CITY of Swan councillor Cate McCullough and Swan Christian College head of mathematics Alex Smilovitis will be presenting on the power of social capital in 2024’s final Hour of Power.

Ms McCullough said she’ll be drawing on her experience as a councillor for the City of Swan and as a community volunteer in an organisation running the largest community events each year.

“Obviously, on the topic of social capital, we’ll be talking about connecting people and harnessing the power of relationships and partnership,” she said.

“As a small business contractor from years ago and a not-for-profit community organisation over the past 10-12 years, I’ll share aspects from both roles and from a local government perspective as a councillor as well.

“I was the chair and co-founder of Ellenbrook community collective in 2015 which is a not-for-profit community group, which runs the largest events in the City of Swan from a wholly volunteer basis.

“I’ll be sharing some thoughts and human-interest stories and strategies and opening the conversation on how social capital can be embraced by not just community but also the commerce crowd.

“(Social capital) is the byproduct of relationship investment in individuals and the trust they then place in you.

“I bring to the table how to grow that social capital across community and into businesses as well.

“Businesses need to be aware of how to grow that social capital that expands opportunities, builds partnerships, and in turn grows their businesses.”

Mr Smilovitis will be sharing anecdotes from his life that prompt attendees to think about the legacy they leave behind as they build relationships in business and life.

“First of all, capital is a financial term, but we’ll use it in terms of how we create that capital when it comes to people and connection,” he said.

“In the same way capital drives building infrastructure and progresses the growth of outward structures, underlying that is the connections that aren’t measured by money but by relationships.

“I came to the revelation that it comes by moments that connect and unite people’s lives and those are some of the thoughts I’ll be sharing during the talk.

“If you don’t base a company around people, then what have you built?

“I’ve spent my years as head of departments and I look back and realised I’ve worked so hard while raising my daughters, that I’ve missed their teenage years.

“It’s about what’s the next phase, and when you retire you only have so much time afterwards, so you have to make it count.

“You’ve got to make it worthwhile and that’s what I’m excited to share and invite others to reflect on.”

The year’s final Hour of Power will be held at 10.30am on November 13, and registrations can be made at www.swanchamber.org.au