And the Winners Are ...

Coffee Break & Bake Sale Yields $446

"See how far your money can go for what you spend on a cup of Joe"

The SECC Coffee Break on October 14 offered free coffee along with posters showing how much can be accomplished by a variety of charities for what we spend on coffee each day.  Coffee breakers had the choice of a variety of flavors and a special treat provided by Katie Frederick, wife of Scott Frederick, who donated the use of a coffee machine stocked with Starbucks coffees, latte, capuccino and hot chocolate. Our thanks to the Fredericks as well as all who donated or purchased goodies from the bake sale.

Proceeds from coffee donations and the bake sale will be added to the BCD general contribution fund. The winner of the pumpkin decorating contest will have the privilege of choosing which charity will be the recipient of the funds.

Vendor Fair Door Prize Winners

Employees were treated to blood pressure and blood sugar checks as well as accupuncture treatments among the free gifts and information provided by the 14 charities represented at the SECC vendor fair on September 29. The festive atmosphere, talkative representatives, and refreshments had the 6th floor buzzing.

Congratulations to the following SECC donors whose names were drawn from all contributors as of September 29 for door prizes:

Thank you to all who have already contributed, and there is still opportunity for everyone else to participate in the campaign. Details for other SECC activities may be found elsewhere on this page ~ you never know when more door prize drawings will be popping up!

Also thanks to Dr. Loulou Moore for her generous donation of the prizes.

What is the State Employee Charitable Campaign?

The SECC is an annual campaign for Texas state employees to give to charities of their choosing. Through the SECC, employees may take advantage of payroll deduction to contribute as little as $2 per charity per month. The payroll deduction method provides a great way to increase the overall donation for the year while making little impact on the contributor's monthly finances. Employees also have the option of making a one-time contribution through the campaign.

More than five hundred Texas, national and international health and human services charities participate, extending well beyond the United Way.  Examples include Community Dental Care, Girl Scouts, Audubon Foundation, American Cancer Society and many more. Each department should have several copies of a booklet that lists the charities or you can get the list online at www.secctexas.org/organizations.

Charities must meet stringent guidelines, including legal requirements and low operating costs. The web site above lists each charity's percentage of income spent on operating costs, so you can know how much of your contribution is spent directly on the intended purpose.

How do I give?

It's easy ... in three steps, choose the option that is most convenient for you:

1. Choose your method to give: with a pledge form or on HRConnect. If you complete a pledge form, bring it to the Human Resources office in room 521. If you use HRConnect, choose "SECC Enrollment" from the SSO menu.
2. Choose how often to give: a one-time donation or a monthly deduction from your salary. If you make a one-time donation with HRConnect, you will need to print out your pledge form, write a check and bring both to the human resources office.
3. Choose which charities to fund: You can give to one or more specific charities, donate to a group of charities that help a similar cause, or give to the general campaign fund. Please note, there is a $2 minimum contribution per charity.

Kicking Off 15th Year of the SECC at BCD

Vendor Fair

September 29th ~ 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

• Meet charity representatives
• Turn in pledge forms
• Free snacks & door prizes!

Join us Tuesday, September 29th as the college kicks off its State Employee Charitable Campaign! From 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. the sixth floor will host the SECC kickoff and vendor fair. Visit with charities that participate in the SECC, turn in your pledge form and enjoy free snacks.  Every pledge form turned in by the end of the day September 29th, including those turned in before the event or submitted online, will be entered into a drawing for door prizes.

Upcoming SECC Events

At BCD we celebrate our good fortune and the opportunity to share in a number of ways during the annual campaign. We invite and encourage all employees and students to join the activities.

SECC Coffee Break ... Come get FREE coffee!

"See how far your $ will go for what you spend on a cup of Joe"

Wednesday, October 14 ~ 8:30-10:30 a.m.

Join the SECC crew for a coffee break in the Atrium and yes, the coffee is free. While you're there, take a look at the posters showing how far a small monthly donation can go toward helping others or improving the environment or rescuing animals. 

Come hungry too ... lots of treats will be offered in a bake sale, proceeds of which will be added to the BCD general fund to be donated to a yet to be specified charity.

Pumpkin Decorating Contest

Thursday, October 29 ~ 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

In the Atrium

• Enter as a department or an individual.
• Students may enter! Enter as an individual, fraternity, or class.
• Prizes will be awarded!

Pumpkins may be carved, painted or decorated and may be real or artificial.  Contact Angela Hickman at ext. 8225 if you plan to enter a pumpkin. Votes are cast with money: 25 cents = 1 vote, $1 = 4 votes, and $5 = 20 votes.

The pumpkins will also be sold by silent auction. Voting and bidding will close at 12:45 p.m. that day. All proceeds will go to the general fund, which will be donated to the charity chosen by the winner of the decorating contest.

Get some pumpkin-carving ideas here!Watch a musical tribute to last year's great entries!Who is leading the SECC at BCD?

This year's SECC chairs are Dale Lewis at ext. 8103 or dlewis@bcd.tamhsc.edu and Angela Hickman at ext. 8225 or ahickman@bcd.tamhsc.edu. Also serving on the Leadership Committee are

The deadline to give to the SECC is October 31, 2009