Donate Locally for Giving Tuesday, November 29, 2022
Tomorrow is GivingTuesday 2022, which means many of you will be donating to a nonprofit or community organization.
We encourage you to donate to groups here in North Carolina. In your community, check for specific information on #GivingTuesday or contact an organization to inquire about donating.
Otherwise, you can explore some of the North Carolina initiatives we discovered online.
Giving Tuesday Raleigh Durham – scroll down to see the seven local nonprofits on which they are focusing this year. – bit.ly/3gEewz0
Cumberland Community Foundation, Inc. – lists 76 local nonprofits in the area. Choose one and click the Donate button beside its name. bit.ly/3VcqMW9
Conservation Trust for North Carolina – donations will be triple matched by board members – bit.ly/3GS8g17
Farmville Public Library – bit.ly/3gCe04x
Families & Communities Rising, Durham – bit.ly/3EL5J65
Kellin Foundation, Greensboro – Kellinfoundation.org
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Central Piedmont – bbbscp.org
Friends of Guilford County Animal Shelter – bit.ly/3VeB602
NCRGEA Update: Statement on Lake Case, October 2022
Raleigh, October 20, 2022 — Tim O’Connell, Executive Director of the North Carolina Retired Governmental Employees’ Association, announced today that the United States Supreme Court has denied the Petition filed by the State of North Carolina seeking review of the North Carolina Supreme Court decision affirming a partial judgment in favor of retired State employees seeking promised health care benefits.
This past March, the NC Supreme Court ruled that a vested State retiree is contractually entitled to the same retiree health care benefits that were in place at the time they vested. The NC Supreme Court ruling sends the case back to the North Carolina Superior Court for a determination of whether the State’s actions in reducing benefits was a material breach of the contract and if so, a determination of damages.
“It is time for this case to be resolved,” O’Connell stated. “Our retirees have been waiting over ten years to receive the benefits the State promised them when they became employed. I urge the State to stop delaying and do the right thing for these retirees who relied on the State’s promises.”
The case was filed in Gaston Superior Court in 2012 after the North Carolina General Assembly reduced the benefits retirees would receive in the nonpremium contributory plan. The Superior Court granted a partial summary judgment for the retirees and reserved ruling on the amount of damages.
“This case has been up and down in the trial court and appellate courts for almost 11 years,” stated Chris Whelchel of the Gastonia law firm Gray, Layton, Kersh, Solomon, Furr and Smith, one of counsel for the retirees. “We are prepared to move on with this case to make sure these retirees receive what the courts have said they deserve. Many of the 220,000 retirees affected by this case have died waiting for justice to be served.”
The NCRGEA is a statewide organization with over 60,000 state and local government retirees. It represents the more than 340,000 state and local government retirees.
Excellent Turnout for NCRGEA Recognition Table at NC Museum of Art Reopening
NCRGEA’s Recognition Table for North Carolina Public Servants at the North Carolina Museum of Art’s reopening on Saturday, October 8, 2022 was a great success. Both the general public and active NCRGEA members stopped by for information, to pick up swag, and to enter our organization’s drawing for a $500 travel giveaway.
A big thank you goes out to the following volunteers who showed up on a beautiful fall day to work: Delores Parker (member, District 8); Gary Ackley (member, District 8); Laura Kupatt (associate member & Gary’s wife); Suzanne Merrill (NCRGEA Board member); Phyllis Fulton (member, District 8); Lillie Costin (member, District 8); Chris Whitten (staff); Tom McCollum (staff); Deryl Davis Fulmer (staff); and Tim O’Connell (Executive Director).
Board and Staff Represent Members at NC COA Annual Meeting and Luncheon
NCRGEA board and staff were out in force at the North Carolina Coalition on Aging Annual Meeting and Luncheon on September 23, 2022. The event celebrated the support NC COA’s membership provides to older adults in North Carolina. Guests from a variety of aging industries enjoyed a keynote speaker highlighting aging issues and the announcement of Pioneer Award recipients.
From left to right are Tom McCollum, Director of Communications and Engagements; Dr. Deryl Fulmer, Community Liaison and a member of NC Coalition on Aging’s Board of Directors; Josephine Lanier, Director of Insurance Services; Suzanne Merrill, Board member (District 8); Karl Sanders, NCRGEA Vice President (District 5); and Tim O’Connell, Executive Director.
Photo Credit belongs to NCCOA: https://lnkd.in/eK3RSaA2
NCRGEA Welcomes New Director of Communications and Engagement, Tom McCollum
Please join us in welcoming Tom McCollum, our new Director of Communications and Engagement, to NCRGEA. His accomplishments include 16+ years as the Fort Bragg Garrison Director Of Strategic Communications and Public Relations and a background in social media consulting. He also served as the Communications and Media Advisor to the Afghani Ministries of the Interior and Defense with NATO and spent 22 years as a U.S. Army Infantry and Special Forces Officer.
With his dynamic skill set, NCRGEA is excited to see the innovative ideas Tom will bring to the organization.
