Jude Rosenberg, Founder and Managing Editor

It all started one summer in college, when I worked on an archaeological dig in Israel. After receiving my undergraduate degree in anthropology, I worked in U.S. nonprofit organizations for the next 35 years.

During that time, I earned an MBA and worked for 10 years as the CFO for a PBS station. In this position, I had the opportunity to travel extensively, attending international meetings aimed at developing cross-cultural content for noncommercial TV station members. In conjunction with each meeting, I took a week of vacation to explore: parts of Finland, Russia, Estonia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Ireland, Honduras, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, New Zealand, and Australia.

My job also offered the flexibility to take time off without pay, so I turned my Christmas vacations into four weeks off. These trips were almost exclusively to explore or kayak places south of the equator, where it was sunny and warm: Costa Rica, Patagonia (Chilean and Argentinean), Belize, Guatemala, and Thailand (the one northern exception).

I then lived in Tasmania, Australia, for more than three years. During that time, I built an organic stone and timber house on 50 acres outside Hobart. But after I turned 50, I found to my surprise that the glamour of international travel had worn off, even for ecotourism.

I now find myself more interested in connecting to locals in authentic ways, in being of service, in joining a community effort, in providing labor for something that benefits others. To that end, I've been able to volunteer in Uganda with Sisterschools (www.sisterschools.org), in Mongolia with the Cultural Restoration Tourism Project (www.crtp.net), and in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, with the Port Townsend, Washington, Sister Cities Program.

These experiences cemented my new direction to travel internationally, but always with the focus of giving something back to the country I visit. Volunteering is one way to express this. Donating is always an option, of course, but there is something unique about being in a place, working side-by-side with a local person, seeing life as she or he might see it, and using my hands or my mind to participate in a project that has meaning to me. These trips have led to some of the most satisfying moments in my life.

Once hooked on volunteering, I began to search the Internet for great opportunities. I kept finding more and more organizations, but as I dug deeper into a particular one, I would find references to "gap year" or "college credit" and suddenly realize they were looking for people in their 20s! I couldn't find any sites that had sorted through everything out there and focused on the needs and interests of people over 40.

That's what Boomers Without Borders does. We sift through all the options, do the research, talk to past participants, and provide concrete information for Boomers who want to volunteer outside the U.S.

Because we're a service, not a business, we can give unbiased opinions. Hopefully, we'll make the process of deciding to volunteer "and finding the right opportunity" much easier for you. Send us your comments and suggestions and become part of an online community interested in sharing information about international volunteering.

A FEW THANK YOU'S

Joellyn Rock for her graphic design efforts.

Scott Roby for his beautiful logo.

Bill Aal for his early support and encouragement.

Caroline Anderson and Paulette for helping to develop the initial idea.

Mia Lipman for editing expertise.

and the many friends who have given me support along the way....