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I finally had a moment today to reflect on the events of the past weekend. Homecoming 2022 felt particularly special. I do not know if it was the perfectly sunny, blue-sky weather, or the fact that we have not been able to celebrate in person for the past two years. The months leading up to Homecoming are arduous and, at times, extremely stressful. But the culmination of events on Oct. 28 and 29 made it all worthwhile. 

As Karen mentioned in her email to staff, Homecoming is truly a result of the hard work and dedication of the entire Advancement team, as well as hundreds of our alumni volunteers. You all have much to be proud of. 

One of the unique aspects of Homecoming is the distinct culture and feel of all the faculty and partner events. I tried to attend as many events as was physically possible. They were each uniquely tailored to their specific alumni community and ranged from completely casual drop-ins, cookouts, and formal galas. There was something special for everyone. 

Thank you for creating a positive and meaningful atmosphere for our alumni. I ask that you take a moment to celebrate the accomplishments of the weekend. I know all too well how easy it is to put Homecoming aside and move on to the next pressing matter. 

To share your favourite moment(s) from the weekend, please email Bethany Mulder-Kelly who will share the results in ALTogether Now the week of Nov. 14. 

I’ll start. Three of my favourite moments were the chill vibe at the Harvest Gathering, the parade (which brought many alums to tears), and the classic Engineering pancake breakfast (always a highlight!).

Thrive Week kicks off Oct. 31

For the eighth consecutive year, Human Resources is preparing for Thrive. Thrive is about building positive mental health and wellness through discussion, learning, skill development, and resource sharing. We recognize that mental health and wellness are more critical than ever and want to be able to reach as many community members as possible. 

As leaders, we hope that you will play an active role in raising awareness and share this information with your team. Below are some ideas to get you started:

• Walk the talk: Be a role model and attend some events yourself.
• Share information: The will be continuously updated with new offerings. Be sure to share the link with your team and encourage attendance. 
• Organize your own event: Create your own Thrive event within your unit and tell us about it! Some past examples include organizing an outdoor walking meeting, a departmental stair challenge, or mindful breaks within your team. Let us know how your team is Thriving by emailing Human Resources – this helps us track involvement and impact across the entire Queen’s community.

We strongly encourage you to share details of Thrive with your team and allow them time to attend events and offerings during the week of Oct. 31 to Nov. 4. 

We hope to see you at Thrive!

Employee spotlight

The Employee Spotlight celebrates the arrival of our new and existing staff by profiling responses they share through a fun and informal survey that will help us get to know them better. Be sure to review these profiles and use these fun facts and tidbits to find commonalities, embrace differences, and spark a conversation. 

Last week, we welcomed one new member to Advancement, Maria Casasfranco, Development Coordinator in central Advancement.  and what her favourite family tradition is!

Jobs with Advancement

We need your recruitment help. Know great talent that would be a good addition to our team? If so, please promote the vacancies below with your networks and let’s find some amazing new team members.

Applications (including a cover letter and résumé) must be submitted through CareerQ. For additional information on this posting, please reach out to either Carla Ferreira Rodrigues or the hiring manager for the position you are interested in.