NCSSA

This is the way it happened.... The History of NCSSA

In November 1965 during a Director’s meeting, the Personnel Committee, chaired by a representative of the Caseworker’s Association, stated that the caseworkers had been discussing the advisability of the Associations combining forces to explore the possible employment of a secretary to work toward the interests of public welfare, particularly in the General Assembly.
After considerable discussion, a motion was made to merge the

1. Director’s Association
2. Caseworker’s Association
3. And the Office Personnel Association

to become the North Carolina Public Welfare Association.

An amended directive motion was made for the Associations to take action at their meetings during the Public Welfare Institute.

The first meeting of the three groups was held in on the night of November 16, 1966 in the Budleigh Room at the Sir Walter Hotel, Raleigh and the room was not large enough to hold all that attended. Discussions that evening included the importance of being a part of Public Welfare and the background and related activities that had been held on the proposed merger. Dues were discussed and passed. They would remain the same in each group - $1 – officer personnel; $2 – caseworkers; $10 – directors. A rough draft of by-laws was presented containing basic principles of the organization and stated that revisions would need to be made. Motions were made and passed. The Directors met March 3, 1967 and much discussion centered on nomination and election of officers. They sent letters out to the directors regarding ballots and urged them to return promptly. They elected the first officers in March 1967.

The NC Public Welfare Association met for the first time on Sunday afternoon, April 9, 1967 in the Capital Ballroom at the White House Inn in Charlotte. The first President was Floyd Evans from Wayne County. It had taken two years to merge the three organizations. The stated objective was to hire a lobbyist for the General Assembly. Most of these meetings of the Public Welfare Association took place at night or on the weekends and in various locations in the state for convenience. This was a dedicated group and the time and effort they gave have affected the lives of the people who work in DSS or the lives of those who depend on DSS employees.

May 1967 – The Executive Committee met with Col. Clifton Craig, Welfare Commissioner, to discuss a proposed agreement between the State Board of Public Welfare and the State Dept. of Mental Health.

June 1967 – The purpose of this meeting was to review the By-Laws and to appoint district officers pro-tem for the 10 districts that had been established and to setup district meetings for September.

November 1967 – Treasurer’s report revealed after transferring all funds from the separate organizations the association had a total of $9,612.49. Dues were approved for $5 beginning January 1, 1968.

1968 – There was only one recorded meeting in 1968. The objective was still to hire an Executive Secretary but there was still not enough money. The president felt that the goal they had set to establish a good working relationship with the State Board had been accomplished since he had received notices and had been invited to attend meetings. It was voted to join the State Council for Social Legislation which had a lobbyist and a social actions agenda. This organization dissolved after 80 years November 30, 2000 at their last annual meeting.

1969 - There were many changes – a busy year:

January: Due to the lack of funds, the Association turned to an advocate or legal counsel rather than a full-time Executive Secretary. William Creech, a Raleigh attorney, was hired on retainer as the first lobbyist and General Counsel. He was to advocate for the Association in the General Assembly. The Director’s Association was reactivated due to the need to affiliate with the County Commissioner’s Association and the Directors had matters of concern that did not involve other members of the association.

April: The first legislative agenda was set. NCSSA supported:

1. licensing of day care centers (hottest issue – failed)
2. increasing state aid to county administration (rejected/ignored)
3. legislation permitting state participation in public assistance beyond federal match (?)
4. bringing retirement benefits for local government employees up to state employees’ benefits. (ratified – unreduced retirement benefits after 30 yrs at age 62)

June: All in all, the board felt the Public Welfare image had been improved by having the General Counsel speak for the Association and progress had been made.

• District presidents were asked to appoint membership chairs
• 854 membership in June

October: At the October meeting, problems facing the Association were stated:

1. lack of communication
2. low membership
3. lack of an adequate operating budget
4. Approved non-DSS members
5. Quarterly meetings were planned
6. State committees were setup for: By-Laws, Budget, Public Relations, Publications, Personnel, Legislative, and Credit Union Study for a broader based involvement
7. State committees are referred to as the “heart of the Association”
8. 1,660 membership in October and $11,000 in funds
9. At the Annual meeting in October, NC Public Welfare Association was changed to North Carolina Social Services Association, reflecting the change in name of function from Public Welfare to Social Services

1970: A state Advisory Board to the State Social Services Board was established, and NCSSA was recognized as one of the organizations to have membership. There were 2,922 employees statewide in DSS and about 1,300 were not members.

1971: The first local chapter was formed – (Catawba County)
The primary goal established at that time was to provide communication and promote a better image of Public Welfare through community services.

• Historical Committee was established.
• The first all day annual meeting was held Nov 19, 1971 at the Holiday Inn in Raleigh. This was the first time in the history of NCSSA that it was not held jointly with the Public Welfare Institute.
• First newsletter
• Dues were raised to $10
• Two pilot programs were sponsored, “Future Social Workers Club” in local high schools in Winston-Salem and Jacksonville

1972: First part-time secretary hired (William Creech continued as General Counsel)
NCSSA President Chip Modlin testified before the US Senate Finance Committee on President Nixon’s proposals for welfare reform.
NCSSA was represented on several State Committees

Membership – 1,668

73/75 - Appeared before House Committee on Social Services in the General Assembly
Changed the operation year from a calendar year to a fiscal year.
$150 advanced for district meetings. In 75/76 changed to $100.
Sue Applewhite was NCSSA’s first Employee-of-the-Year (Title changed to Member-of-the- Year in 1994)
President of the Director’s Association invited to serve as ex-officio member of Exec. Bd.
Advocated for retirement after 30 years regardless of age
Pat Bullard was hired as first Executive Director
William Creech won election to General Assembly and resigned as lobbyist
Attained membership in the State Employees’ Credit Union. (This process begun in 1969)
Membership – 2,400
Set up quarterly meetings
Part-time secretary as needed

75/76 – Services, Fiscal Management, and Income Maintenance committees were established
Social Services Commission appointee
Sponsored a tour to Hawaii.

76/77 – 3,000 membership and dues were raised to $12

77/78 - Guidelines for Local Chapters
New type of membership – Students/Temporary Employees
10 or more could petition Board to become subsection but not a voting member (4 regions
had to be represented)
Honorary member for 1 year at the time
State President appoints all committee chairs
Treasurer to serve as Budget Chair
Ballots must be sent out for elections

78/79 – Magic Kingdom Club was added as a benefit
T-Shirts sale

79/80 – Financial concerns became a large issue as the Association wanted to do more and more
things.
Robert Ward, Director of State DSS said he hated to see the association with financial
troubles because “No other Association had done more for social legislation in this state”.
Dues were raised to $16.00
Busch Gardens was added as a benefit

79/80 – Financial concerns became a large issue as the Association wanted to do more and more
things.
Robert Ward, Director of State DSS said he hated to see the association with financial
troubles because “No other Association had done more for social legislation in this state”.
Dues were raised to $16.00
Busch Gardens was added as a benefit

80/81 - Financial troubles continued. Record high membership of approximately 3,700
Started monthly meetings
10% APHSA membership discount

81/82 - Financial guidelines for District & Local Chapters
NC Social Services Consortium was formed. (NCSSA, NCACDSS, NCACBSS)
Dues were raised to $18.00
Membership 3,316

82/83 - Declared Social Services Legislative Day – 115-120 People attended
Formed MMT (Membership Motivation Team) District Chair, District Membership Chair, Past
President, State Membership Chair, go to counties that were having membership problems
Recognize 2 Legislators (active in Social Services) each year and present them a plaque.
There were 18 Chapters
Certificate of Recognition – for outstanding Contributions to NCSSA efforts
Very active in NC-PACE

83/84 - 1st computer in NCSSA office
Revised Local Chapter guidelines making more flexible to establish or to adopt NCSSA’s By- Laws in lieu of writing own
Woody Webb, new lobbyist for consortium
395 attendance at annual meeting – N. Raleigh Hilton
District Chairperson and District Vice-Chairperson changed to District President and District
Vice-President

84/85 - Capital Capers
publication on membership techniques
Membership 3,844
600 changes made to By-Laws

85/86 - 4,000 members
39 chapters
Social Services Employee Appreciation Week

86/87 - $20.00 dues
Scholarship Fund established
TV spots – value of Social Services to the community aired all over NC. Cost shared between NCSSA, Directors’ Association, and DSS

87/88 - Supported UNC-School of SW for the Wallace Kuralt Chair

88/89 - Established the Child Support Specialty Chapter
Bought 20 billboards in locations throughout the state
Adopted Robert’s Rules of Order for conducting business meetings

89/90 - Social Services Plan
Jim Coats became Executive Director then Frances Bryan
Rented office space to the Directors’ Assoc for SW Intern
Disassociate NCSSA with NC-Pace
Largest fundraiser – 1990 Pontiac Gran Prix won by a worker in Harnett County
Gross 44,178.81 – 14,800 car = 29,378.81 profit
Continued to sponsor SSI dance
Setup Jim Willis Memorial Fund in honor of Jim from Guilford Co

90/91 - Established County/Chapter Awards Program
3,722 membership

91/92 - T-Shirt sale to fund development of NCSSA video
Automation – HAPP Council
New computer and printer

92/93 - First Automation Conference held in Greensboro with over 500 in attendance
Annual Work Plan
Established the Clerical Specialty Chapter (In ‘99 changed to Administrative Support
Specialty Chapter)
Setup a Membership Benefits Committee (Membership now has that duty)
Co-sponsor Child Advocacy Day
Jim Coats, Acting Executive Director
Jim Lowry, Executive Director

93/94 - NCSSA video
Auto Brokers
Proxy voting
First Protective Financial Services
Statewide project “Christmas Joy of Lights”

94/95 - Dues $26.00
2nd Automation Conference
per Jim Lowry- finances are liquid but very tenacious
Honorary Life Membership – Jim Coats was first to receive this in August 1995

95/96 - Innovation Conference
Memorandum of Understanding between Directors’ Association & NCSSA
Training & Professional Development Committee (NCSSA, NCACDSS, DHHR)
Finances poor – 20,280.39 – membership down
1st Vice President & 2nd Vice President (Executive Committee)
No Executive Director

96/97 - 1st Clerical Specialty Chapter Conference in Boone
2nd Honorary Life Membership – Pat Shelby from Guilford Co.
What NCSSA is Doing for You Today
Changed State Board & Committee Meetings quarterly
Sent Training & Profession Dev survey to NCACDSS

97/98 - E-mail
Status Reports
Womanless Pageant at Annual Meeting – Miss NCSSA – Randal Moss, Jackson Co.
Covenant with NC’s Children
2 Honorary Life Memberships – Dean Edmisten, Wilkes and Harvey Godfrey, Harnett
Executive Director – Judy Lane (only employee)

98/99 - Office relocated to Atlantic Beach
Pam Seamans, Lobbyist
Any active member can hold office or appointment (does not have to be in DSS Agency)
Voting date changed to second after Annual Meeting
Established Adult Specialty Chapter
NCSSA Manuals

99/00 - Administrative Director – Judy Lane
Temporary office assistant
Executive Counselor – New officer on Exec. Comm.
Project Family Tree – (31 counties participated in assistance for 28 DSS employees & their
families during the flood that occurred after Hurricane Floyd)
Historical Committee changed to Historian
$13.00 – Membership dues for retirees

There have been changes throughout the years but one thing that has remained the same is
NCSSA’s MISSION and that is
“to promote the professional development of its members and to improve their working conditions, to serve as an advocate for all those served by the social services systems in North Carolina, and to promote a positive image of social services.”

AND NCSSA STILL REMAINS the only statewide professional organization which represents the interests and concerns of all social services employees in North Carolina.

State Presidents of the North Carolina Social Services Association Organized 1967
 

Floyd Evans	Director	Wayne County	April 1967 - December 1968
Nancy Beasley Hall	SW II	Franklin County	January 1969 - December 1969
James Wright	Director	Craven County	January 1970 - December 1970
Sue Applewhite	Program Admin	Onslow County	January 1971 - December 1971
E.C. Modlin	Director	Wilson County	January 1972 - December 1972
Gene Herrell	Director	Caldwell County	January 1973 - December 1973
Tom Hogan	Director	Durham County	January 1974 - June 1975
Margaret Hair Dennis	Eligibility Supervisor	Columbus County	July 1975 - June 1976
Daniel Hudgins	Director	Scotland County	July 1976 - June 1977
Bruce Marshall	SW Supervisor	Burke County	July 1977 - June 1978
John Link	Director	Stanly County	July 1978 - June 1979
James E. Coats	Director	Lee County	July 1979 - June 1980
William C. Crawford	Director	Montgomery County	July 1980 - June 1981
Rankin Whittington	Director	Anson County	July 1981 - June 1982
Jerry L. Ayscue	Administrative Officer	Vance County	July 1982 - June 1983
Jim S. Willis	Social Research	Guilford County	Guilford County
James E. Coats	Director	Wayne County	July 1984 - June 1985
Jack Bryan	Director	Harnett County	July 1985 - June 1986
William C. Crawford	Director	Montgomery County	July 1986 - June 1987
Larry Johnson	Director	Transylvania County	July 1987 - June 1988
Frances E. Bryan	IM Caseworker II	Bladen County	July 1988 - June 1989
Wayne E. Black	Director	Mitchell County	July 1989 - June 1990
Jerry A. Smith	Director	Wilson County	July 1990 - June 1991
Jamie Orrock	Director	Brunswick County	July 1991 - June 1992
Kay C. Barker	IM Administrator	Gaston County	July 1992 - June 1993
Louis Bechtel	Director	Guilford County	July 1993 - June 1994
Karen Scarborough	IM Supervisor	Montgomery County	July 1994 - June 1995
Bob Mercer	Director	Hoke County	July 1995 - June 1996
Brenda C. Smith	CPS Supervisor	Rowan County	July 1996 - June 1997
Wayne E. Black	Director	Yadkin County	July 1997 - June 1998
Gayle Pate	Economic Svc Coord	Gaston County	July 1998 - June 1999
Frances Stiens	IMC II - Medicaid	Pitt County	July 1999 - June 2000
Bob Mercer	Director	Hoke County	July 2000 - June 2001
Tracy Hicks-Johnson	Carolina Access	Franklin County	July 2001 - June 2002
Donna Strickland	IM Supervisor	Pitt County	July 2002 - June 2003
Pamela Lee	Pamela Lee	Wilson County	July 2003 - June 2004
Wayne E. Black	Director	Surry County	July 2004 - June 2005
Linda Dewberry	Case Manager II	Mecklenburg County	July 2005 - June 2006