Dear members and friends,
This is quite a posh hotel but I was wakened this morning at 5 am by returning revellers. The slam of a door pitched me from deep sleep to the panic of a strange room – that sudden dread of death that can swoop out of the dark. I rise at first light, cold and nervy – dirty grey sky – the `Poniente` blowing hard and wet from the Atlantic – the swimming pool littered with vegetation. At breakfast, the man in front of me helps himself to the four remaining fried eggs – I indicate that I’d like one but he smiles triumphantly – feel like punching him. This incident upsets me – his greed – my violence – brutish. Return to my room in a dark mood.
Marisa beach restaurant. 3pm. Windy sunshine. Much calmer now. With passing years I`m learning to be more selective what I allow through the window of my senses. Don’t watch the news anymore – too negative – papers only at weekends. Films must convey beauty and hope – horror, bitterness, violence, desperation etc – all outlawed. I`m also clearer what enriches my life; a few close friends – creative work – being close to wild nature, especially moving water. I love good books – good food – and looking into the eyes of young children calms my spirit. This afternoon I`m ticking lots of boxes. The food here is always great; I’ve befriended a Spanish toddler who visits my table; and I`m reading Julian Barnes` beautiful meditation on death. Oh happy days!
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Those who live or work in Scotland’s poorer areas know that our banks turned their backs on these communities – and in so doing, weakened the local economy and morale. Banks need to be part of the communities they serve and as our Govt comes to define a replacement banking system; the inclusion of all citizens should be the first principle. The proposed People’s Bank, using the Post Office branch network to deliver financial services, could benefit from the experience and reach of credit unions and other local financial agencies – ”the sleeping architecture of the new economy”. But is there real desire for change – or do our political leaders just want to get back, as soon as possible, to the way things were? The New Economics Foundation (NEF) has published proposals for a more socially responsible financial system. http://www.senscot.net/view_news.php?viewid=7937
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Scotland’s Information Commissioner – Kevin Dunion – has complained in the Herald that he doesn’t get enough queries from our independent third sector – given that it’s part of our role to keep the state honest. I agree with him – perhaps state funding is eroding our vigilance. Senscot is resolved to ask more awkward questions. http://www.senscot.net/view_news.php?viewid=7949
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Colin attended the Community Recycling Network Scotland Conference and Awards in Perth this week. This was their fourth and biggest Conference to date with over 200 people from around the country attending. Main award ,this year, for Member of the Year went to Golspie Recycling and Environmental Action Network (GREAN). See link for details and other awards, http://www.senscot.net/view_news.php?viewid=7936
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Last month, Social Enterprise Magazine in partnership with the Royal Bank of Scotland launched the RBS Se100 Index which charts the growth and impact of social enterprises with the intention of forging a better understanding, both within the sector and amongst the wider public, of the contribution made by social enterprises in the UK. Each month, the top five in a new market will be identified with the top 100 being published in March 2010. Scotland’s well represented this month with Bookdonors standing at number two on the list. If you fancy registering, see details http://www.senscot.net/view_news.php?viewid=7938
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At the recent festival of Middle Eastern Spirituality in Edinburgh, I attended the talk by John Rogers on Alternative Economics. I enjoyed it so much that I asked him for an electronic version for our readers. This is someone who is not only a thinker but also `walks the walk`. https://senscot.net/?viewid=7945
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NOTICES: We can’t flag all notices here, but submit jobs and events and we’ll post them on our site. See http://www.senscot.net/jobsevents.php. This week:
JOBS: incl. posts with Blake Stevenson Ltd, Edinburgh Cyrenians, Ayrshire Initiatives, Theatre Ecole, Central Scotland Forest Trust, Neilston Development Trust, The Ecology Centre, Recap, Triodos Bank
EVENTS: Alternative Finance for Community Assets, DTA Scotland, 19 Mar; Social Enterprises invited into the Dragon’s Den, Fife Council, 18 Mar; Social Enterprise Mark: Discussion Forum, Senscot, 18 Mar; Fintry Renewable Energy Show, Fintry Development Trust, 8 and 9 May
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NETWORKS 1st News: Senscot is the Scottish partner for the national roll out of the Social Enterprise Mark, developed by RISE in the South West of England. We are hosting a `discussion forum` to see if there is an appetite for the SEM in Scotland. https://senscot.net/view_event.php?viewid=7911 Places are still available, so if you’d like to come along, e-mail karina@senscot.net For more Networks News, see http://www.senscot.net/networks1st/showart.php?articleid=78
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The Melting Pot in Edinburgh is launching a new series of public events this year. First event sees Mel Young talking about his experiences in co-founding The Big Issue Scotland and creating the Homeless World Cup. See more, http://www.themeltingpotedinburgh.org.uk/whatson/tabid/128/default.aspx
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CEiS are co-ordinating two international Study Visits over the next twelve months. The first is to the Social Enterprise World Forum, in Australia in October, 2009. The second is to San Francisco & Vancouver in April 2010. If you fancy going, get in quick as selection process takes place at end of March 08. Bursaries are available. See details, http://www.senscot.net/view_event.php?viewid=7950
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Next Tuesday, Holyrood Conferences host an event at the Roxburgh Hotel in Edinburgh on the theme `Creating a sustainable Third Sector: Opportunities and Challenges`. Keynote speaker is John Swinney. Over the past year, Scottish Govt`s thinking on the Third Sector does not seem to have developed. Let’s hope he has something new to say next week. See details, http://www.senscot.net/view_event.php?viewid=7946
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Firstport has appointed Karen McGregor as their new Fund Manager. Karen joins Firstport after seven years with the Big Lottery and will oversee their awards programme which includes both the new Social Entrepreneur Fund and Scotland unLtd awards. Both programmes are currently open for applications. For more, see http://www.senscot.net/view_news.php?viewid=7944
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This week’s bulletin profiles a social enterprise owned by the people of Islay and Jura – the Mactaggart Leisure Centre. The Centre, operated by Islay and Jura Community Enterprises Ltd., is now celebrating its 18th Anniversary and, since opening, has achieved many milestones including the construction of a multi-purpose meeting & activity room, Fitness Suite and Tancab area. It has also been successful in winning four nationally recognised awards. For more, see http://www.senscot.net/view_prof.php?viewid=7934
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See recently updated profile on WASPs Artist Studios, http://www.senscot.net/view_prof.php?viewid=1705
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From Julian Barnes` refreshing and unpretentious memoir, ‘Nothing to be Frightened of’ – ”Montaigne believed that, since we cannot defeat death, the best form of counter attack is to have it constantly in mind. To anticipate death in this way is to release yourself from its servitude: further, if you can teach someone how to die, then you can teach them how to live. Such constant death–awareness does not make Montaigne melancholy; rather, it renders him prone to fanciful dreaming, to reverie. He hopes that death, his companion, his familiar, will make its final house-call when he is in the middle of doing something ordinary – like planting his cabbages.”
That’s all for this week. Good luck with your adventures
Best wishes,
Laurence
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