BIST would be nowhere without the dedication and commitment of our volunteers. So many people give their time, talent and knowledge to help BIST deliver quality programs and services to our members.
BIST is proud to “Spotlight” volunteers in appreciation for all they do.
If you would like to shine a “Spotlight” on a BIST volunteer, please contact 416-830-1485 or email info@bist.ca.
Name: Colleen Boyce
How long have you been a member of BIST?
2004
What is your volunteer role with BIST?
I am the founding Chair of BIST, (2004 – 2005) and currently sit on 3 committees – BIAM, volunteers and communication.
What motivated you to become a volunteer with BIST?
I work in the brain injury field and since 1996 (I immigrated to Canada in 1995) I have volunteered within the brain injury community in a number of roles and capacities and strongly believe in giving back to the community I serve.
What is the best part of being a BIST volunteer?
Learning from the members who have sustained a brain injury. As professionals we may know theory but we have no idea what it is like to have sustained a brain injury. Our members are our best teachers. Working with other professionals who have the same commitment to the BIST cause.
Why do you think it is important to volunteer?
The emotions that accompany volunteering are vast, such as: accomplishment, giving back, commitment, learning, results, support, and team work, to name a few.
What would you say to potential volunteers?
It is so critical to give back in some capacity, no matter how big or small and all skill sets are needed to help charitable organizations such as BIST.
How do you balance work, life and volunteering?
It can be a challenge at times but the rewards of volunteering are immense and grounds me as a professional in the work I do. I love my family time, run, play tennis, play bridge, read, study and work full time BUT have adult children and have a lot more free time than when they were younger. The work / life balance is important and I thrive with all my activities.
What is your favourite book?
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. An incredible read.
What is your favourite movie?
The Kings Speech.
What other activities are of interest to you?
Running, tennis, bridge.
What is the most important thing you have learned through volunteering with BIST?
Learned empathy: learning from our members.
Name: Julie Osbelt
How long have you been a member of BIST?
2004
What is your volunteer role with BIST?
I am a committee member of the BIST Awareness Committee. And some of my past responsibilities have included serving as the committee chair and organizing the June Awareness event (for example the Survivor Art Display, planning the Entertainment for the event and assisting with the Survivor Speakers series.)
What motivated you to become a volunteer with BIST?
It is an important aspect of the work I do at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital to provide and encourage youth who have an ABI to connect with their community. I want to practice what I preach. So being a volunteer with BIST provides a great opportunity to share first hand the benefits of being a BIST member. It is also satisfying to know that BIST is making a difference for youth and adults who have acquired brain injuries.
What is the best part of being a BIST volunteer?
The opportunity to always learn something new, and expand community connections while at the same time meeting the most fantastic people!
Why do you think it is important to volunteer?
Volunteers are essential to building a strong community.
What would you say to potential volunteers?
Giving back in any capacity is one of the most rewarding experiences possible.
How do you balance work, life and volunteering?
It is definitely a challenge but I make a conscious effort to stay closely connected to my family and friends while also making time to work out at the gym, play golf and work on my photography projects.
What is your favourite book?
I have a hard time picking just one book. The authors I enjoy to read include Jodi Picoult and Stieg Larsson.
What is your favourite movie?
Shawshank Redemption, Forrest Gump
What other activities are of interest to you?
I love creating photo books and short videos featuring family and friends. I love to camp, hike, play golf and work out.
What is the most important thing you have learned through volunteering with BIST?
A greater understanding of others.
Name: Darcy Merkur
How long have you been a member of BIST?
About 10 years.
What is your volunteer role with BIST?
I am a long standing member of the Brain Injury Awareness Month Planning Committee (now knows as the Awareness Committee I believe)
What motivated you to become a volunteer with BIST?
Wanting to help raise public awareness of Brain Injury and wanting to help develop a sense of community for surviviors.
What is the best part of being a BIST volunteer?
Collaborating with the survivor community on a rewarding awareness event.
Why do you think it is important to volunteer?
To give back something to the community and become a better person.
What would you say to potential volunteers?
That volunteering is very rewarding on many levels and gives you a good feeling inside.
How do you balance work, life and volunteering?
Balancing priorities is always a challenge, but volunteering is an important part of that balance.
What is your favourite book?
Can I say “Confederacy of Dunces” or is that politically incorrect (hope not–it is hilarious).
What is your favourite movie?
Can’t go wrong with the Godfather I or II.
What other activities are of interest to you?
Love all summer sports, like golf, tennis and baseball.
What is the most important thing you have learned through volunteering with BIST?
That people are inherently good but some are often not understood due to lack of public awareness.
Name: Frank Bruno
How long have you been a member of BIST?
3 years now with BIST and years with HIAT/BIAT
What is your volunteer role with BIST?
My role as I see it is to help out wherever and whenever I can. I consider myself as a pusher…I will push others to do as much as they can. It is so easy to say I can’t do that or it is difficult to do. We all have the same (basically) limitations, yet to different degrees. You can always do something, no matter how small or little you think. Helping out wherever you can helps a lot to so many people.
What motivated you to become a volunteer with BIST?
I did so much fund raising for HIAT/BIAT, that after they passed away on their final days, I had a void there and was helping out with different Brain Injury Associations like Peel, Oshawa, OBIA, Fort Erie, Ottawa, Kitchener and the Heart and Stroke getting prizes for whatever they needed.
What is the best part of being a BIST volunteer?
Best part of volunteering is seeing others helping others to achieve things that they didn’t or couldn’t think was doable. 10 or 15 or more heads together does great work.
What would you say to potential volunteers?
Volunteering is great fun. You don’t have to do a lot at the beginning, just start out where you think you can help the most and then grow and expand from that.
Why do you think it is important to volunteer?
How much better you become and how much stronger your association with BIST becomes.
How do you balance work, life and volunteering?
Balancing, now that is not easy and very tricky. You have to watch your own stamina level and try not to do too much too quickly. You don’t want to burn out fast.
What is your favourite book? What is your favourite movie?
I don’t read books. When I read a paragraph 5 times, I will get 5 different meanings so I have given up on reading books. Same for movies because of my lack of concentration
What other activities are of interest to you?
I organize three touch or flag football teams…….a one hand touch…a two hand touch and a flag. I don’t play anymore as I can’t play at the level I am used to. These teams are at a very high level for ordinary people (those without disabilities). Then there is the volunteering Ii do with other group, .mostly collecting items for them to use as auction items in their events. I have access to the Hockey Hall of Fame and their honoured members
This past summer I volunteered (refereeing) at West Park Hospital for their first annual soccer tournament. Teams raised money to enter this fun tournament. Then in September I was a referee in the Road Hockey to Conquer Cancer with Darryl Sittler, Bryan Trottier, Elizabeth Manley, Don Cherry and others helped make that more fun
What is the most important thing you have learned through volunteering with BIST?
If you are not volunteering, get out and enjoy what you have to offer and see what others can do. We are all in the same boat together. Let’s make this a a fun, happy and smooth sail. Imagine what all of us together can do!
Name: Colleen Worsley
How long have you been a member of BIST?
3 years
What is your volunteer role with BIST?
Special Events Committee Member-Support at special events, monthly community meetings.
What motivated you to become a volunteer with BIST?
I wanted to learn more about the BIST group, interact with the members, and offer my skills to promote the BIST team.
What is the best part of being a BIST volunteer?
Many things: The inspiration I get from the members, being part of a great team, skill development in areas of planning and program development and increased knowledge of the ABI field.
Why do you think it is important to volunteer?
To give back time to the community that you earn a living from but it honestly makes a person feel good to do it.
What would you say to potential volunteers?
Consider giving of your time, fulfill the commitment you make and enjoy the above noted benefits.
How do you balance work, life and volunteering?
I selected a committee that realistically met my available time and I set time aside for family activities which cannot be changed—even for work.
What is your favourite book?
Baking cakes in Kigali by Gaile Parkin
What is your favourite movie?
The Princess Bride
What other activities are of interest to you?
Hiking, riding, painting.
What is the most important thing you have learned through volunteering with BIST?
Everyone has challenges to overcome—your attitude in doing so makes all the difference and having some friends to make the journey with makes for an easier road.