2020-Changes, Challenges & Opportunities
months of the new year, NCRGEA was making the
case to local and state leaders that it was imperative
to provide a COLA for government retirees.
With the stock market setting new records monthly
and the North Carolina pension plan having
gains of more than 14.5% in 2019, it looked like a
year that retirees would get a much-needed cost of
living adjustment.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic has devastated
the economy and our entire social network.
More recently social injustice has become another
lightning rod topic and has required government
to focus on delivering the basic needs of our democratic
society. Now, our local and state leaders
revenues, an unemployment rate nearing 20% and
social turmoil that has not been seen in 50 years.
Legislatively, we are now focused on ensuring
the pension system and state health plan are
funded so they can continue uninterrupted service
while maintaining your well-funded pension and
providing quality state retiree health care.
At the start of 2020, NCRGEA was looking
forward to engaging our membership in their
communities by organizing local retiree groups
to engage local and state leaders at home and to
support retiree activities in communities across
the state. Obviously, our efforts have been put on
hold due the social distancing requirements as a
result of COVID-19. The pandemic has upset our
normal routines in so many ways but it has also
mainstreamed the use of virtual meetings such as
webinars and ZOOM conferencing. Out of necessity
the NCRGEA Board and its committees continued
their work through virtual meetings. Having
familiarized ourselves with these different types of
meeting options, we now better understand how
we can use video conferencing and webinars to
effectively reach our members as well. In the near
future we hope to provide you the opportunity to
join us for video conferences on a number of topics
that may include: The State Health Plan, candidate
updates.
With our 2020-2021 Board of Directors and
Vann Langston as President, our Association will
work to establish footholds in communities across
the state, expand our traditional and new methods
of member outreach and continue to be a valued
resource for local and state government retirees.
Board of Directors Changes
Each year in June, the NCRGEA Board of Directors
elects new members as Board member terms
expire. NCRGEA has been privileged through the
years with the dedication and extraordinary service
of many, many Board members.
Our thanks to the following Board members
whose terms ended in 2020 for their untiring efforts
in leading NCRGEA.
Clifton Metcalf, Lake Junaluska, District 1
Charles Beck, Lenoir, District 2
Linda Story, Granite Falls, District 2
Irene Pollard, Farmville, District 5
While we are sad to lose these great Board members
and are grateful for their service; we look
forward to welcoming new Board members to the
NCRGEA leadership team who will continue in
these large footsteps of all who served before.
Welcome to the NCRGEA Board of Directors
George W. “Chuck” Wooten of Sylva, District 1
Cecil E. Wood, Wilkesboro, District 2
J. Thomas “Tom” Lundy, District 2
Karl E. Sanders, Rocky Mount, District 5
V. Vann Langston, Raleigh, President
Martha Sue Hall, Albemarle, Vice President
Michael Taylor, Emerald Isle, Secretary/Treasurer
Retiree Pay Dates
(Dates pension checks are direct deposited or checks
are mailed.)
Be sure to keep the NC Retirement Systems
informed of your current mailing address. Call
877-627-3287 for all questions about your retirement
check or deductions.
July 24, 2020 October 23, 2020
August 25, 2020 November 25, 2020
September 25, 2020 December 23, 2020
July-August 2020 3