Running head: INTERVIEW WITH BOBBI TURNER 1

Interview with Bobbi Turner

Madison Warren

CYC 310

May 11th, 2019

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Interview with Bobbi Turner

Summary of Questions and Responses

To begin the interview, I asked my supervisor, Bobbi Turner about her educational

background and how she ended up being the Executive Director of Island Sexual Health Society.

Bobbi started volunteering at the clinic in 1984. She explained how she graduated with a

Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Victoria is 1992 and, upon graduation, began to

work at Island Sexual Health Society at the front desk and as an Educator part-time. She was also

working at the Girls Alterative Program, which has now been replaced with Artemis Place. When

the Executive Director passed away quite suddenly in 1994, Bobbi interviewed for the job

although she did not see herself working in management. She has now been the Executive

Director for 25 years!

Bobbi would describe her practice framework as client-centered when it comes to

issues related to client’s health. She feels very strongly about community health and ensuring

that individuals in the community feel as if they have a voice regarding their care. Her

philosophy in her role follows along the lines of that everyone at the Society works as a team and

that everyone has an equal share with it comes to the organization. She also feels strongly about

interdisciplinary care.

Regarding maintaining a work-life balance and the importance of self-care, she

found it harder to do earlier in her career, as her work is also her passion. She remembers many

occasions when she was close to burning out but found importance in acknowledging it and

continuing to practice self-care by walking her dog, Maddie. She believes that, no matter what, it

is important to remember that it is a job, you cannot change the world in one day, and that “all

you can do is the best that you can do” (B. Turner, personal communication, May 6th, 2019).
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When speaking of decolonization in Island Sexual Health’s practices and policies,

Bobbi brought up the QOM, QEM SLANI Tsawout First Nations Clinic at the Tsawout Health

Department. At the clinic, it is imperative to be very aware of what the community needs and

how the services are delivered. One of the benefits of a non-profit is that it is easier to guide and

change policies than with a government agency, as there is a lot more flexibility to change the

organization in order to benefit the community. Ensuring that the organization is meeting the

needs of the population is essential, including making sure that the population has an input.

When working with Indigenous populations at the Tsawout clinic, relational-based

practice is of great importance for that client, and the community, to feel comfortable and safe

when coming to the services. Bobbi mentioned that “we can’t come in and truly understand what

they are feeling” (personal communication, May 6th, 2019). When I brought up that Indigenous

women may feel uncomfortable coming into a sexual health clinic due to the history of forced

sterilization, it reinforced the importance of giving people a voice about their own bodies and

about the services offered.

Changing topics, Bobbi and I both agreed that the program planning that I have

been doing with one of the Educators on a girl’s group for a class of second graders on conflict

resolution, setting boundaries, healthy relationships, and understanding empathy would be a

great legacy project for me. It has been a great learning experience so far and something that I

have been passionate about before my practicum. This group can support the organization in

engaging with TRC Calls to Action (2015) by “building student capacity for intercultural

understanding, empathy, and mutual respect” (p.7), as this group will be held with an elementary

school class in Colwood.

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Lastly, when looking at Island Sexual Health Society in the future, Bobbi hopes to

leave them in the best possible position when she retires in three years. This includes being

granted funding, improving services, and expanding services. Unfortunately, until the value of

community health organization is recognized in the province, there will be the struggle to keep

the organization going and moving forward.

What I Learned

The interview with Bobbi was a great opportunity for me to come to a better

understanding of the inner workings of Island Sexual Health Society and of non-profits in

general. It was amazing to see the commitment that Bobbi, the other employees, and volunteers

have to inclusivity, giving people a voice, and community wellness. Bobbi’s understanding of

self-care and maintaining a work-life balance will be of great benefit to me, as this is something

that I often struggle with. I will have to remember and find acceptance in that fact that I cannot

change everything and everyone. Going forward in this placement, I will work harder to take

care of myself and try not to worry about work related ideas at home.
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References

Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. (2015). Calls to Action [PDF]. (p.7).

Winnipeg, Manitoba. Retrieved from

http://trc.ca/assets/pdf/Calls_to_Action_English2.pdf