In Austin, Grateful to Be Giving Back
by Brad McMillan, CIO, Commonwealth Financial Network
Today will be a short post. Iām in Austin, Texas, at the Commonwealth National Conference, and Iām heading out early this morning to participate in our giving back initiative.
When Commonwealth holds a conference, we always try to leave our host community just a little bit better than we found it. One of the ways we do this is to support a local group with both volunteer labor and a financial contribution. This year, we are working to upgrade the Dougherty Arts Center here in Austin. Itās a big project, and we have more than 100 volunteers.
These giving back activities are some of my favorite experiences at Commonwealth. The volunteers are incredibleāall committed to helping the community and each trying to do their best for the cause. Funnily, these projects often involve things we wouldnāt want to do for ourselves (like pulling weeds or scraping paint) but are happy to do for others. That makes all the difference.
Looking back on a decade at Commonwealth
As of this month, Iāve worked at Commonwealth for 10 years, and it's hard to believe how quickly the time has passed. There have been ups and downs, of course, but on the whole, itās hard to imagine a better work environment or better people. I am incredibly blessed with the opportunities I have received, the people I have met and befriended, the chances to learn and travel, and so many other things.
Giving back, whether in the form of our conference projects or other initiatives, is almost mandatory at Commonwealth. I donāt mean that in a bad way, but rather in the sense that I feel compelled to give back to others when I have received so much. Perhaps what makes Commonwealth work is that so many other people feel the same way.
I've mentioned the idea of daily gratitudes many times. I write down at least three every morning. This morning, as early as it is, Iām especially grateful for the people I work with, the friends I have made, and the chance to do great work while also doing good.
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Brad McMillan is the chief investment officer at Commonwealth Financial Network, the nation's largest privately held independent broker/dealer-RIA. He is the primary spokesperson for Commonwealth's investment divisions. This post originally appeared on The Independent Market Observer, a daily blog authored by Brad McMillan.
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Commonwealth Financial Network is the nation's largest privately held independent broker/dealer-RIA. This post originally appeared on Commonwealth Independent Advisor, the firm's corporate blog.
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