This training will give you an overview of Section 3 and how it pertains to jobs and contracts for BHA residents. You will learn about various economic opportunities through BHA, how to position yourself for employment and how to hold BHA and its contractors accountable.
Learning Objectives:
- Learn what BHA’s Section 3 Policy is
- Learn the responsibilities of BHA, contractors, and local tenant organizations (LTO)
- Discuss ways to strengthen outreach
- Learn about rent freezes and working tenants
- Learn how residents can enforce Section 3
You will learn how to set and enforce ground rules, develop an agenda and evaluate your meetings. These are all tools will help you have more efficient meetings. This is the foundation for the rest of our trainings.
Learning Objectives:
- Review the principles of ground rules
- Learn how to enforce ground rules at meetings
- Discuss the principles of brainstorming
- Learn how to create and distribute an agenda
Running Good Meetings
Running a good meeting is a challenge for everyone. This training will give you the tools to hold meetings so that people can constructively share ideas, make clear decisions, and work together to advocate for what your development needs.
Learning Objectives:
- Learn strategies for facilitating meetings effectively
- Learn the steps for passing motions
- Discuss the principles of active listening and how to use listening as a tool
Getting and Staying Recognized
A huge payoff to your group getting recognized is that you have a right to receive tenant participation funding from the Boston Housing Authority. This training will review how your local tenant organization can get and stay recognized and how to obtain funding for tenant participation. It also includes a great overview of the Boston Housing Authority’s tenant participation policy.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand all BHA requirements for becoming a recognized tenant organization and staying in compliance
Knowing Tenant Participation Regulations and BHA Structure
Tenants in public housing have a legal right to participate in decisions that impact your housing. This training will review state and federal tenant participation regulations. It will also introduce you to the Boston Housing Authority’s structure so that you know who does what and who to contact when there is a problem.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify your rights to participate in the management of your development
- Examine federal and state regulations governing tenant participation as well as the BHA Tenant Participation Policy
- Learn how to assert your rights to participate
- Understand the organizational structure of the Boston Housing Authority and how to contact BHA Staff
Developing Communications with Residents and BHA
Having good communication systems in place is vital for residents to be effective within your LTO or between your LTO and BHA. Make sure your group has good communications with BHA and improve communications between your group and the residents you represent. This training will give you information about your rights to meet with BHA.
Learning Objectives:
- Evaluate your LTO Board’s current communications activities
- Share ideas on ways to improve communications with residents and BHA
Outreach in Your Development
As a leader in your development, your ability to reach out to resident and let them know what is going on and get their input is critical. This training will help you think strategically about outreach in your development so that you can make your community strong from within.
Learning Objectives:
- Learn how to develop an effective outreach plan
Develop and practice an outreach pitch - Learn about outreach strategies that have been successful in other developments
Setting Priorities & Creating a Welcome Process
Having a clear focus and building a sense of community in your development takes time. This training will give your local tenant organization a great tool for setting priorities. It will also present the community building strategy of creating a Welcome Packet. Welcome Packets are a way to introduce new residents into the community, help them settle in, and, at the same time, you can let them know what the tenant organization is doing for the community.
Financial Obligations of Treasurers and Directors
If your tenant organization has funds, make sure you have good accounting systems. This training will show you effective ways of keeping financial records and also provide you with sample forms.
Learning Objectives:
- Learn how to keep good financial records
- Understand BHA financial reporting requirements
- Learn how to accurately fill out all BHA finance forms
Resolving Disputes
Disagreements are inevitable in any democratic organization. This training will show your tenant organization different strategies to handle disagreements so that the work of the organization can move forward.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify conflict management styles and learn when to use them
- Identify behaviors that escalate conflict
- Learn strategies to deescalate and resolve conflict
Having a sound and well-informed election committee is crucial when your development needs a tenant organization election. This training teaches Election Committee members how to run fair and inclusive elections that remain in compliance with BHA regulations.
Learning Objectives:
- Review BHA’s Election Committee Materials
- Learn about important nomination deadlines
- Discuss ways to conduct effective outreach
- Learn how to organize and run a candidates’ night
Boston Resident Training Institute 