Journey Bank’s Post

Today felt like the perfect time to jump back into LinkedIn. The last 10-12 months have been quite a journey both personally and professionally. This post isn't meant to relive the last year but to encourage everyone that when your life is turned upside down unexpectedly, it can lead to wonderful outcomes. I found through prayer, reflection, and unwavering support from friends and family, what was initially something extraordinarily difficult became a true blessing. Some will notice I have a "gap" in my work history now. About 4 months. 4 months to jettison a lot of baggage, get my mind and body back to neutral (thank you Brendan Ferns for recommending Getting to Neutral by Trevor Moawad), and to dream again. 4 months to reconnect with my wife and start to make decisions that are focused on me and my family first, not what a job might dictate or require. Call it a gap or a sabbatical or whatever you'd like; I knew in order to be the best for my family and for wherever I chose to go professionally, I had to reset. In October of 2023 I got to meet with some of the team at Grubb Ventures. I wasn't sure if I was ready to come off the sidelines yet. Was I mentally ready? Did I complete my "factory reset?" A few things were clear that were critical to me: 1. The leaders truly cared about the people there. It wasn't lip service or just some core value splattered on a wall. 2. They believed the company was ready to make smart, strategic changes in response to recent growth (I like leading through change believe or not). 3. Grubb cares about the community they live and work in. I joined Grubb as its CFO in November (I know I'm late posting about it). And today we sorted and packed eggs at the Food Bank of Central & Eastern NC. We did it together. Just like we do each day at the office. I'm so thankful to the team at Grubb for choosing me. I'm grateful to everyone who supported me this last year, especially my wife and family. And while I know God doesn't ever have to reveal His plan for me, I'm blessed that He continues to orient my steps.

Non profit organizations come in all shapes, sizes and missions. Here is one I just heard about in our own back yard. Please consider supporting them 😊 https://lnkd.in/gwYwnMB6

Why Story Dogs is Needed Now More Than Ever: The NAPLAN 2024 Wake-Up Call The 2024 NAPLAN results are a wake-up call—over 34,000 Year 3 students need additional support with reading. 📚 This makes Story Dogs more crucial than ever. We’re already helping nearly 3,000 students each week, but with so many children still at risk of falling behind, our mission has never been more urgent. Your support can make a world of difference. Whether it’s through volunteering, sponsoring a dog, or spreading the word, you can help us reach more students and ensure every child has the chance to succeed. Let’s turn the tide and make reading a joy for all—one story, and one wagging tail, at a time. 🐾💛 READ THE BLOG https://bit.ly/3T8eKhE Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA)

At The Saltways, we live by our values. We are..... Ambitious Our team has a ‘can do’ attitude. We have big ambitions for our business, our team and the charities we work with. Respectful We treat everyone that we work with, with respect; storytellers, our team, your team, the planet and the communities we serve. Co-powering Sharing our skills, celebrating success and helping people to make change is what we are all about. Flexible We give charities, storytellers and our team the space they need. We embrace the unexpected and adapt quickly. What are your values??

Teamwork makes the dream work! It’s amazing how bringing in the right person at the right time can drive immediate and broad positive impact on an organization (and our community). 🙌🏻 Sarah Golman In talking with a community stakeholder this week, he shared his goal of creating lifelong employment opportunities for A+ talent in the Dallas Jewish nonprofit community. Nonprofit work is rooted in the “soft stuff” like heart, mission alignment, and compassion. Taking this role after a 15 year career in financial services, I thought I was already prepared for the “tough stuff” but I have never worked with a team so open to big change, focused on driving positive results for our stakeholders, and relentless about collaborating across the community to bring deep impact and support for those who need it most. Yes, it takes a big heart to bring your A+ game to this sector - but it requires grit, intellect, and determination, too. To attract and retain top talent, it demands investment. If you’re a donor or a board member of a nonprofit organization, consider endowing resources to fund the costliest roles in the agency you love. Similar to endowing a chair at a university, this creates operational flexibility and ensures that the organization can attract A+ talent no matter what’s going on in the market and environment around you. To my fellow nonprofit sector friends: how are you attracting and retaining A+ talent?? ⤵️

Want to know what makes a Strata Council successful? 🏆 Whether you are new to Council or are considering volunteering, it is important to know what is involved, where responsibility lies, and how to set yourself and your Council up for success. We’ve collaborated with some of our top Community Managers to prepare these “must-know” tips about Strata Councils to help get you on your way. Check out this ultimate guide to success to start improving your community. Check it out 👉 https://hubs.ly/Q02L-qjq0

Why a £3billion pound Sandwich shop gave me a Free Meal? Last Saturday, after volunteering to feed families and children in my community, I drove about 30 miles to another town, still wearing my volunteer shirt. As I walked into a sandwich shop 🥪🥪🥪, the person at the counter recognized me as part of the Gillingham S.T.R.E.E.T Angels, a group dedicated to feeding families and children in the community ensuring no child goes to bed hungry. When I went to pay, he insisted, "No, take it for free." He explained that Pret a Manger, the company he worked for, supports the homeless through food giveaways. Lesson Learned: Corporate Kindness: This experience showed me that even big companies like Pret a Manger are compassionate and actively support their communities. Building Loyalty: Acts of kindness, like providing free meals to volunteers, not only support those in need but also build loyalty and goodwill within the community. It's inspiring to see how businesses can make a positive impact beyond their products or services. What does your brand mean to you? How are you contributing to your community? Let's celebrate and encourage kindness and generosity in all forms. Together, we can create a brighter, more compassionate world. Pano Christou Ceo Pret Manger...please give this youngman a 📞....he showed me true value of coporate kindness...at the Ashford branch. #CorporateKindness #CommunitySupport #Volunteerism #SocialImpact

What can we learn from informal volunteering? 🌎 Turns out, a lot. Our FEATURE, "What I Re-Learned About Volunteering From Surviving a Tornado" is a first hand look at the power of informal volunteerism. What principles can you apply for a better volunteer experience? https://bit.ly/48XjNYt

In a world where it's easy to get caught up in our own lives, showing kids the magic of giving and being selfless is like handing them a special superpower. When they dive into volunteering and doing kind things for others, it's not just about helping out – it's a joy that sticks with them for a lifetime. So, let's chat about all the cool ways kids can spread happiness through volunteering and acts of kindness in this blog post! 🌟 https://lnkd.in/eWievrQ5

My takeaways from this episode: 1. Community and connection is important for all 2. Good is happening throughout Memphis and the world; even when it’s not displayed broadly 3. Whats your why 4. Volunteering and volunteer leadership can be difficult and tiring, how are nonprofits and organizations empowering those who are serving?