Organizational Activity 1

Learning objectives

After having completed this course, the student will be able to

- describe the basics of the action of student bodies and associations in the operational environment of a university of applied sciences
- recognize the political and operational responsibilities of their position of trust, and they know the stakeholder groups and targets of influencing relevant to their own operation
- comply to the jointly agreed on regulations to reach the targets
- communicate and perform fluently, and lead their own activities.

This course is primarily targeted at the executive board of the student union, representative council, students holding positions of trust in student associations and student representatives in administrative organs. The course provides a student with capabilities to work in the organizational sector and prepares them for an active, informed and critical citizenship.

The course can be completed by being active for one term of office (ie a year) in some Haaga-Helia student association or representative council. Activity in a student association or representative council can be, for example:

In Helga

- participation in the activities of Student Union HELGA, SAMOK (National Union of Students in Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences) or Student Sports Federation (OLL, Opiskelijoiden Liikuntaliitto)

- attending the meetings of Haaga-Helia working committees

- participation in the activities of HELGA’s teams

- cooperation between the members of international system of organizations

Activities in student associations

- Attending training sessions of student associations

- Attending the meetings of the executive board of the student association

- Carrying out the activities of the student associations

- the operations of Suomen Opiskelijakuntien Liitto – SAMOK ry, (National Union of Students in Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences),

Student representative activities

- Attending the meetings of the representative council of the student association

- Other activities of the representative council

Lähtötaso ja sidonnaisuudet muihin opintojaksoihin

No prior studies required. The course is part of complementary professional competencies.

Implementation methods, demonstration and Work&Study

Training arranged by Helga and a learning diary (reporting).

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

When the implementation type of the course is CONTACT, ONLINE or BLENDED it is required that the student is present during those teaching hours that are marked in the study schedule. If you are absent more than 25 %, your grade will be lowered by one. If you are absent more than 50 %, the course is failed.

The course will be assessed Pass/Fail.

Helga will grant the credits based on the reflexive report submitted by the student.

Further information

You can apply to complete the Organizational Activities 1, 2 and 3 courses by applying to
become a trustee of a student association, student union or student organization. Each
organization has its own application process, which usually starts in the fall semester
around October-December. Associations inform about their recruitments via their own
communication channels. Traditionally, positions such as board member, vice-chairperson or
chairperson are applied for by using an application form and participating in general
meetings and elections. The positions usually last one calendar year.

When you have been selected for a specific position in the organization and you have
worked actively in that position, at the end of the term you can apply for credits from the
Organizational Activities 1, 2 and 3 courses. You can get a maximum of 15 credits. There is
no registration for courses, but their completion is applied in a following way:

1. Choose which course you want to complete by comparing the course's learning objectives
with your own experience. You can complete several study courses at once, but in this case
it must be well justified. Traditionally, one course can be completed per term, and at each
level of the courses (1, 2 and 3), the demands of the tasks increase.

2. When you have decided which course(s) you want to complete, you must fill out the
application. Students can find the application form in the material bank of Helga's website
(link: https://helga.fi/en/materials/ ). Fill out the application and send it by email to Helga's
specialist of influencing and advocacy.

3. The specialist checks the application and either accepts it or requests clarification or an
addition to the application.

4. When the specialist has approved the application, they forward it to Haaga-Helia's
teacher/counselor, who adds the credits to the student