many non-profit organisations such as the Centre on Philanthrophy.

The Executive Director of Centre on Philanthrophy, Nancy Smythe, stresses that this is "an excellent career path to choose if you want to love the work you do''.'' There are a few administrative jobs that are salaried positions in firms where most of the workers are volunteers.

Ms Smythe suggests that you may want to seek a career involving volunteers or actually volunteer to: Meet new people Work on important projects Help someone out Put your talents to good purpose Learn new skills Broaden your career prospects Make a difference to someone's life Explore new fields of interest Get a new perspective on life Be a role model "Our Directory of Registered Charities lists 238 worthy organisations that would love to have you as a volunteer,'' advises Ms Smythe.

The following article was provided by Ms Smythe: What would Bermuda be like without out charities? Try imagining it.

Imagine what would happen if the volunteers went on strike. We would have no Blood bank donors, no PTA's, no Hospital Auxilliary or Meals on Wheels.

Service clubs such as Lions & Lionesses, Continental Society Kiwanis, Rotary the Women's Resource Centre, and Bermuda Junior Service League wouldn't exist.

Who would care for the people who are now being helped by the Sunshine League, Salvation Army, Reading Clinic, Beacon House, Adult Education School, Biostation, Hope Homes, KBB, Red Cross the Haven? Volunteers are the lifeblood of many of the services that add to Bermuda's quality of life. Citizen participation is a vital part of Bermuda's national character. We each have a role in passing along that important addition of compassion and caring (without expectation of financial gain) to future generations.

Youth do make a difference in our community life. Increasingly we hear the lament that youth in Bermuda don't really have civic spirit anymore. That we are being driven by a "me generation'' that is "looking out for number one''.

There is a pervasive view that in earlier times all of us were far more willing than we are today to help one another and to become involved in causes and public issues.

It is almost accepted that we are now a less caring society. But do you know that often the past was not as good as remembered -- and the present is better than perceived! Volunteering Activities involving Youth "It Takes a Whole Village'' There is an untapped potential of families -- regardless of where they live or how they are structured -- to build up a sense of familyhood, community and, at the same time, improve lives of others.

What can a parent do with a child to show care and compassion for the community? What can a single adult do with a friend's child? How can a youth "mentor'' with a peer or with younger children in voluntary projects? What can families do together? How can businesses encourage family involvement? One suggestion for a start: take time with a child to browse through the Centre's Directory of Registered Charities and talk about the community's needs and solutions. The book will provide participants with many ideas and stimulating conversation..

In addition, listed below are 25 examples of "one-off activities.'' None of them require an ongoing commitment of time. Most can be done in a short span of free time and many are good not only for your emotional health but also your physical well-being. And always remember to have fun.

Environment & Health 1. Walk on beach or road with a child carrying a bag to pick up garbage.

Discuss the "healthy'' exercise: for your body/mind, your environmental/community! 2. Visit the recycling centre and offer to assist or find out what help is needed.

Elderly (or Homebound residents) 3. Ask a neighbour if you and your child can help them in some small but meaningful way: move a piece of furniture, clean the oven or windows, take the trash to the end of the drive on a weekly basis, build a bookcase with blocks and boards, etc. It's always easier to do a chore for someone else, than at your own home! 4. Offer to drive elderly or infirmed to the doctor, pharmacy, shopping, or church.

5. Visit a home for the aged and offer to read, feed, talk, or simply play checkers. Seniors always enjoy youth entertaining, either individually or as a group. Plan a fun skit with your child based on a favourite book.

6. Make decorations or a dessert with your child for a Seniors Club. It can be for a special day (such as Valentine's Day) or for no specific holiday, simply as a random act of kindness. Then participate in the activities by helping serve lunches at the tables or running in races with the Seniors.

Awareness of the "Physically Challenged'' These four areas can allow youth to interact with others who have different challenges in life, and help eradicate social barriers often created by fear and misunderstanding.

7. Special Olympics suggests you help a child teach recreational skills to a mentally handicapped child. They need young competitors to play with non-athletes. The adult can give encouraging hugs to both; the child develops new awareness; all find satisfaction in sharing and learn how important it is to celebrate small achievements. Right now: Saturday 9-11 tennis, bowling in March 10.30-12.30, swimming soon. (They also need student coaches, late primary 6-7 up to college).

8. The Society for the Blind and the Lions and Lioness clubs suggest that the visually impaired might enjoy an outing to St. George's, a ferry ride to Dockyard, or an invitation to share a musical event with your family. Read to them, talk to them. Find an innovative way to sell the products they make at another public event.

9. The Deaf Awareness Association has classes for the hearing impaired where a child can see sign language being taught (Mon. & Wed., 7-8 p.m., Prospect Primary School. Occasionally they may have a demonstration of equipment.

10. Bermuda Physically Handicapped Association suggests that you help a child experience what it is like to operate a wheel chair by visiting Orange Valley Nursery or Summerhaven, the home for independent living. The child can learn first hand the difficulties in getting up an incline or stairs, turning around, or moving into a chair. Youth can see facilities developed for those with unique challenges and become more aware of the needs of the disabled.

Community Improvement 11. Take a (healthy) walk and look for eyesores, safety hazards, vacant lots that could be used as gardens. Touring a neighbourhood looking for community "problem: let's fix it'' can build awareness, but then do something about it! Don't "pass the buck'' by simply placing blame; reach out and offer to repair a swing, broken equipment, etc.

12. The National Trust has one project a month, ask about ANTS.

13. Write a neighbourhood or community newspaper that encourages volunteerism, relate it specifically to your area and invite a group to share in an activity with you. (" A whole village concept.'') Education 14. Read a news article to generate a project idea (e.g. after reading about an accident, discuss road safety or any one of a number of community problems that have involvement as a solution). Help the youth see themselves as a part of the solution, capable of helping to solve community problems. Document and dramatise the situation by learning more about what is being done and what more you can do to help ongoing efforts.

15. Drugs: Visit a treatment centre such as a Fair Havens, and give encouragement to the women who are in the process of recovery. Attend one of PRIDE's Youth-to-Youth sessions.

16. AIDS: Visit the hospice, Agape House: make a pillow to prop up arms or big pretty bibs for adults who have difficulty eating without spilling; or bring a dozen eggs at Easter, or toiletries, soaps, lotions at any time of the year.

17. Nutrition and Hunger: Read labels and talk about how to eat right and stay healthy. Talk about food allergies and sensitivities; or how to make healthy foods palatable for cancer patients with sore mouths. Help collect nutritious food for some needy person. Offer the deliver a meal for someone unable to prepare it. (Meals-on-Wheels has four days in which deliveries are made and needs a weekly commitment from 11.30 - 1.30, places 2 ice chests in your car for 10-15 stops. P.A.L.S., Salvation Armys, and others may have suggestions of other assistance needed.) Basic Life Skills Children are aware of lifesaving techniques through TV but need to learn proper (and improper) prevention & rescue methods by participation. A trained teen can train younger children in first aid or other survival skills. St.

John Ambulance and Red Cross provide valuable information and courses on accident preparedness, first aid and CPR.

19. Just for the "health'' of it, take part in walks for exercise (you don't always have to do it for fund raising/ sponsorship reasons although End-to-End, National Trust, P.A.L.S. and many other charities provide that motivation to get started.) 20. Ask youth to tutor their peers and younger children. Most people say they haven't done something because no one asked! Or to take part in a "peer mediation'' at school. (If you don't know about this excellent programme, call 295-1150).

21. You and a child can provide personal attention and enrichment at an understaffed child-car centre.