MEETING MINUTES – November 12th, 2003

Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Association held on at the Renaissance Hotel in Asheville.  Should you have any questions, comments or corrections, please contact Bridget Downey, PHR, our Chapter Secretary.

Chapter Business:
The meeting was opened by President Lorraine Poe, SPHR.  She has copies of the EPICS list of professional job-seekers available, and can e-mail them on request.  Attention was called to the EEOC website, which features a fact sheet addressing frequently asked questions on Diabetes in the Workplace, published in the spirit of National Disability Employment Awareness Month

Carol Rovello reminded members that it’s not too late to submit items for the November newsletter to either Carol or Lisa Claxton. 

Frank Pomeroy expressed his thanks to all of the vendors who made 2003 such a successful year for the scholarship program.  A special page on the WNC HR website has been dedicated to thanking the vendors and providing contact information for interested members.  2004 presents new opportunities for vendors to be featured at our meetings.  Frank is now accepting applications.  The vendor program is a good way for organizations to get their information out into the community, and helps to fund scholarships for 3-4 students a year. 

Frank then introduced this month’s vendor Laura Russell, the regional representative for the College Fund of North Carolina.  Their web site presents a wealth of information for anyone with any interest in higher education.  In addition to the College Savings Plan, information is available on the Loan Forgiveness Plan, online Career and Interest Assessments, and information on financial aid.  During a time when most businesses are working hard to stretch their benefits dollars, the CFNC Savings Plan is a benefit that is free to employers. Additional information was made available to members at the CFNC display table.  Lorraine Poe added a personal recommendation for the quality of the web site as a source for lots of good information.

Laura Russell, as our School-to-Work advocate, presented information on the Groundhog Job Shadow Day for high school students.  This program is supported by the National SHRM organization.  In Asheville, the program is enhanced by including Teachers in the program, to help them understand what students need to be learning to be successful in the workplace.  Anyone interested in hosting either teachers or students is encouraged to contact Laura Russell. 

Kaye Waugh reminded members to correct any outdated information when returning their membership invoices.  She will then make any needed changes to our database. 

Renee Anderson spoke about the Fall Workshop, noting that anyone who missed it really missed out.  There were a total of 62 participants.  Renee thanked the Workshop Committee for their enthusiastic efforts.

Kathy Peterson has resigned as our Public Relations Representative.  Anyone interested in accepting the post should contact Renee Anderson.

Members were given the opportunity to introduce themselves and their guests.  Among the announcements was the closing of Square D by 2005, resulting in a loss of 341 jobs.  Mission Hospitals has an opening in their HR Department. 

The December meeting will be held at Deerpark on the Biltmore Estate.  Officers will be installed at that time.  Renee Anderson will be our new President, and Bettina Hall has accepted the position of President-Elect.  Kaye Waugh and Bridget Downey will remain as Treasurer and Secretary.  We are in need of a program Director.  Renee Anderson can be contacted for details.

Program Highlights:

Bettina Hall  introduced Mary Silver, Claims Manager from the Legal Risk Department at Mission Hospitals.  Mary is an RN with over 30 years experience in health care, including positions as an operating room nurse and in employee health and wellness.  Mary’s presentation covered the increasing costs of worker’s compensation claims, the appointment of NC commissioners and deputy commissioners, and return-to-work issues.

Ms. Silver described workers Compensation as a good system run amuck.  It is now experiencing a desperate crisis, with $150 Billion in claims expected by the end of the decade.  Six Workers Compensation carriers left the business last year, leaving the guaranty organizations to pay claims.

Injuries are at the lowest rate in two decades, but Workers Compensation has asked for an 8% rate increase.  Some reasons for this include the lack of incentive to return to work and an aging workforce.  As long as an employee says he cannot do his job, the presumption is that he is eligible.  Rehab counselors were returning employees to suitable employment until the rehab rules were established.  Now an employee can elect to take the scheduled injury compensation or continue on disability.

One example given was of a logger hit in the head by a log who claimed a back injury.  He was drunk and didn’t remember how it happened, but the Deputy Commissioner declared the injury compensable.  The burden of proof has now shifted to the employer.

Commissioners are political appointees who liberally interpret the act in favor of the employee, and who believe that industry creates human wreckage.  One approach is for area industries to meet & discuss solutions.  North Carolina industries are in trouble.  They are losing business not only to China and Mexico, but also to Virginia and South Carolina.  Workers Compensation is one reason.  The only people winning are the attorneys.  Expect this topic to come to the forefront in the elections.

With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.