Local 304 is sponsoring a Dodgeball Team to participate in a fundraiser for the Jayhawk Area Council, Boy Scouts of America. This tournament will be held Saturday, October 16th @ Washburn University’s Lee Arena. Registration begins @ 9:30am.

We are eligible to have two teams (10 players per team). Prizes will be awarded to the First place team, Best Team name, Best Team uniform, Craziest team hair, and Best Team Spirit.

Please contact the union hall to sign up with your team.

(785) 235-2301

Members and Friends are encouraged to participate in the 2nd Annual Jerrel B ingesser Memorial Catfish Tournament that will be held September 4th @ Council Grove Reservoir Outlet. Registration begins @ 6:00am on the west side of the outlet. Weigh-in will be @ 4:00pm. Free t-shirt & koozie with every entry. Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 and biggest fish. Other prizes will be raffled off on site. Lunch will be provided. There is a $25.00 entry fee per person.

All profits go to the Jerrel Bingesser Scholarship Fund for a future CGHS graduate.

For further information please call Jamie at (785) 466-1053.

Please join in remembering Jerrel for his love of the outdoors, and past member of IBEW, Local Union 304.

Construction Unit Meetings:

 The Second Friday of every month they are held @ the Local Union office, 3906 NW 16th Street, Topeka, Kansas @ 8:00PM.

New: The Fourth Wednesday of every month they will be held in Wichita @ Local 271 office, 1040 S. Broadway;  8:00PM.

Members who live and work throughout Kansas will have the opportunity to make it to either location to catch up on the latest information.

 Members of IBEW, Local Union 304 can call the office and get on the waiting list for 1st Aid and CPR classes. As soon as we get enough interested people we will arrange with the Instructor, Doug Winters  from Southwestern Line Apprentice office to schedule a date to have them. Each class size is limited to 10 people. 

Call (785) 235-2301 to have your name added to the list.

The 27^th Annual Lineman’s Rodeo at Kansas City, will be held October 16, 2010, in Bonner Springs, Kansas.

Awards Banquet will be held Saturday evening, October 16th at the Overland Park Convention Center located at 6000 College Boulevard, Overland Park, KS.

The International Lineman’s Rodeo Expo ‘10 will be held October 14th and 15th at the Overland Park Convention Center located at 6000 College Boulevard, Overland Park, KS.

Teams are separated into 6 different categories: Investor-Owned Utilities; EMC, REA, and REC; Municipals; Contractors; Seniors; and Military.

Individual Apprentices competing will be separated into 5 different categories: Investor-Owned Utilities; EMC, REA, and REC; Municipals; Contractors; and Military.

Volunteers are needed for Judging, Operating Trucks, Checking teams in & out of areas, and Scoring.

Additional information will be forthcoming.
  

Just a reminder for all “A” members that your International portion of your monthly union dues will increase $1.00 per month beginning January 1, 2010. This increase was agreed upon at the International Convention and is the 4th of 5.

The next increase of $1.00 per month will come January 1, 2011 and will affect all members with “A” & “BA” membership status.

Marvin Potts lives in Washington, KS on a corner lot with an adjoining lot to the east of him.  He just received his 60 year service award from the IBEW, specifically Local 304.

            Marvin has quite a history to share with anyone who has the time to hear it.  He started with the union in the KGE days.  He has seen many changes from the way companies treat their employees to the way union members treat themselves.  He had a few thoughts about the plusses and minuses of each, but one common thread is the fact that we all seem to take a tremendous amount for granted.  Marvin sees the lack of commitment to the public from the employer as well as the lack of commitment of the “freeloaders” in our workforces.  He speaks of one person that he used to work with that complains about his retirement.  You have to meet Marvin to appreciate what he does for the “complainer”.  Marvin takes the time to show him his retirement check from the company as well as the one he gets from IBEW.  I’m sure the donut shop they both frequent gets quite a show from these guys.

            Marvin played semi-pro baseball with the Salina Blue Jays and the Washington Red Birds.  At his age he is still as spry as they come.  It was pretty cool to see this guy do some high step exercises in his driveway to prove to me that he is still in shape at 87 years old.  He still flies the union colors and speaks of organized labor every chance he gets an audience.  I hope to have as much passion and energy as he does when I get to be 87.  We could all learn from this guy and others just like him.

            Marvin is what being a union brother is all about, he is an example.  He is out there everyday promoting himself as well as fairness in the workplace and organized labor.  If you ever get the chance to drive through Washington, KS, look for a red one ton ford dually with an IBEW Local 304 tag proudly displayed on the front bumper.  Wave him down, shake his hand, and thank him for fighting the good fight.

 Submitted by Gene Sicard, West end Assistant , Local 304

Capital Electric Line Truck @ 2009 Labor Day Parade

September 7th was the 8th Annual Labor Day Parade held in Downtown Topeka. IBEW, Local Union 304 had very good participation and was well represented. Besides the line trucks we had numerous members and the Training simulator for Live Line Maintenance Truck from Westar Energy.

J. F. Electric Line Truck @ 2009 Labor Day Parade

Tisha & Charley Blocher participating in Labor Day Parade

Look for big things coming from IBEW Local 304.  We’re getting into social media and web 2.0!