Beautiful job awaits

Keep Porirua Beautiful is looking for a new chairman.

The organisation organises clean-ups, adopt-aspot promotions, plantings and other beautification projects in the city, with funding from Porirua City Council. It will host the Keep New Zealand Beautiful conference in September, and outgoing chairman Jeremy Andersen hopes to have a successor in place well before then.

He says while he has enjoyed the challenge, the amount of time needed to put into the unpaid position was taking its toll on his own business and he has a young family.

‘‘For the last two years I’ve done what I can, and I’ve absolutely loved it but I’m falling short of what’s required. Someone with more time on their hands, and the ability to produce more than I can, can take KPB to the next level.’’

Mr Andersen will remain on KPB’S board and wants to be involved into the future. He says the new chairman will have a passion for Porirua and the environment, will be encouraged to take part in the organisation’s activities – ‘‘getting their hands dirty’’ – along with conducting board meetings, talking to the media on occasion and working closely with co-ordinator John Poppleton.

It would help if prospective candidates were comfortable with balance sheets, budgets and making submissions to the city council on issues that affect KPB’S efforts, Mr Andersen says.

‘‘Someone like Dennis [his predecessor, Dennis Ormsby] was great, because he was keen to get out into the community and do the plantings, then do the paperwork and run meetings. We’d love someone that could put in 20 hours a week.’’

He and Mr Poppleton will help the new chairman ease into the role.

During his tenure, Mr Andersen is proud of the adopt-a-spot and ‘1000 members club’ promotions, and harbour clean-ups and Arbor Day plantings have been well-attended.

‘‘KPB is free to join and we’re getting young and old people signing up, to help keep their community clean and tidy. We want this organisation to be in people’s minds and I’m hoping the next chairman will inspire even more to keep their city beautiful.’’

Applications close March 26. For more information, email keepporiruabeautiful @xtra.co.nz or contact Mr Poppleton on 238 1641.

Moving on: The hunt for Keep Porirua Beautiful chairman Jeremy Andersen’s successor is on, with the successful candidate likely to have strengths in both planting and budgets.