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"O'Connell's book will be of interest to those who seek to understand the expansion of the nonprofit sector during the past half-century. It belongs on many bookshelves and in the syllabi of courses aimed at developing a generation of educational, philanthropic, and nonprofit leadership determined to equip themselves for the rigors they will surely face in the years ahead."—Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly
Stories from a fascinating life devoted to providing opportunities for citizens to improve their lives, strengthen their communities, and empower democracy.
In this extraordinary memoir, Brian O’Connell traces a lifetime of encouraging citizen participation and influence beginning at the local level and extending to national and international crusades. O’Connell worked with the American Heart Association in its earliest efforts to reduce death and disability from heart attack and stroke, spent twelve years as national head of the Mental Health Association during major breakthroughs in the understanding and treatment of depression, and was on the ground floor of the founding of CIVICUS: World Alliance for Civic Participation. In 1980 he and John Gardner launched Independent Sector, where O’Connell served for 15 years as president and CEO of a vast coalition devoted to strengthening voluntary initiative, philanthropy and civic action.
A prolific author, beloved teacher and activist, Brian O’Connell imparts to readers the priceless lessons he gleaned during a lifetime of third-sector experience. These gird his essential and heartfelt mandate to his “successors” in public service: Take pride in America’s legacy of voluntary participation and generosity, fortify the volunteer sector, preserve the independence of non-profit organizations, redress the lack of citizen participation in American democracy and, above all, pass these values on to future generations in America and around the globe. Brian O’Connell’s reflections celebrate voluntary action and provide practical advice on ensuring its growth and impact in the years ahead.
Reviews:
“Tufts University professor Brian O'Connell, founder and former president of Independent Sector, utilized his lifetime of experiences to write Fifty Years in Public Causes: Stories From a Road Less Traveled… [the book's] main goal is to reach out to the great number of youth who are unaware of the vast offering of public service careers available to them.”—Alliance
“This book is a career memoir from the cofounder and first president of Independent Sector.”
—From Shelterforce's 'Other Recommendations' column
“O'Connell's book will be of interest to those who seek to understand the expansion of the nonprofit sector during the past half-century. It belongs on many bookshelves and in the syllabi of courses aimed at developing a generation of educational, philanthropic, and nonprofit leadership determined to equip themselves for the rigors they will surely face in the years ahead.”—Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly
Endorsements:
"Most Americans welcome the voice that lifts them out of themselves. They want to be better people. They want to make this a better country. And of the voices to listen to, there is none more relevant than Brian O’Connell’s.”—John W. Gardner (1912-2002), Founder of Common Cause; U.S. Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare; and Cofounder and Chairperson Emeritus, Independent Sector
“No one has had more of an influence on the development of non-profits in America than Brian O’Connell. This is his story, and it’s decidedly worth reading.” —John C. Whitehead, Chairman, Goldman Sachs Foundation
Click here for TABLE OF CONTENTS
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BRIAN O’CONNELL is a founder of and professor at University College of Citizenship and Public Service at Tufts University, and is the author of fourteen books, including Civil Society: The Underpinnings of American Democracy (UPNE, 1999); Voices from the Heart: In Celebration of America’s Volunteers (1998); Powered by Coalition (1997); People Power (1994); Volunteers in Action (1989); Philanthropy in Action (1987); and America’s Voluntary Spirit (1983).
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