January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
the centre on philanthropy/ Seeks to foster collab
Harnessing charity and volunteerism in Bermuda
Pastors unite to foster more effective community work among churches and faith groups
Harnessing charity and volunteerism in Bermuda
The Centre on Philanthropy is working hard in order to foster more collaborative efforts of volunteerism in Bermuda. According to their vision The Centre on Philanthropy believes in a Bermuda where effective and efficient charities and nonprofit organisations collaborate with the private sector and Government to build a caring and giving community.
One of The Centre's key stakeholder groups are faith organisations. They have many successful community programmes, including soup kitchens, school lunch programmes, and tutoring, which are contributing to the development of a better Bermuda.
"Wouldn't it be great if churches and faith organisations that can work together did so in order not to duplicate efforts, but support one another more," says Pastor Gary Simons, Director of The Centre's Faith In Action Forum.
In the past there has been infrequent coordination among these organisations and among other similar charities. The Centre launched a dialogue series with the faith organisations in 2006. Then, Centre Board Member Pastor Gary Simons gave a workshop entitled 'Removing the Roadblocks that Hinder Funding for Faith-based Organisations'. This dynamic workshop generated the energy among the faith organisations to create a regular forum.
In the autumn of 2007, The Centre began working with a pilot group of organisations to formalise a framework for this forum, which is now going full-steam ahead. The Faith In Action Forum will be holding what is intended to be an important discussion of round-tables at the end of March among churches and faith organisations. They are calling for all those involved in various ministry projects and outreaches to come to discuss around three topics: 1. Reaching Beyond Our Congregations and Into the Community; 2. Demonstrating Unity by Working Together; 3. Removing the Road Blocks of Fundraising.
It is amazing to learn that 44 per cent, nearly half of the adult population in Bermuda volunteer (that's over 15,000 people) and among them more than 75 per cent volunteer on a regular basis!
That's 2.7 million hours that are volunteered each year (4 per cent of the total working hours). This time is worth $68.4 million (or 3 per cent of Bermuda's GDP).
Over 40 per cent that volunteer out of this diverse total are from religious organizations making a great percentage of the Bermuda's volunteer population. Pastor Simons stated, "It is for this reason that the Faith In Action Forum has been formed to encourage those that are reaching beyond their own congregations to come together to learn what is going on in Bermuda and how we can work together in order to facilitate more effective work."
The Centre is moving ahead, charting its course consistently with a four-fold mission to lead the Bermuda community in building an effective, efficient and sustainable third sector by: 1. Advancing knowledge, skills and performance; 2. Fostering effective partnerships; 3. Creating a unified voice for the sector, and 4. Supporting and increasing volunteerism.
If you are part of a faith group and would like to be a part of this upcoming session, please RSVP by contacting Programme Coordinator, Lindell Williams at 236-7706 or via email at [email protected]
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