cafe rsa

Cafe RSA has its roots in the coffee houses of C18 London when the great and the good drank coffee and plenty of other, more potent drink while discussing political and social matters - the chattering classes of the time. In a smaller world of the time, these discourses were sometimes influential on the crown and government.

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In 2004 the RSA and Starbucks set up the Coffee House Challenge, using the ubiquitous coffee shops as the venues for informal discussions about projects that could influence change in the community.

An offshoot is Cafe RSA, an informal time to gather and have a good argument.

Sleaford's Cafe RSA is based around the RSA's Manifesto Challenges (see opposite).

More information from hub@leisureconnection.co.uk.

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Sleaford Town Council, working alongside North Kesteven District Council and Lincolnshire County Council, has civic responsibility for many parts of the town's infrastructure. More information at http://www.sleaford.gov.uk/

Cafe RSA events are open to all. They are a way to share opinion about nationally and internationally important matters that impact on the local community

There's no obligation to speak but all contributions are welcome. Each meeting will yield a recommendation, an idea about furthering local community aims.

The format is simple, for a guest presenter to speak about the subject in an informal way, then to act as an expert, supporting speakers in their arguments.

Tea and coffee will be served at each event.

Cafe RSA has been organised by Sleaford Town Council and the Hub with the support of other agencies. There is the intention to build a long term programme of local debate.

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2007 events

Tues 25 Sept, 4-6pm | cafe bar | free
Moving towards a Zero-Waste Society
In the Hub's cafe bar, the guest presenter was David Webb, North Kesteven District Council's Sustainability Officer (NKDC is a national leader in recycling waste).

The seminar yielded the recommendation that Sleaford should look more closely at the wasteful use of packaging. This has now been formalised as 'A Bag for Sleaford's Future', a rounded policy to support local retailers in building an even better offer for local people and visitors and encouraging fewer journeys to other retail centres. The Bag will be on sale in 2008, accompanied by a range of other packaging goods.

Download the report:

See the recommendation in action:

Tues 16 Oct, 10-12 | Our Lady of Good Counsel Roman Catholic Church, Jermyn Street | free
Developing a capable population
Developing a capable population - a community debate with guest presenter Leslie James, Head of Education at the RSA. Note the change of venue from the Source.

Amongst many projects Leslie has bee

n the driving force behind Opening Minds, a curriculum design project that concentrates on pupils' learning skills and the RSA Academy, a new city academy in the West Midlands.

The seminar yielded the recommendation that local schools and the community need to be better connected. More information soon.

Download the report:

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2008 events

Tues 19 Feb 10-12 | The Source | free
Cafe RSA: Encouraging Enterprise
It's a curiosity, in a country that is amongst the richest in the world we have an ambivalence towards enterprise. Programmes such as Dragons Den and The Apprentice have helped in some ways by fostering entrepreneurial behaviour but have in turn, skewed the idea of leadership towards a self centred and grabbing model of how leaders could and should be. Enterprise lives in every corner of our society and is characterised in many ways but works when in service of its community, whether a large factory or a NHS ward.

Our guest presenter is Ursula Lidbetter, the Chief Officer of the Lincolnshire Cooperative, a community oriented manager with strong ideas about enterprise

Tues 4 March 10-12 | The Hub | free
Cafe RSA: Developing Resilient Communities
More information soon

Tuesday 25 March | The Hub | free
Cafe RSA: Advancing Global Citizenship
We belong, in one way or another, to a global society, Directly or indirectly our relationship within the family or outside, are connected to other societies, races and cultures. Our TV is increasingly a global window, developing from a UK/USA centred world to one that embraces many cultures. What is the impact on Sleaford and district?

Terry Watts, the District Chair of the Rotary Foundation, a charity that gives more than $55 million each year to educational and humanitarian programmes which promote international understanding, is our guest presenter and expert witness.

events

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Hub National Centre for Craft & Design, Sleaford, Lincolnshire
Open nearly every day of the year.