MINUTES
SEANC DISTRICT #3 ANNUAL MEETING
June 10, 2002

Executive Board Members Present: Pat Reighard, Debbie Blake, Teresa Canton, Libby Clawson, Lois Forrester, Nancy Godwin, Reta Greene, Doris Greer, Debbie Guy, James Hayes, Bob Hite, Teresa Johnson, Andy Kirby, David Matheny, Charles Pritchett, Denise Story, Ken Rhymer, Pat Rhymer, Pat Taylor.
Members Absent:  Kay Goins and Amy Winebarger.
Guests:  Steve Lusk (SEANC 1st Vice President); Johnnie Carswell (Western Region Representative); Vicki Payne (Western District Services Representative); Senator Ken Moore representing the 27th district; Scholarship recipients Frederick Lee and his parents, Dr. Seong Lee and Jae Lee, and Mary Pritchett, daughter of District 3 Executive Board Member, Charles Pritchett; David Crawford, candidate for Congress; Miles Tager, reporter from The Mountain Times; and Nathan Winkler from The Appalachian.

The Annual Meeting of District #3 of the State Employees Association of North Carolina was held in the Price Lake Section of the Blue Ridge Ballroom, Plemmons Student Union, Appalachian State University, on Monday, June 10, 2002, at 4 p.m.  Chairperson Pat Reighard called the meeting to order at 4:03 p.m. and welcomed all members.

Teresa Johnson, District #3 secretary, called the roll.  Lois Forrester made a motion to dispense with the reading of the annual meeting minutes from June 4, 2001.  The motion was seconded and approved. 

Chairperson Reighard welcomed and recognized the guests.

Teresa Canton, Treasurer, presented the treasurer’s report.  As of May 31, 2002, there is a balance of $11,581.50. 

COMMITTEE REPORTS
Auditing:  Reta Greene, Chair, reported all financial records and books have been audited and they were in order.
Bylaws:   Libby Clawson, Chair, presented the following Bylaws wording corrections:
1) Numbering of subsections is not consistent;
2) Art. I, Section 1, 4:  Separate Secretary-Treasurer position;
3) Art. I, Section 1, 5; Art. II Section 1, 1.1.1.2; Art. III Section 4, 3.1:  Change name of District Constitution Standing Committee and its Chairperson to District Bylaws Committee;
4) Art. II Section 1. subsection 1.1 & 1.2:  Add Membership Committee Chairperson;
5) Art III, Section 1, 1.1.3:  Change District Publicity Chairperson to District Communications Chairperson;
6) Art. III, Section 1:  Add A District Insurance Committee Chair
7) Art. III, Section 1:  Add A District Retiree Committee Chair
8) Art. III, Section 1, 1.1.3:  Chang “five (5)” to “two (2)” for number of committee members
9) Art. III, Section 1, 1.2, 1.2.1:  Change “such others as are” to “other duties.”
A motion was made to accept the changes as noted.  The motion was seconded and approved.
Communications: Pat Taylor, Chair, reported three newsletters have been printed this year and one more will be sent to members this summer.  July 1 is the deadline for articles to be submitted.
EMPAC:  David Matheny, Chair, announced no statewide endorsements would be made this year due to redistricting.  He encouraged attendance at the rally on June 12, 2002. 
Fundraising:  Denis Story reported the golf tournament held in May was a success.  A total of $545.00 was raised for scholarships.  Plans are underway for another golf tournament in the fall. 
Group Buying: No report.  Vicki Payne announced she has copies of the motel/hotel discount cards available.
Insurance:  No report.
Membership:  Debbie Blake, Chair, reported District 3 has 1,127 members as of May 31. 
Nominating: Bob Hite, Chair, noted the slate of officers and delegates are listed on the ballot given to those members present.  Elections will be held later under New Business.
Policy Platform:  Doris Greer, Chair, presented three proposed policy platform issues for approval to be forwarded to the statewide policy platform committee:
1) Issue or concern:  The decentralization of the University System from the Office of State Personnel and the State Personnel Act.  We must combat the trend toward downsizing OSP and giving decision-making rights to each agency.   objective:   It is imperative that all State employees remain under the protection of the State Personnel Act through the Office of State Personnel.  Each State agency should continue to report to the Office of State Personnel, which should continue to serve as the central clearinghouse for all issues and concerns related to State employees.  Need for proposed change:  It is of the utmost importance to keep State employees governed by the State Personnel Act through the Office of State Personnel.  It is currently being proposed through legislation that the University system (which consists of the 16 North Carolina State Universities) be removed from under the Office of State Personnel and placed under General Administration.  Reporting to General Administration means that University employees will no longer be protected by the State Personnel Act and that each University will have its own decision-making policies, rules, and guidelines.  This will be a move backward instead of forward for University employees, back to the days of the “good old boy” system where politics and favoritism played a large role.  This could mean that University employees would not have the same protections that we are presently afforded through OSP.  This could jeopardize our job security, longevity, salaries, how grievances are handled, and our benefits (just to name a few).  We must fight together to see that this move does not happen! 
Doris Greer made a motion to approve this proposed policy platform.  It was seconded and the motion carried.
2)  Issue or concern:  The fact that the State Comprehensive Major Medical Plan does not offer a rate option for employee/spouse. Language for proposed objective:  Previously, the State Comprehensive Major Medical Plan offered no rate option for employee/spouse.  It has now become necessary to offer a rate that is more affordable for households without children.  The recommended rate for employee/spouse is $275.00.  (The calculation for this proposed rate is splitting the difference between the two rates, employee/child and employee/family.) 
 Need for proposed change: The State Comprehensive Major Medical Plan currently offers a rate for Employee/Child/Children ($152.32 per month) and Employee/Family, which includes spouse ($365.36 per month).  There is dramatic difference in cost between these two options.  It would prove most beneficial to employees whose households consist only of employee and spouse to offer a rate that would be more affordable.  It is unfair for those employees who only have a spouse with no children to pay the same rate as the family rate. 
Doris Greer made a motion to approve this proposed policy platform.  It was seconded and the motion carried.
3) Issue or concern:  Career state employees who become disabled due to job-related injuries and the fact that currently they receive no priority consideration in finding other state employment if, upon their return to work, they are unable to perform the duties of their position at the time of injury.  Language for proposed objective:  Career state employees who become disabled to the point of not being able to perform their usual and customary occupation, but who are still able to perform in another capacity, should be given priority consideration for other positions of the same salary grade level or below for which they quality, mean those who meet the minimum state requirements, for a period of twelve (12) months following the date of doctor’s release for said on-the-job injury. Need for proposed change:  Currently, after their doctor’s release, career state employees are allowed to return to the position which they occupied at the time of their disability/on-the-job injury, but they are required to perform in that position as though the on-the-job never occurred.  In some cases, however, employees are allowed to return to work in their present position in a limited capacity but only for a brief time, but shortly thereafter they are expected to assume the regular duties and responsibilities of their present position.
 Doris Greer made a motion to approve this proposed policy platform.  It was seconded and the motion carried.
Retiree:   No report.
Scholarship: Nancy Godwin, Chair, reported all applications from the applicants were outstanding, which made the scholarship committee’s task to choose the winners difficult.  She then announced the winners, and introduced those who were in attendance.   Mary Pritchett, winner of District 3’s $500 Scholarship, has just completed her first year at UNC-Greensboro.  She is a music education and performance major. She is the daughter of Mr. And Mrs. Charles Pritchett.  Charles is employed with the Department of Transportation in Boone and District 3 Executive Board Member.  Frederick Lee, recipient of the statewide $1,000 scholarship, will be attending Yale University with an intended major in computer engineering.  He is the son of Dr. and Mrs. Seong Lee; both of whom are employed at Appalachian State University.  Joshua Millsaps will attend Appalachian State University, majoring in the science field.  He is also a recipient of the $1,000 statewide scholarship, and is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Alan Millsaps.

Old Business: 
Chairperson Reighard reminded members the Legislative Rally is Wednesday, June 12, 2002, in Raleigh.  Peggy Ellis, ASU Staff Council President, has reserved a 15-passenger van, which will leave State Farm Parking lot at 7:00 p.m.  Those attending the rally should meet at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 11, 2002, to make signs to take to the rally.
Discussion regarding a yard sale as a fundraiser resulted in Denise Story, Fundraising Chair, volunteering to find a place and determine a date.  She will make a recommendation at the next board meeting. 

New Business: 
1) Bob Hite, Nominating Chair, presented the slate of officers for District 3 for the 2002-2003 year. Teresa Johnson was nominated for Chairperson; Chairperson Reighard then opened the floor for nominations.  There were no additional nominations.  Reta Greene moved to close the floor for nominations and approve Teresa Johnson as Chairperson by acclamation.  The motion was seconded and approved.  Lois Forrester was nominated for Vice-chairperson; Chairperson Reighard then opened the floor for nominations.  There were no additional nominations.  Reta Greene moved to close the floor for nominations and approve Lois Forrester as Vice Chairperson by acclamation.  The motion was seconded and approved.  James Hayes was nominated for Auditing Committee Chairperson; Chairperson Reighard then opened the floor for nominations.  There were no additional nominations.  Reta Greene moved to close the floor for nominations and approve James Hayes as Auditing Committee Chairperson by acclamation.  The motion was seconded and approved. Doris Greer was nominated as Bylaws Committee Chairperson; Chairperson Reighard then opened the floor for nominations.  There were no additional nominations.  Debbie Blake moved to close the floor for nominations and approve Doris Greer as Bylaws Committee Chairperson by acclamation.  The motion was seconded and approved. Libby Clawson was nominated as Policy Platform Committee Chairperson; Chairperson Reighard then opened the floor for nominations.  There were no additional nominations.  Reta Greene moved to close the floor for nominations and approve Libby Clawson as Policy Platform Committee Chairperson by acclamation.  The motion was seconded and approved. Bob Hite was nominated as Nominating Committee Chairperson; Chairperson Reighard then opened the floor for nominations.  There were no additional nominations.  Larry Shook moved to close the floor for nominations and approve Bob Hite as Nominating Committee Chairperson by acclamation.  The motion was seconded and approved. Debbie Guy was nominated as Membership Chairperson; Chairperson Reighard then opened the floor for nominations.  There were no additional nominations.  Reta Greene moved to 
close the floor for nominations and approve Debbie Guy as Membership Committee Chairperson by acclamation.  The motion was seconded and approved.   Bob Hite, Nominating Chair then presented the following nominations for delegates at large:  Debbie Blake, Teresa Canton, Rick Cornejo, Reta Greene, Kay Goins, Judith Herbert, Andy Kirby, Harvey Lucas, David Matheny, Ken Rhymer, Pat Rhymer, Larry Shook, Denise Story, Pat Taylor, Amy Winebarger.  Chairperson Reighard then opened the floor for nominations.  There were no additional nominations.  Reta Greene moved to close the floor for nominations for delegates.  The motion was seconded and approved.  Members then cast their votes by secret ballot.  Following the tally the following were elected as  delegates at large:  Debbie Blake, Teresa Canton, Reta Greene, Kay Goins, David Matheny, Ken Rhymer, Pat Rhymer, Denise Story and Pat Taylor.  The following members will serve as alternate delegates:  Rick Cornejo, Judith Herbert, Andy Kirby, Harvey Lucas, Larry Shook, Amy Winebarger. 
2) Lois Forrester presented an endorsement for Steve Taylor, who is running for General Treasurer of SEANC. 
Teresa Johnson presented an endorsement for Linda Rouse Sutton, who is running for 2nd Vice President of SEANC.
3) Chairperson Reighard introduced Senator Ken Moore who spoke on the redistricting issue.  If the current map is approved, he will be running against Senator Virginia Foxx. 
4) Treasurer, Teresa Canton, presented the 2002-2003 proposed budget for District 3; she then moved approval of the proposed budget.  The motion was seconded and approved.  Please refer to attachment #1.
5) Chairperson Reighard asked the membership if the District would want to register to have a fundraising table at Convention.  The cost would be $10 each day.  Following discussion the consensus was to have a table each day.

Other Business:
Teresa Johnson, Vice Chair, presented the district awards for the 2001-2002 year.  Libby Clawson received the Member of the Year award, and Denise Story received the People’s Award. Chairperson Reighard presented the Chairperson’s Award to Teresa Johnson.

Chairperson Reighard introduced Steve Lusk, SEANC 1st Vice President.  Mr. Lusk noted Pat Reighard has been doing an outstanding job representing District 3 at the Board of Governors' meetings.  He expressed greetings from the SEANC Executive Board and Dana Cope.  He noted Dana Cope’s father, Larry Cope, is fighting cancer and to keep Dana and his family in your prayers. He then presented a legislative update, covering the expected proposals from the General Assembly as it relates to state employees' pay, retirement, and health care.  He encouraged members to contact the house and senate members now to let them know our displeasure with the way state employees are treated during their budget deliberations. 

Steve Lusk then assisted Chairperson Reighard in the drawing for the door prizes.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:55 p.m. and the Executive Board and guests enjoyed dinner in the Table Rock Section of the Blue Ridge Ballroom.