The “virtual format” has drawbacks in many ways, since we can’t get close to and enjoy each other  physically, but there is one advantage in that it can increase greatly the reach of getting guests like Dennis Moffett from Rapid City, Iowa or Jack Shearer in Los Angeles. Today was a case in point as our esteemed Program’s Director, Dick Bauer somehow procured the services of a true expert on polio from Rotary International who is speaking on very intriguing topic and reaching out to us all the way from Chicago, Illinois.

Dick’s intro: Carol Pandak is the Director of Rotary International's Polio Plus program, a position she has held since the year 2000.

Carol directs all aspects of Rotary’s polio eradication program including administration, advocacy, communications and financial oversight, fundraising support, grants management, and volunteer engagement.

She is the staff liaison to Rotary’s International Polio Plus Committee, the volunteer committee that provides policy guidance to the Polio Plus program and works closely with the partners such as the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in the global polio Eradication Initiative.

Carol’s work has taken her all over the world where she has monitored polio immunization campaigns, assessed Rotary’s and partner activities at the country-level, and participated in high-level technical and stakeholder meetings.