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