THE Committee for Wyndham’s membership base must increase substantially if the organisation is to thrive, says its new executive director.
The not-for-profit advocacy group has 40 members, despite Wyndham being home to more than 9000 businesses.
Executive director Chris Potaris, who took over from Nik Tsardakis at the start of December, is urging businesses to support the organisation.
“Our small membership impacts on our ability to get things done. It is difficult to lobby governments without support,” he said.
While the organisation is preparing to make a submission on the East Werribee employment precinct development to the state government, Mr Potaris says his first priority is attracting more members.
He said adding members would bolster the group’s bargaining power, increase revenue and allow it to do more advocacy work.
He is hoping a large corporation or a “big name” will join the committee to help lift its profile and make Wyndham’s voice heard.
“We have a beautiful region. We are trying to lift our image and need people to jump on board.
“There are fantastic people here and great initiatives happening here in the fastest-growing area.”
The committee relies on council funding to operate, but Mr Potaris hopes this will change.
Mr Potaris, who was previously an adviser to the Australian Sport Performance Network and chief executive of the Society of Consumer Affairs Professionals, said he applied to be the committee’s executive director because he saw tremendous potential in it.
“I lived in the western suburbs for 22 years. It has an inherent negative image that is undeserved. I’m a supporter of what is happening here. The [Committee for Wyndham] can get to three times its size in two years. This is my mission.”
