SEPTEMBER 13 TH , 2007 ~ Hamilton, Bermuda ~ The National Dance Foundation of Bermuda announced today that it is inviting applications for three fulltime positions to staff its office.

 

The three positions are: Executive Director, Development Officer and Programme Coordinator.

 

Chairman, Don Kramer noted that the advertising process follows an independent audit of the Foundation’s staffing needs.

 

“Earlier this year, concern was expressed by some members of the local dance community as to whether the National Dance Foundation needs fulltime staff to accomplish its objectives,” said Mr. Kramer. “While the Board of Directors believed that current staff and salary levels were necessary and appropriate to support the long-term development of the organisation, we took these comments to heart and asked the Human Resources Advisory Division of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to conduct an independent audit for the Foundation. We also asked PwC to recommend salary ranges for staff positions that are consistent with employment packages in the non-profit sector.

 

“A thorough examination of the Foundation’s mission and business plan was conducted by PwC. As a result, the need for three fulltime staff members to implement our business plan was validated.

 

“We are grateful to Alistair McNeish of PwC and his staff for the time they have donated to this project.

 

“It is worth noting that research into the compensation and benefits packages in Bermuda’s Third Sector was being conducted at the same time that our audit was undertaken. Results of that research indicate that the salaries and many benefits we have been paying our staff are consistent with those being paid by other non-profit organizations in Bermuda.

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“The Board of the National Dance Foundation supports the view held by The Centre on Philanthropy that if positions in the Third Sector require professional expertise, equitable salaries and benefits should be paid in order to attract and retain that expertise.

 

“The three positions that will be advertised during the coming week require specific skill sets and experience that support the Foundation’s mission of providing world-class training to Bermuda’s talented dancers, teachers and choreographers.

 

“Advertisements outlining the roles and responsibilities of each position will run in The Royal Gazette on September 17 th , 18 th and 19 th . We hope that qualified Bermudians who are interested in helping to develop the Foundation into a world-class organization will give serious consideration to applying for one of these positions.

 

“We are all very proud of what the Foundation has accomplished in just three years. We have established a world-class international summer dance institute as well as master classes throughout the academic year, awarded almost a quarter of a million dollars in scholarships and bursaries, partnered with diverse organizations such as American Ballet Theatre, The Ailey School, the Debbie Allen Dance Academy and The Paul Taylor School, and raised awareness of the importance of dance in positive youth development. On an international level, we have helped establish Bermuda’s reputation as a country where a value is placed on excellence in the performing arts in general and on dance in particular.

 

“Perhaps our most worthy achievement has been to bring students and teachers from across the Island together and, regardless of race, gender or financial status, offer them training opportunities of a world-class standard, right here at home.”

 

“We have only just begun and are fully committed to ensuring that talented Bermudians have every opportunity to realize their full potential while pursuing their passion for dance.

 

“Working for the Foundation is just one way Bermudians with this passion for dance can now support its development.”

 

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ABOUT NATIONAL DANCE FOUNDATION OF BERMUDA

The National Dance Foundation of Bermuda, a registered charity and a company limited by guaranty, helps to raise the standard of dance excellence in Bermuda by providing world-class training to the Island’s dancers, teachers and choreographers. More information about the Foundation and its programmes can be found at www.dancebermuda.org