Name: Selene Hur
Chapter: Zeta Omega, Waterloo
Full-time Occupation: Manager of Prospect Research at the YMCA of Greater Toronto for over seven years.
Volunteer Position: Province Director of Alumnae and President of the Toronto Alumnae Association.
How many total years have you volunteered with Kappa? Fifteen years.
In what other places or ways do you give your time and talents? I’m on the board of the Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement in Canada as the Director of Mentorship, and also the logistics chair for the 2016 APRA-C Conference. I recently joined the board of the Toronto Wildlife Centre and I am helping them prepare for a capital campaign. I’m also part of the “Ask an Alum” program for the Faculty of Information at the University of Toronto.
What talents made you a great match for your role? By being a good listener and drawing from my broad experiences as a Kappa volunteer, I’m able to advise other alumnae volunteers, work through challenges, and help them succeed at their goals. As well, given my years of work in the nonprofit sector, knowing how to steward relationships and manage volunteers comes second nature to me.
What makes your volunteer experience rewarding? My involvement with Kappa has connected me to so many women of all ages and from all walks of life. I really enjoy getting to know people and hearing their life stories. I get inspired by what others have done or take their experiences as a learning opportunity.
What or Who is your most impactful Kappa memory or mentor? Our Founders Day celebration continues to warm my heart. It is such a meaningful event wherever it’s held and no matter how big or small the group is. Even if we see each other only once a year for this event or welcome a new face, it never fails to amaze me that you can bring any Kappas together and we will immediately click. That shows the power of our ritual, heritage, and shared values.
What is the most important talent or trait to have to be a successful volunteer? With so many competing priorities in life, having passion for the cause is most important in your volunteer work. This passion will guide you to make the right decisions and drive you to succeed.
What do you feel is your greatest achievement as a Kappa volunteer? Despite a very short Kappa experience in my undergraduate years – I only discovered Kappa in my third year – I joined an alumnae association once I graduated and began volunteering with the executive board. Shortly afterward, I moved back to Toronto. I didn’t know any Kappas in the area, but I took a leap and joined the Toronto Alumnae Association as the Social Chair. Now, many years later with many executive roles under my belt and with many dear Kappa friends, I continue to play an instrumental role in keeping the Toronto Alumnae Association active and relevant.