Global Travelers are saddened by the loss of our member and dear friend Larry Zilliox. In so many ways, Larry lived our club’s mission of service, travel, making friends everywhere, and having fun. We’re honored that Larry chose our Global Travelers Foundation for donations in his honor.

District 5950 (our club’s home district) recently launched an initiative to encourage members to make a bequest to Rotary as part of their estate planning. The goal of the campaign is to increase our district members’ legacy plans by $1 million USD. Members who make a qualifying gift or bequest will be invited to attend a celebratory dinner on May 29.

This week, several of our members had the opportunity to attend an educational event hosted by the St Louis Park (MN) Rotary Club. The presenter was Dr. Rahel Nardos, who leads a group called Global Women’s Health. She works closely with doctors, hospitals, and clinics in sub-Saharan Africa. After our recent Global Traveler’s trip to Ethiopia, we were particularly interested in her work there.

Part of our club’s mission is to serve the world. One important way we do that is through grants. We’re in the planning process for the coming year, and many of our members have excellent ideas for grants. Our ability to do good in the world depends on our Global Travelers Foundation and the generosity of our members.

In March, 38 Global Travelers shared an amazing experience in the Amazon. We went in two groups, in two consecutive weeks. Member Ken Hiller has captured the wonder and magic of the trip is an immersive, informative video.

Several times a year, the members of our virtual club, scattered far and wide, work to “serve together, separately.” In honor of Earth Day and of Rotary’s April theme of the environment, Global Travelers will be doing their part to do something kind for the Earth.

The challenge runs from April 23 through May 28. During that time, we hope every Global Traveler will participate in some type of Earth-honoring activity or donate to an organization that protects the Earth.

Chesa Keane, an Associate member of Global Travelers, is a long-time consultant in many aspects of IT. As members of a virtual Rotary club, we are all, by definition, on-line to various degrees. Chesa is launching a new series to help us understand all things Internet. She starts with browser hygiene. Cookies, anyone?

The first week-end in April, thirty-two Global Travelers got together in Kansas City for fellowship and service. The weather was on the chilly side, with occasional spurts of rain, but conversation, laughs, and food were plentiful, and our hearts were warm.

President-Elect Lenet Compton and her husband Bob were our hosts for the week-end.