From Corrections to Community: Melissa Scherrens on Volunteering & Crime Prevention with Saanich Police

Volunteer Victoria’s Volunteer Matters podcast interviews Melissa Scherrens, Coordinator of Volunteers and Crime Prevention Programs with the Saanich Police Department. Melissa shares her career path from a criminal justice policing diploma to working as a correctional peace officer, a Calgary Transit peace officer, and appearing on Undercover Boss Canada, which led to an NYPD internship and multiple return visits. After moving to Vancouver Island in 2017, she worked as a community liaison officer, then as a bylaw officer, before joining Saanich Police in early 2024. She explains how volunteers support community engagement and education through programs like Block Watch, ICBC road safety initiatives (speed watch, cell watch, lockout auto crime), Safe Place, and charity events, noting growth to 30 crime prevention volunteers and thousands of hours contributed. Melissa discusses why volunteering matters, how it can lead to policing careers, and ways she recognizes volunteers year-round.

00:00 Podcast Welcome

00:52 Melissa Career Journey

01:54 Corrections To Transit

04:10 Undercover Boss Story

06:38 NYPD Internship Highlights

08:53 Volunteering Roots

10:03 Moving To The Island

11:43 Why Policing Matters

13:55 Modern Policing Challenges

16:51 Crime Prevention Volunteers

18:02 Block Watch Explained

19:20 Road Safety Initiatives

20:56 Volunteer Growth Numbers

22:09 Community Programs In Action

23:55 Requesting Event Support

25:13 Volunteering Into Policing

27:23 Why Volunteer At All

32:23 Recognizing Volunteers Well

35:45 Rapid Fire Fun Questions

40:39 Closing Thanks And Wrap

From Volunteer Victoria in Victoria, BC, host George speaks with Tracy Cullen, Director of Community Initiatives at the Victoria Foundation, about what community foundations are and how the Victoria Foundation manages donor gifts as endowment funds that generate annual grants to federally registered charities. Tracy notes the foundation’s 90th anniversary, its service area across the Capital Regional District, and recent granting totals (about $6.1M last year) with more than $400M invested back into community over time. They discuss sector challenges - rising costs, increased service demand, reduced revenues, and declining volunteerism - and bright spots such as supporting collaborations like the Good Food Network and a youth homelessness prevention collaboration. Tracy also describes Vital Youth, Vital Signs, and Pulse, shares her background including her family’s Horner Foundation, and reflects on the value of volunteering.

00:00 Podcast Welcome

00:51 Meet Tracy Cullen

01:41 What Is Community Foundation

03:33 Victoria Foundation Origins

04:12 Endowment Grantmaking Model

05:47 Funding Scale Impact

08:01 Sector Challenges Today

10:35 Collaboration Success Stories

14:18 Vital Youth Program

17:06 Vital Signs Pulse Research

21:00 How To Donate Start Fund

23:08 Horner Foundation Backstory

23:52 Jersey Shore Memories

24:34 Small Town Roots

25:07 Volunteering Values

27:27 Garden State Farmland

29:04 Family Foundation Story

30:27 Grantmaking At Victoria

31:54 Saying No Compassionately

34:47 Three Silly Questions

40:08 Why Volunteer Matters

42:56 Closing Thanks

Learn more about the Victoria Foundation.

Join us for another enlightening episode of Volunteer Matters, recorded in beautiful Victoria, British Columbia. In this podcast, we delve deep with Usman Afzal, a wealth advisor and portfolio manager for Alitis Investment Counsel, known for his exceptional community involvement. Discover Usman’s journey from Pakistan to Canada, his extensive travels, and his dedicated volunteer work with several organizations, including Volunteer Victoria and Emerge Victoria. Learn about the power of networking, the importance of giving back, and how to effectively manage time for volunteering. Usman also shares inspirational stories, professional advice, and personal insights that will inspire you to become more engaged in your community.

00:00 Introduction to Volunteer Matters

01:01 Meet Usman Afzal: Wealth Advisor and Volunteer

04:03 Usman's Networking and Community Involvement

08:48 The Importance of Volunteering

12:20 Usman's Background and Cultural Insights

19:11 Rapid Fire Questions with Usman

https://www.alitis.ca/our-team/usman-afzal/

Exploring AI in Volunteer Management with Eli Colussi

Welcome back to Volunteer Matters with George Colussy from Volunteer Victoria. In this special episode, George is joined by his son Eli Colussi, an AI enthusiast and expert, to discuss the fusion of artificial intelligence with volunteer management. The conversation delves into the intricacies of AI tools like ChatGPT and their potential impact on the volunteer sector. Eli shares his journey in AI, his work at the innovative company Certn, and the emerging role of AI and automation specialists in businesses and non-profits. George and Eli also engage in a live demonstration with ChatGPT, simulating a conversation with an AI-powered volunteer manager. The episode concludes by emphasizing the irreplaceable value of human volunteer managers while exploring the future possibilities AI holds for supporting volunteerism. Stay tuned for future episodes featuring panels of local volunteer managers. Enjoy this fascinating blend of tech and community service!

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

01:51 Meet Eli Colussi: AI Enthusiast

02:37 Understanding AI and Its Applications

06:53 AI in Volunteer Management

11:11 The Role and Impact of Volunteers

17:39 Future of Volunteering and AI

21:49 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Certn: https://certn.co/

Volunteer Matters Podcast: Inclusive Communities for Dementia with Carolyn Brandley

Welcome to another edition of the Volunteer Matters podcast, hosted from the boardroom of Volunteer Victoria in British Columbia, Canada. In this episode, we speak with Carolyn Brandley about her important initiative to foster inclusion for people with dementia in the city of Victoria. Carolyn shares insights on integrating those living with dementia into community life, highlighting the barriers and supports in city programs and services. The conversation covers the stereotypes associated with dementia, the various types of dementia, and the impact of creating an inclusive environment. Carolyn also delves into her personal journey, community engagement, and practical advice for organizations considering volunteer roles for individuals with dementia. Join us for a compelling and informative discussion aimed at enhancing community support and understanding for those living with dementia.

Help Build a Dementia Inclusive Community!

The Fostering Inclusion for people with dementia project is about supporting people with dementia to stay connected within their community. The project is a research partnership between the City of Victoria's Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and the University of Victoria exploring the City’s built and social environments (spaces, programs, services, & policies) through a dementia-inclusive lens.

Take the Survey: ⁠https://www.surveymonkey.ca/r/SRWSGKW⁠

• • ALL community members, whether living with dementia or not, are invited to participate in the online survey.

• • The survey will take 5-10 minutes to complete,

• • Your responses are completely anonymous and will be combined with those from other respondents to inform recommendations.

Questions? Contact Carolyn Brandly, Research Associate at ⁠cbrandly@victoria.ca⁠

00:00 Introduction to Volunteer Matters Podcast

00:57 Meet Carolyn Brandley: A Journey of Service

01:39 Fostering Inclusion for People with Dementia

04:57 Challenging Stereotypes About Dementia

08:31 City of Victoria's Forward-Thinking Initiatives

13:01 Carolyn's Personal Connection to Dementia

16:48 How to Get Involved and Support the Initiative

19:58 Collaborating with Alzheimer's Organizations

20:18 Integrating Volunteers with Alzheimer's

21:05 Addressing Concerns and Stereotypes

21:58 Successful Volunteer Roles for Alzheimer's Patients

22:58 Understanding Dementia and Alzheimer's

24:18 Personal Background and Community Involvement

25:42 Volunteering and Community Engagement

28:49 Three Fun Questions

32:24 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

Catalina Roberts: Driving Global Change with Innovative Communities | Volunteer Matters

Guest:

Catalina Roberts BA, FRSA,

Chairperson – Board of Directors, InnovativeCommunities.Org Foundation

Join us for another inspiring episode of Volunteer Matters, where we meet the extraordinary Catalina Roberts, a dedicated volunteer with the Innovative Communities.org Foundation. Broadcasting from the beautiful Victoria, British Columbia, the episode dives deep into Catalina's eight-year journey with ICO, an organization known for its bottom-up approach to community development in over 25 countries. Learn how this all-volunteer foundation builds schools, provides clean water, and offers eye care to marginalized communities. Catalina shares heartwarming stories of personal impact and underscores the values of friendship and sustainability. Whether you're a seasoned volunteer or new to community service, this episode offers valuable insights and encouragement to get involved. Tune in to be inspired and see how you can make a difference!

00:00 Introduction to Volunteer Matters

01:03 Meet Catalina Roberts

02:20 Innovative Communities: A Bottom-Up Approach

04:20 Sustainability and Global Impact

08:38 Youth Involvement and Personal Journey

17:29 The Power of Volunteering

19:32 Volunteer Service and Corporate Engagement

20:44 Employer Supported Volunteerism

21:16 Three Fun Questions

26:40 Future of Innovative Communities Org

28:53 Personal Reflections and Board Experience

32:10 Final Thoughts and Commitment to ICO

https://www.innovativecommunities.org/

Exploring Leadership and Legacy with John Hughes | Volunteer Matters Podcast

Welcome to Volunteer Matters, a podcast coming to you from beautiful Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. In this episode, we sit down with John Hughes, the Executive Director of Craigdarroch Castle, a historic house museum with a rich tapestry of stories and a vital role in the community. Join us as we delve into John's journey from a jewelry designer to a nonprofit leader, the significance of the Castle, and the vibrant culture in Victoria’s nonprofit sector. We also discuss the importance of volunteers, leadership philosophies, and the overarching challenges and opportunities within the nonprofit landscape. John’s insights and experiences offer a compelling narrative for anyone interested in community service, leadership, and heritage preservation. Tune in for an enlightening conversation and discover the heart behind the history of Craigdarroch Castle.

00:00 Welcome to Volunteer Matters

01:05 Introducing John Hughes and Craigdarroch Castle

02:10 The History of Craigdarroch Castle

03:59 Craigdarroch Castle Today

09:29 The Role of Volunteers at Craigdarroch Castle

14:16 John Hughes' Journey to Executive Director

20:25 Starting a Journey in Goldsmithing

20:52 Early Influences and High School Experiences

22:16 Transition to Jewelry Design

23:29 Leadership and Business Skills

25:33 Challenges and Rewards of Leadership

27:54 Balancing Work and Personal Life

30:36 Reviving a Passion for Jewelry Making

32:28 The Future of Goldsmithing

35:02 Non-Profit Sector Insights

37:57 The Importance of Volunteering

41:07 Final Thoughts and Conclusion

Meet the Visionaries Behind Voluntoria! In this episode of Volunteer Matters, host George Colussi introduces the young and inspiring creators of Voluntoria—Will Porter, Jude Edgington, and their colleague, Liam Murtagh, who couldn't make it to the podcast. George, dives into a fascinating conversation with Jude and Will about their journey into volunteerism, their passion project Voluntoria, and how they aim to engage the youth in community service. They share insights on the benefits of volunteer work for personal and community growth, discuss their plans for the future, and reflect on the influence of mentorship in their lives. Tune in to learn about these dynamic young changemakers and their vision to make the world a better place through Voluntoria. Plus, get a glimpse of their personal aspirations, favorite travel destinations, and much more. 00:00 Introduction to Volunteer Matters Podcast 00:22 Meet the Hosts and Guests 00:52 The Tech Setup and Humor 02:38 Introducing Jude and Will's Project 04:41 The Importance of Volunteering for Youth 13:25 How to Get Involved and Contact Information 15:41 Fun Personal Questions with Jude and Will 22:18 Discussing Business and Investments 22:37 Tennis Talk: Novak Djokovic's Greatness 24:34 Magic Wand: Changing the World 27:32 Misconceptions About Youth 29:52 Encouraging Youth Volunteering 33:42 Future Plans and Influences 42:57 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

Check out Voluntoria at https://www.voluntoria.com/