Scoop September 2012

State Employees Association of North Carolina The SEANC Scoop September 14, 2012 SEANC Members "Stand Up" at 29th Annual Convention!

Nearly 850 SEANC convention delegates gathered in Greensboro Sept. 6-8 to elect officers for 2012-2013, determine 2013's Top 10 Policy Platform Objectives, hear from gubernatorial candidates Walter Dalton and Pat McCrory, Lt. Gov. candidate Linda Coleman and N.C. Senate leader Phil Berger and more. Watch the videos played at the convention on YouTube, and see pictures of the event on SEANC's Facebook page.

Click here to read the September Reporter!

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SEANC Delegates Elect 2012-2013 Officers

At the convention, delegates elected Sidney Sandy of District 11 as SEANC President, Art Anthony of District 39 as first vice president, Stanley Gales of District 26 as second vice president and Betty "B.J." Jones of District 42 as treasurer. Charles Johnson of District 45, the 2011-12 SEANC President, will remain on the executive committee as past president and Wayne Fish of District 2 was elected EMPAC Chairman.

Congratulations to our new officers who begin their one-year terms on Oct. 1.

SEANC in the News

As expected during an election year, the convention created a media stir. With EMPAC voting to sit out the gubernatorial race, delegates heard from Democrat Walter Dalton and Republican Pat McCrory. Both candidates made their case for the state's highest office and state employee votes. SEANC also gave Lisa B. Mitchell Legislator of the Year awards to N.C. Senate leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) and House Reps.

Marcus Brandon (D-Guilford), Marian McLawhorn (D-Pitt) and Darren Jackson (D-Wake) for their work on securing the first pay raises for active employees and cost-of-living adjustments for retirees in four years. EMPAC announced this week that it endorsed Steve Troxler in his bid for reelection as the state secretary of agriculture and Allen McNeill for N.C. House District 78.

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

Help SEANC Rein in Skyrocketing Health Care Costs!

The N.C. Department of Insurance has scheduled a hearing for Sept. 20-21 to decide on the fate of SEANC and Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina's efforts to rein in rising health care costs by forcing providers to stop double billing practices when multiple radiology images are taken of patients at a single session. This billing costs the State Health Plan $6 million per year. If you have been a victim of this unfair practice or want to stop the rising cost of health care in the State Health Plan, we urge you to write Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin ahead of the hearing to let him know your feelings by sending him a letter. We've created a draft letter for you to customize to your liking. Contact SEANC Communications Specialist Jonathan Owens for more information.

EMPAC, Scholarship Board Sweepstakes Winners Announced!

EMPAC and the Scholarship Foundation Board gave away cash in their annual sweepstakes at the convention! EMPAC gave away $500 prizes to Terry Mitchell of Wilson, Patricia Luther of Wilmington, H. William Paul of Sugar Grove and Laura Brown of Louisburg. Janet Brewer of Tarboro received a $1,000 EMPAC award, James L. Williams of Gastonia won $2,000 from EMPAC and Christie Harrison of Williamston won the $5,000 grand prize. Tara Minter of Raleigh (pictured) won the top prize of $6,000 in the scholarship raffle and was on hand to receive her prize!

Charles Bryant of Goldsboro won the second prize of $3,000 and Russell Bennett of Clayton won the third prize of $1,000. Congratulations to all!

Take Advantage of Legal Plan Open Enrollment Before It's Too Late!

Hyatt Legal Plan is holding an open enrollment now 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, see this brochure or contact the SEANC Office at 800222-2758.

State Employees Association of North Carolina The SEANC Scoop September 21, 2012 SEANC's Support of Linda Coleman Picking Up Steam!

Just 45 days remain before the election, and SEANC’s support for Lieutenant Governor candidate Linda Coleman is getting noticed again! Earlier this week, the Associated Press released an article speculating on how much support SEANC would lend Coleman over the next month.

Coleman, a long-time SEANC member, has been an ardent supporter of working families and state employees from the beginning of her political career.

Now it’s time for us to support her. Please swing by the SEANC Central Office in Raleigh to pick up some yard signs to spread the word!

Click here to read the September Reporter!

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Fighting to Cut Health Care Costs!

SEANC filed a legal brief this week in favor of efforts to rein in rising health care costs by forcing providers to stop double billing practices when multiple radiology images are taken of patients at a single session. This billing costs the State Health Plan $6 million per year. The N.C. Department of Insurance is holding day two of a hearing on the matter today in Raleigh. We will update you on Commissioner of Insurance Director Wayne Goodwin's decision as information becomes available.

SEANC Continues to Add New Members

SEANC’s Member Action Department has been on the move recently, signing up new members and spreading the word about the association at job sites all over the state. The department has signed up 87 new members in the last week in 15 different workplaces, including Cherry Hospital, James Sprunt Community College, Wayne Correctional Institute, the Department of Public Safety Training Center, Moore County Schools Bus Garage, Wake Correctional Institute, Swannanoa Correctional Institute, Forsyth County DENR Office, New Hanover County Community Corrections, Cherokee County DOT, Cherokee County Probation/Parole, Craven Community College, O’Berry Neuro-Medical Center and Graham County DOT. If you would like for a member action coordinator to visit your agency, please contact Member Action Director Lynn Cote.

Discounted Tickets Remain for Several Panthers Games!

SEANC still has a few tickets remaining at a discounted rate for three Carolina Panthers games! The team is offering SEANC members a special single game group ticket rate of $32 for a select group of games this season. Discounts remain for tickets to games against Seattle, Atlanta and Oakland. For 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 September 28, 2012 SEANC In The News

SEANC Hero Linda Coleman received some good news this week, as the conservative-leaning Civitas Institute released a new poll showing her leading her opponent by four points in the race to be the next lieutenant governor! Also this week, SEANC’s endorsements of eastern North Carolina candidates were highlighted in the Wilmington Star-News, and a report from The Institute for Southern Studies mentioned SEANC in its story on political groups in our state.

Click here to read the September Reporter!

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Insurance Survey (+ Chance to Win Free Gas Card!)

SEANC needs to hear from you! Do you currently use or are you interested in one of SEANC’s insurance programs? Do you also need some help with rising gas costs? Please take a few minutes to fill out this survey to help SEANC’s Insurance Department better serve you. You must be logged into the SEANC website with your member id in order to participate. All responses will be entered for a chance to win one of two $25 gas gift cards for your time. The contest will be held over the next two weeks. We look forward to hearing from you!

Cheer for Your Favorite Shade of Blue!

This year, SEANC has you covered no matter which shade of blue you bleed! Duke University is offering discounted tickets to SEANC members for the Blue Devils’ Oct. 20 football game against the UNCChapel Hill Tar Heels. The discount also extends to the Blue Devils’ Nov. 3 game against Clemson. For more information, see this brochure.

SEANC Recruiting Heating Up!

SEANC’s Member Action Department heated up this week, even as the temperatures cooled down, recruiting 43 new members. We welcome our new members into the SEANC family from Cabarrus County DOT Maintenance, Mecklenburg County Department of Labor/OSHA division, Mitchell Community College, New Hanover Correctional Center, New Hanover Community Corrections, Hyde County DOT Maintenance, Hyde County Clerk of Court, Hyde County DOT/Ferry Division, Davidson County DOT/Bridge, Albemarle Correctional Institution, Onslow County Probation/Parole, Pasquotank Correctional Institution, Brown Creek Correctional Institution and the Division of Child Development and Early Education. If you would like for a member action coordinator to visit your worksite, please 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

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