The Melting Pot E-Bulletin Winter 2009
Key Concept - To make change, you have to A.C.T.
Awareness, Choices, Trust - these are the key concepts and stages used in coaching models for change.
Behavioural and psychological sciences recognise that it's our emotions/feelings that create our behaviours which create our actions and thus shape and make our lives. So that first step - awareness - of our thoughts - is critical on the path of change, be that on a personal, organisational or social level. Once you've become aware then it's only you who can make a choice to think and thus act differently.
The Melting Pot is all about creating social change through supporting individual social innovators to realise their ideas for a better world. Through these occasional e-bulletins we share positive stories and information that raises your awareness, gives you opportunities to act, and we hope develops trust that it's not all doom and gloom out there!
Claire Carpenter, Founding Director
Understanding Social Capital: Relationships not money make the world go round
Research shows our individual and collective feelings of wellbeing have little to do with how much money we have. The UK has seen relative disposable income increase by 50% since WW2, but our levels of happiness have not increased since then. Wellbeing is directly proportionate to the number of good relationships we have, and how we value and perceive ourselves because of them.
We'd like to thank all of you who came to celebrate our 2nd birthday party last month. What a buzz in the room... If you missed out on this opportunity to schmooze, then come to our Green Christmas on 17th December and ensure your social capital quota is topped up for the year!
Picture is of Pete our Milkman winning our 'No Prize Raffle' where all the money raised was donated to a charity of his choice, our very own New Caledonian Woodlands.
TMP's Newsflash!
Launch of our Assisted Places Scheme
Are you setting up a social change organisation but presently have little or no funding support and need space to work from? Our new Assisted Places scheme will be launched at our Ethical Enterprise Fair on 21st November (see below) and information will then be available from our website. Successful applicants will receive six months' free membership (25 or 50 hours pcm), giving access to our shared workspace and resources, diverse community, capacity building events, meeting room and informal meeting space. The scheme is supported by the Scottish Government's Third Sector Enterprise Fund.
Public Events at The Melting Pot
National Ethical Investment Week: Tuesday 10th November 2.30-4.30pm
A panel of experts with a range of experience in the sector, financial planning, banking deposits,
fund management research will answer questions for the public on a range of ethical investment issues. Experts – Julian Parrott – Ethical Futures, Ryan Smith - AEGON & David Cousland - Triodos Bank Event is open to the public, spaces limited so
email to reserve a place or turn up on the day. For more information please visit
NEIW Website
UKPHA Scotland AGM/ on the Sustainability and Public Health Case Study Work: Thursday 19th November 17.00-18.30
TMP Member Chris Pilley has been carrying out interesting work for UKPHA Scotland by developing Case Studies on Sustainability and Public Health. The meeting will begin at 17.00 with a short agenda of AGM business followed by a presentation given by Chris Pilley outlining this sustainability work.
This is an opportunity to explore the excellent work in this area that is happening in Scotland and to share ideas about how the sustainability agenda can be developed in our own areas.
Food and refreshments will be provided. To book please contact
Kevin McClure (Chair UKPHA Scotland)
Ethical Enterprise Fair: Saturday 21st November 10.30am-4pm at The Melting Pot
TWO FREE events for the price of one! Browse around stalls selling ethical products - from chocolate to soaps, apple trees to Christmas trees, calendars, cards, clothing, jewellery, organic foods and much more! Join a short workshop on ‘Introduction to Social Enterprise’ to find out more about setting up your own business which benefits people and planet.
We've also lined up a panel of experienced and approachable ethical entrepreneurs and business advisors who'll be available for one-to-one advice sessions to help you take your idea to the next stage:
email us to book a 30 minute slot. The Ethical Enterprise Fair is organised by
Firstport and The Melting Pot.
Healthy Eating and Complementary Therapies: Wed 2nd December 10am-3pm
Breast Cancer Care bring people together, provide information and support, and campaign for improved standards of care
for anyone affected by breast cancer.
This free informal session presents a range of specialist speakers covering:
• Eating a healthy balanced diet
• Tips for weight management
• Types of complementary therapies available
• Complementary therapy taster sessions.
The session is open to anyone who has had a diagnosis of breast cancer, along with any interested family or friends. Spaces are limited and must be booked ahead. To reserve a place please contact us on 0141 353 8330 or
email
Inspirational People, Innovative Ideas: Wednesday 9th December 6.30pm-8.30pm
Eva Schonveld is an instrumental catalyst in Scotland’s social change and sustainability movement.
Eva was recognised earlier this year in the top 50 ‘Green List’ for her work supporting the Transition Towns movement in Scotland. She is the Founder of Transition Scotland Support - a support organisation that inspires, connects, mobilises and supports community level Transition Groups across Scotland’s rural and urban populations; helping them to plan and prepare for a low-carbon economy. Join us to hear her story of turning an idea into reality..
Please come along for an enjoyable evening of learning, networking and a free glass of wine on arrival.
For more information please contact The Melting Pot on 0131 2432626 or book online at
The Ultimate Personal Development Course: Tuesday 15th December 9am - 1pm
When did you last take time out in your life just to think about you? You may be very happy in some areas of your life but not in others e.g. you may wish to:
· Improve your job prospects
· attract the right partner
· be better off financially
Mind Vision is holding a half-day session which will provide you with a number of personal insights: your belief systems, who you are and where you are today both professionally and personally. Through their extensive experience they will help you discover what is holding you back in life – your perceived barriers and how to overcome them to bring real lasting change. To book contact Gerry on 01324 720520 or via
e-mail
Up-Coming Open Days: 10th & 26th November and 8th December
Interested to know what it’s like to work at The Melting Pot? Try us out FREE at one of our open days which are held on the second Tuesday and last Thursday of each month. Come in anytime 9am – 9pm. For further information
e-mail or call 0131 243 2626
Green Christmas at The Melting Pot: Thursday 17th December 2009, 6-10pm
Come join The Melting Pot staff and members for a fun and friendly Green Christmas Party!
Bring your partners, friends, family, colleagues; bring a bottle; bring good cheer, make a new connection and strengthen old ones...
Secret Santa - bring a pressie for £5 or less from a local charity shop.
RSVP to the
Members Host
Or why not host your own private Office Party here?
December Dates still available. Christmas Buffet Menu available on request.
Friday 18th December join Bring a Party to a Party: 6-10pm
Is your office too small to party? On Friday 18th December we will be opening our doors to hold a low-carbon, no tinsel, no hassle Christmas party night with a difference. Hire a single space or a whole table (or more) on the night and enjoy our delicious Christmas buffet with a room of like-minded people. Feel free to bring your own music, network with other tables or simply catch up with your colleagues in a friendly, relaxed setting without all the Christmas excess.
E-mail our Events Host for more detail or call 0131 243 2623
Welcome to our Latest New Members
For more details on all of our Members please visit our website
This Month's Members' Spotlight Story
Specialising in the development of clean energy enterprises, Charles Henderson, founder and Managing Director of Climate Futures joined The Melting Pot in May this year. He is a passionate climate change activist, with over ten years' experience in developing positive and practical approaches to tackling environmental challenges.
"Rarely does good enterprise occur in isolation. The Melting Pot recognises this and strives tirelessly to encourage connections and group working. Communities in their wider sense are the best way for us all to flourish in the face of social and environmental challenges" Charlie. As a result of joining The Melting Pot and making connections, Climate Futures 
secured a development role with the Moray Bio Energy Centre, a woodfuel social enterprise. Over the past three months, they have been working closely with the community providing local people with the expertise, equipment and resources to switch to woodfuel. Almost half of all the UK's CO2 emissions arise from the use of heat for space and water heating, industrial process heating and industrial drying. A tenfold increase in renewable heat is needed in the UK by 2020 to meet European renewable energy targets.
The Melting Pot's Members' News!
Members' Case Studies
To celebrate The Melting Pot’s 2nd birthday in October 2009 we interviewed a few of our members. We asked them what brought them here, how they use the space and what it does for them. The 6 following case studies are an introduction to the diverse and interesting people who work here and to the benefits – both expected and unexpected – that membership can bring. Download a pdf to find out more about some of the people who work here and why they do so.
Dates for The Diary
Opportunities to Change The World
Want a great day out whilst highlighting your support for the significant issues of our time? On the 7th-8th November, G20 Finance Ministers will reconvene in St Andrews, Scotland. On Saturday 7 November Put People First Alternative G20 conferences will be held in London and St Andrews. Then from 7-18 December the UN will hold international climate change negotiations in Copenhagen, Denmark. On Saturday 5 December the Wave will see the UK's biggest ever demonstration in support of action on climate change in London.
Second Annual Scottish Fair Trade Campaign Day - Saturday 14 November 2009
Hosted by Edinburgh's first Fairtrade secondary school, St Thomas of Aquin's, pop along and find out how you can help make 2010 the Final Push as Scotland works to become one of the world's first Fair Trade Nations. Enjoy Fair Trade Christmas shopping and a range of workshops.
Ceilidh Collective Dates: November 2009 - March 2010
The Ceilidh Collective is an amazing voluntary organisation run by TMP member Bespoke Organic Events. Every month they help small local charities raise funds by hosting fantastic ceilidhs in Edinburgh. Check out their website for more information on the up-coming Peace, Autumn, Winter or Valentine Ceilidhs including the Refugee Ceilidh on Saturday 6th March 2010 which will be supporting Refugee Survival Trust – another TMP Member.
Resources and Support
Firstport: 5k for New Start Environmental Enterprises
Firstport have launched a competition with a £5k prize for entrepreneurs looking to set up social enterprises that will have a positive and lasting effect on the environment. If that sounds like you or someone you know then please follow this link.
Free Business and Board Support
Two new programmes providing access to business skills to help develop your organisation and its financial sustainability. You can access free, confidential mentoring support from experienced mentors through the
Realise Mentoring programme. The
Business on Board programme can put you in touch with experienced business people interested in joining your Board. For more information telephone Shamin Akhtar or Jackie Petitqueux on 0131 556 3882 or
e-mail.
Join the Grants Committee or Assessors of The Scottish Community Foundation
Want to sit on the other side of the funding fence? SCF is looking to recruit volunteer grants assessors to support its grant-making activities and for new recruits to its Grants Committee. Volunteers can work from home, with expenses reimbursed. Applications for both vacancies are requested by 13 November. More details are on the Foundation’s
website
NIDOS Workshops - December 2009 - February 2010.
1. Major Donor Fundraising on the 8th December 09 (full day / intermediate)
2. Good Practice in Governance for Trustees/Senior Staff (with OSCR) (full day) on 21st January 2010
3. Don't know your Skype from your Twitter? A hands-on course to try out a range of new media you have always meant to use but never got round to. 3rd February 2010
All the details for all workshops are on the NIDOS website
Going Green This Christmas 
Commercialization turned Santa Red back in the 1930's so we say it's time for Santa to squeeze back into his original green suit and promote our Top 5 Eco-Tips on how to make this a Green Christmas by learning how to save you money and reduce your carbon footprint!
1. Switch off your lights - Save money on your electricity bills and lighten your carbon footprint by remembering to switch off your Christmas tree lights or even better switch to energy saving light bulbs.
2. Make your own Christmas Cards - Save the trees and send re-cycled Christmas cards. Save your money and make your own. Save someone else and buy your cards from a charity. Save your time and send an e-card or text. Save the waste and recycle them after Christmas.
3. Deck the halls with real holly - Don't waste your money on artificial tinsel and decorations that won't biodegrade. Nature has the wonderful ability to rejuvenate so why not use some holly, pine cones, seasonal berries, ivy or evergreen branches and you can always compost them after Christmas. Or have some fun and bake some dough decorations, gingerbread men, make popcorn strings or pierce small oranges with cinnamon cloves and tie them up with a tartan ribbon?
4. Christmas trees - Despite what others may say real trees are the more eco friendly choice, as they are carbon neutral, absorbing as much carbon dioxide as they grow as they will emit when burnt or left to decompose. They are also a wildlife habitat and a naturally renewable resource, and generally feel much nicer in your home. Plus if you choose a tree with roots it can be replanted and used again. If not then use your local council's Christmas tree recycling scheme.
5. Presents - Give a charitable or environmentally friendly gift - perfect for the person who has everything. Sponsor a panda through WWF, support aid in Africa by buying a llama through Oxfam or buy a membership to a local charity or environmental organisation for Christmas. Then after Christmas, don't just shove granny's unwanted gift in the cupboard! Donate it to your local charity shop or hospital.
Christmas shopping tips - Avoid unnecessary packaging, buy materials which can be easily recycled, think ahead and stock up on milk from the milkman, use large juice bottles rather than lots of cans, use a reusable shopping bag (another good present idea), wash the dishes rather than using paper plates and plastic cups. Support your local charity shops by buying your presents from them or their catalogues.
Most importantly it is the thought that counts - so don't buy for the sake of spending!
From everyone at The Melting Pot Have a Happy Green Christmas
and why not make it a Green New Year too!
Our aim is to inspire and support people to realise their ideas for a better world
The Melting Pot: E-bulletin © November 2009
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