The Melting Pot E-Bulletin Autumn 2009
Key Concept - Keeping The Faith
I once heard that
"Success has 3 'S's in it":
First you have to See something - your idea, goal, vision.
Then you have to Start it.
Last, and by no means least, you need to Sustain it.
Many a good idea doesn't quite come to fruition for lack of taking one of these three steps.
But to start and keep going sometimes takes great leaps of faith...
Claire Carpenter, Founding Director
TMP's Newsflash!
We're delighted to announce news of investment support through the Scottish Government's Third Sector Enterprise Fund.
The £100K grant will be used for 'Capacity and Capability' building,
helping us towards our goal of becoming a fully self-sustaining social enterprise.
We'll announce plans for our 'Assisted Places' and Volunteer Programme later in the autumn - watch this space...
Entering a New Phase
Like the different Stages of Autumn The Melting Pot is embarking upon a new phase. With the staff restructure complete and the government funding confirmed we are steadily improving The Melting Pot office and events space and our support services for our ever increasing Community of Social Innovators.
Feeling Sociable? Why not come and join us? 
If you have any feedback / suggestions or would like to have your details amended on our database please do not hesitate to contact us
What's Happening at The Melting Pot
Building Social Capital: Invitation to our Birthday Celebrations
The Melting Pot is 2 years old! It's not all work in TMP! After 2 years, we deserve some cake and a drink! (For ‘Alcohol Aware Campaigners’, fear not, there will be your usual choice of hippie teas...)
The invitation is for anyone and everyone to join us for a wee soirée in The Melting Pot 6-9pm Thursday 1st October.
Feel free to bring a friend, a cake, some nibbles, and/or a bottle to help the party atmosphere...
Please RSVP by e-mailing
Free Bottle of Wine For Introducing a New Member
The Melting Pot is looking for new Individual and Associate Members.
They should be people working for social, economic and environmental well being, and/ or provide business services that support those working for 'More-than-profit'.
If you introduce someone who becomes a member, as a reward you’ll get a FREE bottle of Fairtrade wine; and feel the warm glow of altruistic pleasure from having helped build this dynamic and diverse community.
Open Days at The Melting Pot
Interested in a trial run? Try us out FREE at one of our open days which are held on the second Tuesday and last Thursday of each month.
Enquiries and show-arounds are welcome any day.
However if you want to try out working here not on our open days, there will be a charge for time used.
Upcoming Open Days – 8 & 24 September, 13 & 29 October
For further information e-mail or call 0131 243 2626
Happy Mondays at The Melting Pot
Our latest special offer has been going so well we have decided to extend it!
Now available till the end of 2009 hire your meeting or events room on any Monday* and receive a free round of tea, coffee and biscuits for all your delegates.
*excludes bank holidays, is subject to availability and cannot be used against pre-existing bookings or alongside any other offers.
For further information e-mail or call 0131 243 2623
Ethical Enterprise Trade Fair: Sat 21st November 09 at The Melting Pot
Are you interested in finding out the latest hot-but-ethical business ideas emerging in central Scotland?
Or are you doing ‘good business’ and wish to promote the work you do?
The Melting Pot and Firstport are working together to provide a trade-fair forum for new and start-up social enterprises and ethical businesses. For more information please
e-mail
Welcome to our Latest New Members
For more details on all of our Members please visit our website
The Melting Pot's Members' News!
New Guide to Community Land Rights
Andy Wightman, a Member of The Melting Pot, is a freelance writer, researcher and analyst specialising in land reform, land tenure and landownership and is a leading advocate of land reform in Scotland.
Andy says "The Melting Pot is an excellent example of the synergy that is possible when folk of good intent can eat, meet and work together for the common good. I like to think that in this year of Homecoming, Robert Burns would have felt at home here!"
A Guide to Community Land Rights describes the range of common land that exists in Scotland and the various techniques for discovering more about it. “The intention of the Guide is to help citizens identify, assert and restore their rights in common land - rights which too often in the past have been expropriated by powerful interests”, said Andy Wightman. For more information click
here
Picture of Potarch on the south side of the River Dee - an ancient grazing stance and an example of extant common land in Scotland.
Marine Stewardship Council - Sustainable Seafood Lunch Campaign - 30th September
Choose MSC-certified seafood on 30th September 2009 and help maintain our oceans teeming with life and safeguard seafood supplies for this and future generations. Be part of the solution to overfishing, the second biggest environmental problem of our times, just after global warming.
Choose MSC-certified sustainable seafood – and make a difference.
"Wherever you are that day make sure you buy MSC fish. Here at the Melting Pot we’ll be having a sustainable Seafood Lunch, so make sure you join us….. More info below and check out the website " Claire Pescod, Member of The Melting Pot
MSC is a market-led programme that works with partners around the globe to promote certified sustainable seafood. So why not organise a Sustainable Seafood Lunch with your friends, family or colleagues and together, we can transform the seafood sector to a sustainable basis.
Download a brief introduction leaflet to the MSC and Find retailers and restaurants selling MSC labelled
The Village Trike: Launches this Week in Edinburgh.
Member of The Melting Pot, ![]()
thevillagetrike - is a new eco-courier and delivery service that uses pedal power instead of petrol power to pass on savings to you and the planet.
Set to become something of a green landmark on the city’s streets, the eye-catching, custom-built trikes can carry all kinds of cargo, from Very Important Documents to precious PCs and sandwich platters across 28sq km of central Edinburgh.
“We are very proud to introduce a service to Edinburgh that offers local businesses the chance to cut their costs and their carbon emissions at the same time. I hope businesses view our service as an easy way to be environmentally-friendly in these economically tough times. We think that Edinburgh is exactly the type of city that will embrace this type of green business.” says Founder, Murray Mitchell
The trikes eschew petrol power for pedal power to present an innovative, cost-effective and environmentally-friendly alternative to the traditional method of couriering goods across the city via motorised vehicles. Plus their green status means they can travel in the bus lanes and park free of charge.
***Special Offer - 20% discount for Members of The Melting Pot - call Murray on 0131 620 3734***
Article 12 - Constructing The Peace Seminar- 12th September
This weekend
at The Melting Pot, Member Article 12 in Scotland, will host a one day seminar for young people, aged 18-30, focusing on recognising the negative impact that the recent war in Gaza has had on countries both within and out with the region. The mixed group will be from all faiths and no faiths, and aims to produce an “action plan”, based on mutual tolerance and understanding, of how governments, NGOs and civil society can work together for a just and fair peace agreement between Israel and Palestine. This action plan will inform the Scottish contribution to a multinational Constructing the Peace seminar (Scotland, Spain, Palestine and Israel) planned to take place in Madrid late 2009/early 2010.
SSDF Autumn Plenary - 'Copenhagen's Climate Change Choice' - 18th September
The Melting Pot will feature as one of the case studies on the practical and inspirational things that people in Scotland are doing to combat climate change at this years SSDF Autumn Plenary in Glasgow.
Chaired by Rob Edwards, this all day seminar will focus on the forthcoming United Nations Climate Change negotiations in Copenhagen and the role Scotland has to play in addressing Climate Change. For more information please contact ,Assoicate Member of The Melting Pot, SSDF via e-mail
Head, Heart and Soul - The Mankind Project - 19th-21st September
Member of The Melting Pot,
Men2Mentor are running a one-day, men’s workshop in Edinburgh on 19th, then in Aberdeen on the 20th and Paisley on the evening of 21st September. Entitled “Head, Heart & Soul – the journey from boyhood to manhood”, it’s an experiential look at how the modern male psyche develops and it offers hope for tackling the myriad of mental/emotional health problems men face today in Scotland.
***Special Offer- Contact
David and quote ref HHS-TMP for an exclusive 2-for-1 deal for Melting Pot Members & friends for the Edinburgh & Aberdeen workshops***
Volunteer Recruitment Fair: Edinburgh 1st October 09 at The Assembly Rooms
The Melting Pot will be at the Volunteer Recruitment Fair launching our TSEF-funded Volunteer Programme. Taking place on the 1st October at Edinburgh's Assembly Rooms, it is the largest of its kind in Scotland and every year attracts over 1200 members of the public all looking to become volunteers.
Also come along and sample some of the catering provided by Member of The Melting Pot, Bespoke Organic Events
For more information please select
here.
Crew 2000's recruitment for the October volunteer intake has begun!
Member of The Melting Pot, Crew 2000 have three kinds of volunteer roles available, all of which will help you to gain new skills, participate in exciting events, meet new people and do work that makes a real difference!
1. Core Volunteer- for those that fancy working in the Crew shop or doing club and pub events
2. Oasis Volunteer- for those that fancy providing online support to those experiencing problems with their cocaine and alcohol use
3. Superclub Volunteers- for those that can't make a regular commitment but fancy helping to provide information and support on drugs at big dance events.
For more information
please call Lisa on 0131 220 3404 or e-mail
Dates for The Diary
People and Movies That are Changing The World - 17th - 26th September
Some really good stuff is coming to town so check out the Political film festival in Edinburgh and Glasgow. For more details visit www.takeoneaction.org.uk or contact
Filmhouse (Edinburgh), 88 Lothian Road. Telephone 0131 228 2688 Book 3 films, get 15% off
Glasgow Film Theatre, 12 Rose Street. Telephone 0141 332 6535 Book 3 films for £16.50/£12
Deadline for Cenex - Infrastructure Grant Programme - 30th September
As part of the UK Government’s strategy to decrease carbon emissions from road transport, grants are available to encourage organisations to install refuelling or recharging stations for alternative fuels. Funding is now available for hydrogen, electric, natural gas/biogas stations and other non traditional fuels. The Department for Transport funds the Infrastructure Grant Programme.
For more information select here
Masterclass in Social Enterprise - Featuring Tim Smit, CEO, The Eden Project – 7th October (9.30 – 3.45pm in Paisley)
Tim Smit is an outstanding social entrepreneur and fantastic speaker. This Masterclass is suitable for anyone interested in social enterprise, business and community life including those working in Third Sector organisations, local authorities, chambers of commerce, public sector agencies and the private sector.
*** Special Group Discounts are available so any Members of The Melting Pot who are interested please speak to your Members Host. ***
For further details please visit the website
Understanding Social Enterprise - 14 & 15 October (10:00 – 16:00) Glasgow
Social enterprise is a new model of business that combines the best of business with clear and purposeful social aims. The Scottish Social Enterprise Academy's Understanding Social Enterprise (USE) programme will allow you to develop a broad view of the concept of social enterprise, the challenges established enterprises currently face, and what the future holds for this emerging movement. You will take part in lively discussion, experience a stimulating study visit, and take home a fantastic information pack.
Costs: £95 for third sector employees | For more information E-mail or call 0131 243 2670
Deadline for St Andrews Prize 2010 - 31st October 2009
Have you got a world-saving idea and would like to earn some cash while doing something for the environment? The 2010 St Andrews Prize for the Environment is open to entrants from anywhere in the world. The winner will receive $75,000 USD and two runners-up will each receive $25,000 USD. For more information click here
UnLtd Sport Relief MAKE IT HAPPEN Awards Scheme
UnLtd Sport Relief Awards are funded by Comic Relief and provide opportunities for young people to bring communities together, to help promote understanding and solve problems through sport, arts and recreational activities. The UK wide funding programme is for 11-21 year olds, who are prepared to go the extra mile and use their passion for sport and arts to bring respect and understanding to their communities by setting up their own projects. Click here for more info
Links
Climate Change Sponsorship With a Difference - The Launch of justsaving.org
Past member Sara MacLennan and her friend Hermione Taylor have set up JustSaving.org - a website where you can sponsor, but the sponsorship takes place through your actions. To mark the launch the girls are Cycling 3,000km from the UK to the Sahara, and have set their sponsorship target at 15,000kg of CO2. 42% of the UK carbon emissions are due to our individual actions - the choices we make every day - so check out the website and try out one of their inspiring carbon saving actions!
This is a new concept, a fresh new take on sponsorship, which is in its trial stages. It cuts out the middleman and directly gives people the information and personal motivation needed in order for us to tackle the massive global issue of climate change. By sponsoring the girls' Morocco ride test-run and making this innovative sponsorship idea a success, Hermione claims they will be able to roll it out on a larger scale upon their return, through organising public sponsored events and develop the website to be an open tool available for all.
Feed Thousands of Rescued Animals for Free
By following this link daily and clicking on the purple box you can help feed thousands of Rescued Animals for FREE!
It takes about 15 seconds and doesn't cost you a thing.
Their corporate sponsors/advertisers use the number of daily visits to donate food to abandoned/neglected animals in exchange for advertising. http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/
Our aim is to inspire and support people to realise their ideas for a better world
The Melting Pot: E-bulletin © September 2009
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