Scoop May 2013

State Employees Association of North Carolina The SEANC Scoop May 3, 2013 Legislative Update

SEANC urges members to call their legislators in support of HB 177, a free-market competition bill to reduce the cost of health care to patients and North Carolina citizens by increasing competition between hospitals and smaller surgery centers. For more on the bill and other happenings in the General Assembly, read this week’s Legislative Update.

Click here to read the May Reporter!

SAVE THE DATE! The Don Jones Memorial Golf Tournament will be held Aug. 9 at Keith Hills Golf Club in Buies Creek.

Meet Your SEANC Lobbyist: Suzanne Beasley

This week’s installment of our series on SEANC’s lobbyists focuses on Suzanne Beasley. A 10-year SEANC veteran, accomplished lobbyist and Harley-Davidson enthusiast, Suzanne is known for her tenacity and work ethic advocating in the General Assembly on behalf of public services and the people who provide them. Read more about her here.

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Save Money with SEANC Insurance Programs

SEANC’s Insurance Board of Trustees met on Tuesday at the Central Office to discuss several exciting opportunities for members to save money! If you are unfamiliar with SEANC’s insurance programs, including dental, vision, life, home, auto and many more, please contact an Insurance Specialist today at 919-833-6436 or by email.

Act Now to Get In on the WWE Action!

SEANC has a breaking discount offer for you, but you have to act quickly! Your favorite WWE Superstars return to PNC Arena in Raleigh on Tuesday, May 7, for one night only, and SEANC can save you up to $15 per ticket! Watch Albert Del Rio defend his title against The Big Show, and matches including Sheamus, Randy Orton and more. Click here to find out more.

Discount: Flowers for Mom

Mother's Day is right around the corner. Have you ordered flowers yet for the special people in your life? Click here and save 20% on flowers and gifts for Mother’s Day using the promo code NC15 with 1-800-Flowers.

SEANC Hot Spots:

Member Discounts 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 May 10, 2013 Cope Speaks Out on SPA Changes

This week was another busy one at the General Assembly for SEANC. Executive Director Dana Cope testified before a House committee on proposed changes to the State Personnel Act. Also, the bill to cut health care costs to members and the State Health Plan by allowing outpatient surgical centers to operate in some counties drew strong opposition from the hospital lobby and the millions of dollars they have on hand. Read all about these and other topics in this week’s Legislative Update.

Click here to read the May Reporter!

SAVE THE DATE! The Don Jones Memorial Golf Tournament will be held Aug. 9 at Keith Hills Golf Club in Buies Creek.

SEANC in the News

SEANC Executive Director Dana Cope’s testimony before the House State Personnel Committee made headlines this week in several news outlets, including The Associated Press, The News & Observer, News 14 and WRAL-TV. Cope explained SEANC’s objections to the bill, saying “Without these provisions, get ready for a return to the Wild West and a return to a system rife for political patronage, cronyism and nepotism.” Since that meeting, Cope and SEANC’s Legislative Affairs team has worked closely with the Office of State Personnel and legislators to address some of the concerns Cope raised at the meeting.

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Meet Your SEANC Lobbyist - Mitch Leonard

This week’s installment of our series on SEANC’s lobbyists takes a look at Mitch Leonard, who has been a member and advocate for the organization and its predecessors for 43 years. Once the organization’s first field representative, today Leonard works as a lobbyist with a focus on maintaining members’ retirement security. Read more about him here.

More Workers Side with SEANC

SEANC’s Member Action Department recruited 159 new members in the last two weeks from all over the state, including the Departments of Health and Human Services, Public Safety and Revenue, IT Services, Hyde, Nash and Wake County school systems, Southwestern Community College, UNCChapel Hill, N.C. School of the Arts, Hyde and Polk correctional institutions, Broughton and Cherry hospitals and the DPS Office of Staff Development and Training in Edenton. If you would like for a SEANC Member Action Coordinator to visit your worksite, contact Member Action Director Lynn Cote.

SEANC Hot Spots:

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

Discount: Catch Me If You Can

Get discount tickets to “Catch Me If You Can” at the Belk Theater in Charlotte. Discounts are available for Friday, June 7, and Sunday, June 9, performances. Click here for more information.

State Employees Association of North Carolina The SEANC Scoop May 17, 2013 SEANC Prioritizes Jobs, SPA Ahead of Senate Budget Release

The N.C. Senate will release its budget on Sunday, and SEANC’s lobbying team has been hard at work this week to make sure public services and the people who provide them are well represented in the discussions. This week saving jobs, the State Personnel Act and the State Health Plan topped the agenda. Read all about these and other topics in this week’s Legislative Update.

Click here to read the May Reporter!

SAVE THE DATE! The Don Jones Memorial Golf Tournament will be held Aug. 9 at Keith Hills Golf Club in Buies Creek.

Click Here to Sign Up!

SEANC in the News

SEANC was mentioned in several articles this week speaking out on Gov. Pat McCrory’s attempts to rewrite the State Personnel Act. A front-page article in the News & Observer on Tuesday laid out SEANC’s objections well. SEANC was also mentioned in a WRAL-TV story on the same topic. If this bill passes the Senate, get ready for lawsuits.

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Meet Your SEANC Lobbyist - Tom Harris

This week’s installment of our ongoing Meet Your Lobbyist series introduces you to Tom Harris, SEANC’s General Counsel/Chief of Staff. Harris is an expert on all legal issues pertaining to state employment – mostly because he wrote some of the laws himself in his former career with the state’s Department of Labor. He’s also a big Duke fan and graduate, but we won’t hold that against him. Read more about Harris here.

More Workers Side with SEANC

SEANC’s strength increased by 90 new members who chose to join the association this week from membership drives at Longleaf Neuro Medical Center in Wilson and in Butner. Also, new members were recruited this week from Guilford County Clerk of Court Office, Onslow County school maintenance/bus garage, Justice Academy in Sampson County, Beaufort County DOT maintenance, Southern Correctional, Davidson Correctional, Lanesboro Correctional, and the Departments of Health & Human Services, Administration and Public Safety. If your district or workplace is interested in hosting a membership event, contact Member Action Director Lynn Cote today!

SEANC Hot Spots:

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

Beat the Heat This Summer with SEANC

Winter is over and it is time to hit the waves at one of the waterparks offering discounts to SEANC members! Members can purchase discount tickets for admission to Wet ‘N Wild Emerald Pointe in Greensboro, Jungle Rapids Waterpark in Wilmington and Myrtle Waves in Myrtle Beach by visiting any branch of the State Employees Credit Union. Check park websites for hours and dates of operation.

Discount: Catch Me If You Can

SEANC members save $3 off per ticket to “Sesame Street Live: Elmo Makes Music” showing June 1-2 at PNC Arena in Raleigh. But hurry, the deadline for orders is Friday, May 24. Click here for more information.

State Employees Association of North Carolina The SEANC Scoop May 24, 2013 Senate Scoffs at Public Services, Cuts 1,600 Jobs in Budget Proposal

The N.C. Senate released its budget last Sunday night, and it was not too kind to state employees or retirees. It includes no pay raises or cost-of-living adjustments. It also advocates for the closure of six prisons and cuts a total of 1,600 jobs. The proposal passed the Senate this week, and will be taken up in the House next week. Read all about it in this week’s Legislative Update.

Click here to read the May Reporter!

SAVE THE DATE! The Don Jones Memorial Golf Tournament will be held Aug. 9 at Keith Hills Golf Club in Buies Creek.

Click Here to Sign Up!

Help More Members Get Active

SEANC’s Member Strength Committee wants your input on how to help members be more involved in SEANC activities including effective coworker conversations, grassroots lobbying and electoral work. Your responses to this survey will be kept confidential and giving your name is optional. Please assist us by completing this survey today so we may better strengthen SEANC through meaningful membership input. Please take a few seconds to fill out this survey.

One lucky responder will receive a $25 Amazon.com gift card.

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Meet Your SEANC Lobbyist - Sidney M. Sandy

This week’s edition of Meet Your SEANC Lobbyist focuses on SEANC President Sidney M. Sandy, a 29-year veteran of the association. Retired from the Department of Transportation, Sandy is a strong advocate of public services and the people who provide them. He is particularly passionate about EMPAC. Read more about him here.

SEANC Hot Spots: More Workers Choose SEANC

SEANC’s Member Action Department recruited 70 new members and reinstated seven more in the last week from all over the state, including the Departments of Commerce, Health and Human Services, Public Instruction, Public Safety, Revenue and Transportation, Appalachian State University, East Carolina University, N.C. State University and UNC-Chapel Hill. If your district or workplace is interested in hosting a membership event, contact Member Action Director Lynn Cote today!

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

Take a Thrill Ride With SEANC

this summer!

Looking for a great way to spend a summer day? Check out the rides and attractions at Carowinds amusement park in Charlotte. You can purchase discounted tickets to Carowinds and five other theme and water parks at any State Employees’ Credit Union branch. We challenge you to ride as many roller coasters and water slides as possible

Discount: WWE Live & WWE Smackdown

Catch the action as World Wrestling Entertainment returns for two shows in North Carolina in early June. The Crown Coliseum in Fayetteville will host WWE Live on June 9, and WWE Smackdown will happen at the Greensboro Coliseum on June 11. Visit our featured discounts page for more on how to save on tickets to these events.

State Employees Association of North Carolina The SEANC Scoop May 31, 2013 Senate Takes Up SPA Rewrite Bill, House Gets First Crack at State Budget

The two most important bills of the General Assembly session for state employees moved from one side of the building to the other this week. The N.C. House got its turn at the state budget, while the N.C. Senate began work on a House bill that Gov. Pat McCrory is pushing to rewrite parts of the State Personnel Act. Read all about it in this week’s Legislative Update.

Click here to read the May Reporter!

SAVE THE DATE! The Don Jones Memorial Golf Tournament will be held Aug. 9 at Keith Hills Golf Club in Buies Creek!

Help More Members Get Active

SEANC’s Member Strength Committee wants your input on how to help members be more involved in SEANC activities including effective coworker conversations, grassroots lobbying and electoral work. Your responses to this survey will be kept confidential and giving your name is optional. Please assist us by completing this survey today so we may better strengthen SEANC through meaningful membership input. Please take a few seconds to fill out this survey.

One lucky responder will receive a $25 Amazon.com gift card.

Quick Links:

Meet Your SEANC Lobbyist - Dana Cope

We saved the best for last, of course. The final installment of our “Meet Your SEANC Lobbyist” series introduces you to SEANC Executive Director Dana Cope, who has been in charge of the daily operations and advocacy of the association for 12 years.

For more than 20 years, Cope has worked the halls of the General Assembly in support of worker rights, both at SEANC and in his previous job at the Department of Labor. He has repeatedly been named among the most influential lobbyists in Raleigh for his tireless efforts to support state workers. Read more about Dana Cope here.

More Workers Choose SEANC

A total of 74 new members were added this week from all over the state, including the Departments of Commerce, Health and Human Services, Public Safety, Revenue and Transportation, Onslow County Schools and Vance-Granville Community College. If your district or workplace is interested in hosting a membership event, contact Member Action Director Lynn Cote today!

SEANC Hot Spots:

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

Experience the Beauty of Busch Gardens

Looking for a weekend getaway with fun rides, roller coasters and beautiful attractions? Visit Busch Gardens in historic Williamsburg, Va. SEANC members can purchase discounted Busch Gardens tickets at any State Employee’s Credit Union branch. For more information click here!

Discount: Carolina Opry

Heading to Myrtle Beach this summer? Step out of the heat to enjoy a night at one of the beach’s most popular attractions with a discount thanks to your SEANC membership. Check SEANC’s Featured Discounts page for access to this and other great deals!