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Shifting Empowerment And Switching Our Norms

President’s Message

Happy New Year! I hope you have been able to

spend quality time with family and friends during

the holiday breaks--making your Thanksgiving

happy and your Christmas merry.

We have now shifted into the season of rest

(winter). With the start of the New Year, Conference is right around the corner.

I have great excitement about our upcoming Conference; especially the

opportunity I have to see each of you again. Please, finalize plans to attend the

Annual NCAEOP Conference, March 17-20, 2020, at the Hilton Raleigh North

Hills in Raleigh, North Carolina. This is one you will not want to miss!

Thank you to our Conference Committee for the awesome job you are doing for the NCAEOP membership.

They have worked hard planning our Annual Conference and have secured some phenomenal speakers and

workshop presenters. The 2020 Conference Schedule is included in our newsletter. Register today! I encourage

you to come looking for empowerment and taking the steps to switching your norms.

Are you ready for new SEASONS? Conference info can be found at http://www.ncaeop.net/2020-ncaeop-

conference-webpage/.

PROFESSIONALLY SPEAKING Vol. XLIII, No. 9 North Carolina Association of Educational Office Professionals, Inc. January, 2020

Publication submissions for Professionally Speaking may be made by sending information to Augusta61@centurylink.net

Voting Ballots

All voting ballots must

be postmarked by the

March 6, 2020 deadline

for those members who

do not have Internet

access. For those

members who have

Internet access, please

vote online. Ballots can

be found on page 11.

Inside this issue:

President’s Message Page 1

69th Annual Conference Schedule Page 2

69th Annual Conference Notes Page 4

Speakers & Workshops Page 6

2020-2021 State Officer Candidates Page 8

Changes in Constitution and Bylaws Page 9

Conference Registration Page 10

Voting Ballots Page 11

Sharron D. James-Bizzell

CEOE

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69th Annual Conference Schedule

Tuesday, March 17, 2020

1:30 p.m. Conference Committee Meeting

3:00 p.m. Conference Committee Meet with Hotel Staff

4:00 p.m. 2019-20 Executive Board Meeting

6:00 p.m. Past Presidents’ Dinner

7:00 -9:00 p.m. Baskets, Hospitality items and Registration Packets arrive

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. 2019-20 Board of Directors meeting

11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Vendors arrive

11:30 a.m. Retirees Meeting/Luncheon

2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Hospitality, $$$ for Scholars, Membership, NAEOP, PSP,

Registration, Special Projects & Vendors Open

4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. FIRST GENERAL SESSION - “Denim & Diamonds”

Speaker: Willa Brigham; Other Activities

6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. President-Elects Meet & Greet

6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Hospitality, $$$ for Scholars, Membership, NAEOP, PSP

Special Projects & Vendors Open

Decorate for Breakfast

Thursday, March 19, 2020

7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Registration Open

8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Vendors Open

7:30 a.m. Head Table lineup

8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. SECOND GENERAL SESSION: “Catching Sparks of Hope”

Speaker: Les Long

Membership, $$$ for Scholars & Special Projects

9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. BREAK

10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. THIRD GENERAL SESSION: “Bursting into Bloom”

Opening & Business Session

12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. LUNCH ON YOUR OWN

Decorate for Banquet

PSP Rehearsal

Installation Rehearsal

12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Hospitality, $$$ for Scholars & Special Projects

Membership, NAEOP, PSP, & Registration Open

12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Vendors Open

2:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Workshops:

Dismantling Your Unconscious Bias – Danya Perry

Switching Our Norms-{ACT] Action Changes Things - Lindsay

Whitley

Stress and Burnout! Trying to Come to an Office Near You! –

Shirley Bolden

Walking the Tightrope of Life - Getting Your Balance – Renarta

Moyd

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69th Annual Conference Schedule

6:00 p.m. Head Table Lineup

6:30 p.m. FOURTH GENERAL SESSION: “Celebrating Your Harvest”

Administrator’s Banquet

EOP and Administrator of Year Presentations

2020 – 2021 Officer Installation

Speaker: Dr. Gael Hogan

Friday, March 20, 2020

7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Registration Open

8:30 a.m. -11:30 a.m. $$$ for Scholars & Special Projects

Membership, NAEOP, PSP & Vendors Open

8:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Workshops:

Branding a New You/Social Media Empowerment – Sabrina

Steigelman

Financial Freedom/Wellness – Tony Belin

Keeping Your Cool During Hot Conversations - Jennifer L.

Graham

Using Google to Organize EVERYTHING - Jennifer L. Graham

Aspiring to Be the Change - Bianca Abell, CEOE; Elizabeth Hobbs

& Dottie Walker, CEOE

9:00 a.m. 2020-2021 Executive Board Meeting

10:00 a.m. 2020-2021 NCAEOP Board Pictures

Decorate for Luncheon

11:00 a.m. Head Table Lineup

11:30 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. FIFTH GENERAL SESSION: “Time of Sensing a Shift”

PSP & Awards Luncheon

Speaker: Jill Averyhart, CEOE, 2019-2020 NAEOP President

Adjournment

2:30 p.m. 2020-2021 Board of Directors’ Meeting

Don your favorite denim looks along with diamonds. Of course, you don’t have to wear real

diamonds; fakes and rhinestones are great for our themed event. Feel free to wear your favorite

jeans with a fun top, a denim dress or skirt, or dress up your denim with heels. It’s up to you.

We just want you to come ready to have fun, mingle, eat, and dance.

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69th Annual Conference Notes

Registration

❖ Registration is open December 30, 2019 to February 3, 2020.

❖ Everyone will register online. You may pay online or mail payment.

❖ Payments mailed must also include a completed registration form.

❖ All payments must be postmarked no later than February 3, 2020.

❖ Locals units sending multiple registrations with one check must have registration forms for each person

registering.

❖ Local units sending in a check for all attendees together, should make sure each person is a current

member or everyone’s registration in the group will be held until membership is paid and check clears.

❖ Make sure checks and registration forms are mailed to correct address: Linda Berard – NCAEOP,

Wayne Community College, P.O. Box 8002, Goldsboro, NC 27533.

❖ Registration is NON-REFUNDABLE.

❖ Active and retired members cannot be guests at meal functions.

❖ PLEASE select the meal functions you plan to attend; meals are included in the registration, but you will

not be included if you do not select.

❖ Please select your menu choice for the Administrators’ Banquet. If you do not select, Menu A will

be default.

Membership

❖ You MUST be a current member of NCAEOP to attend the annual conference.

❖ Have not joined – please submit a completed membership form to the Membership Recorder and pay

your registration online.

❖ Renewal memberships submitted after January 1 must include a $10 late fee.

❖ Your conference registration CANNOT be processed until your check has CLEARED the bank.

On-Site Registration

❖ On-site registration for workshops will be available to paid NCAEOP members.

❖ $160 for full registration.

❖ $110 for one day.

❖ Cash, money orders or institution checks only, NO personal checks accepted.

Non-Member Registering On-Site

❖ Dues must be paid with cash, money order or institution check only.

❖ Renewing is $45 ($35 for membership plus $10 late fees).

❖ New membership is $35.

❖ Membership fees are in addition to the on-site registration fee.

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Hotel Registration and Parking

❖ The conference hotel is the HILTON RALEIGH NORTH HILLS, 3415 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh

NC.

❖ Hilton Rate: $165 plus tax/night for 1 King or 2 Double Beds.

❖ The cutoff date for hotel reservations is February 16, 2020, or until the group block is sold-out,

whichever comes first.

❖ Checks will NO LONGER BE ACCEPTED at check-in. Checks MUST be received 2 weeks prior to

arrival. Make sure to include your hotel confirmation number on the check.

❖ Please do not reserve a block of rooms and then cancel them at the last minute prior to conference. This

keeps members from reserving rooms in our block of rooms, plus we (NCAEOP) will pay a fine if the

room guarantee is not met due to cancellations.

❖ Parking is FREE.

❖ Group reservations page for guests and the link is:

http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/groups/personalized/R/RDUNHHF-NEOP-20200317/index.jhtml. Guests

can also book reservations by calling Hilton Worldwide reservations line at 919-872-2323, OPTION 1

or online at www.northraleigh.hilton.com. By referencing the group code NEOP, they will receive the

group rate.

Worth Mentioning

❖ PLEASE wear blue DENIM & DIAMONDS to the Wednesday afternoon session at 4:00 PM.

❖ PSP rehearsal will be held on Thursday at 12:00 noon. Please plan to be in attendance if you are

receiving a certificate.

❖ 2020-2021 Officers installation rehearsal will be Thursday at 12:30 PM.

❖ Banquet reserved seating for Districts 11 and 12.

❖ Name tags should be worn at all functions except banquet.

❖ Notate the times the registration desk is open.

❖ Functions will begin promptly at designated times--NO entry 15 minutes after start time.

❖ Attendance required for entire workshop to receive certificate.

Publication submissions for Professionally Speaking may be made by sending information to Augusta61@centurylink.net.

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SPEAKERS

The Power of a Positive Attitude

Speaker: Willa Brigham, Storyteller & Author

This two-time Emmy Award winner believes much of our ability to succeed comes from

the way we deal with life and all its ups and downs. Successful men and women

recognize stuff is going to happen-good, bad and other. If it has not happened, chances

are it’s going to happen. How you choose to handle it will make all the difference in the

world. A positive attitude will give you the strength, courage and determination to learn

from any situation and find the good that is waiting for you.

Celebrating Your Harvest

Speaker: Dr. Gael Hogan

To have the highest levels of productivity, sustainability, and efficiency, it's necessary

to know and understand the four seasons. To harvest requires action. From planting to

gathering, there is a process., and we must know what and where we are planting in

order to reap what we sow. Sometimes life gets so hectic-don't miss your harvest!

A Time of Sensing a Shift

Speaker: Jill Averyhart, CEOE

Our National President will be our PSP/Awards Luncheon speaker.

A Change for The Better

Speaker: Les Long

This Louisburg, NC native has turned his natural gift of gab into a hilarious and

unpredictable style of comedy and he understands that every valuable lesson can be

served with a healthy side of laughter!

WORKSHOPS

Financial Wellness

Presenter: Tony A. Belin

Want help on how to earn extra

income, being properly

protected, debt free & financially

secure? Learn financial strategies

on how money works, along with

savings and investments every

household should know about.

Stress and Burnout! Trying

to Come to an Office Near

You!

Presenter: Shirley Bolden,

MSA

This session will help you

deal with the stress that can

occur from burnout. During

the session, we will also look at some of the sources of

stress, the negative consequences of unrelenting stress and

how to maintain your sanity when things get a bit quirky.

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Using Google to Organize

EVERYTHING!

Presenter: Jennifer L. Graham, M.Ed

The Google Suite for Education offers all

the tools necessary to keep your

professional life running smoothly with as

little stress as possible! This session will

provide you with some tips to keep your

Google email, calendar, and Drive organized to help you operate

efficiently. Cool functions in Docs and Slides will also be explored.

Charged Laptop/iPAD Required

Keeping Your Cool During Hot

Conversations

Presenter: Jennifer L. Graham, M.Ed

Do you dread critical conversations? Do you

avoid them? Do you participate in them, only

to wish later you could have a "re-do"? This

session will cover the whys, what-ifs, and

how’s about engaging in hot conversations

and handling them in a way that leaves all

parties feeling warm and fuzzy!

Aspiring to Be the Change

Presenters: Bianca Abell, CEOE; Elizabeth Hobbs &

Dottie Walker, CEOE

If you will be holding an office on the local, district or

state level, OR if you are in other leadership positions who

are considering running or aspiring to become officers—

this workshop is for you!

Walking the Tightrope of Life -

Getting Your Balance

Presenter: Renarta C. Moyd

Are you always tired? Do you

find that your patience 'wears

thin' quickly? Are your

relationships struggling? Is your

personal and professional space a

mess? Are you unclear about your priorities? If you

answered "yes" to most of these questions, you may be

suffering from work-life imbalance. This session will

share helpful information that can empower you to take

charge of your work and personal obligations so that you

can begin 'living your best life.'

Dismantling Your

Unconscious Bias

Presenter: Danya Perry

Unconscious bias describes

situations where our

background, personal

experiences, societal

stereotypes and cultural

context can impact our decisions and actions without us

realizing. This session will build participant’s capacity in

recognizing and dismantling our own bias, with the

purpose of building a stronger school-community culture

Branding A New You/Social Media

Empowerment

Presenter: Sabrina Steigelman

This workshop will explore various

social media platforms and how to

use social media to "brand yourself"

and build a professional learning

network. While social media is a fun way to connect with

family and friends - it is important to brand yourself

professionally as well! Charged Laptop/iPAD Required

Switching Our Norms – [ACT] Action Changes Things

Presenter: Lindsay Whitley

In an ever-evolving world, it is important for office professionals to embrace change and strive

toward continuous improvement in the workplace. This session will provide participants with

practical tips and resources to boost productivity and take the necessary action steps to move

organizations forward.

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2020-2021 State Officer Candidates

CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT-ELECT

Marie Chavis

NCAEOP Member: 11 years

NAEOP Member: 2 years

Education: Attended

Alamance Community

College and Elon University

Local Committees/Leadership:

Chair of PSP (6 years),

Nominations and Elections (1 year), Special Projects

(1year), Secretary (2 years)

District Committees/Leadership: District 8 President (3

years)

State Committees/Leadership: Secretary, Vice

President, Membership Chair

Certifications/Officers Training: Officers Training

Interest to serve NCAEOP: My interest to serve

NCAEOP grows each day, to be a part of such a great

organization that cares so much for our most precious

gifts, our children. The organization gives me the

opportunity to gain professional knowledge through

workshops, and personally, I meet and work with some

very amazing people. The friendships that I have made

will last a lifetime.

CANDIDATE FOR VICE PRESIDENT

Mary Jones

NCAEOP Member: 32 years

NAEOP Member: 3 years

Education: Rutgers University,

Newark, NJ, and Roberts Walsh

Court Reporting School

Local Committees/Leadership:

Accounting and Auditing, Legislative, Nominations and

Elections, Membership, Policy and Procedures, Awards,

Scholarships, Ways and Means, and Publicity

District Committees/Leadership: District 12 President,

District 12 Immediate Past President, and Policy and

Procedures

State Committees/Leadership: Legislative, Awards,

several Ad hoc Committees, Recording Secretary.

Certifications and Officers Training: Officers Training

Interest to serve NCAEOP: Currently, I am the

NCAEOP State Secretary. I have been a member of

NCAEOP since August of 1988 and was recruited by the

late Shirley Tripp, one of Lenoir County Public Schools

pioneer recruiter, a Past District 12 President, and a

Past NCAEOP State President. Through her guidance

and direction, Shirley instilled in me the duty of service.

Shirley mentored and helped me step outside of my little

corner and dared me to become more involved, so I did.

I am currently serving as NCAEOP State Secretary,

which is very rewarding for me. Now, I am extending

again – for the position of NCAEOP State Vice

President. Everything that I have done throughout the

years as a member of NCAEOP has enhanced my ability

to mentor others and encouraged me to believe and act

on what I can do to promote our organization. The

rewards and the memories are priceless.

CANDIDATE FOR SECRETARY

Gwen Williams

Education: Shaw University,

ENCT-Theological Seminary M.

Divinity

NCAEOP Member: 14 years

NAEOP Member: 2 years

Local Committees/Leadership:

Nominations and Election,

Legislative, Scholarship,

Awards, Constitution and Bylaws

District Committees/Leadership: District 11 President,

District 11 Immediate Past President

State Committees/Leadership: Retiree Club President,

Conference Committee -Vendor Chair, Scholarship

Certifications and Officers Training: Officers Training

Interest to serve NCAEOP: NCAEOP is an

organization, which provides office professionals to

grow not only professionally, but also personally. I

welcomed each new responsibility and challenge

enthusiastically and all of this started when I became a

member in the early 2000s at Nash-Rocky Mount school

system. Becoming your next secretary, I will do my

upmost to represent this organization with the

professional grace that it has shown me, and I will

display that same professional grace to others. On a

professional note, this association has molded and

trained me to be a diligent and professional leader. It

has shown me to show empathy to others, to build people

up, and to show the true meaning of service. Personally,

this association is family. During two tragic loses in my

life, my fellow EOPs were there for me. So why not give

back and use the talents that were cultivated and

nourished. With the guidance of mentors and others

who have been in this position, I know I can succeed.

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MEMBERSHIP VOTE

Changes to NCAEOP Constitution and Bylaws

PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO CONSTITUTION

Presented to Board of Directors for approval on

November 18, 2019

CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS AND THEIR

ELECTIONS

Add the following disclaimer to Constitution & Bylaws

and to Policy and Procedures handbook under

Nominations and Election

Add new Section

Section 4: When there is only one person nominated for

each office and the candidate has met all qualifications

set out by the Nomination Guidelines and has applied by

the application deadline, then under Robert’s Rule of

Election by Acclamation will be allowed. Members will

vote at conference if there is only one candidate running

in each office.

REASONS/BASIS FOR AMENDMENT

If there is only one candidate nominated for an office,

instead of a ballot vote, a vote by Election of

Acclamation can be allowed. This will eliminate the use

of a ballot vote and extra expense for the membership.

Member can vote under the Election by Acclamation at

conference.

This addition must be presented to the Membership

of NCAEOP for a vote.

Change will be effective on May 1, 2020 if approved.

PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO BYLAWS

Presented to Board of Directors for approval on

November 18, 2019

BYLAWS

ARTICLE VIIIL: OFFICERS AND THEIR

ELECTIONS

Add the following disclaimer to Constitution & Bylaws

and to Policy and Procedures handbook under

Nominations and Election

Add information and renumber:

New Section 3: When there is only one person

nominated for each office and the candidate has met all

qualifications set out by the Nomination Guidelines and

has applied by the application deadline, then under

Robert’s Rule of Election by Acclamation will be

allowed. Members will vote at conference if there is

only one candidate running in each office.

REASONS/BASIS FOR AMENDMENT

If there is only one candidate nominated for an office,

instead of a ballot vote, a vote by Election of

Acclamation can be allowed. This will eliminate the use

of a ballot vote and extra expense for the membership.

Member can vote under the Election by Acclamation at

conference.

All prior sections will be renumbered to reflect the

addition.

This addition must be presented to the Membership

of NCAEOP for a vote.

Change will be effective on May 1, 2020 if approved.

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2020-2021 State Officer Candidates Voting Ballot

President-Elect: - Marie Chavis __________

Write-In Candidate: ______________________________________

Vice President: - Mary Jones __________

Write-In Candidate: _____________________________________

Secretary: - Gwen Williams

Write-In Candidate: ______________________________________

PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO CONSTITUTION

Presented to Board of Directors for approval on November 18, 2019

CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS AND THEIR ELECTIONS

Add the following disclaimer to Constitution & Bylaws and to Policy and

Procedures handbook under Nominations and Election

Add new Section

Section 4: When there is only one person nominated for each office and the

candidate has met all qualifications set out by the Nomination Guidelines and

has applied by the application deadline, then under Robert’s Rule of Election

by Acclamation will be allowed. Members will vote at conference if there is

only one candidate running in each office.

Approve _____________ Disapprove __________

PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO BYLAWS

Presented to Board of Directors for approval on November 18, 2019

BYLAWS

ARTICLE VIIIL: OFFICERS AND THEIR ELECTIONS

Add the following disclaimer to Constitution & Bylaws and to Policy and

Procedures handbook under Nominations and Election

Add information and renumber:

New Section 3: When there is only one person nominated for each office

and the candidate has met all qualifications set out by the Nomination

Guidelines and has applied by the application deadline, then under Robert’s

Rule of Election by Acclamation will be allowed. Members will vote at

conference if there is only one candidate running in each office.

Approve _____________ Disapprove __________

Cut out Ballots and mail in an

envelope to the following address:

NCAEOP

C/O Bianca Abell

P. O. Box 881

Morehead City, NC 28557

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NCAEOP Insurance Benefits

Our insurance program is underwritten by Horace Mann Insurance Company

~ Member Coverage ~

$1,000 of Life Insurance Coverage for all paid members, regardless of age

$2,000 of Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance Coverage for all paid members, up to age 70

All claims must be accompanied by an ORIGINAL CERTIFIED DEATH CERTIFICATE

Send inquiries to:

Elizabeth Hobbs, Finance Officer

1606 Old Wire Road, Laurinburg, NC 28352

(910) 610-3529

ncaeopfinance@gmail.com

PLEASE PLACE STAMP HERE

Jill A. Kearney, Newsletter Chair

318 Lilly Lane

Henderson, NC 27537