charitable or benevolent actions. Love of mankind in general.'' When it comes to philanthropy in Bermuda, the Island has a very big heart.

There are hundreds of registered charities here, even more willing hands ready to volunteer their services wherever needed, and large numbers of generous businesses who are also happy to help better the lives of others.

Amazingly, perhaps, since all of these philanthropists have operated independently and mostly without professional guidance, getting the public's support has been easy.

Funds have rolled in, volunteers have got to work, and groups have swung into action -- almost automatically.

If, in the past, some organisations and funds were run more by good luck than good judgement, it really didn't matter because, overall, campaigns were successful.

Today, things have changed. In these financially difficult times, would-be donors are much more cautious. Major donors, in particular, are looking for accountability before they hand over funds. Donors are thinking twice or giving less.

In addition, in many organisations the voluntary expertise which has stood them in such good stead for so long is now approaching retirement. Sometimes, there are no younger understudies to take over the reins.

In still others, well-intentioned but stagnant or limited expertise is not sharp enough to meet the demands of today's philantrophic world.

And finally, there are many more who wish to help in some way but lack the know-how on how to get established.

For all of them, a new organisation stands ready to offer help, advice and guidance.

The Committee on Philanthropy is the brainchild of charity commissioner Mr.

Cummings Zuill, who has long toyed with the idea of forming such an organisation here with a view to bringing philanthropic people together under one umbrella to discuss ideas of mutual benefit.

"Just as you have associations for hotel managers, businessmen, taxi drivers, doctors, ministers, and so forth, the Committee on Philanthropy will be for those who are interested in philanthropy and charity,'' Mr. Zuill explained.

"It is very common for people of similar interests to get together and discuss and further those interests.'' Noting the organisation was not out to usurp or change the presently established charitable groups and individuals, Mr. Zuill emphasised its role would be to "bring together people who are interested in philanthropy and charity and give them a formal organisation which will enable them to talk to each other, help one another, and tackle common problems together as a team rather than individually''.

"While there is nothing in Bermuda which is `broken and needs fixing,' there is always room for improvement in the way things are done,'' he said. "We want to further philanthropy as a process and an important way of life.'' Similarly, Mr. Zuill was at pains to dispel other misconceptions which have arisen about his organisation.

"Contrary to one media report, we do not intend to `revolutionise' charitable organisations. Nor will we be taking over their fund raising, or interfere with them in any way. In fact, we are going to help them to raise their own funds,'' he said.

Since the Committee on Philanthropy is still in its infancy, it has no specific agenda, and in any case will always avoid taking a particular slant.

"We want to be broadly representative and neutral in bringing parties together,'' Mr. Zuill said. "We do not want to pick up one person's banner and run with it to the detriment of someone else who may not agree with that banner. If we find several people in the community who think something should be done about a particular matter, we will bring them together and help them to achieve that objective.'' As to the make-up of the organisation, Mr. Zuill explained he wanted it to be as broadly representative of the Island's do-gooders as possible.

"We want to attract the people who give money, receive money, who carry out programmes, and meet the needs of the community. We want to include Government as well as the private sector and have collaboration between the two.'' Of the many ways the Committee on Philanthropy can help non-profit organisations, one is by providing guidelines on how to strengthen and improve them.

To that end the Committee will be bringing in various speakers who are specialists in their field to address public meetings for community leaders and volunteers wishing to make the most of their efforts.

A public meeting is scheduled for September 24 at the Princess Hotel in Pembroke, at which Ms. Nancy Axelrod, executive director of the National Center for Nonprofit Boards in Washington, DC, will address the topic: One head, many hats - the critical role of the non-profit board.

Aimed at the bodies who govern charities and voluntary organisations, Ms.

Axelrod's talk will discuss why some boards are more effective than others, and how serving members can be more helpful.

"Many corporations and individual donors now look at an organisation's board as part of the decision on contributions,'' Mr. Zuill said.

"Fundraising is not the end in itself, it is the means of working toward solving community problems. Bermuda has generous but limited human resources and we must use these more efficiently.'' Indeed, the founder-member said that that was what his Committee was all about -- working together to preserve and enhance the tradition of philanthropy.

Members would be committed to developing the understanding of the concept, practice and principles of voluntary action.

In furtherance of its aims, the Committee -- Mr. Zuill, Mr. Frank Mutch, Mrs.

Margaret Hern -- has appointed Miss Nancy Smythe to "do all the work'' in addition to serving on the Committee.

"Miss Smythe's background is her avocation and her vocation. Her training and experience have been in helping and advising charitable organisations, so she is highly suited to do this project,'' Mr. Zuill said.

Among her many duties, Miss Smythe would be compiling a comprehensive directory of the Island's registered charities, preparing informative literature on such topics as setting up voluntary organisations, providing research material, and organising speakers and meetings.

As to membership in the Committee of Philanthrophy, Mr. Zuill said this was open to anyone and would cost them nothing.

"We just want people who are interested in philanthrophy generally -- individuals, corporations, organisations. There is no financial commitment.'' Further information is available by telephoning 292-5320 or faxing 292-3677.

READY TO ASSIST ... Members of the Committee on Philanthropy (from left) Mr.

Frank Mutch, Ms Nancy Smythe, Mr. Cummings Zuill and Mrs. Margaret Hern are excited about their newly-formed organisation, which aims to nuture and enlarge the philanthropic spirit in Bermuda.