Nearly every bock house has more than one residents who'd love to fix and tidy up the yard. Classic Finnish 'Talkoot' is the perfect way to round up those neighbours!
Everyone enjoys taking part in communal work days: the courtyard becomes tidier, neighbours get to know each other, and along the way you can come up with even more things to do together. These events are also a great opportunity to meet your neighbours and strengthen the sense of community in your building.
Participation in communal work days is always voluntary.
Tips and instructions for organising a successful tidying-up event
1. Agree on arrangements in advance
Good planning is half the work done. Think in advance about the goal of the day and the amount of work involved. Make sure you have the necessary tools, a suitable time and a more detailed schedule. It’s a good idea to divide preparation tasks among responsible persons so that arrangements run smoothly.
If your building has a Residents’ Committee, it will likely have knowledge and experience in organising different kinds of events, including 'Talkoot'. You should also contact your building’s Service Manager and maintenance, for example via OmaSATO. Agree together on the tasks to be carried out and the practical arrangements. At the same time, you can discuss any equipment purchases and additional needs, such as waste collection, as well as about the safety of the work.
2. Tell your neighbours about the event
Share information about the upcoming work day well in advance, including with quieter neighbours, for example on the stairwell noticeboard. Get the most creative resident in your group involved and give them free rein to design and illustrate an inviting message.
Make use of your building’s possible Facebook group as well as everyday chats in the lift or in the yard. These moments are also perfect for building excitement about the event. A multi-channel approach works best.
If you start planning early, it’s a good idea to pace your communication so that the first message encourages neighbours to join the planning group, and the next invites them to take part in the communal work day.
It’s also worth mentioning in your message that even short participation is welcome and that there will be light and easy tasks available.
3. Prepare for the day
Arrange the necessary tools, plants, soil and other supplies in advance. Before the event, check that participants have valid insurance, or agree with your building’s Service Manager on arranging shared insurance for the day.
It’s a nice idea to provide some light refreshments, such as grilled sausages and drinks, to create a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. The promise of food might even attract people who wouldn’t otherwise have joined. Remember to consider common allergies and offer at least some nut-free, gluten-free and dairy-free options. You’ll likely make new friends among your neighbours if you also remember vegan options.
4. What if list
Unexpected things can always happen. The weather may surprise you, some equipment might be missing, participants may not show up, or one of the organisers might fall ill. Think together in advance about possible challenges and how you will handle them if they arise.
Small mishaps may happen, but when you work together, you’ll get through them together too, in good spirits!
5. Work together and take time to admire the results
On the day of the communal work, it’s a good idea to divide tasks and assign responsible persons for different activities once others beyond the planning group have joined in. When everyone knows their role, the work runs smoothly and results are achieved.
Remember to agree who will:
take out the rubbish and waste
return the tools
ensure the yard is left in a safe condition
At the end of the day, it’s nice to pause together for a moment and enjoy the results of your work. If it feels right for your group, take a moment to celebrate, thank and cheer everyone equally with a short closing speech!