Community outreach and engagement are crucial activities for our Union. Thankfully we have generous Sisters and Brothers at IBEW Local 520 who sacrifice their time and money for the betterment of our community. We reinforce strong Union principles when we serve people in this way. Here are some examples of community engagement from IBEW Local 520 Sisters and Brothers:
* Our Austin EWMC Chapter participates in Blue Santa each year.
* The EWMC also collected food and hygiene kits for the Callison Elementary food pantry.
* RENEW has hosted washers tournaments with donated food and proceeds going to the Central Texas Food Bank.
* Our Local Union also volunteers our time working at the Central Texas Food Bank’s warehouse
* In years past Brothers, Sisters, and family members donated time to paint and repair the Boys & Girls club and donated sports equipment.
* IBEW Local 520 participates in job fairs at high schools such as Navarro, Travis, and Pflugerville.
* We reached out to veterans at the Fort Hood Mega Career Fair and the American Legion job fair.
* Delwin Goss, retired 520, has encouraged countless Union Electricians to help with Habitat for Humanity builds.
* IBEW Local Union 520 is involved with pre-apprenticeship programs like Skillpoint Alliance and the Lone Star Construction Trades Training program.
I am sure you have more that can be added to this list. We also have a smaller community that we consistently support – our own Local 520 Sisters, Brothers, and family. We take care of our own by passing the hat at jobsites and the monthly Union meetings. We foster a sense of family by laughing and telling stories at our annual picnic and Spring Fling. We strengthen our solidarity by coming together at bowling alleys, gun ranges, washers tournaments, and more.
As IBEW Union Electricians we took the Obligation to live up to the Objects of the IBEW Constitution. Two of my favorite objects are “To assist each other in sickness or distress” and “… by legal and proper means to elevate the moral, intellectual and social conditions of our members, their families and dependents, in the interest of a higher standard of citizenship.” We achieve this by being good stewards of our Union and our communities. When times are tough, be that hand that helps a fellow Sister or Brother up.
In Solidarity,
Kasey Lansangan
