Staff Directory
In addition to all the volunteers who support our organization's mission, Saanich Volunteer Services Society runs on a small team of dedicated staff and the occasional practicum student. See below for our staff and students who are working onsite at present.
Linda Dawson Reid, Client Services Coordinator
(250) 595-8008 Ext. 126
csc@saanichvolunteers.org
Linda is a social worker with more than 25 years social work experience working in community based non-profit organizations in Canada and Great Britain. She has a strong belief in the importance of community service and in the work done by non-profit organizations.
Linda is committed to providing quality service to SVSS clients and facilitates the monthly Macular Degeneration Support Group meetings.
MJ Cousins, Coordinator of Volunteers
(250) 595-8008
cov@saanichvolunteers.org
MJ knows a lot about the business of volunteering. She volunteered and worked at the YM-YWCA in Kamloops for 15 years. She left her position of assistant executive director at the Y to go back to school for a degree in marketing and HR.
MJ has lived in Victoria for the past five years and has volunteered for organizations such as Jazz Fest and Kidsport. She brings a lot of experience to the Office Coordinator’s position and we welcome her to our team.
Beth Penny, Coordinator Assistant
Beth joined SVSS in the Spring of 2020. She started by helping SVSS get online during the pandemic lockdown through her marketing content consultancy, Baetli.
She is now assisting with various technology-based projects around the office. Check out our YouTube channel to see some of her videography!
Janet Mathews, Bookkeeper
(Contract)
Carol Turnbull, Executive Director
(250) 595-8008 Ext. 121
carol[at]saanichvolunteers.org
Carol Turnbull is our Executive Director at Saanich Volunteer Services Society. She has a decade of experience with another Victoria non-profit organization, and she is dedicated to making a positive impact in the non-profit sector.
Carol holds a degree in social work from the University of Victoria and is currently adding to her skill set with a certification in gerontology from Toronto Metropolitan University. But beyond her qualifications, what truly stands out is her genuine passion for community service. She doesn't just want to lead. She wants to collaborate closely with our amazing volunteers, dedicated board members, and hardworking staff to create and provide programming and services to support and uplift residents in our Saanich community. With new programs inspired by her leadership, like Tea and Talk going into their second year, Carol is a positive advocate for all aspects of Saanich Volunteer Service Society's community presence.
Sharon Parker, Client Service Coordinator
(250) 595-8008 Ext. 126
sharon[at]saanichvolunteers.org
Sharon Parker is a dedicated health care professional and small business owner who has made Vancouver Island her home for the past 30 years.
Originally from Toronto, with a love of hiking and camping she moved west to embrace the island's natural beauty and vibrant community. A proud mother of two grown children, Sharon enjoys her free time in nature and misses her lovely friend, Tigger, who accompanied her for almost four beautiful years. One day, she feels Tigger may be reborn in a new rescue.
With a passion for helping others and a strong connection to her community, Sharon looks forward to making a positive impact both personally and professionally at SVSS.
Caroline Herbert, Coordinator of Volunteers
(250) 595-8008 Ext. 127
caroline[at]saanichvolunteers.org
Caroline has spent many years as a professional manager of volunteers and is a member of Volunteer Management Professionals of Canada. A long-time volunteer and volunteer advocate, she has been on numerous non-profit boards, and she has spent many years leading volunteers and implementing successful events that contribute to the local community. She happily returns to Saanich Volunteer Services Society with 5 more years of experience, as well as energy and insight to share. Caroline is married with 2 grown boys who are making their way in the world but she is not quite yet an empty nester.
Janet Mathews, Bookkeeper
(Contract)
I am a busy mother of 2 grown children, a home stay mother for international home-stay students and a mom to my dog, that will never sit still. My hobbies include cooking (luckily!), gardening and hiking (which is lucky for my dog, who also loves hiking).
As a Bookkeeper/Payroll Officer, SVSS shares me with: Our Place Society, and Vancouver Island Strata Owners Association, and SoozSports (another Saanich based organization). I am proud to represent such an essential and nurturing organization as SVSS.
Also the gorgeous country setting of the office does something wonderful for my historical imagination. I love that it feeds my creative spirit which rarely gets a break in the midst of all this number crunching! Thank you SVSS! Here's to many more years of service!
Pyper, off-site Mascot
Pyper, the golden retriever, is a sometimes visitor to our office. Her person, Greg, spoils her with Cedar Hill Golf Course wanders regularly. We see her especially on cold fall and winter mornings. Pyper pays for her treats at SVSS with all the joy she inspires during her visits.
NOTE: SVSS is a dog friendly environment and all our onsite and offsite mascots, if here, are friendly and supervised appropriately.
Erin Lumley, Office Coordinator
(250) 595-8008 Ext. 125
erin[at]saanichvolunteers.org
Erin's role at Saanich Volunteer Services Society is to help smooth the road for all. She may edit the website, talk to various outside professionals for help with onsite materials or services, or speak with folks as a receptionist. She has had a varied career having taught children and practiced law. When she is not playing video games with her son or walking her dogs, she can be found reading books, petting her cat (before he attacks) and writing the occasional poem.
Sara Practicum, Student
(250) 595-8008 Ext. 125
volunteer[at]saanichvolunteers.org
Sara is our Camosun practicum student from January to April, 2025. She is in the Community, Family & Child Studies program at Camosun College in Victoria and looks forward to learning the ropes at Saanich Volunteer Services Society. She will learn about database management, reception duties, client service duties, executive director duties, volunteer management practices, soft skills communication development along with community navigation. Finally, she will complete a research project concerning the importance of the meal distribution program. She will be onsite for three days a week and looks forward to getting to know people and doing anything creative. She hopes to learn not only from her mentors but from the community itself and all the wonderful people within. She’s excited and eager to meet everyone and hopes to be able to better understand what it means to be a community support worker by the time she leaves SVSS.