The Hope in Human Rights: an Unforgettable Experience Twenty-nine L3 members shared an unforgettable journey through time and the meaning of being human. Our Purposeful Travel into “The Hope in Human Rights” included special insider tours of the U.S. Holocaust Museum Memorial, in the company of the men and women who created the exhibits, as well as meetings, seminars and opportunities to share ideas with each other that made it all worthwhile. (See our personal photo album here, and additional photos taken in the museum here.) Intellectual Highlights: A discussion with Museum Director Sara Bloomfield on how the Nazis might have used the internet…and whether it is being used that way by anyone today.

A chance to meet and talk to Holocaust survivor Margit Meisner; members were pleased to bring home signed copies of Margit’s Story, the memoir she wrote at age 80, describing her escape from France on a bicycle, with only a bit of chocolate, two croissants and her oil paints. Archivist Stephen Mize’s first-hand account of discovering the diaries of James Grover McDonald, the first U.S. Ambassador to Israel, including his encounters with history-making personalities as he sought to help the Jews despite world indifference through the 1930s. Kelly McCracken of the International Human Rights Law Institute (IHRLI) explained their new finding that 90% percent of the approximately 100 million people victimized by conflict since WWII have been civilians. So far, fewer than 1% of the perpetrators of this massive violence have ever been convicted. Mark Schneider is SVP of the International Crisis Group, special adviser on Latin America and director of the Washington advocacy office. He was Director of the Peace Corps from 1999 to 2001, and before that served in many key roles providing strategic analysis and advice on health, post conflict and post disaster reconstruction, particularly in Latin America. Mark shared with us the challenges and successes of the ICG in identifying and bringing to justice some of the perpetrators of violence against civilians around the world. Former National Security Advisor to President Reagan, Robert (Bud) McFarlane described his current projects, building a foundation for religious reconciliation in Iraq and creating an economic development plan in Darfur. He is concerned, however, that “we’re not nurturing leaders. The risks for leaders are much greater today than they were 30 years ago.”

Elegance with chocolate: our group dined At Ned and Diane Powell's beautiful

Extra reason to

at the official Residence of Jan Matthysen, home, we relaxed and shared our celebrate: the Powell’s Belgium’s Ambassador to the U.S. thoughts. L-R: Georgianne Roberts, Roz wedding anniversary! Jonas, Vicki Sebastiani, Gary Jonas, Larry Moon, Steve Roberts.

"the Conversation" is Buzzing! Share in the Dialogue at www.L3.org

If you haven’t been on the L3 website lately, you haven’t seen the newest, most interesting feature yet: our ongoing, next-best-thing-tobeing-together online Conversation. Just go to your personal dashboard (it’s there when you sign in) and see it in the middle of the page. You can see recent comments from members—click “read more” to see the full posting and comments on it from others. Add your own comment … or start a new one on any topic that’s engaging your thoughts, from books to politics to serious philosophical questions. Most recently, David Milenthal has been thinking about Al, Tipper, and the general state of matrimony. See how other members have responded! BTW By the Way: if you can’t remember your password, you can change it on the website, or just email Jolie a password you’ll remember; she’ll be glad to reset your password for you. Members Host Gatherings in 4 Cities June 6: By the Old North Bridge... Actually, it was not on a bridge, but in Miranda and Ted Boylan's wonderful barn in Concord, MA, where 24 Boston area members and eight potential members got together for a lively Sunday afternoon. A bit of sogginess in the air didn't dampen spirits at the the event, hosted by the Boylans, Tim and Joan Litle, and Susan and John Hunt, where attendees heard about L3 events past, like the San Diego retreat, and future, including September's Women's Getaway in Colorado. June 8: Dinner in New York Danny and Talia Bejarano hosted dinner and conversation for seven friends at their gracious Manhattan home. Since Danny and Talia are Founders and currently head the Enrichment Committee, they were able to share detailed information about the mission and goals of the organization, where we are now, and what's ahead as L3 grows. June 8: A Party in Chicago Dick and Nora Lewis (pictured below, L3 Members Join Forces...) live in a lovingly restored turn-of-thecentury mansion, where they indulged their passion for gourmet cooking, to the benefit of the 18 guests invited to enjoy the great meal, conversation, and a fascinating after-dinner discussion about leadership. L-R: Mary Attea, Patty Kent, Bill Attea, Becky McClennan.

beautiful Poinsett Club of

June 22: In Greenville, Discussion of Leadership and the Media Bill and Anne Masters were joined by fellow members Carole and Mike Stephens, Heidie and Keith Miller, and a dozen interested friends at the Greenville, South Carolina. Along with wine and hors d'oeuvres, the

group chewed over a remark made during the recent "Hope in Human Rights" trip (see above), by former National Security Adviser Bud McFarlane, whose concern over the development of future leaders for the nation struck a chord for many. The question: is the media stifling the next generation of leaders? What can we do about it? L-R: Heidie Miller, Tammy Barber, Jerry Barber, Denise Code, Merle Code, and (facing away) Mike Stephens. Patty Kent: Helping Children Face the Future Patty Kent (Chicago) has always been an artist, whose most recent work has been in mixed media. But two chance meetings have inspired her to use her creativity in an ingenious way, to make a difference for children in need. First, a friend made Patty aware of the work of Operation Smile, which has provided free surgery to repair cleft palate for 145,000 children in 50 countries since 1984—giving them a chance to live normal, productive lives. To realize that thousands of children are kept from school and social interaction because of shame or fear, when an inexpensive, 45-minute procedure could change everything, pulled at Patty’s heart. She wanted to make a difference. But it wasn’t until Patty met a new L3 member, Jackie Talarico (Boston) that she came up with the idea that can use her unique skills, provide a treasured heirloom for families she knows, and help fund smiles for kids around the world. Working from photographs and in-depth interviews, Patty creates subtle graphite portraits that uniquely capture the spirit of the subject…they are, in every sense of the word, art.

There is no obligation to purchase the work, but if it is accepted, the $1,000 fee goes, in its entirety, to Operation Smile. If you’d like to learn more about Patty’s portrait project on behalf of Operation Smile, send her an email using your own L3 inbox or email Patty directly from this newsletter. L3 Members Join Forces in Africa Members Scott and Sally Harrison are the founders of CURE International, which helps African children with disabilities. Fellow L3 members, Dick and Nora Lewis, are deeply involved inLEGS, which is providing a unique, inexpensive prosthesis that effectively gets people on their feet. Their interests mesh perfectly, and together they are making a difference. Read this excerpt from an email Scott recently received from the CURE surgeon in Kenya—you will be moved: The real news of the week was the arrival of the LEGS team from LeTourneau University. CURE Kijabe has been one of the LeTourneau international partners for the new artificial knee joint the LEGS team designed. The knee joint is very impressive for several reasons. First, we can make the joint here in Kijabe with simple tools and materials in our brace shop. Second, the biomechanics of the joint when implanted into an artificial limb for someone who lost their leg above the knee works well in restoring their gait. Finally, we can create a prosthetic limb for someone who has lost their leg for about $200. Buying a commercial joint for the knee component alone costs approximately $600 or more which puts the cost out of reach for most Kenyans. Major project goals push to create the capability to make consistently high quality, cost effective, biomechanically sound joints, implant them into well fitting and well aligned endurable artificial limbs, and thus transform the lives of those dealing with above knee amputations. You should see the smiles as patients arrive at CURE with crutches or a stick hopping along and leave walking with a new prosthesis a few days later. The LEGS technology is being spread to several locations in the developing world. We are thrilled to be a partner in a truly life changing innovation.

Purposeful Travel Note Watch for details on our September 2011 to visit Africa…where we’ll see first hand what Scott and Sally Harrison, Dick and Nora Lewis, and Donna and Philip Berber of Glimmer of Hope, are achieving in Kenya, Ethiopia, and elsewhere on the continent. L3 Leadership Profiles A number of L3 members are making an exceptional contribution to shaping and building our organization to continually expand the ways we fulfill our mission. Eddie Safady, a Founder and currently co-chair of the Purposeful Travel Gateway Council (with Vicki Sebastiani), is one of them. Look for profiles of other L3 leaders in the future, and see complete Leadership list on the website. Eddie Safady Banker “by Default”— Leader by Character When Eddie Safady graduated from college in 1978, he’d been accepted into law school. But history and personal circumstances intervened, and he became a United States Bank Examiner—a role that prepared him well for a career in financial services. “I know the business from both sides,” he says. That’s clearly true: Eddie was chairman, president, and CEO of Liberty Bank of Austin for seven years, until he became a Director and chairman of the Central Texas Region of Prosperity Bank of Houston, when Liberty was acquired, positions he holds today. Eddie believes that every person has the ability to be productive and happy, and he focuses much of his energy on education and the arts, which he sees as essential pathways for developing the potential of youngsters and communities. One of his most unusual, high-profile projects is the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders; Governor Richards, an old friend, tapped Eddie to help her form the Board for her project to prepare economically disadvantaged young women to attend college, live healthfully, lead with courage, and solve problems creatively and ethically—much like the Governor herself. Eddie, citing other commitments, had not planned to be on the Board himself, until Richards pinned him down: “Now Eddie, you know I need your help. And you know I have cancer.” In addition to the school, there is hardly an arts organization or arts education program in the Austin area that has not benefited from Eddie’s energy, insight and resources. From the Austin Lyric Opera to Austin City Limits, the University of Texas at Austin Performing Arts

Center and The Long Center for the Performing Arts, Ballet Austin, the Austin Symphony and more, Eddie is a staunch patron and leader. Why? “You know, it takes money to keep the arts alive, so the arts are sometimes seen as elitist.” Eddie explains, “But everyone can be touched and grow through contact with beauty, ideas and creativity. It’s important for everyone in the community that as many people as possible have the opportunity to be challenged and changed in this way.” The Importance of L3 Eddie has been actively involved in L3 since its inception in 2007, because it is a unique place for people who, like himself, have a deep interest in giving back and making a difference. “In general, when you talk to people about giving, it’s from the point of view of a project someone wants your help with. There’s nothing wrong with that—but only in L3 can we freely share ideas, discuss plans and learn from each other without any underlying agenda.” He especially enjoys his current role with the Purposeful Travel Gateway Council, which reflects his own delight in honest, unmediated experiences with far-flung places and cultures. While there are different possible definitions of “purposeful,” he believes that as an organization L3 can provide a variety of experiences that satisfy each interpretation, from hands-on helping with projects to exploration and understanding of the challenges and opportunities to create change around the world. “As long as we broaden our understanding of people, places and problems, our trips serve an important purpose,” he says. More Leadership Information See profiles of every L3 member, or update your own, (remember that once you are logged in, it’s easy to find information about any member simply by typing their name in the Member Search box in the gray bar on the top of every page). Have You Met TED? Many L3 members are already confirmed friends of TED, the series of 20-minute talks by just about everyone interesting that you have—or have not—ever heard of, from Tim BernersLee (the actual ‘inventor’ of the internet!) and Bill Gates to Richard Feynman to James Cameron and They Might Be Giants. A visit to the website is the best thing you can do for your brain any time you have a third of an hour to spare. To get you started, try Jill Bolte Taylor, the neurologist who watched her own brain make its way through stroke. The suspense is remarkable. Another kind of inspiration: Sir Ken Robinson’s legendary case for creative education as well as the recent follow-up. In addition to the international TED lectures, there are locally-produced events called "TEDx", like the one in Austin where Steven Tomlinson explained how he learned to live meaningfully, and tries to help others do so, too.