Civic Engagement
How my volunteer life enhances both my work and family life
Despite my efforts to “say no” to as many volunteer opportunities as possible, my life lately has been full of activities categorized as civic engagement. I cannot seem to help myself when presented with the opportunity to make a difference in my community in a way that matches my skill set. As a lifelong learner, I imagine my curiosity to study new ideas is also responsible for my current predicament.
As I sit in my office in New Orleans on the eve of Hurricane Katrina's 20th anniversary, I marvel at the reform work undertaken by the city’s residents in the aftermath of the storm. They were determined not only to rebuild but to build something better. That initial post-storm enthusiasm gave way to apathy and a distaste for the truth-guzzling system of politics. New Orleans is in danger of sliding back into the comfort of the old systems of corruption, negligence, and nepotism.
My interest in those reforms led me to join a volunteer advocacy group, Citizens for 1 Greater New Orleans, shortly after moving here 14 years ago. After Katrina, this group of women successfully passed legislation to reform the governance of New Orleans’ levee boards. This was a massive feat given the deal-making tit-for-tat that has dominated state politics since Huey P. Long. Armed with only the truth and the will of citizens demanding change, they lobbied state lawmakers to pass reforms, taking the levee board king-making power away from the Governor.
Three separate Governors followed those reforms until the current one. Now, as Chair of Citizens for 1, we advocate to hold the line on those reforms to ensure we do not divert our focus from the city’s defense against another catastrophic flood. You can read more in an op-ed I wrote for the local paper, the Times-Picayune, here.
Frazer Rice invited me on his podcast, Wealth Actually, to discuss my advocacy work with Citizens for 1 Greater New Orleans.
I am also vice chair for a youth workforce training program, Cafe Reconcile. We help young people prepare to enter the workforce via a real cafe serving lunch on weekdays. Cafe Reconcile has an incredible management team, so board service is limited to oversight and advice. I serve on the Finance committee (as past-Treasurer) and the Executive committee and attend various events throughout the year, including our upcoming 25th anniversary celebration. Last year, I wrote about the transformative gift Reconcile received from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. I will assume the Chair position (2-year term) next summer. Reconcile is the most rewarding nonprofit volunteer work I have ever done.
New Orleans has a mayoral election this fall. Through my work with Citizens for 1 Greater New Orleans, I am on a committee to host a mayoral forum on water and coastal issues. My role on the committee is candidate outreach and communication. Having this one-on-one communication with the candidates and their teams has been interesting. Given the opportunity to know each candidate on a first-name basis, this could be the most informed vote I’ve ever made.
How does this extra work enhance my work as a financial advisor?
As my clients' average net worth has increased, I tend to work with individuals involved in civic work. As measured by charitable giving, America is one of the most generous countries on Earth. Most wealthy Americans feel grateful to their communities and wish to contribute to their future success by donating their time and resources. I can connect with and relate to them through similar lived experiences.
Civic involvement gives me energy. When my emotional/intellectual/spiritual cups are full, I can be more present as an advisor. I’ve written before about the psychological experience of the financial advisor role. Forming trust-based relationships with people about something as precious as their money requires a lot of empathy and listening. Absorbing clients' hopes, fears, anxieties, and concerns is — A LOT. I struggle to put it into words.
Over the years, I have learned the regimen required to stay ‘fit’ as an advisor. Two critical pieces are getting at least 8 hours of sleep and a regular morning ashtanga yoga practice. But not until recently did I realize that civic engagement also plays a role. As an introvert who lives with the thoughts inside my head, I am healthier when I have something helpful to think about. That is likely why reading is one of my favorite hobbies. Working on these outside projects gives my mind something different to chew on, clearing it up to be focused when I perform my professional work.
Many people outside of New Orleans are watching various documentaries and stories about Hurricane Katrina this week. As someone who adopted New Orleans as a hometown, I have come to appreciate its strange allure. As former journalist Chris Rose wrote, “The longer you live in New Orleans, the more unfit you become to live anywhere else.” That may be true.
As you remember the devastation and destruction that occurred when the levees broke, know that there are many good people who work every day to make sure that never happens again. There’s beauty here, amongst the crime, the heat, and the chaos. You should visit and taste it for yourself - but only between late October and early May.
