We are IH: Connection energizes volunteer coordinator's mission

Ken has always been drawn to working in the non-profit sector, because it allows him to work directly with people while contributing to a meaningful mission.

“I enjoy interacting with individuals from diverse backgrounds, listening to their experiences, and building trusting relationships,” shares Ken. “That human connection energizes me and reinforces why the work matters.” 

Working with volunteers in a non-profit setting, Ken understands how essential it is to have compassion and the willingness to collaborate. His caring nature highly motivates him to support others; he relishes any opportunity to help strengthen communities; and he’s always keen to contribute to positive, lasting change that personally impacts individuals as well as groups and systems.

“Working in a health-care setting makes my role feel especially meaningful,” Ken admits. He is able to witness the tangible effects as he supports volunteers behind the scenes. He clearly sees and truly knows how their contributions directly enhance the experiences of patients, families, and care teams. 

Ken maintains his focus on creating an environment where volunteers feel valued, prepared, and confident in their roles “… because that directly translates into safer, more effective, and more compassionate service for patients and staff alike.” 

As a volunteer coordinator, Ken sees his role as equipping people with the tools, training, and clarity they need to succeed within a complex health-care system. He puts a strong emphasis on communication, collaboration, and continuous improvement, while also balancing relationships with encouragement and mentorship—especially to volunteers who may be new to health care or unsure of their role. “Supporting their personal and professional growth and helping volunteers to recognize the meaningful impact they have inspires me to continuously strengthen and refine volunteer programs within the health-care environment,” says Ken.

One of Ken’s career highlights is when he publicly celebrated his 25th year with IH. “I had my peers and volunteers all around me as I received my pin and many words of thanks from them,” Ken recalls. “It was truly an honour! 

While Ken would like to say that where he’s at in his career today is the result of a straight and calculated road, he admits the reality. “My journey was as twisted and contorted as a pretzel—a constant ever-changing adventure!” For Ken, it was incorporating all of his training and experience with what he has always been passionate about—and then to continuously explore what was available to him out there, until eventually the right fit opened up. 

A typical workday for Ken starts with a morning walk accompanied by his five dogs. He then goes to the gym for a workout. When the job clock starts, he is mostly attached to the computer; answering a multitude of emails, ironing out scheduling and organizing training events to look after more than 750 volunteers. Beyond those typical tasks, he might be touring applicants, interviewing, or conducting online orientations. Then there’s the supervision of over 20 different programs going on across IH. Once the day shift is done, Ken is back to where he started, taking a nice walk with his pack of pooches and winding down to a calm and centred evening. 

Outside of work, the canine community is very important to Ken and his partner. Just over 11 years ago, they started a dog rescue non-profit society called Taco Dog Rescue, which almost feels like a second career to Ken. His own canine clan are all Mexican rescues. “I call them my Mexican Mafia or the Wilson's Landing Cartel,” he jokes. Naturally, this makes one of his top favourite leisure activities all about taking energetic walks along the lake. A close second would be activities involving getting together with family and friends to play games or just hang out in the front yard, or perhaps float on the lake and take in the beautiful Okanagan. 
 

While Ken loves his work, the idea of retirement is very appealing to him. “I am ready to travel and explore the world more than once a year,” he says, with a long list of destinations in mind.

One thing Ken has learned over the years is that it’s futile to try to change yourself in order to be accepted by a group. “A true sense of belonging comes from being accepted as your authentic self,” he says. 

And for Ken, that authentic self means sporting a good sense of humour, especially when it comes to lightening up the sometimes sombre hospital atmosphere. One of his common sayings is: "Staff are paid to be good, whereas volunteers are good for nothing."  

Perhaps a third career in stand-up comedy is in the cards.

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