acquisition of more than 200 acres of open space and 85 historic buildings, the Bermuda National Trust is taking a breath to come up with a written "mission''.

The Trust's council has asked each of its more than 4,000 members for their input on what the "mission'' should include, Trust president Mrs. Patsy Phillips said this week.

"We've never had one -- it's sort of getting our house in order,'' she said.

Mrs. Phillips said the Trust's property requires a lot of responsibility and "wise, efficient management''.

With this in mind the Trust's council formed a Committee for Long Range Planning, chaired by Mr. John Talbot.

"Its first task is to draft a mission statement and from that list the goals and objectives of the Trust,'' Mrs. Phillips said. "A master plan for management and operation will flow from these.'' She said the "mission'' will likely be based on the following statement in the National Trust Act of 1969: "For the benefit of Bermuda and its people, to preserve lands, buildings, places and artifacts of beauty or historical interest, and to promote their enjoyment by all members of the community.'' Mrs. Phillips said the response from members so far has been "very impressive'' and the "mission'' should be formulated in about three months.

She said an important part of it will be the Trust's continued effort to acquire land.

"We are racing against time,'' she said. "There is so little land left and once its gone you can't get it back.'' The Trust is the second largest landowner in Bermuda.