What is your name?
Beth Jean
What is your position with the Y?
Payroll and Benefit Administrator
What Y centre/program do you work with?
Association Services
What do you always find yourself saying?
Will this COVID-19 ever be over?
If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
My dad and mother. They are getting older and I enjoy the time I spend with them.
If you were to receive any existing public award, what award would you like to win?
The Pulitzer Prize—I love reading and think it would be so cool to have the imagination to write a book.
Please explain one fond memory you have of the Y.
When Kevin organized the 2013 Christmas Party talent show.
What are you doing to stay connected while at home?
I am talking to my son and his family in Calgary every day. Walking with my sister and grandchildren.
Are you staying connected with your Y family during this time, and if so, how?
I sure am. I go into the office usually 4 days a week and go for walks with Wendy Gordon.
Where is your favourite place to “dine”/order takeout in the Okanagan right now?
We get Hello Fresh delivered for 4 nights a week, also I do my Tim Hortons run each day.
What is your favourite activity while social distancing in the Okanagan?
Walking with my two granddaughters.
Who inspires you (within your Y family or elsewhere)?
My daughter-in-law Safeta and her family. They went through the Bosnian war and came out stronger for it.
What are 3 things on your bucket list?
Travel, buy a cabin with my siblings, spend a year in Calgary with my son and his family.
Tell us about a defining moment in your life.
When we moved the family which included three small boys from Ontario to Kelowna.
What are you passionate about?
Grandchildren, travelling, reading, keeping in touch with my friends.
What has been your favourite day of your life, up to this point?
The days my three boys were born.
What do you miss the most about your Y?
Normalcy, I am so excited to be reactivating fellow staff. It was very hard on me doing all the Record of Employments in March.
If you could achieve one thing within your field, what would it be?
To learn how payroll is done in the United States. I have never had that chance and would love to.
What 3 qualities do you feel your Y exemplifies?
Giving, Health, Belonging
How does your team make a difference every day (now or pre-COVID)?
Our immediate team keeps the finance department running smoothly. There hasn’t been a day during COVID-19 that Kristi, Wendy and I have forgotten to touch base and encourage each other.
What would you like to say to your fellow staff/volunteer team?
Welcome back and stay safe.
How has your role changed during COVID-19?
I am working at home some days and I learned how to use Teams.
What does community mean to you?
A sense of belonging.
What is your favorite part of your job?
I love numbers. I enjoy getting to help staff members when they require anything. I consider a lot of my fellow employees to be my friends.
What Y team member would you like to give a shout-out to and why?
Chuck Henderson and Doug Pumphrey. They have been working long hours getting the Y and H2O ready for us. They do so with a smile on their face and are always accommodating when we require things.