On September 1st - 4th, GCIV had the distinct pleasure of hosting Dr. Yongmei Gong, Professor of Politics and Public Administration at Suzhou University in JiangSu. While in the United States, Dr. Gong wanted to learn more about nonprofit organizations, including their structures, missions, operations, and funding. In China, the idea of volunteerism is still very novel, and Dr. Gong's goal was learning from U.S. organizations that have created successful volunteer programs. She had the opportunity to meet with many relevant professional resources while in Atlanta.

First, Dr. Gong met with Dr. Michael Rushton, Professor of Public Administration and Urban Studies at Georgia State University. Dr. Rushton coordinates the Nonprofit Studies Program in the Andrew Young School of

In the evening, local GCIV members, Garry and Paulina Guan, graciously hosted Dr. Gong in their home. She was very thankful to have the chance to visit an American family and socialize over dinner while learning more about civic organizations, as Mr. Guan told her about his experience in Rotary Club International.

On Dr. Gong's final day, she visited the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site. She and her interpreter were able to see Dr. King's Birth Home, Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, and the Center for Nonviolent Social Change. Finally, in a close to her professional program, Dr. Gong had the opportunity to volunteer at Project Open Hand. First she met with Volunteer Coordinator Carl Proctor, who explained the history of the organization and its operations. Then she, her interpreter, Dr. Jay Sailey, and GCIV Program Coordinator Ashley Mastin packed snack bags to be delivered to those homebound because of AIDS and other critical illnesses or disabilities. She saw firsthand the efficient use of volunteers to accomplish a huge task. At the end of the day, she felt very satisfied to have contributed.

GCIV was very much honored to have Dr. Gong come to Atlanta as part of the U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program. We can only hope that her experience in Atlanta and in the rest of the country will help her bring about a new wave of civic engagement in China. We look forward to hearing of her continued progress.