On May 2, EVA BC’s Manager of Social Enterprise, Ashley Humphrys, delivered a keynote to CUPE BC’s annual convention in Victoria. Speaking to more than 600 attendees, she shared the story of the Be More Than a Bystander program and connected it to her own experience working in an unsafe workplace: highlighting how small actions by coworkers that might not have meant much to them, made all the difference for her.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) has long been a supporter of the Bystander program, with EVA BC delivering Bystander training to CUPE National’s executive board and CUPE Manitoba, and CUPE BC wanted to showcase the program at this year’s convention. CUPE BC represents more than 120,000 members across many sectors — from community health and education to municipalities and transportation. “They wanted to learn about the program and know what we’ve learned along the way that we can offer workplaces to make them safer,” said Ashley.
Ashley gave an overview of the program’s 15-year impact both for high school students and workers in industries, raising awareness of how to make those small changes that can shift culture. She illustrated the power of the program with a short demonstration of how anyone can make a difference and improve safety in their workplace.
As part of the presentation, the BC Lions Football Club — EVA BC’s partner in the Be More Than a Bystander program — shared a video message, with a greeting and short message from Jamie Taras, Community Relations Coordinator for the BC Lions, and Andrew Peirson, the team’s offensive lineman.
“It’s really incredible to be in a room with changemakers: delegates who hold positions of influence within their unions,” said Ashley. “I don’t think there was anyone in that room who didn’t want to make their workplaces better.”
The impact of the keynote was immediate, with attendees already reaching out to explore bringing Bystander workplace training to their organizations.
“I’m really grateful for the opportunity to be part of the convention. Opportunities like this remind me how ready people are to take action and create change.” Ashley added
