When Kim Barton-Bridges moved to the qathet region in 1998, ferries had an almost magical appeal for her entire family. After taking the vessels that connect Horseshoe Bay to Langdale, and Earls Cove to Saltery Bay, her daughters went home convinced they were moving to live on the ferries.
“I remember my daughters telling people we were moving to two boats,” she stated in a profile provided by BC Ferries. “A decade later the magic had kind of worn off, and I thought it would be good to work on some of those challenges.”
Barton-Bridges has been a member of the Northern Sunshine Coast Ferry Advisory Committee (FAC) since 2013, and its chair since 2016. As an avid volunteer, she says it’s the opportunity to hear and understand different perspectives, and take action to make her community a better place, that drives her.
“For me it’s about taking time to actually listen to people and respond to them,” stated Barton-Bridges, “and bringing those ideas to people [at BC Ferries] who can take action or do something with those ideas. It’s the opposite of individualism. It’s important for it not to be just my agenda and my issues, but what looks best for the community.”
Barton-Bridges and her fellow FAC members are among the people being recognized across the country, according to BC Ferries, as April 24 to 30 is National Volunteer Week across Canada. The annual event seeks to celebrate the positive impact of volunteerism in communities. This year’s theme, Empathy in Action, celebrates the ways in which volunteers build awareness around the experiences of different community members and build capacity to work collectively together towards common goals.
“Empathy isn’t just about responding to a crisis, but looking at things from a variety of perspectives,” stated Barton-Bridges, when asked what the theme means to her. “We have a large region and there are probably 20,000 ideas about how the ferries should run.”
Northern Sunshine Coast FAC members work year-round to bring those perspectives and ideas to BC Ferries in the form of advice and insight that helps inform day-to-day operations, terminal and vessel improvements, schedule changes and other initiatives. There are no days off for an FAC chair, who answers emails, phone calls and questions from community members around the clock.
“I hope community members know I am listening and that they are being heard,” stated Barton-Bridges.
In her role as FAC chair, she notes that helping people understand the ferry system, being a connection point for questions and concerns, and serving as a conduit for communication, are some of her most important duties.
BC Ferries vice president of strategy and community engagement Brian Anderson echoes that sentiment.
“Our ferry advisory committees form a vital connection to the communities we serve,” stated Anderson. “They listen and respond to community members, and help open the doors of communication by sharing information, advice and insights. We are very grateful for their dedication and the long hours we know they put into their work with us.”
Community connection
In addition to her role with the advisory committee, Barton-Bridges is active in several community roles, including her work with the Pacific Region International Summer Music Association (PRISMA), bringing live orchestra music to small coastal communities, and as a founding member and board president of Powell River Hospice Society. Although she has retired from her role with the hospice society, it remains a community initiative that is near and dear to her heart.
“I had to leave because I reached my term limit, but I’ll make my way back to it in some form,” stated Barton-Bridges.
The activity that’s perhaps closest to her heart, however, can be summed up in just two words: Funday Monday. Every Monday, Barton-Bridges provides child care for her grandkids, who have nicknamed the weekly occasion Funday Monday.
But Mondays aren’t the only time she spends with her growing family. The purchase of an RV during COVID-19 was aimed directly at being able to spend more quality time with her daughters and grandchildren.
“The intergenerational connection is just so important,” stated Barton-Bridges.
Although Funday Monday and RV camping trips are family affairs, her activities with the ferry advisory committee are something others in her community can become a part of.
“It definitely makes one aware of a bigger picture,” stated Barton-Bridges. “Everyone should [volunteer] at least once in their life. It’s good for you. I know it’s been good for me.”
Anyone interested in becoming part of the Northern Sunshine Coast Ferry Advisory Committee can reach out to Barton-Bridges at [email protected].
