Lisa Webb gives new definition to `The Director of the Board' in her volunteer role with Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Bermuda (BBBS).

Far from being a stiff grey suit with a white Oxford shirt she is a striking blond in a soft pastel suit that renders a sparkling smile confidently and easily.

A dedicated leader with a big heart, she is well suited for her role with one of Bermuda's most respected charitable organisations, BBBS, devoted to helping children who primarily come from single parent homes.

Ms Webb explained that BBBS of Bermuda is committed to providing children with positive and caring role models.

They believe that through these professionally supported, one-on-on relationships, children build lasting relationships which enhance their emotional, social and recreational well being.

"I have been involved with BBBS for about eight years. I was involved with the organisation for seven years in Canada and I have been in my present role as a board director and public relations chair about a year.

"I have a little sister in Canada and I am helping her with college applications at the moment. We email each other and talk on the phone often,'' she said.

She recognises one particular difference between the two agencies. She said that in Canada you have a waiting list of children, comprised about equally, of boys and girls to be placed; where as in Bermuda, there are about 41 little boys waiting for a big brother as opposed to only one little girl waiting for a big sister.

Presently there are 47 little brother matches and 39 little sister matches totaling 86 and there are many wonderful people in the community doing excellent jobs of role modelling.

"I think people have misconceptions about the responsibility of being a big brother or sister and that makes them reluctant to participate.

" Each child's needs varies. You are not under any financial obligation. You give of your time and your talents which could be as simple as taking a child for a walk on the beach or out to lunch for a few hours.

"We are talking about being role models and supportive friends to children in need of additional guidance,'' she explained.

Before becoming a big brother or sister you are screened by the agency and if you are a suitable applicant you are matched with a child whose needs match your talents.

Once you are matched the caseworkers are there for advice and support to help nurture your relationship.

The children and the volunteers come from all walks of life and represent the diversity of Bermuda.

Volunteers may be single, married, childless or with children of their own and be any age from 21 on up.

BBBS relies upon the generous support of corporate and individual donors in Bermuda. Ms Webb heads up the Public Relations Committee along with several other hard working volunteers such as MJ Huxley, Deborah Titterton Narraway and Angela Ambrosini.

The Public Relations Committee is launching a new logo, a new PR campaign, and the team is trying to launch a corporate mentorship programme.

Ms Webb said: "The workplace mentoring programme is an educational, vocational and cultural activity programme that matches volunteers from a company or business in one-to-one relationships with youth from schools throughout Bermuda.

"It will be a bi-monthly, goal oriented, after school programme where students go the a work site where they spend the afternoon with an employee volunteer.

"Their time can be spent in varying ways, including spending time on the student's homework, talking and learning about each other's lives, and learning first-hand about the business world.'' She further advised that there has been overwhelming positive feed back on the programme from the international organisations, particularly in the US.

Students who participated in the US programme improved school attendance, their grade and bettered their relationships with family and peers and went on to post secondary education.

"When I first started volunteering with my little sister in Canada she had very few friends and was hardly getting by academically in school. Now she is the editor of the school paper and is applying to colleges.

"It is a wonderful reward to see these changes in her and being a big sister is the most rewarding thing which I have undertaken. It is about adults helping young people reach their potential and achieve dreams,'' concluded Ms Webb.

Recruiting new volunteers and increasing the agency's profile to raise funds are immediate goals for BBBS.

"Over the next few months we will be proposing corporate sponsorship packages to a number of companies to help run special events and advertising,'' she said.

Ms Webb is married to Mark Baumgartner and works in the marketing department of by Capital G.

If you would be interested in volunteering contact the office from 9am until 1pm weekdays at 292-2802, fax 292-5412 or email: bbbs yibl.bm and website: www.bbs.bm Director of the Board: Lisa Webb is a dedicated leader at Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Bermuda. She is devoted to helping children who come from single parent homes and is matched with a little sister.