Staff Profile
Heeding the Call for BHS I
n March, 2021, BHS welcomed Britt Call as the new Director of Advancement. Arriving on the back of the School’s Leading the Way campaign, Ms Call says fundraising for BHS is just as important today as ever and she is looking forward to getting to know and engaging with the School community.
Born in Australia, Ms Call grew up in Bermuda, attending Saltus Grammar School, before going on to boarding school in Ontario, Canada. She earned her undergraduate degree at the University of St Andrews in Scotland and holds a Masters in Museum Studies from SUNY at Buffalo State College in Buffalo, New York where she has lived and worked for the last 10 years. Outside of work. Ms Call says, “I have loved getting to know Bermuda again and exploring it with my family.” Torchbearer asked Ms Call to share her goals and vision for the Advancement Office at BHS.
Torchbearer: What are your main responsibilities as the Director of Advancement? Britt Call: My main responsibility is raising essential funds that grow our bursaries and scholarships and close the gap between what we provide our students and teachers and what we know will be the best school experience we can provide. The way we do that is by operating a vibrant and engaging Advancement Office that actively connects with the whole BHS community and supports the important work that the PTA and Alumni Association do.
TB: What are the main attributes you bring to your position? BC: A passion for an incredible education that encourages and prepares our girls as the next generation of confident and impactful leaders; a dedication to the mission of the School to empower girls, and; a respect for the history and traditions of BHS’s 127 years.
TB: The School has just come through a major capital campaign. Why should people continue to give? BC: Continued support is just as important as single gifts; it sustains the
Association and network. With more than 3,000 alumni around the globe, we are excited to connect with as many of you as possible.
TB: Many people find fundraising difficult. What is the main challenge to this particular task? BC: Evoking the emotional support and connection. Often, when you or your child leaves a school you no longer interact with the school, and it’s easy to forget just how impactful it has been. In fundraising, we try to help facilitate that ‘A-ha moment’ where you have an emotional reaction that inspires you – and if we do our jobs right, it will inspire you to be involved and maybe even donate! Right now, not being able to physically have people on campus during the day is one of the biggest challenges in creating the ‘A-ha’ moment.
“With more than 3,000 Old Girls around the globe, we are excited to connect with as many of you as possible!”
ongoing excellence and improvements and the ability to execute on our strategic vision and mission. The opening of the Innovation Centre has provided students with new opportunities for STEAM education, but opening it was just the start. We want to make sure that the girls have everything they need so that their experience here is everything we want and aspire it to be!
TB: Can you share any of the immediate or longer-term goals or initiatives of the Advancement Office? BC: Bursaries and scholarships will always be an Advancement priority; unrestricted contributions provide ongoing support to our students and teachers throughout the school year, and; longer-term, we look forward to reinvigorating our Alumni
TB: Any tips for approaching this task or other tasks people might find uncomfortable? BC: I think, in general, any task that makes you feel uncomfortable means you’re being challenged, and that can mean personal growth and an opportunity to learn. If you approach every task with authenticity and confidence, even if the result isn’t exactly as you hoped, you know that you applied the best version of yourself to it.
TB: Why do you find the work rewarding? BC: When I hear the students joyfully moving through the hallways between classes or sharing their thoughts on a Zoom meeting that includes teachers, Board members, and staff, I am so encouraged by just how articulate, thoughtful and confident they are. When you support BHS, you are supporting every single student who attends the School; you are supporting their day to day schooling, but you are also supporting their future. It is so very rewarding knowing that our work plays a small part in making sure a BHS student’s educational experience is truly incredible.
TB: What are some of the key aspects of the School you like to focus on for fundraising? BC: BHS has such a strong sense of community, a resilience and creativity throughout COVID-19, an atmosphere of Innovation and a profound respect for the history of the school.
Torchbearer Spring 2021 9
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32
