This issue of our newsletter highlights a few of the state employees who work in Avery, Mitchell and Watauga Counties.   Take a moment to see if you recognize a co-worker in the photographs, and let them know you saw their picture.  On behalf of SEANC District 3 Executive Board, I want to take this opportunity to commend the state employees for their work in our three county district.  

Since I’m talking about work, I wanted to share how hard SEANC has been working on our behalf in the General Assembly.  Our SEANC state officers, including President Steve Lusk, and the SEANC Central Office Staff have been working very hard on our behalf talking with Senators and Representatives about state employee issues.  This work is ongoing, and can reap benefits if all of us work together by contacting our legislators and lobby for better pay, health care and retirement benefits.  District 3 is working on behalf of state employees by writing letters and sending e-mails to our legislators.  When you are asked to sign a signature page endorsing the contents of a letter from District 3 to our legislators, please do so.  In November, over 750 signatures of state employees were obtained to send with a letter to Governor Easley about our retirement, and I thank you for your participation in that endeavor.

In closing, I want to encourage you to join me as we continue to work together with our fellow state employees for better pay, health care and retirement benefits.  Together I feel we can and will eventually make a difference.  Please contact me anytime:
828-262-2583-W or 828-264-6708-H or johnsonts@appstate.edu.

Report  from the Awards Committee:
It is not too early to begin thinking about Awards for 2002-2003.  If you have observed a SEANC member who is working hard on membership, group buying or just promoting SEANC activities, perhaps it is time to nominate that person for an award.   The criteria for “Member of the Year” award are recognition of a member for accomplishments during the current SEANC year (October 1 – September 30).  Nominees will be those whose services and dedication to the association, district and/or particular committee influenced SEANC’s success or position on an issue.    The criteria for “Distinguished Service Award” are given to a member in recognition of cumulative service and dedication to the association.  Nominees will be those persons who, year after year, work to promote SEANC’s goals and objectives, serving in whatever capacity is asked of them.  Nominees are anticipated to be the kind of persons whose involvement and presence have left a lasting mark on the association.   Then of course the SEANC “District of the Year” award.  This award is given to recognize the SEANC district with outstanding involvement by its membership in advancing the goals of the association within the current year.  District #3 has been the recipient of this award for the past two years.  We can certainly do it again!  The final award that will be presented by the Awards Committee is the “District Chairperson of the Year” award.  This award is given to recognize a SEANC district chairperson for his/her dedication and active support of SEANC both in words and actions.  District chairpersons are typically the persons called upon the most to handle SEANC’s business and affairs, and are frequently among the hardest workers in the association.  A member of any district or the board of governors may submit nominations for district chairpersons of the year, and the Awards Committee will then determine the winner.  If you need Nominating forms or clarification on any of the awards mentioned above, please call me at 828-262-3117 or e-mail me at forresterlw@appstate.edu.   The deadline for submitting nominations for any of these will be at the Board of Governors meeting in Raleigh on August 2, 2003.

NEW MEMBERS FOR MARCH
Buster Burleson 
Jane P. Greene
Dolly R. Horton 
Rose Neyhouse
Diana C. Wilcox

Scholarship Committee Report
Linda Herbst,  Chairperson

The SEANC District 3 Scholarship Committee meeting was held on April 22nd, 2003. There were many well qualified and deserving applicants this year and the decision was a tough one.

Each year District 3 awards a scholarship in the amount of $500. Funds for this scholarship are provided through fund raisers and events sponsored by District 3. Ms.Vicki Wise is the District 3 member winner this year! Vicki is a graduate of UNC-Greensboro and is currently pursuing her Master of Science in Nursing degree with the University of Phoenix. She is a long time SEANC member and full-time nursing instructor with Mayland Community College where she has been employed for the past six years. Vicki is the single mother of a sixteen year old son and enjoys reading, flowers and singing in the church choir. Vicki is the first “Member Only” category applicant to receive the District 3 scholarship. Congratulations Vicki! 

The following scholarship applicants have been selected at the district level to compete in state competition in the following categories:
Category I (Financial Need) Jody Germaine, student at UNC-Asheville
Category II (Merit)  Julia Dale, Senior at Watauga High School
Category III (Member Only) Vicki Wise, student at University of Phoenix

Congratulations to all of the District 3 winners and good luck in the state competition.  We wish you the best of luck in your educational endeavors! 

WIN $50!

Would you like a chance to win $50 at our annual meeting on June 9th?  For every new member you recruit between now and our annual meeting in June, your name will be entered in a drawing for $50 cash!  The more new members you recruit, the greater your odds at winning.  In addition, there will be a drawing among new members recruited between now and the annual meeting for $50.

To make sure you get entered in the drawing, please send all new member applications to Debbie Guy, College of Fine & Applied Arts, 306 Varsity Gym.

Good Luck!