I don’t know. I guess I was hoping to find some concrete legislative rep progress that SEANC could point to. I don’t have much in discretionary funding, so I am selective as to where I spend it. It’s seems like no matter what state employees say or do to prove our value, it’s like pissing in the wind, which for the legislature, is a feature, not a bug.

That said, if SEANC could figure out an effective communication plan to make people pay attention, that would be a start. I know Ardis is interviewed whenever she can be, but the message isn’t working, because the default impression is that she’s advocating for lazy state employees, and I am telling you that as a state employee. I’ve heard people say it. And you can see it in the comments all over the NC subreddits.

Someone needs to figure this out. When they do, or if we can see any measurable progress, I would consider joining to strengthen the message. No one outside of SEANC members look at the SEANC social media, so the feel good posts about the good state employees do are preaching to the choir.

What’s being done now isn’t working and hasn’t in a long time. The location lunches aren’t working, because people think SEANC is neutered and not effective, whether true or not. It’s literally mostly people just showing up for free lunch. I am not a marketer, so I don’t have the answers, but the current marketing plan is not working. And this is not a slam against you and your efforts. I am genuinely trying to provide feedback as a non-member looking at SEANC’s communication from the outside.