Two days remain for nominations for trustees to Central Lakes Trust (CLT), which is responsible for divvying up millions of dollars in community funding each year.

Five seats are up for grabs around the decision-making table for the trust, which last year approved 185 grants to charitable organisations in the region to the value of $12.5M.

Current elected trustees are deputy chair Kathy Dedo, Tony Lepper, Lindsay Breen, Jim Boult, and Trudi Webb - all of whom are eligible to stand again.

CLT chief executive Barbara Bridger said the election always attracts strong interest from across the region.

“Trustees play a vital role in guiding how the trust’s funds are managed and how grants are distributed to support local projects and initiatives,” she said.

“It’s an opportunity to help shape the future of our communities.”

Since the trust’s inception in 2000, it has dished out close to $160M in funding, and grown its asset base from the $155M bestowed by the Otago Central Electric Power Trust to assets totalling more than $571M.

CLT supports a wide range of initiatives, facilities, and events, with winners in its August funding round including the Central Otago Friendship Network (which received $69,217 in operational funding), the Alexandra Toy Library (which received $3022 for new toys), the Bannockburn Community Centre (which received $22,861 towards an emergency hub), and the Fine Thyme Theatre Company (which received $12,740 for its next production in Cromwell).

The five publicly elected trustees sit on a board alongside three appointed trustees, who bring additional skills and knowledge to the governing body.

The chief executive and staff manage the day-to-day operations of the trust.

The election is held every three years.

To be nominated, candidates must live within the CLT region (which includes much of Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes districts), be on the local electoral roll, and be nominated by another local on the roll.

Nominations close at midday on Thursday (September 25).

Nomination forms and a candidate handbook are available on the CLT website.

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