September 28, 2024 • 19 mins
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Ever wondered how acts of generosity can transform your life and career? Join us, Megan and Brittany, on this heartwarming episode of Fearlessly Female as we take you on a journey through our personal stories of giving back. From Megan’s life-changing volunteer trip to Tanzania to Brittany's upbringing surrounded by community involvement, we share how these experiences have shaped our perspectives and professional paths. We'll also discuss the professional perks of volunteering, like honing valuable skills and building meaningful networks, and the delicate balance of being both a giver and receiver.
In the second part of our conversation, Brittany recounts her solo adventure in New Orleans with her Rotaract club and Meghan's impactful advocacy work in Washington, DC. We highlight how these experiences have provided her with fresh insights into professional growth, minus the corporate politics. Megan shares her deep connections built through Compassion International and her global adventures with Souls for Souls. We also emphasize the importance of supporting companies like Trades of Hope, which empower women worldwide through handcrafted gifts. Tune in for an inspiring discussion on how giving back can enrich every facet of your life.
🎙️fearlesslyfemaleuncensored@gmail.com
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Brittany (00:10):
Welcome to Fearlessly Female, where two blondes make a
right.
We're Brittany and Megan, thehosts of Fearlessly Female, and
this podcast was born out ofambition, drive and a lot of
wine.
We're two powerhouse comedicwomen having uncensored
conversations about topics thataffect women.
We're airing all the dirtylaundry, so grab your favorite
drink and give us a listen.
Meghan (00:32):
Today's podcast is Giving Back Gifts how being
involved in charitableorganizations can further your
own goals and development.
Brittany (00:40):
And bonus.
It's not just tax deductible.
So warning, disclaimer, we putthis on all our episodes Calm
your tits.
Offense will not be taken here.
So grab your favorite drink,burn your bra and have a good
time.
Meghan (00:57):
All right.
Well, let's get started.
Why should you be giving awayyour hard earned money or your
free time?
Be giving away your hard-earnedmoney or your free time?
We work 40 hours a week,sometimes more, spending more
time with our work people thanour families, and now we're
asking you to give up a littlebit more of the free time.
So we're going to talk a littlebit about why we think it's
(01:18):
important.
I'm going to start with mystory.
Really, just growing up, I feltvery, very fortunate with my
parents just showing it as anexample to give back to others.
They went on mission trips.
My mom and dad did a missiontrip to a Navajo reservation and
then we had Navajoans come andstay with us at our house
(01:39):
afterwards.
So that was just such anincredible cool experience to
grow up with.
And then they were just alwayslooking for opportunities to
help others and then they alsowere on.
The benefit of receiving helpwhen they were struggling was
(02:07):
part of my whole life.
The most impactful experience Iprobably had was when I
traveled to Tanzania and Africaand volunteered with orphanages.
It was through an organizationcalled Souls for Souls, and just
the experience of getting to goto countries I never thought I
was going to be able to go to beable to connect with children,
adults, go to schools andexperience such an incredibly
(02:31):
different way of life, a way oflife that seemed like it had so
much more struggle, but theywere so joyful, and so just that
experience has forever impactedme and changed me in how I
operate my whole life, whetherit's career or personal.
So it's really just been bredinto me through my whole life.
(02:52):
You know, and yeah so, brittany, what about you?
What's your story?
Brittany (02:59):
Wow, Well, first of all, I learned a new word
Navajoans.
I didn't know that was theappropriate term for the Navajo
Indians, so thank you for that.
That's actually pretty cool andtoo, I'm glad you touched on
that.
Meghan (03:11):
It might not be.
I'm going to have to check onthat one.
Brittany (03:16):
I'm glad you touched on the you know, going, you know
, to Africa and your experiencethere.
Because you know a lot ofpeople see that as something
that you know the celebrities do, or unless you're really
devoted to you know, kind ofvolunteer work and charity type
work, you don't really see it aslike, oh, I'm just, you know,
kind of an average normal person, I'm going to just go to Africa
(03:36):
and volunteer, you know, at a,I guess, an orphanage or, you
know, a village or somethingalong those lines.
Just a little bit of backgroundstory about me.
My parents were involved incharitable organizations growing
up, just for reference, my dadwas an elementary school
principal and my mom was anelementary school teacher.
(03:57):
So they were very involved inthe community and the know.
They knew more or less what thesocioeconomic status was of
each of the families.
So they did, you know, try alittle bit extra for the kids
that were, you know, didn't comefrom like the best families in
terms of financial stability andstuff like that, and they throw
(04:20):
a lot of events, you know, justfor the school in general.
They were involved with RotaryI know my dad was which gives a
lot back events, you know, justfor the school in general.
They were involved with RotaryI know my dad was which gives a
lot back to the community.
So what I learned a lot just bywatching them is you know you
have the opportunity to helpspecific people, you have the
opportunity to help a group ofpeople, but through that you
(04:40):
also build connections, whetherit's through your community, a
specific organization, and it'sa lot of networking to help
build connections, whether it'sthrough your community, a
specific organization, and it'sa lot of networking to help
build connections later.
I know my dad when he wasinvolved with Rotaract he made a
lot of connections that endedup later on helping him with his
school when he was transferredfrom school to school.
You know they would come anddonate dictionaries when that
(05:00):
was a thing and put on events assuch and then also just paying
it forward, the karma that comesback with it, because you
receive what you put out in theworld.
So if you're putting out goodstuff, good vibes, it does come
back tenfold.
But also the flip side too ifyou're putting out a lot of bad
stuff, that also comes back toyou, and so I touched on it a
(05:24):
little bit earlier.
But also gaining the lifeskills and career skills, but
building that relationship andthe network and the business
acumen such a strange word thatcomes along with the
volunteering.
Meghan (05:37):
I think that's a great transition.
We can talk about howvolunteering or being on a board
can contribute to your careerdevelopment.
Brittany (05:53):
So is it better to be a giver or a receiver?
Get your mind out of the guttertoo.
I'm just kidding.
Okay, but being the treasurerof CASA was a big accomplishment
for you, so why don't you tellus, maybe, what CASA is, what it
stands for and how you'reinvolved with it?
Meghan (06:11):
Yeah, so I actually call it CASA.
I pronounce the A differently,but it's Court Appointed Special
Advocates.
But I'm going to back up quitea bit.
There's quite the story gettingto being on that board.
So just growing up I rememberyelling across the kitchen table
with my dad about what twotimes two was and it couldn't be
(06:34):
four.
I think it's four, right.
And then you fast forward tograd school and I walk out of my
first accounting class of many.
I mean we're talking managerialaccounting, accounting for
managers, financial accounting,managerial accounting, finance.
It was just like everycombination of those three words
(06:54):
and I just walked out of thatclass crying.
I was like there's no way I'mgoing to make it through this
grad school.
So you know, I say all that tosay math was never my strong
suit and so when I was selectedto be the treasurer of the board
for California AppointedSpecial Advocates CASA for short
it was just an incredibleaccomplishment for me, because
(07:19):
that was just not ever mystrength being in that math
place, and so you know, justreally a lifetime achievement.
But I'll talk a little bit aboutCASA First.
You know what they do is theyare advocates for children who
are in the foster system andthey only have one child.
(07:40):
They're trained extensively andthey actually go to court on
behalf of the child and aretelling the judge what their
recommendation is.
How this is different from whatother foster children have is
caseworkers have hundreds ofchildren, you know, the medical
workers, the school systems, sothere's no one person focused on
(08:02):
one child until CASA came alongand anyway.
So just kind of reallyincredible.
You know, experience supportingan organization, but then also
getting a skill set and reallybeing able to put that on my
resume, that I was the treasurerof a board just really a
lifetime achievement.
Brittany (08:23):
Wow, that's awesome and that sounds like a really
great organization to be a partof.
And I'm sure many people canrelate to.
You know, just kind of being intears over math and something
that's so simple is just turnsout to be so hard.
But that's great that you wereable to transfer those skills
later on to giving gifts back, Iguess organization.
(08:47):
So how do you think yourjourney with?
How are you pronouncing thisCasa?
How do you think that helpedyour career on being on the
board?
Meghan (08:58):
You know I hadn't had a company finance experience
before.
I mean, of course, I goteducation through grad school.
I made it through, somehow,scraped through all those math
classes, but I wasn't gettingthat experience at the company I
was working for and so I wasable to serve on a board, get
that skill set and then I waslater assigned at work a
multi-million, multi-yearcontract to manage in the
(09:21):
company.
And so if you're looking foropportunities to grow your
career and you're not gettingexposure in a specific thing
like budget, go volunteer for anorganization.
They're always looking forpeople to have input and
typically will help guide youthrough those finances.
It got to the point where Ireally had them dialed and was
(09:43):
able to find mistakes that werebeing made and, for the first
time, be able to communicate tothe board what the financial
picture looked like, because itwas a very complicated financial
situation that they had.
So, again, if you're strugglingfinding leadership skills or
you're struggling findingpresenting skills or whatever
skill you're missing, you canprobably go get it by
(10:06):
volunteering with anorganization.
But that's enough about me.
Brittany, you've got a greatstory for me.
Tell me about New Orleans.
Brittany (10:22):
Oh goodness, all right .
So I was part of Rotaract incollege and if many of you
aren't familiar with that, it is, I guess, a subdivision of
Rotary, which is they're allabout giving back to their
community.
I think I touched on it alittle bit earlier with my dad,
but that's how I was aware ofthis organization.
So I joined them in college andwe did a lot of events for the
school and the community at UCMerced.
(10:43):
But one of the opportunitieswas to go to a conference in New
Orleans.
So I went to the conference andI'm there with, you know, my
classmates that are part of thisgroup too, and you know.
And we had a few extra days.
So we had some free time andwe're in New Orleans why not?
I just sat on a five-hour planeride.
I want to go explore the town.
I want to get immersed with theculture, understand what
(11:05):
they're all about, what the goodplaces to eat at, experience
some of the tourist attractions,a little bit of non-tourist
attractions.
So I'm researching everythingon my phone and telling everyone
hey, we got to go do this, wegot to do this, go check this
out, there's cooking class.
We can go take a tour of thebayou there's a cafe du Tante.
(11:28):
Don't kill me, my French is notthat great.
Meghan (11:30):
Yeah, that's where the beignets are.
Brittany (11:34):
But I couldn't get anyone to go with me.
All they wanted to do was sitin the hotel room and play video
games and the whole point ofbeing there was, yes, we were to
attend the conference learn getinformation network, which we
did but they missed the wholeother point of experiencing the
culture and taking advantage ofthe opportunity out there, which
(11:55):
is kind of a bummer.
But I ended up going by myself.
I met this lovely couple fromGeorgia and just talking to
random people and stuff and Ireally had a really great time.
And then I got back to my hotelroom and was telling everyone
about it and it was the last dayand they're like oh, maybe we
should have gone with you.
Meghan (12:14):
Right, like total missed opportunity there.
You know, also with the boardof CASA, I got to travel to DC
and we were advocating on behalfof the organization to all the
representatives, which was areally cool experience to walk
through all of the halls andlike go meet with senators and
representatives, but I didn't dojust that.
(12:37):
I mean, that was the purposethat we went there for, but
there's so many landmarks in DCand museums to go see, so we
took full advantage of going outand seeing all of those things.
You know, I didn't have DC onmy list bucket list of places to
travel, but I went there andwas going to see everything that
(12:57):
was available to me.
So I think that it's great thatyou did that in New Orleans as
well.
Brittany (13:04):
And that's funny that you bring up the whole politics
and DC thing and you touched onit a little bit earlier.
But just to bring this fullcircle is if you are missing
that skill set, you know fromyour day job, the volunteering
really takes the politics out oftrying to get that skill set
internally at your company.
So if you're, you know, manager, maybe it's not supportive or
(13:27):
just not really engaged or youdon't really just jive well, you
know, it kind of just takes awhole awkward corporate politics
out of it into a funenvironment where you can learn
and still enjoy learning and Idon't want to say failing, but
you know being okay, makingmistakes and having people coach
you along the way.
Meghan (13:45):
Wow, I have really never thought of that it that way,
but that's a hundred percentaccurate.
Right now in my role, I'mdealing with so many politics
and red tape that I have tomanage and maneuver and it's a
skill set, and it's a greatskill set that I'll be able to
bring forward.
But just being able to focus ongaining certain skill sets,
(14:05):
like presenting or like companyfinances and putting that on
your career and resume, and nothave to worry about other
aspects exactly what you'resaying, brittany, of maybe your
leader doesn't want you to havethat skill set so awesome to put
it that way.
I really enjoy that perspective.
Let's talk a little bit aboutyour giving your style.
(14:28):
It's not always some big galaevent or whipping out your
leather bound checkbook and then, for our listeners who are Gen
Z, I'll post about what acheckbook is later, but there's
just so many ways to give thatcan engage your style and your
passion, brittany.
Let me hear about some of yours.
Brittany (14:48):
So it really just depends what phase of your life
you're in.
When I was younger, I had a lotmore time, not a lot of money,
so I was more willing to go out,volunteer at events, spend more
time because I had more time.
As I progressed through lifeand got a lot more busy, I
didn't have as much time, freetime, but I did have more money.
(15:09):
So at that point in my life itwas easier for me to whip out my
sexy checkbook and write acheck.
In my life it was easier for meto whip out my sexy checkbook
and write a check.
But as I matured into the nextphase of my life, I kind of
found that sweet balance betweentime and money.
So now I can be a little bitmore choosy in terms of how I
want to spend it.
If it's something that fulfillsme personally, if it's
(15:31):
something I see as a networkingopportunity, a skillset
opportunity, a skill setopportunity, it really kind of
just depends on where you are.
There's no, I feel, right orwrong way to go about it.
You touched upon earlier whenyou served at the nonprofit.
This helps build morerelationships and gives you the
skill sets that you may nototherwise get.
You know, such as the treasuryexperience you mentioned.
(15:52):
So, Megan, I know you had a lotof experiences with different
organizations.
Why don't you highlight a few,maybe, what the organization
does and what your involvementwas in them?
Meghan (16:04):
Yeah, I mean.
So I've already talked about acouple of organizations that I
really enjoyed, but another oneis Compassion International.
So I've been exchanging letterswith a child that I sponsor for
eight years now and I've seenthe programs where you can
sponsor a child and you know, ora family and you know.
It's kind of that one-sidedyou're giving money to a family
(16:25):
but I'm actually building arelationship with her.
So we've been exchangingletters for eight years.
I probably get anywhere frommaybe five to eight a year, so
really very cool to hear what'sgoing on in her life.
The last letter that I just gotshe was talking about the crops
that she and her family areplanting, and so I was talking
(16:47):
about my garden.
Just really cool to build thatconnection.
It's not just I'm giving moneyand sponsoring her but I'm
building a relationship with her, so that's been really
impactful.
I touched on Souls for Souls alittle bit, but I got to travel
to multiple different countrieswith those organizations.
You can go by yourself, you cango with your family, it's tax
(17:09):
deductible.
And then I got to go to placesthat I probably would have never
gotten to go to if I was justtraveling personally.
And then I also reallyencourage buying gifts for your
friends and family that supportgreat organizations.
So there's organizations likeTrades of Hope, that is,
(17:29):
women-owned crafts and giftsthat are done around the world.
So you're supporting women whoare making these items and you
can give those as gifts.
I know one year Flip Line had awine special that was donating
to different organizations, so Idid that, but I think that it's
just really important to findthose companies and be able to
(17:52):
support them.
If you're going to buy a gifteither way, as much as you want
to support all those otherorganizations that I'm not going
to list because they're notsponsoring me, go with Trades of
Hope or you know something likethat, where you're supporting
women in the world and reallymaking it a better place.
Brittany (18:13):
Oh my gosh, those are really great examples that you
gave and that's really cool thatyou're exchanging letters with
this child that's in thecompletely other country and is
just growing up completely,probably 180 on how maybe you
and I would have normally grewup, and for me that is really
impactful because it gives you adifferent perspective on
someone, what they appreciate,what they value, and I kind of
(18:36):
feel like it rounds you out moreor less as a person.
And I know the gift pieces.
I was a lucky recipient of oneof those and I think it's so
cool because Megan had got me apicture frame one year with a
bracelet, so of course I put herpicture in it and I have it,
you know, in my living room.
So when everyone comes overthey're like, oh, what a cool
you know picture frame, thepicture, and it's really like a
(18:57):
conversation piece, cause whenthey, you know, ask about, I'm
like, oh yeah, my friend Megangot it from me, from this
company, and they tell themabout the company and you know
what they do, what their purposeis.
So I think it's really cool tooto talk about it.
It's not just like, oh yeah,she got it off, you know, or at
Ikea or something like that, oryeah, like it's not a whatever
piece, it's something specialand thoughtful and
Welcome to Fearlessly Female, where two blondes make a
right.
We're Brittany and Megan, thehosts of Fearlessly Female, and
this podcast was born out ofambition, drive and a lot of
wine.
We're two powerhouse comedicwomen having uncensored
conversations about topics thataffect women.
We're airing all the dirtylaundry, so grab your favorite
drink and give us a listen.
Meghan (00:32):
Today's podcast is Giving Back Gifts how being
involved in charitableorganizations can further your
own goals and development.
Brittany (00:40):
And bonus.
It's not just tax deductible.
So warning, disclaimer, we putthis on all our episodes Calm
your tits.
Offense will not be taken here.
So grab your favorite drink,burn your bra and have a good
time.
Meghan (00:57):
All right.
Well, let's get started.
Why should you be giving awayyour hard earned money or your
free time?
Be giving away your hard-earnedmoney or your free time?
We work 40 hours a week,sometimes more, spending more
time with our work people thanour families, and now we're
asking you to give up a littlebit more of the free time.
So we're going to talk a littlebit about why we think it's
(01:18):
important.
I'm going to start with mystory.
Really, just growing up, I feltvery, very fortunate with my
parents just showing it as anexample to give back to others.
They went on mission trips.
My mom and dad did a missiontrip to a Navajo reservation and
then we had Navajoans come andstay with us at our house
(01:39):
afterwards.
So that was just such anincredible cool experience to
grow up with.
And then they were just alwayslooking for opportunities to
help others and then they alsowere on.
The benefit of receiving helpwhen they were struggling was
(02:07):
part of my whole life.
The most impactful experience Iprobably had was when I
traveled to Tanzania and Africaand volunteered with orphanages.
It was through an organizationcalled Souls for Souls, and just
the experience of getting to goto countries I never thought I
was going to be able to go to beable to connect with children,
adults, go to schools andexperience such an incredibly
(02:31):
different way of life, a way oflife that seemed like it had so
much more struggle, but theywere so joyful, and so just that
experience has forever impactedme and changed me in how I
operate my whole life, whetherit's career or personal.
So it's really just been bredinto me through my whole life.
(02:52):
You know, and yeah so, brittany, what about you?
What's your story?
Brittany (02:59):
Wow, Well, first of all, I learned a new word
Navajoans.
I didn't know that was theappropriate term for the Navajo
Indians, so thank you for that.
That's actually pretty cool andtoo, I'm glad you touched on
that.
Meghan (03:11):
It might not be.
I'm going to have to check onthat one.
Brittany (03:16):
I'm glad you touched on the you know, going, you know
, to Africa and your experiencethere.
Because you know a lot ofpeople see that as something
that you know the celebrities do, or unless you're really
devoted to you know, kind ofvolunteer work and charity type
work, you don't really see it aslike, oh, I'm just, you know,
kind of an average normal person, I'm going to just go to Africa
(03:36):
and volunteer, you know, at a,I guess, an orphanage or, you
know, a village or somethingalong those lines.
Just a little bit of backgroundstory about me.
My parents were involved incharitable organizations growing
up, just for reference, my dadwas an elementary school
principal and my mom was anelementary school teacher.
(03:57):
So they were very involved inthe community and the know.
They knew more or less what thesocioeconomic status was of
each of the families.
So they did, you know, try alittle bit extra for the kids
that were, you know, didn't comefrom like the best families in
terms of financial stability andstuff like that, and they throw
(04:20):
a lot of events, you know, justfor the school in general.
They were involved with RotaryI know my dad was which gives a
lot back events, you know, justfor the school in general.
They were involved with RotaryI know my dad was which gives a
lot back to the community.
So what I learned a lot just bywatching them is you know you
have the opportunity to helpspecific people, you have the
opportunity to help a group ofpeople, but through that you
(04:40):
also build connections, whetherit's through your community, a
specific organization, and it'sa lot of networking to help
build connections, whether it'sthrough your community, a
specific organization, and it'sa lot of networking to help
build connections later.
I know my dad when he wasinvolved with Rotaract he made a
lot of connections that endedup later on helping him with his
school when he was transferredfrom school to school.
You know they would come anddonate dictionaries when that
(05:00):
was a thing and put on events assuch and then also just paying
it forward, the karma that comesback with it, because you
receive what you put out in theworld.
So if you're putting out goodstuff, good vibes, it does come
back tenfold.
But also the flip side too ifyou're putting out a lot of bad
stuff, that also comes back toyou, and so I touched on it a
(05:24):
little bit earlier.
But also gaining the lifeskills and career skills, but
building that relationship andthe network and the business
acumen such a strange word thatcomes along with the
volunteering.
Meghan (05:37):
I think that's a great transition.
We can talk about howvolunteering or being on a board
can contribute to your careerdevelopment.
Brittany (05:53):
So is it better to be a giver or a receiver?
Get your mind out of the guttertoo.
I'm just kidding.
Okay, but being the treasurerof CASA was a big accomplishment
for you, so why don't you tellus, maybe, what CASA is, what it
stands for and how you'reinvolved with it?
Meghan (06:11):
Yeah, so I actually call it CASA.
I pronounce the A differently,but it's Court Appointed Special
Advocates.
But I'm going to back up quitea bit.
There's quite the story gettingto being on that board.
So just growing up I rememberyelling across the kitchen table
with my dad about what twotimes two was and it couldn't be
(06:34):
four.
I think it's four, right.
And then you fast forward tograd school and I walk out of my
first accounting class of many.
I mean we're talking managerialaccounting, accounting for
managers, financial accounting,managerial accounting, finance.
It was just like everycombination of those three words
(06:54):
and I just walked out of thatclass crying.
I was like there's no way I'mgoing to make it through this
grad school.
So you know, I say all that tosay math was never my strong
suit and so when I was selectedto be the treasurer of the board
for California AppointedSpecial Advocates CASA for short
it was just an incredibleaccomplishment for me, because
(07:19):
that was just not ever mystrength being in that math
place, and so you know, justreally a lifetime achievement.
But I'll talk a little bit aboutCASA First.
You know what they do is theyare advocates for children who
are in the foster system andthey only have one child.
(07:40):
They're trained extensively andthey actually go to court on
behalf of the child and aretelling the judge what their
recommendation is.
How this is different from whatother foster children have is
caseworkers have hundreds ofchildren, you know, the medical
workers, the school systems, sothere's no one person focused on
(08:02):
one child until CASA came alongand anyway.
So just kind of reallyincredible.
You know, experience supportingan organization, but then also
getting a skill set and reallybeing able to put that on my
resume, that I was the treasurerof a board just really a
lifetime achievement.
Brittany (08:23):
Wow, that's awesome and that sounds like a really
great organization to be a partof.
And I'm sure many people canrelate to.
You know, just kind of being intears over math and something
that's so simple is just turnsout to be so hard.
But that's great that you wereable to transfer those skills
later on to giving gifts back, Iguess organization.
(08:47):
So how do you think yourjourney with?
How are you pronouncing thisCasa?
How do you think that helpedyour career on being on the
board?
Meghan (08:58):
You know I hadn't had a company finance experience
before.
I mean, of course, I goteducation through grad school.
I made it through, somehow,scraped through all those math
classes, but I wasn't gettingthat experience at the company I
was working for and so I wasable to serve on a board, get
that skill set and then I waslater assigned at work a
multi-million, multi-yearcontract to manage in the
(09:21):
company.
And so if you're looking foropportunities to grow your
career and you're not gettingexposure in a specific thing
like budget, go volunteer for anorganization.
They're always looking forpeople to have input and
typically will help guide youthrough those finances.
It got to the point where Ireally had them dialed and was
(09:43):
able to find mistakes that werebeing made and, for the first
time, be able to communicate tothe board what the financial
picture looked like, because itwas a very complicated financial
situation that they had.
So, again, if you're strugglingfinding leadership skills or
you're struggling findingpresenting skills or whatever
skill you're missing, you canprobably go get it by
(10:06):
volunteering with anorganization.
But that's enough about me.
Brittany, you've got a greatstory for me.
Tell me about New Orleans.
Brittany (10:22):
Oh goodness, all right .
So I was part of Rotaract incollege and if many of you
aren't familiar with that, it is, I guess, a subdivision of
Rotary, which is they're allabout giving back to their
community.
I think I touched on it alittle bit earlier with my dad,
but that's how I was aware ofthis organization.
So I joined them in college andwe did a lot of events for the
school and the community at UCMerced.
(10:43):
But one of the opportunitieswas to go to a conference in New
Orleans.
So I went to the conference andI'm there with, you know, my
classmates that are part of thisgroup too, and you know.
And we had a few extra days.
So we had some free time andwe're in New Orleans why not?
I just sat on a five-hour planeride.
I want to go explore the town.
I want to get immersed with theculture, understand what
(11:05):
they're all about, what the goodplaces to eat at, experience
some of the tourist attractions,a little bit of non-tourist
attractions.
So I'm researching everythingon my phone and telling everyone
hey, we got to go do this, wegot to do this, go check this
out, there's cooking class.
We can go take a tour of thebayou there's a cafe du Tante.
(11:28):
Don't kill me, my French is notthat great.
Meghan (11:30):
Yeah, that's where the beignets are.
Brittany (11:34):
But I couldn't get anyone to go with me.
All they wanted to do was sitin the hotel room and play video
games and the whole point ofbeing there was, yes, we were to
attend the conference learn getinformation network, which we
did but they missed the wholeother point of experiencing the
culture and taking advantage ofthe opportunity out there, which
(11:55):
is kind of a bummer.
But I ended up going by myself.
I met this lovely couple fromGeorgia and just talking to
random people and stuff and Ireally had a really great time.
And then I got back to my hotelroom and was telling everyone
about it and it was the last dayand they're like oh, maybe we
should have gone with you.
Meghan (12:14):
Right, like total missed opportunity there.
You know, also with the boardof CASA, I got to travel to DC
and we were advocating on behalfof the organization to all the
representatives, which was areally cool experience to walk
through all of the halls andlike go meet with senators and
representatives, but I didn't dojust that.
(12:37):
I mean, that was the purposethat we went there for, but
there's so many landmarks in DCand museums to go see, so we
took full advantage of going outand seeing all of those things.
You know, I didn't have DC onmy list bucket list of places to
travel, but I went there andwas going to see everything that
(12:57):
was available to me.
So I think that it's great thatyou did that in New Orleans as
well.
Brittany (13:04):
And that's funny that you bring up the whole politics
and DC thing and you touched onit a little bit earlier.
But just to bring this fullcircle is if you are missing
that skill set, you know fromyour day job, the volunteering
really takes the politics out oftrying to get that skill set
internally at your company.
So if you're, you know, manager, maybe it's not supportive or
(13:27):
just not really engaged or youdon't really just jive well, you
know, it kind of just takes awhole awkward corporate politics
out of it into a funenvironment where you can learn
and still enjoy learning and Idon't want to say failing, but
you know being okay, makingmistakes and having people coach
you along the way.
Meghan (13:45):
Wow, I have really never thought of that it that way,
but that's a hundred percentaccurate.
Right now in my role, I'mdealing with so many politics
and red tape that I have tomanage and maneuver and it's a
skill set, and it's a greatskill set that I'll be able to
bring forward.
But just being able to focus ongaining certain skill sets,
(14:05):
like presenting or like companyfinances and putting that on
your career and resume, and nothave to worry about other
aspects exactly what you'resaying, brittany, of maybe your
leader doesn't want you to havethat skill set so awesome to put
it that way.
I really enjoy that perspective.
Let's talk a little bit aboutyour giving your style.
(14:28):
It's not always some big galaevent or whipping out your
leather bound checkbook and then, for our listeners who are Gen
Z, I'll post about what acheckbook is later, but there's
just so many ways to give thatcan engage your style and your
passion, brittany.
Let me hear about some of yours.
Brittany (14:48):
So it really just depends what phase of your life
you're in.
When I was younger, I had a lotmore time, not a lot of money,
so I was more willing to go out,volunteer at events, spend more
time because I had more time.
As I progressed through lifeand got a lot more busy, I
didn't have as much time, freetime, but I did have more money.
(15:09):
So at that point in my life itwas easier for me to whip out my
sexy checkbook and write acheck.
In my life it was easier for meto whip out my sexy checkbook
and write a check.
But as I matured into the nextphase of my life, I kind of
found that sweet balance betweentime and money.
So now I can be a little bitmore choosy in terms of how I
want to spend it.
If it's something that fulfillsme personally, if it's
(15:31):
something I see as a networkingopportunity, a skillset
opportunity, a skill setopportunity, it really kind of
just depends on where you are.
There's no, I feel, right orwrong way to go about it.
You touched upon earlier whenyou served at the nonprofit.
This helps build morerelationships and gives you the
skill sets that you may nototherwise get.
You know, such as the treasuryexperience you mentioned.
(15:52):
So, Megan, I know you had a lotof experiences with different
organizations.
Why don't you highlight a few,maybe, what the organization
does and what your involvementwas in them?
Meghan (16:04):
Yeah, I mean.
So I've already talked about acouple of organizations that I
really enjoyed, but another oneis Compassion International.
So I've been exchanging letterswith a child that I sponsor for
eight years now and I've seenthe programs where you can
sponsor a child and you know, ora family and you know.
It's kind of that one-sidedyou're giving money to a family
(16:25):
but I'm actually building arelationship with her.
So we've been exchangingletters for eight years.
I probably get anywhere frommaybe five to eight a year, so
really very cool to hear what'sgoing on in her life.
The last letter that I just gotshe was talking about the crops
that she and her family areplanting, and so I was talking
(16:47):
about my garden.
Just really cool to build thatconnection.
It's not just I'm giving moneyand sponsoring her but I'm
building a relationship with her, so that's been really
impactful.
I touched on Souls for Souls alittle bit, but I got to travel
to multiple different countrieswith those organizations.
You can go by yourself, you cango with your family, it's tax
(17:09):
deductible.
And then I got to go to placesthat I probably would have never
gotten to go to if I was justtraveling personally.
And then I also reallyencourage buying gifts for your
friends and family that supportgreat organizations.
So there's organizations likeTrades of Hope, that is,
(17:29):
women-owned crafts and giftsthat are done around the world.
So you're supporting women whoare making these items and you
can give those as gifts.
I know one year Flip Line had awine special that was donating
to different organizations, so Idid that, but I think that it's
just really important to findthose companies and be able to
(17:52):
support them.
If you're going to buy a gifteither way, as much as you want
to support all those otherorganizations that I'm not going
to list because they're notsponsoring me, go with Trades of
Hope or you know something likethat, where you're supporting
women in the world and reallymaking it a better place.
Brittany (18:13):
Oh my gosh, those are really great examples that you
gave and that's really cool thatyou're exchanging letters with
this child that's in thecompletely other country and is
just growing up completely,probably 180 on how maybe you
and I would have normally grewup, and for me that is really
impactful because it gives you adifferent perspective on
someone, what they appreciate,what they value, and I kind of
(18:36):
feel like it rounds you out moreor less as a person.
And I know the gift pieces.
I was a lucky recipient of oneof those and I think it's so
cool because Megan had got me apicture frame one year with a
bracelet, so of course I put herpicture in it and I have it,
you know, in my living room.
So when everyone comes overthey're like, oh, what a cool
you know picture frame, thepicture, and it's really like a
(18:57):
conversation piece, cause whenthey, you know, ask about, I'm
like, oh yeah, my friend Megangot it from me, from this
company, and they tell themabout the company and you know
what they do, what their purposeis.
So I think it's really cool tooto talk about it.
It's not just like, oh yeah,she got it off, you know, or at
Ikea or something like that, oryeah, like it's not a whatever
piece, it's something specialand thoughtful and
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