Speaker Friday, April 19, 2024
Empowering a Polio-Free Future
The Green Hills Rotary Club is pleased to welcome Barb Izzo as the featured speaker at our upcoming meeting on Wednesday, April 12th at 7:15 AM. Izzo will be sharing her personal connection to the devastating impact of polio and her ongoing commitment to the global eradication of this disease.
Izzo’s journey with polio began decades ago when she befriended a family whose young daughter was afflicted with the disease at the tender age of 5. Now 63 years old, this woman’s lifelong struggle with the debilitating effects of polio has profoundly shaped Izzo’s perspective and fueled her passion for the Polio Plus initiative.
Izzo’s journey with polio began decades ago when she befriended a family whose young daughter was afflicted with the disease at the tender age of 5. Now 63 years old, this woman’s lifelong struggle with the debilitating effects of polio has profoundly shaped Izzo’s perspective and fueled her passion for the Polio Plus initiative.
As Izzo will share, polio remains a global threat, with the virus merely a plane ride away from the United States. Recent outbreaks, such as the case of an unvaccinated man in Rockland County, New York, who was paralyzed in the fall of 2022, underscore the crucial need for continued vigilance and vaccination efforts.
Izzo’s expertise and first-hand insights will undoubtedly inspire Rotary members to deepen their involvement in the fight against polio. She will share strategies employed by other Rotary clubs to promote giving and raise awareness, empowering attendees to become more effective advocates for a polio-free world.
This meeting presents a unique opportunity to learn from Izzo’s personal experiences, gain a deeper understanding of the current global polio landscape, and explore ways in which we, as Rotarians, can contribute to this vital mission. We encourage all members to attend, engage in thought-provoking discussions, and leave inspired to make a tangible difference.
Our Current Speaker Schedule
Recent and Future Speakers
| 10/24/25 | Hannah Alexander Social Security | ||
| 10/31/25 | Senior Director of Sustainability and Resilience — Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities – How is Nashville on the list | ||
| 11/7/25 | Norah Buikstra, Green Hills Mall GM & Chair of the GH Alliance | ||
| 11/14/25 | Mark Fenelon, Owner, Mossy Ridge Construction — Reduce Energy Usage by 90% with a Passive Home, A New Trend in Building | ||
| 11/21/25 | Jamie Maresca — Shalom Hospice Volunteering: What Can I Offer to Others? | ||
| 11/28/25 | Have a Blessed Thanksgiving — no meeting | ||
| 12/12/25 | Robert Johnson, CEO Mid Tn Scouts | ||
| 12/19/25 | Wlliam Kenneth Teets, Director Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory | ||
| 12/26/25 | Have a Blessed Holiday — no meeting |