Dr. Oknah Kim Lah was a servant leader who dreamed of a better world and acted to make that dream real through volunteering. Her dedication to volunteering began in 1952 during the Korean war when she and her family were evacuated to Busan. She sent a letter to the Girl Scouts of USA requesting the formation of Girl Scouting Korea. Deeply moved, the Girl Scout of USA not only dispatched a trainer but also raised fund for additional assistance.
Dr. Lah went on to serve as South Asia President and the World President of World Federation of Methodist Women, and to establish the Korea Association for Volunteer Effort (KAVE) in 1986 and served as its full-time unpaid volunteer chief executive officer. Under her leadership, KAVE was awarded the President’s Citation for Volunteer Organizations.
Dr. Lah contributed greatly to the development of IAVE, attending and presenting at the 2nd World Volunteer Conference in 1972 and at the first Asia-Pacific IAVE regional conference in Japan in 1986. She was the first Korean member of IAVE and served as a member of IAVE’s board of directors. IAVE appointed her as an honorary Life Member at the 2016 IAVE World Conference in Mexico.
The Oknah Lah Award was created to honor the achievements of Dr. Lah and to encourage the dedication to volunteering she imbued in future generations. The award is given to an individual who is able to demonstrate outstanding volunteer service and commitment and is intended to support participation in the World Volunteer Conference. The Award may additionally provide a small stipend for additional volunteer development.
Nominations are by invitation only. Please complete the form below. Read more information on the life and achievements of Dr. Lah here.