John Gardner lived an extraordinary life that alternated between activism and reflection. He cared deeply about our country and its institutions, devoting himself tirelessly to their betterment and growth. But he also delighted in the simple pleasures life offers: a good marriage, children and grandchildren, the beauty of nature, a joke well told.

As alumni of the John Gardner Fellowship, we can continue his legacy by working in the public sector, engaging in volunteer activity, and by living our lives with thoughtfulness and grace. There are times when our work turns inward – toward family, neighbors, home. And there are times when we can reach out and commit ourselves to a cause or a mission larger than ourselves. Mr. Gardner believed in the importance of both.

Ways to Get Involved

Listed below are a few links that can help you reconnect with the public sector:

• Organizations founded by John Gardner:
  • Common Cause - http://www.commoncause.org/
  • Independent Sector: http://www.independentsector.og/
     
• Nonprofit Leadership:
  • Resources for Volunteer Leaders of Community Organizations: http://saulcarliner.home.att.net/leadership/leadershipdevelopmentorganizations.htm
  • http://www.nonprofitbasics.org/
  • http://www.nli.duq.edu/nli/
  • http://cpnl.georgetown.edu/
     
• Volunteer Clearinghouses:
  • National
    • http://www.volunteermatch.org/index.jsp
    • http://www.volunteersolutions.org/
  • Local
    • Bay Area: http://www.volunteerinfo.org/
    • Washington, DC: http://www.dc-cares.org/about_gdcc/history/
    • Stanford U: http://www.stanfordalumni.org/volunteer/home.html
    • Berkeley: http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/aboutberkeley/volunteer.html
       
• State Representatives:
  • California: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html
  • New York: http://assembly.state.ny.us/
     
• U.S. Congress: http://www.house.gov/writerep/
   
• U. S. Senate: http://www.house.gov/writerep/