Forming a TARA
Tenants and Residents Associations (TARAs) and tenants
clubs are very
similar in what they set out to do. The main difference
between the two is the chosen level of participation or involvement
and the support levels from St Leger Homes. Both types
of organisation play an important role within the
community.
Typically, members of TARAs are actively involved in working
formally with St Leger Homes and other agencies towards the
provision of an effective and improving housing service both
locally and across the Borough. Many associations engage with the
local community and have an active social life organising bingo,
raffles, day trips and coffee mornings which help raise money
for the association coffers and bring the community
together.
Tenants Clubs link with St Leger Homes on a more informal and
local basis; the primary aim of the club may be to organise social
events, a secondary aim may be to discuss issues that directly
affect the club's neighbourhood.
Both types of group are affiliated to the Doncaster Federation of Tenants and Residents
Associations, but only members of TARAs can be elected to the
Standing Joint Committee (SJC).
If you would like to talk to someone about setting up a TARA or
Tenant Club you should contact St
Leger Homes' Community Liaison Team. A member of
the team will be able to advise on:
- Gathering local support
- Setting Association Boundaries
- arranging and publicsing meetings
- Linking to other service providers
- Linking with local councillors
- Linking with other associations and the Doncaster Federation of
Tenants and Residents Associations
- Accessing a support grant and external funding
- Booking a meeting place
- Running a Committee
- Training for members
Setting up your Club or Association
The process of setting up an association or club, although
formal, is relatively simple. Once you have gathered local
support and decided on the boundaries of your proposed association
or club you will need to contact everyone in the area, including
your local councillors and invite them to a meeting. Meetings can
be held anywhere that is local such as a school or community
centre, St Leger Homes will pay for hire of the premises.
The outcome of the meeting, which will be managed by a member of
the Community Liaison Team, will identify local issues and the
level of local interest for setting up an association or club.
A second meeting will be held approximately two weeks later, a
member of the Community Liaison Team will also manage this
meeting. This meeting will elect a committee and agree a
constitution - for the association to be affiliated to the
SJC the committee membership and association constitution must be
formally agreed. Dependant on the level of local interest the
meeting will result in the formation of either a TARA or Tenants
Club.
A third or inaugural, meeting is held - usually one month after
the first meeting. The elected committee manages this meeting
and any subsequent meetings held on a monthly basis. St Leger
Homes generally meets the costs of room hire.
If your community chooses to form a TARA, St Leger Homes will
award the association with a start up grant of £100 and an annual
grant of £100. Tenants Clubs receive a start up grant of £50,
there is no annual grant for Tenant Clubs.
For further advice and information please contact your
Community Liaison Team on 01302 862287/
862292 or email: community.liaison@stlegerhomes.co.uk
You may also download our information booklet below:-
Information Leaflet -
Setting up a TARA