Working for You

SCSEA--Your Collective Voice

The most important function of your SOUTH CAROLINA STATE EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION is its legislative work at the State House. Each year the state employees and retirees who comprise your Association's Legislative Committee compile a legislative package which directs your Association's legislative work for the next legislative session. When the SC legislature is in session, Association lobbyists are at the State House daily representing YOUR interests! SCSEA representatives are in constant contact with House and Senate Committees and members of the Budget and Control Board on legislation and policies affecting state employees and retirees. Since 1946, when SCSEA received its charter, most employee and retiree benefits are directly attributed to your Association's legislative work. For over fifty years, SCSEA has played a vital role in the creation of the State Retirement System, group health, dental and life insurance, leave benefits, the employee grievance system, regular pay increases, and many other benefits for employees, retirees, and their dependents.

Research and Information

Successful lobbying requires factual and persuasive information. An important preliminary step in the legislative process is the continuing research of matters important to you as a state employee or retiree. Your SCSEA staff constantly investigates issues and problems important to employees and retirees. Trends in public employee pay and benefits are followed closely by SCSEA's professional staff. Another Association activity important to you is communication. As a SCSEA member, you will receive the newsletter SCroll several times a year. It gives you up-to-date information on your employment and retirement benefits, pending legislation, Association activities, and other items of interest.

Employee Assistance

As an employee organization, SCSEA is interested in helping resolve work-related problems. A full-time SCSEA staff person specializes in employee services, assisting members with job-related difficulties, answering questions, and discussing concerns about policies and procedures relating to state employment.

Employee Recognition

State employees and retirees are hard workers and good citizens! So SCSEA annually recognizes two exemplary state employees and one exemplary state retiree with the Outstanding State Employee and Retiree Awards. These prestigious awards are given to SCSEA members who are nominated by their fellow members for their service to the state, the Association, their church and community. Winners are announced at the SCSEA Annual Meeting and receive statewide recognition through the media. Also, many of the SCSEA Chapters present Outstanding State Employee and Retiree Awards to deserving members of their Chapters. SCSEA has another award which is reserved for special members who have given much time and service to the Association. The Distinguished Service Award goes to individuals who have worked earnestly for the Association, often without previous recognition. State employees have a strong work ethic and perform well for the state and its citizens. Often, the good that state workers do goes unnoticed, while the negative captures the headlines. In order to tell the "untold" story, SCSEA has created several "television spots" emphasizing the importance and efficiency of state employees. This program is titled SCSEA's Image Enhancement Program for State Employees. These popular and professionally produced television messages tell of the exceptional work of state employees.

Anne Agnew Scholarship

Over the years, SCSEA has provided thousands of dollars in scholarships to Association members, their dependents and deserving others. The Anne A. Agnew Scholarships are presented annually at the Association's Annual Meeting, and future plans are to continue to increase the amount and number of scholarships awarded.

Employee Activities

Your Association holds two popular statewide activities for all members each year. First, the Annual Meeting is held in late spring or early summer, featuring an Awards Banquet, Business Session, speakers and workshops on issues important to state employees and retirees. Second, SCSEA sponsors its Annual Golf Tournament, where Association members compete for prizes. Other popular programs SCSEA sponsors are the individual discounts at major amusement attractions, which offer SCSEA members and their families considerable savings on admissions.

Local Chapters

All SC counties are represented by SCSEA Chapters, and Association members are automatically affiliated with their respective counties. There are no Chapter dues. In fact, the Association provides a rebate to Chapters to cover their expenses. Chapters are headed by officers and a local board of directors-all state employees and retirees-who plan Chapter activities. Chapters play a key role in SCSEA's lobbying effort. Every year, Chapter officers and directors formally meet with their Representatives and Senators to discuss employee and retiree needs. This is effective "constituent lobbying," as legislators respond best to their "back home" constituents. SCSEA's Chapters really provide a convenient means for members to be informed and involved!

Board of Directors

Members of your Association's state Board of Directors are chosen from the general membership. Agencies are allotted a Board member for each 100 members in the agency, or portion thereof. Also, Chapter Presidents, Vice Presidents, Legislative and Membership Chairpersons serve on your SCSEA statewide Board of Directors. The Board governs SCSEA by determining the policies under which your Association operates. And Board members serve you and the Association by bringing information from members to the attention of the Association.

Association Officers And Executive Committee

The officers of your Association are the President, Vice President, and Executive Director. The President and Vice President are elected by and from the Board of Directors, while the Executive Director is selected by the Association's Executive Committee. Members of the Executive Committee are elected from the Board of Directors. This Committee carries out the directives of the Board, and consists of the Association's President, Vice President, immediate past President, and six other members.

SCSEA Staff

Without a staff, an association the size of SCSEA could not function. The staff deals with day-to-day Association operation, from lobbying at the State House to maintaining membership records and coordinating Association meetings. Staff members are trained and experienced in lobbying, employee assistance, and research. 

Join the only organization working full-time for you as a SC state employee or retiree! Any South Carolina state employee or retiree is eligible to join! Dues are based on your annual salary. (Retirees pay dues based on their annual income from State Retirement only.) Payroll deduction of dues is available to state employees, and retirees can have dues deducted monthly from their retirement checks. Dues may also be paid annually by personal check or by Visa or Mastercard.