It is my honor and privilege to serve as Findlay Rotary Club President for 2025-2026. I am humbled to be in a position that follows so many impactful, servant leaders that have taken on this role over the more than 100-year history of this club.
Unfortunately, it is no secret that we face the same challenges as other service organizations across our country today. We see steadily declining membership, decreased member and corporate engagement, and struggle to develop a strategy that will reverse those trends. To remain relevant and vibrant, we must position ourselves as a club that community leaders are eager to join and support.
Thanks to the work and dedication of so many members, past and present, our club is incredibly blessed with an endowed fund that ensures our club can provide a meaningful philanthropic contribution to our community into perpetuity. That said, it is not fair to those that built that fund for us to simply rely on their work. The next generation of Rotarians must work to forge a new path forward that builds on the foundation set for us, seeking to increase our impact in more meaningful and visible ways that adds value to our community.
Our strategic priorities remain Operational Excellence, Impact, Membership, and Sustainability. Following a thoughtful strategic planning session with our board and giving the above consideration, our Strategic Initiatives for 2025-2026 are as follows.
- Simplify Club Operations (reduce admin expenses and increase use of technology)
- Expand Youth & Young Professional Engagement (the future of our club mandates it)
- Promote Rotary Impact (the community at large is unclear of who Rotary is)
- Realign & Reconnect with Rotary International (Rotary is making worldwide impact)
- Amplify weekly programming (meaningful, high interest programming with more fun)
Our mission is clear. Service above self through philanthropy and volunteerism and there is much to accomplish. I am confident that we have the leadership on our board, on our committees, and throughout our membership to forge a path forward that stabilizes our club while restoring interest in becoming a Rotarian. We will ‘Unite for Good’ and be a better version of ourselves in the years to come.
Yours in Rotary,
Chris Webb
President, Findlay Rotary Club 2025-2026