Two peak West Australian organisations, Linkwest and the Association for Western Australian Community Resource Centres (AWACRC), will join forces in a new merger.
The idea of a merger was first considered over two years ago, when Linkwest was approached by the Board of the AWACRC – an unfunded peak body overseen by a volunteer board.
“Staying in the same model was very early ruled out as an option, as delivery of services by an unfunded association is very limited,” said Lee Steel, Chair of the AWACRC board.
The organisations said that combining two memberships into one was not a decision taken lightly. It was the culmination of two years of board negotiations, member consultations, and an extensive due diligence process undertaken by an external consultant who specialises in NFP governance.
Linkwest CEO Jane Chilcott said, “We wanted to make absolutely sure that both Neighbourhood Centres and Community Resource Centres would retain their identities and their voice, while taking advantage of all the benefits that come from combining.”
“We are certain that this merger will achieve all that and more. Separately, Neighbourhood Centres, CRCs, and us as the peak bodies who represent them, have forged strong reputations and networks in the communities in which we operate. Collectively, we are stronger together, forming a state-wide network of almost 150 trusted organisations working in the community, for the community,” she said.