Presidential Ponderings
Co-President David Rowell (P1) opened the meeting and observed “the Autumn vibe is with us….”
Today in History...
1815 Mount Tambora volcano in Indonesia erupted, killing 71,000 people
1912 The Titanic sunk on its maiden voyage
1963 US nuclear submarine USS Thresher sank with 129 crew dead
Directors' Reports and Member Announcements
Angus F : Fundraising meeting after breakfast
Joy B : District Newsletter advertising monthly chats via Zoom. This Sunday's topic at 5pm, chat on Marketing, see Joy for link or read the Rotary Round Up.
Garrick M : RYE student coming in late July – Felipe, 16 year-old boy from Brazil. We are hoping to get him into Wesley College, he has been studying English for five years and loves sport. Host families needed – they don’t have to be Rotarians.
Gorby : (1) Historic Perth walk this evening from 6PM. (2) Pride of Workmanship 1st May. (3) Have three nominations, desire one more. Endeavour Awards (Pines Restaurant) 12th May almost sold out (39 of 43).
David R : District Assembly this Sunday, changed venue Leederville Football Club. (1) New members/Directors encouraged to attend. (2) 16th May “Epic Day of Service.” (3) Saturday 27th June Celebration Lunch (Changeover) at RPGC.
Guest Speaker : Darren Meakins - "Membership/Networking Initiative."
Darren “grew up with Rotary all around me” as his father, the late PP Barry Meakins, was a member of Scarborough RC from 1978 through to 2013 and President 1984 - 1985.
Darren joined Scarborough RC in 1998 and lives in Yanchep, married to Mirela, has daughters Ada (20) and Sara (18), and son Cassian (14). In Business, Darren is the Director and Licensee of Land HQ WA.
In his opening remarks, Darren endorsed Garrick’s comments about RYE. Scarborough currently hosts an exchange student from Brazil and recent outbound exchanges have also been to Brazil. Darren's parents hosted over 35 exchange students!
In his address, Darren gave some historical context on Scarborough Rotary Club:- Club established in 1956 but facing resourcing issues and apathy, with average age ~73.
- Membership stagnation with risk of declining to 15–20 members if nothing changed.
- The product (meeting experience) was considered unappealing with limited marketing exposure.
- Strategic focus became business and professional networking with strategic partners (e.g., Karrinyup Shopping Centre), community connection, and member value.Rotary is not a charity group. it is a professional networking organization that undertakes charitable actions.
- Target audience now primarily ages 30–50. The product and venue must match the audience and deliver value.
- The current Leadership and skill mix is varied (legal, finance, SEO/website, videography/marketing) to modernize operations.
Three signature items were selected for brand identity:
- Scarborough Clock Tower (installed 1979; heritage listed to secure preservation).
- Karrinyup Swap Mart (since 1989; key fundraising institution).
- Wheelchairs for Kids (originating circa 1996–1998; 67,000 wheelchairs to 81 countries; volunteer-run; mortgage paid off by donors).
Branding was leveraged to improve public recognition and storytelling.
Darren stressed we can get the members, we just need to get the product right. From a Management point of view, the focus categories going forward are:
Operations, Membership, Marketing, Communications.
Operations
Monthly format has changed
Meeting 1 - Club day
Meeting 2 - Guest speaker
Meeting 3 - Networking evening (last Thursday of month)
Meeting 4 - Vocational visits (joint meetings with other clubs encouraged).
Membership
- Value for members “what’s in it for me?”
- Using member skill sets (Marketer, Web/SEO consultant, video/photography)
- Mentoring within the club
- Vocational opportunities and programs
- Business networking both locally and internationally
Marketing
Creating brand awareness and “what we stand for”
- Social Media Management
- Database management and linking with local businesses (Karrinyup Shopping Centre and local businesses)
- Exposure in local community
- Linkage with Rotary Means Business (RMB) local and international group.
Communications
Similar to Mill Point with additional Industry Updates and Club Runner training.
Results have been impressive with a current membership of 53 members and 100% retention rate of members from 2024 to now.
Darren highlighted their successful strategic partnership with the Karrinyup Shopping Centre, having major fundraisers with the shops/businesses. They also place much emphasis on networking, with their evenings being held at the centre.
To quote Rotary’s founder Paul Harris “This is a changing world: we must be prepared to change with it. The story of Rotary will have to be written again and again.”
Darren’s presentation can be viewed at:
millpointrotaryclub.org.au>members only (password)> this link>Guest Speaker Presentations>MEAKINS, Darren – Membership/Networking Initiative.
The Fines Master - Owen Ferguson
All Eagles and Dockers supporters - go figure!
Raelene - Walked off with Michelle’s glasses last week (should have gone to SpecSavers)
Wayne D - Left your fines tickets, may as well use them - theyre not good for anything else.
Gorby - Last week’s tickets?
"Great Gatsby" fans, the story of which was published this day.
Paul McCartney followers - for leaving the Beatles in 1970.
Those who listen to the ABC, started in 1932 and still going, going, going...
Investors, ASX started 1987 - anyone with that longevity?
Terracotta Warriors display afficionados - discovered in 1972.
All those who enjoyed a hot cross bun (or three) over Easter!
Attendance
41 attendees in all, including guest speaker Darren Meakins.
