“Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.”

South Okanagan and Similkameen

Community Connections

Volunteer Centre

October 2026

Written by Laura Turnbull Board Chairperson

“Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.” stated John C

Maxwell so profoundly. I’ve been reflecting on this statement

lately and wondering what it has to say about volunteerism. I am

acutely aware how much I have learned and grown from my many

volunteer experiences, several of which have come about due to

change. I think of recently helping at the “Comfort Centre” due to

the Bald Range fire in August. I spoke with countless evacuees

who taught me much about resilience, thankfulness, ways of

coping, and appreciation. I remember assisting with the South

Okanagan and Similkameen Community Connections Volunteer

Centre’s volunteer appreciation breakfast and the tremendous

adaptability all the volunteers showed as we changed location

from the previous year. It was bigger and better than before! And

oh, how we learned! Some of the boards I have sat on have

undergone interesting changes and subsequent growth as they

modified their mandate, format, and processes.

If any of these changes and growth experiences spark an interest

in you contact the South Okanagan and Similkameen Community

Connections Volunteer Centre at 1- (888) 576-5661 and our

Executive Director Subrina Monteith will be delighted to speak to

you. We can be reach at www.volunteercentre.info or make an

appointment to visit us at The Cannery at 110-1475 Fairview

Road Penticton, BC V2A 5C8.

Organizations as diverse as The Foundry, AlleyCats Alliance,

Crime Stoppers, Rygas Arts Festival, SOWINS, Okanagan

Gleaners, Desert Sun, Princeton Senior Citizens Branch 30, and

Agur Lake Camp are all part of the SOSCCVC family! Come and

check us out! Be part of the change and let’s grow together.