What? Where? When?
Tenant Committee represents the residents of KOAS Keltinmäki. Its purpose, as provided by law, is to give the tenants their say in how their housing site is managed. However, the goal is also to get neighbours to talk and know each other and to increase a sense of community between residents. The executive members of tenant committee are elected yearly at the general assembly of residents. Their tasks include:
- serving as a link between the residents and KOAS
- making proposals and statements to KOAS
- supervising the condition and maintenance of the buildings
- participating in the planning of renovations and budgets.
In addition, with the allowance KOAS gives them, they
- organize yard raking bees, parties and other recreational events
- upkeep a small gym room
- buy useful items for all residents' collective use.
In example, Keltti's residents can loan board games, sewing machines or a toolbox from committee members.
Tenant Committee meets, during semesters, approximately once a month at the common room of the building D. The notices of meetings are posted on house noticeboards and on Keltti's home website some days before. All residents can freely come to listen, give their opinions on the matters on the agenda, propose improvements to the site and report any faults on the premises.
Does something about the recidence bug you? Do you have a killer idea that Tenant Committee can realise and from which all residents will benefit? Come and get involved in making your living environment more pleasant! You can join in the action also in the middle of the year.
Give feedback, proposals and ideas or ask more:
keltinmaki(at)asukastoimikunnat.koas.fi.
Keep in mind that the committee cannot know about the need for improvement in your block unless there is a resident member there or someone tells them about it!
AsuVa – the bigger picture of residental democracy
One person from every KOAS tenant council is elected to KOAS AsuVa: the Cooperation Delegation of Tenant Committees. This group of 21 people represents all KOAS residents
- decides on common principles of living at KOAS (i.e. house rules)
- trains the executive members of tenant councils to their duties
- helps new tenant councils with their tasks
- organises events for all KOAS residents
Organised activities cover equally sports, culture, amusement and practical. They either have a token attendance fee or are completely free of charge. According to ongoing traditions, each year include
- free weekly floorball turn during semesters and soccer turn in the summer
- trip to IKEA in the early autumn and
- daytrip to an amusement park in the summer
In addition AsuVa organises several smaller, varied events and benefits throughout the year, from guided introductions to clay pigeon shooting to dirt-cheap tickets to summer theater performances.
All members of active tenant committees are rewarded with an early Midsummer party, which AsuVa gives before the real deal. Another chance to see what AsuVa does is the December meeting / Christmas party to which all AsuVa reps can bring an avec from their tenant council.
AsuVa also participates in foundation administration. AsuVa elects and appoints two representatives and one observer to the board of KOAS, and two reps with deputies to the foundation commission. These administrative bodies make the resolutions on, among other things, the rent increase percent and construction of new housing blocks. Tenant reps have equal power with the representatives appointed by the City of Jyväskylä, the Student Union of the University of Jyväskylä (JYY) and the Student Union of JAMK Jyväskylä University of Applied Sciences (JAMKO).
In addition to foundation administration, AsuVa participates in national matters concerning student housing by appointing three representatives to the Consultative Committee of Student Tenants in Finland (SOANK). SOANK gathers two to four times a year in some of the cities where student housing foundations operate. KOAS last hosted a meeting in April 2011. SOANK is a golden opportunity to contact students living elswhere in Finland, to exchange experiences and ideas and to promote good practices.
More information: http://asukastoimikunnat.koas.fi
