What is your name?
Tara Brisson
What is your position with the Y?
Member Services Supervisor and Volunteer Coordinator
What Y Centre/program do you work with?
Kelowna Family YMCA
What do you always find yourself saying?
“There is no Mom…. Only Zuul!” a reference from Ghostbusters I know I’m kind of a dork like that! LOL.
I’m also telling my kids all about meeting and exceeding standards all time.
If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world (currently alive) who would you select?
I would like to say some famous and glamorous star or high-powered political figure, but what would I have to talk about for a whole day! Sure, lunch with The Rock sounds amazing but in the end my happiest time is with the people I love, my family so that’s who I would pick, my family.
If you were to receive any existing public award, what award would you like to win?
Maybe an award of service to my community or a lottery? Yes, if a lottery is an award I would like to win that!
Please explain one fond memory you have of the Y.
I had a person come in with some mental health issues that were stopping her from going to a gym facility, but she was ready to try. I took her on a tour and showed her the plus rooms, there we stopped and talked for a few minutes about the Y, about how the Y is a community, people care about one other. We are an inclusive place where no one is going to judge you and where someone is always willing to help or just talk to if that’s what you need. She hugged me after that and left with a membership.
Are you staying connected with your Y family during this time, and if so, how?
During shutdown, and every Sunday since Monica has sent out a good morning text to everyone in member services and other than that we just doing a lot of chatting while at work.
Where is your favourite place to “dine”/order takeout in the Okanagan?
I am a local girl and love to support local businesses so my favorite food venues would have to be Olympia Greek Taverna in Rutland, L’Isola Bella in Lake Country, and Central Kitchen downtown Kelowna.
What is your favourite activity while social distancing in the Okanagan?
Anything outdoors, camping in the Summer, snow shoeing in the Winter, or just sitting next to a campfire with a drink in my hand.
Who inspires you (within your Y family or elsewhere)?
My Kids inspire me to be better every day. To be healthier to keep up with them, to be more fun, and to be the kind of person they can be proud of.
What are 3 things on your bucket list?
1. To travel to Greece and see the Acropolis in Athens and Go to the Island of Crete and stand on the Relics of the ancient Minoan civilization. I am passionate about history, and this is where so much of what we know has come from.
2. Paragliding in Revestoke, I had planned to do this pre-Covid, hopefully I can do it sometime after.
3. This is a tie, Swimming with Sharks or traveling to Italy and tasting all the food and wine. I have always dreamed of doing both. I love sharks, they are amazing creatures, and I love Italian food for obvious reasons.
Tell us about a defining moment in your life.
My daughter was about 8 years old and wanted to join cross country running. She asked me to help her train and run with her… I hadn’t run in 15 plus years since high school and I hated it back then, but I did it for her, and it turned out I loved it! The quiet pace of just you and road, it was almost therapeutic and soon I was running a couple times a week and then I started to notice a difference in myself. Both my physical and mental health started to improve and soon I craved the run. It became a part of who I was and that was the beginning of a new healthier lifestyle and that lifestyle is what brought me to the Y.
What are you passionate about?
History, Mythology, Literature, and fitness are my passions.
What has been your favourite day of your life, up to this point?
It’s a 3-way tie between my wedding day and the birth of my 2 kids.
What do you miss the most about your Y before the pandemic?
The kid’s laughter in the programs, not wearing masks and just being close to one another.
If you could achieve one thing within your field, what would it be?
Being in Member Services I get to meet and see a lot of people. My achievement would be to hopefully better everyone’s life in some way. Whether its to help them with a membership, signing up for kids’ programs, or just a friendly smile, I always want to be able to help.
What 3 qualities do you feel your Y exemplifies?
Respect, Inclusiveness, and Caring. I feel everyone here exemplifies these qualities.
How does your team/facility/program make a difference every day?
We are the first and last people you see when you come to Y. We are the ones who help you with all your questions, registrations, and memberships. We help those in need get financial assistance to become part of the Y family. We sign up your children for programs and we try to keep everyone safe by doing Covid screening and checking everyone’s ID.
What words of encouragement would you say to our Y member/participants/families right now?
Try to be patient, this is all new and we’re all learning as we go.
What would you like to say to your fellow staff/volunteer team?
We’re all doing an amazing job! I know these are tough times and things are different, but you are all awesome and we will get through this…. we can do it!
How has your role changed during COVID?
The feeling has changed. I am now behind glass and screen everyone for Covid as they come in, I am now responsible to keep everyone healthy who enters the facility.
What does community mean to you?
A sense of belonging. A group of people that care about, support and encourage each other. People you can count on.
What is your favorite part of your job?
Having a parent qualify for Financial Assistance and almost break into tears when they realize their child will not be left out, and they can take part in swim lessons, sports, and social programs because they are now part of the YMCA community and we will help them however we can.
What Y team member would you like to give a shout-out to and why?
Every person who works at the Y deserves and shout out. We are all doing the best we can during these trying times, but I think I would like to shout out Monica Lange. She stepped into a new role as our Manager right as we re-opened and Active Net came in. She had some big shoes to fill and daily changes on everything and I think she has done an amazing job.