the general public will receive recognition with the publishing of a Directory of Registered Charities early next year.

The newly formed Committee on Philanthropy, chaired Mr. Cummings Zuill, has undertaken the special project.

It is asking for registered charities to fill out by January 15 a form giving their names, address, purpose, history, services/programmes, staff, and other relevant information.

Mr. Zuill said the directory would help local charities financially by enabling potential donors -- overseas and local -- to find out more about them.

And he said it would assist them staff-wise in that people wanting to donate some of their time to community service would be able to see just what charitable organisations are out there and in need of volunteers.

Mr. Zuill said it would be the first such directory in recent times.