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Friday, February 19, 2021
SEANC pushes for State Health Plan funding and increases for state employees and retirees
During last week's legislative update, we informed you about the state's $4 billion surplus. Our lobbyists are having conversations with lawmakers about how that money can be used to improve the livelihoods of state employees and retirees.

This week we focused on State Health Plan expenses due to the pandemic. Here are some updates:

  • The State Health Plan (SHP) has spent $72 million dollars on COVID testing and treatment as of December 2020.
  • The SHP is expected to spend an additional $122 million in 2021 on COVID testing and treatment.
  • The SHP was required by the federal government to pay for COVID-related items in order to deplete federal funds.
  • SEANC is advocating for CARES Act funds to be used to replenish the State Health Plan.

Additional Updates:

  • Senate Bill 37 provides an in-person learning choice for all school districts. After some debate and amendments, it is now headed to the Governor’s desk. 

The SEANC lobbying team is having conversations with legislators about the needs of all state employees who are working the frontlines during this pandemic and we are getting positive feedback. SEANC is here to answer questions and help in any way we can. Please reach out to SEANCcares and someone from our team will get back to you. 
James Holman: Making "good trouble" as a voice for UNC-Chapel Hill staff
Holman recently received the inaugural Rebecca Clark Staff Award for Moral Courage for his work in fighting for issues important to staff at UNC-Chapel Hill. A lifetime Employee Forum delegate, Holman has worked at UNC-Chapel Hill for 15 years and is currently serving as a housekeeping crew leader and chairman of SEANC District 25.

A native of Hillsborough, Holman was the first African-American student at Cameron Park Elementary School as a third-grader. He moved to Connecticut for 20 years after high school, but returned to Orange County and secured a job at UNC-Chapel Hill.

He first got involved in the Employee Forum and SEANC’s district on campus in response to unfair treatment of housekeeping staff, and was instrumental in leading a charge for a full restructuring of housekeeping operations.

“During that time I received a lot of pushback and was labeled a troublemaker,” Holman said in a story on UNC’s website announcing the award. “I have found out when staff members speak out, they are labeled as troublemakers. I am going to use one of the late John Lewis’s statements: ‘Get in good trouble, necessary trouble.’ To me, I was making good trouble.”

SEANC is proud to celebrate James and his advocacy in the workplace. Click here to read James' full interview. If you would like to nominate a member for inclusion, send an email to jowens@seanc.org!
Behind the Scenes with SEANC
SEANC is proud to highlight the leaders who work to provide the best services to our members every day.

This week's profiles include a lumberjack, RVer and past resident of France.
Save with SEANC Insurance
Reminder: You don't have to wait for open enrollment to take advantage of
SEANC's Insurance programs. Visit seanc.org/insurance for more!
Save money on your home and auto insurance
SEANC offers auto insurance through three companies.Take advantage of the special discounted group insurance rates you can receive as a SEANC member! Convenient payment plans such as payroll deduction, bank draft and direct billing are also available. You can receive a quote by using the information below.

Liberty Mutual 
1-800-230-0827
Client Code: 101391 

MetLife
1-800-438-6388 
Discount Code: BMO 

Travelers 
1-888-695-4640
Discount Code: 4110
Switch to T-Mobile and Save
SEANC members can more than $900 switching to T-Mobile from Verizon. With Unlimited T-Mobile plans you can enjoy premium features like a complimentary Netflix account, international texting and data, as well as free stuff with T-Mobile Tuesdays.
Join us for upcoming events!
Thank you to everyone who attended our "Recruit the Recruiter" event on February 18. Congratulations to Janice Bass of District 21, the winner of our $50 gift card giveaway. Please share our New Member event (February 25 at 6:00 pm) with non-members.
RSVP today!
Want to help SEANC grow?
Every time you recruit a new member now through Feb. 28, you and the new member will be entered in a drawing to win $250. 
 
Contact SEANC Director of Member Relations Lynn Cote TODAY at lcote@seanc.org or 919-880-9815 to arrange the recruiting/materials assistance you need. Recruiters will receive $20 for every new member recruited.
 
Referral Member Program: Send us the name and contact information for a possible new member. If they sign up, you get $20!
If you would like printed copies of the Membership Guide and Insurance Guide, please contact Director of Member Relations Lynn Cote at lcote@seanc.org.
Benefits
Apply for the Leadership NC Scholarship
Ready to take the next step into a leadership role in your job, your community or SEANC? Now's your chance. SEANC’s Emerging Leaders Council has established a scholarship program to allow one SEANC member the opportunity to participate in Leadership North Carolina (LNC), a two-year training program where participants acquire the skills necessary to take the lead. Apply by April 30.
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