Scoop September 2011

State Employees Association of North Carolina The SEANC Scoop September 2, 2011 SEANC Hosts Breakfast for Retirees A retiree membership recruitment breakfast was held on Monday at the IHOP in Wilmington. SEANC Lobbyist Mitch Leonard spoke to more than 60 retirees about legislative updates and Member Action Coordinator Sophia Brauns emphasized the importance of SEANC membership. If you're interested in hosting a recruitment event, please contact Tiffany Woodard at twoodard@seanc.org.

State to Participate in New Program State Health Plan members will soon take part in a new program that looks to lower costs by relying on physicians to coordinate care with other health providers. The state plans on extending the option to all plan members in the next two years. Read the News & Observer article for more information.

Reminder: Today is the last day to postmark SEANC-EMPAC Sweepstakes tickets.

See more information here.

Theme Park Ticket Order Form Change in Mailing Address?

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Member Discount Does your child still need supplies for the new school year? Now is a better time than ever to take advantage of Purchasing Power! The program is offered to qualified SEANC members and allows you to pay for new electronics via payroll or pension deduction!

Happy Labor Day! The SEANC Central Office will be closed on Monday, Sept. 5, in observance of Labor Day. We hope everyone has a safe and wonderful holiday weekend!

SEANC Hot Spots: Legislative Update 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: Convention Double Edition September 16, 2011

Legislative Update House Bill 335, which was passed during the regular session of the General Assembly, restricted the Department of Correction (DOC) from privatizing maintenance at any additional prisons while calling for a study on the cost of state‐provided versus privatized maintenance. The bill was sent to a conference in August but the General Assembly returned to Raleigh this week and passed the conference report on HB 335.

The final version calls for the state to study costs of state‐provided versus privatized maintenance and prevents the DOC from privatizing maintenance at any additional prisons prior to and without the approval of the 2013 General Assembly. To read more, click here.

SEANC Officers Re-elected

Check out Convention pictures here!

Announcement: This year's Don Jones Memorial Golf Tournament has been canceled.

Change in Mailing Address?

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More than 850 convention delegates raised their voices and re-elected the association's officers during the 28th Annual SEANC Convention held Sept. 8-10 at the Koury Convention Center in Greensboro. Congratulations to President Charles Johnson, First Vice President Sidney Sandy, Second Vice President Doranna Anderson and Treasurer Marilyn Jean Martin! The officers begin their one-year terms on Oct. 1.

Delegates Raise More Than $17,000 for Military Families Operation All ‘Bout Children, which was this year’s convention service project, was a huge success as districts brought $8,600 worth of baby items including travel systems, cribs, car seats and more in addition to donating $8,800 in cash for juniorenlisted military families with children. Operation Homefront of North Carolina President Jane Weaver-Sobel spoke to delegates at the convention about the importance of these donations, and SEANC President Charles Johnson recognized members who have served in the military.

Sen. Apodaca

Recognized by EMPAC

State EMPAC Chairman Wayne Fish presented Sen. Tom Apodaca the Lisa B. Mitchell Legislator of the Year Award for his efforts in protecting state workers. Sen. Apodaca played pivotal roles in moving oversight of the State Health Plan to the state treasurer’s office, keeping the Basic 70/30 health care option premium-free for all active and retired state employees and fully funding the state retirement system for the first time in more than 10 years.

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

SEANC Members Attend Obama Speech On Wednesday, nine SEANC members traveled to N.C. State University to hear President Barack Obama speak about a proposal to create jobs. He urged attendees to put partisanship aside and call their legislators to tell them to support the bill, which he said would create thousands of new jobs in North Carolina.

SEANC in the News Executive Director Dana Cope was quoted in a News & Observer article that reported on the State Health Plan (SHP) overpaying N.C. Baptist Hospital $1.34 million over a five-year period. SEANC pledged funds to help defend the hospital's former director of managed care who alerted the SHP of the overpayments and then was sued by the hospital. "This is nothing but a lawsuit to intimidate him or other employees trying to do a public service and protect taxpayer dollars," Cope said.

New SEANC Program: Pet Insurance!

SEANC is proud to offer pet insurance at a low rate!

Healthy Paws Pet Insurance covers everything from injuries to emergency care. Simply choose a deductible and reimbursement level that fits your budget. Get an instant quote today with a 15 percent lifetime discount for SEANC members.

State Employees Association of North Carolina The SEANC Scoop September 23, 2011 Quick Links: NC Civitas Polling All Over the Map The conservative Civitas group recently conducted a poll of 400 state residents tying labor unrest in other parts of the country with North Carolina. It read more like a “push poll;� many questions were heavily one-sided to apparently elicit negative public opinion toward state workers and retirees. The group publicized less flattering poll results about public employees, but failed to promote positives: an overwhelming majority feel retiree benefits should not be cut any further, and more North Carolinians feel that state employee collective bargaining should not be restricted than those who favor restriction of these rights. The full results are here.

"Take Pride in Carolina" Continues Fresh off our successful "Take Pride in Carolina" SEANC convention, we are keeping the campaign alive. Keep up to date on Facebook and on Twitter. "Take Pride in Carolina" focuses on common-sense solutions for keeping North Carolina a great place to live and work. And as always you can follow SEANC on Facebook and on Twitter.

Save the Date: Insurance Open Enrollment October is open enrollment for insurance! Want to know more about SEANC's insurance programs? Contact Lynn Cote at lcote@seanc.org or 800-222-2758 to have a member action coordinator come to your workplace and discuss great SEANC insurance benefits such as dental, vision, life, auto, home and more with you and your co-workers. Set up a date today!

Hyatt Legal Open Enrollment SEANC members, have you signed up for Hyatt Legal yet?

Open enrollment for this important product ends Sept. 30, so sign up today! This legal plan connects you to a national network of more than 10,000 experienced attorneys and provides coverage for your most frequently needed personal legal services such as: preparation of wills, powers of attorney and living wills, real estate services and more!

Member Discount Love pizza? Pick up a pizza on your way home today and save up to 25 percent! Check out the member discount section of the SEANC website to find the pizzeria discount closest to you.

SEANC Hot Spots: Legislative Update Benefits Bulletin 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 September 30, 2011 Quick Links: SEANC Officers Begin New Terms SEANC officers begin their new one-year terms on Saturday, Oct. 1. President Charles Johnson, First Vice President Sidney Sandy, Second Vice President Doranna Anderson and Treasurer Marilyn Jean Martin were all elected during the 28th Annual SEANC Convention in early September. The officers’ new terms will run Oct. 1-Sept. 30, 2012.

State Pension & Lawmaker Perks Legislators around the country have debated moving pensions from a “defined benefit” to a “defined contribution” plan. In North Carolina, a third report has shown that TSERS doesn’t need a major overhaul. However, the legislators own retirement plan could use some cleaning up. Read more about it in the News & Observer.

SEANC Hot Spots: UNC Housekeepers The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has released a report detailing recommendations to deal with allegations of harassment and discrimination against the housekeeping staff according to The Daily Tarheel. If you have a workplace issue and would like SEANC to represent you at your worksite, please contact SEANC’s Director of Member Action Lynn Cote at lcote@seanc.org.

Member Discount Schools back in! Are you looking to save money on after-school snacks and lunches? SEANC members can now sign up for membership discounts at BJs Wholesale Club! Save $10 and receive two months free when you sign up for their annual membership.

More details are available on the SEANC Featured Discounts page.

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