As he prepares to lead the Geneva Rotary Club, Ethan Fogg says he isn’t looking to make sweeping changes. Instead, he plans to build on the club’s strengths by improving communication, expanding participation and making leadership opportunities more accessible to members.
A longtime Rotarian and Geneva Rotary’s next club president, Fogg has been a member of clubs in Seneca Falls, Clifton Springs, Canandaigua and Geneva throughout his career in the Finger Lakes.
One of his primary goals is ensuring the club remains strong while continuing to grow. Fogg said he sees value in measured growth, whether through membership, event participation or fundraising capacity.
“I’m not looking to rock the boat in any way, so much as it is to maybe make the boat a little bigger and you know, a little bit more seaworthy in the event something unexpected might occur,” he said.
Another focus during his term will be examining how the club communicates with members and the public.
“Something that I will be taking some time to look at is our are our electronic communications, and our print communications, and our program calendar, and even our program content,” Fogg said. “Are they easily understood, are they accessible to folks that may not currently be a member, but they’re curious about what we have to offer?”
Fogg also hopes to encourage more members to consider leadership positions within the organization. He said many people view serving as an officer or board member as intimidating, even when opportunities are available.
“I think there’s an invisible wall between the average member of any organization and its administration or its leadership,” Fogg said.
Part of his work as president, he said, will be helping members better understand what leadership roles involve and the benefits they can provide both professionally and personally.
Fogg said volunteer service has shaped much of his personal and professional life. He hopes to continue building a strong foundation for the Geneva Rotary Club while helping more people become engaged in its mission of community service.
The Geneva Rotary Club meets Wednesdays at noon at Dana’s Time Out on Hamilton Street. The club also holds an evening meeting on the third Wednesday of each month.
