Cranbrook CRN Coordinator, Sandy Zeznik (centre), receiving certificate of appreciation for past service from BC Seniors’ Advocate Dan Levitt (right), joined by East Kootenay MLA Tom Shypitka (photo cred: S. Zeznik)
BC’s new Seniors’ Advocate, Dan Levitt, has been busy touring the province to connect with seniors advocate groups and key Council of Advisors (COA) members. On his way through the East Kootenays in April, Mr. Levitt arrived prepared with a surprise for Cranbrook CRN Coordinator, Sandy Zeznik, presenting her with a ‘certificate of appreciation for past service’ for her years of service as a member of the Seniors’ Advocate COA.
Seniors’ Advocate Council of Advisors
In preparation for his scheduled visit, Mr. Levitt called ahead and asked Sandy to invite representatives from various local seniors groups and service providers. During the meeting Mr. Levitt invited attendees to share their community connection, knowledge of the BC CRN and concerns on topics such as healthcare and housing. Sandy mentioned that he was a very considerate listener and took notes during the session. Also present was East Kootenay MLA, Tom Shypitka, who also listened attentively and participated as invited.
Sandy has been a member of the BC Seniors Advocate’s Council of Advisors (COA) for the past five years. Typically a term is two years but the last round of appointments were delayed due to Covid interruptions resulting in the now outgoing council having to extend their term. To her knowledge, all past council members receive the appreciation certificate but Sandy missed the annual meeting due to her recent trip, so it came as a pleasant surprise when Mr. Levitt personally brought it with him on his visit.
Mr. Levitt has also announced the addition of new roles in the COA. He has invited recent, experienced past advisors, including Sandy, to stay on as Mentors to the incoming members for the next two-year term.
Sandy Zeznik with Dan Levitt holding certificate of appreciation (photo cred: S. Zeznik
Catch Her if You Can
Sandy was introduced to the BC Community Response Networks by East Kootenay Regional Mentor, Doug Newberry, when they met at a common event. She has served as the Cranbrook CRN Coordinator for just over seven years.
Catching up to Sandy was a bit of a challenge as her days are often spent dashing from one commitment or meeting to another. Along with her role at the CRN, Sandy is also part of many other associations and group committees, some of which meet together regularly to collaborate on community-based projects. Here are a few that Sandy dedicates herself to on any given day:
- Volunteer and buyer for the gift shop at the East Kootenay Regional Hospital
- Chair of the Senior Citizens Association
- Chair of the Seniors in Partnership Society – which is the main association that coordinates collaboration between the community service providers and other groups. The Cranbrook CRN has 2 reps at this collaborative table.
- Member of the Rotary Club of Cranbrook
- Volunteer member and past chair at the Cranbrook Kimberley Hospice Society
- Secretary of her neighbourhood strata
- Chair of the Seniors Action Group which is a part of the Seniors in Partnership where members get together for activities and events
- Board member of the Community Foundation of the Kootenay Rockies
- Manages and paddles with a dragon boat team called Abreast in the Rockies. Sandy is a breast cancer survivor and the team helps raise money for breast cancer projects at the local hospital
In her spare time, she is also an avid traveler. She has already visited many destinations in four of the seven continents of the world and has plans to see parts of a few more countries in two more over the next few years (Antarctica is not currently on her list). She recently returned from a three week trip cruising the Baltic Sea’s north coast out of Copenhagen, flying in and out of Iceland where she visited the geothermal pools in the Blue Lagoon.
What’s Next
Sandy does not have any thoughts about slowing down over the next 3-5 years other than selectively taking a back seat on some of the committees she currently helps oversee. She believes succession of new leadership is vital to continuing volunteer-driven associations and community work and she encourages fresh ideas and energy that help to grow and enhance the purpose of the group.
Sage Advice
During our interview Sandy dropped a few pearls of wisdom that needed to be shared. She has this advice for collaboration – on committees, community work and giving back:
- Be community minded
- Help others when you can
- Plan for succession – continuously mentor new leaders to carry on the work
- You have to love people and let them have a say – none of us always knows the right way to go
- It’s important to use local services and businesses whenever possible. If people don’t shop local, there will be no support for the community work when needed
- Learn your limits – only do as much as you are able to accomplish decently
Read more about Sandy and her past work in Cranbrook and BC CRN:
- Cranbrook Community Response Coordinator Named Citizen of the Year for 2022
- Neighbours Helping Neighbours: Spreading Kindness and Connection
In case you missed it: read the official message from our new Seniors’ Advocate here.
Explore our website to learn more about BC CRN or connect with your local CRN for more information or resources.