BECC Outreach. What do we do? II

I mentioned in an earlier post that the BECC had put out a call to charities for applications for funding. I'm happy to say that this year the volume an quality of applications rose considerably. After much discussion the BECC has offered suppor to the following good causes in 2010:

• Estonian Cystic Fibrosis Society, to support the purchase of a massage vest
• Tallinn University of Technology, for 2-3 stipends in the feild of business
• Estonian Cricket Association, for a schools training programme
• House of Good News Brotherhood, for a new chimney (should funds become available)

All of the names above speak for themselves except for the last one which is a lot less sinister than it might sound. The Brotherhood is in fact a hostel in Pärnumaa for men with addiction problems.

I mentioned before that a few years ago the BECC helped build accommodation in Hope house, Kopli for men seeking to reintergrate themsleves into mainstream society. I was glad to hear that a BECC member company, PerCapita is now working with this charity and is looking for 10 sets of clothes (suit, tie, shirt, shoes) for the men to wear to job interviews. If you have a set of clothes to donate please contact Martin and Erge Dungay at: info@percapita.ee

What we actually do? III The Foreign Investors Council

The Foreign Investors Council of Estonia – or FICE (pronouced Nietzsche) is, as far as I can tell, an attempt to represent the interests of the community of inward investment by bringing together 8 foreign chambers and lobbying on their behalf. Whilst I have to confess I don’t like the name (why do we have to be ‘Foreign’?) I quite like the idea of the organisation for a couple of reasons. First of all, it seems logical to sing from the same song book where possible and secondly it means that I, myself, can avoid at least to some extent, the whole grubby business of currying favour - and politics in general. FICE’s efforts have met with some success this year with a few high-level formal encounters, which have gone well, and some impressive column inches.

Monthly mingle at Olde Hansa

I really have to hand it to Agnes and Petriina for organising such a fantastic opportunity to sample the new dinner show at Olde Hansa. 60 Brits and the Swedes came together last night, drank and ate to their hearts content whilst trying, with increasing difficulty, to follow the plot of the 5-act play that was put on between courses.

Guy Fawkes Night

Like so many dates on the cultural calendar it seems that Guy Fawkes night has somehow lost its meaning for many. What should be a grisly celebration of the foiling of a notorious terrorist attempt at regime has somehow turned into an excuse for cake and fireworks. Oh well. The evening went well with a really good firework display and we burned a suiltably shifty-looking effigy provided by the kids at the International Elemantary School of Estonia. Thanks also go to A le Coq for drinks and the event’s main sponsor, IBE Estonia – especially Vimpka, a friendly green giant who lives in Uuesalu.