base salaryincreaseandfivedays bonus leave. Italso would giveretireesthe1.44-percentcost-of-livingadjustment.
The Senate version, though, would give teachers 8 percent, while only giving other state employees an $809 base salary increase and retirees a 0.8-percentCOLA.
Still, despite the lack of public progress, SEANC lobbyists and members are continuing to advocate for equal percentage pay raises for teachers and all state employees, as well as the 1.44-percent COLA.
Convention time is fast approaching!
Visit the 31st Annual Convention website for more information.
SEANC lobbyists this week also worked to protect the due process rights of all state employees by convincing lawmakers to strip out an entire section of a technical changes bill in the House Rules Committee that would have made dangerous changes to a number of areas of the State Human Resources Act that were passed in 2013. SEANC would like to thank Rep. Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) for his helpinthateffort.
For more on these efforts, as well as for information on contacting your locallegislators,click hereforthe Legislative Update.
Show off your SEANC spirit for a chance to win $1,000
What does SEANC and this year's convention theme "Building a Better Tomorrow: A Work in Progress" mean to you? Answer that in a 3-minute video submitted by Aug. 27 and you could win $1,000. Click here for details. SEANC members in memoriam
Help SEANC pay tribute to those members who have passed away since the last annual convention. Fill out a remembrance form.
Deadline to submit award nominations is tomorrow!
Know a member who goes above and beyond in his or her dedication to SEANC and its efforts? Check out our four categories of awards and submit your nominations by July 26.
Show off your SEANC spirit for a chance to win $1,000 (note the new deadline!)
What does SEANC mean to you? That's the question members are trying to answer this year for the opportunity to win $1,000 at this year's annualconvention.
Districts or individual members are asked to submit videos telling us what SEANC and this year's convention theme "Building a Better Tomorrow: Work in Progress"meanto you.
Be creative with your approach. Videos should be no longer than three minutes and must be submitted by Aug. 27. Any camera or phone with digital video capabilities will work, but if you have questions, call Matt Whittle at 919-833-6436 or email mwhittle@seanc.org. Completed videos should also be emailed to mwhittle@seanc.org
The top three videos will be chosen by the Board of Governors and will be shown at the convention. Delegates will vote for the best. The winner will receive $1,000.
Please be clear whether the video is being submitted by a district or anindividual.
By submitting a video to SEANC, each entrant affirms that he or she is at least 18 years of age, consents to SEANC's use and publication of the information provided to SEANC, including names, photographs, videos and any other information given to SEANC, and releases SEANC and its employees and agents from any liability and all claims arising out of SEANC's use and publication of the information provided.
Contribute to the convention's community service project
This year's official Community Service Project at the 31st Annual SEANC Convention will be the SEANC Scholarship Foundation. A cash call will be held on the business floor of the convention on Thursday during the Community Service time. Thank you for your donations to help your fellow SEANC members, their spouses and their dependent children attend college.
The State Health Plan wants to know how it's doing - and it's asking you to tell it. So let staff andtheboard of trustees know!
Do you like being penalized with surcharges? Do you remember the long waits and dropped telephone calls during open enrollment last year? Didthe wellness assessments work for you?
The SEANC Store is now online!
SEANC urges all members to take the survey. One way to try to improve the State Health Plan and its programs is by letting the staff and board know how and why you are using the plan and its program and what you think of it. This is your chance to share directly with the
Planstaff andboard what youthink about yourhealth insurance
The Board of Trustees is asking members to complete a five-minute survey to let it know members' experiences and satisfaction with the Planand its programs.Active and retiredstateemployees are eligible toparticpate.
It will be available until Aug.29. Click heretoaccess it.
Takethesurveytoday.
Two students were recognized by their hometown newspaper this week for receiving SEANC scholarships. Katelyn Vause of Richlands was awarded a $1,000 scholarship to attend Lenoir-Rhyne University, while LInda Swarts of Jacksonville was awarded a $500 scholarshipto attendUNC-Wilmington.
Are you a scholarship recipient or do you know one who has been recognized by your hometown paper? Let us know. Send us a link so we can share it with all of the SEANC membership.
Congrats to the 67 new members who recently chose to empower themselves and the public services they provide by joining SEANC! Welcome new members from the state departments of Environment, Commerce, Health and Natural Resources, Health and Human Resources, Justice, Public Safety, Transportation, and the Administrative Office of the Courts, as well as from the UNC Hospitals, the state Community College system, East Carolina University, N.C. Central University, N.C. State University, UNC-Chapel Hill, UNC-Charlotte, UNCWilmington, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County, and schools in Cleveland, Cumberland, Henderson, Nash, Robeson, Scotland and Wakecounties
Contact Lynn Cote for more information on hosting a membership event at your worksite.
Get your theme park tickets today!
Purchase your discounted tickets to all of the best area theme and water parks! SEANC and the State Employees' Credit Union are teaming up to offer savings at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Carowinds, Kings Dominion, Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe, Jungle Rapids, Myrtle Waves, Dollywood and Tweetsie Railroad. Click hereforticketpricesandpark information.
Stop by any of the State Employees' Credit Union branches to purchase these discounted tickets. Click here to find a branch near you.
800-222-2758 | seanc.org