published yesterday.

And the Directory of Registered Charities is an indication of the philanthropic nature of local people.

That is the view of Ms Nancy Smythe secretary of the Committee on Philanthropy, who was project manager on the directory.

The book coincided with the opening of the Committee's library which offers a number of books giving advice on how to manage non-profit organisations.

Ms Smythe said: "The Committee was formed to support the activities of the numerous philanthropic groups which are important to a democratic society.

"Bermuda has fantastic traditions which have been developed over the years because there are no taxes to cover these areas.'' When the Directory was first announced Ms Smythe said that she would be surprised to get 10 percent of the charities on the Island interested in giving their names.

But more than half of the 218 registered charities in the Island replied to give their names and details.

Details include purpose, history, activities, services, governing bodies and staff make-up.

This enables people to pinpoint exact charities when they want to become involved in their work.

Ms Smythe said: "I want to stress that we are not trying to raise money ourselves, we have our own sources for that.

"We have the whole range because people see things differently. To one person cats might seem more important to children, to another racism is more important than other social issues, or vice versa. We are trying to pull them all together.

"What we have to recognise is that on this Island, with all the philanthropic people, we have a real gem.'' Copies of the Directory were presented to Mr. Collington Perinchief, chairman of the Charity Commissioners, which registers and regulates charities.

He said: "It's good that there is a way to break down the information concerning all the charities in Bermuda. It is important.'' CHARITIES REGISTER -- Charities Commissioners' chairman Mr. Collington Perinchief receives a copy of the Directory of Registered Charities from secretary of the Committee on Philanthropy Ms Nancy Smythe.