As a not-for-profit corporation, TC is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors elected from the pool of TC's Members. The Members are chosen from the 15 Academic Organizations that call Tartu College their home. The Board Members for the 2023-2024 year included Anne Agur, Rein Ende, Allan Meret, Andres Meri, Reet Oolup, Raul Sinimäe, and Tõnu Tõsine. In addition, Kadi Käis was appointed by the Estonian Museum of Canada/VEMU as their representative on the TC Board. Being a TC Board Member is a rewarding experience, giving our Members a chance to give back to the Estonian community to maintain this valuable asset while gaining new experiences and insights into the challenges TC constantly faces.
The meeting began by outlining the Board's evolving responsibilities. “In 2023, the number of TC Board members was smaller than in previous years. Because of this, the Board consolidated its previously active committees—including the Executive, Financial, Human Resources and Audit committees—into one,” said Tõsine. Despite its smaller size, the Board's quality leadership helped TC to fulfill its goals and responsibilities in bringing together the Estonian community in Toronto.
On behalf of the Board, he also recognized and thanked “VEMU, led by Chief Archivist Piret Noorhani, for the very successful and comprehensive, inclusive programming that VEMU does with TC's financial support to help fulfill TC's goals.”
For the upcoming 2024-2025 year, the new Members voted to the Board were Riina Hess of Korp! Amicitia, Allan Seim, of Korp! Fraternitas Estica, Merike Remmel, of Korp! Filiae Patriae, and Allar Viinamäe, of Korp! Fraternitas Estica. Anne Agur of Korp! Filiae Patriae was re-elected for a further three-year term.
“I would like to mention the exemplary leadership and personable style of Linda Karuks, General Manager of TC, in managing the multifaceted activities necessary to successfully support the Board and TC,” said Tõsine. On behalf of the Board, he also recognized and thanked “VEMU, led by Chief Archivist Piret Noorhani, for the very successful and comprehensive, inclusive programming that VEMU does with TC's financial support to help fulfill TC's goals.”
“TC Student Residents feel that the TC Student Council has added a lot of value to their living experience at Tartu,” said Karuks.
In her presentation of the General Manager's updates, Linda Karuks discussed TC's main revenue streams. Despite ongoing construction in the building and around the property throughout the year, TC received almost full revenue from its student accommodations for the fall and spring. The summer was a bit more challenging as at least 20% of the building was closed off for renovations, which continued into the fall term. In addition, the TC Student Council had a very successful year providing exciting activities for the TC student residents, which TC supports. The TC Student Council also gives feedback to the General Manager regarding future plans and ongoing decisions which could affect the students —”TC Student Residents feel that the TC Student Council has added a lot of value to their living experience at Tartu,” said Karuks. Another success includes the launch of the Tartu College Scholarship Program, which was awarded to 2 student residents, Thomas Law and Clay MacVoy, in the spring of 2024.
Higher interest rates significantly increased expenses, but TC could still fully support all the Estonian activities for the Estonian Museum Canada and Chair of Estonian Studies Foundation, as is within its mandate. As TC is almost 54 years old, maintenance costs are always substantial to keep the building in good shape. While rising prices everywhere pose concern for balancing TC's financials, the staff's dedicated efforts have helped maintain stability and a positive outlook.
In 2023, TC undertook many capital projects to improve the building, valued at almost $5.9 M, the main one being major infrastructural upgrades to 10 student resident suites, which were fully renovated, including 60 bedrooms, 30 washrooms and ten kitchens, all with A/C. The entire west wing has been fully upgraded (32 out of 80 suites). For 2024, TC is undertaking partial infrastructure renovations to 40% of the student residence (32 suites), which includes replacing all the lighting and plumbing on the east side of the building, upgrading all of the WCs (96 in total), smoke alarms, window coverings, and installing AC infrastructure.
Another capital project which has been long awaited includes the Accessibility Lift, which allows a person with a mobility disability to have unhindered access from the street level to the G-floor and also to the main floor of TC. A new, revised Building Permit for the lift was received in 2023 and is scheduled to be completed this fall. Together with the installation of the Accessibility Lift, the capital upgrades for 2024 total almost $7.7 M. The capital work projects carried out in 2023 and the planned projects for 2024 will be the most comprehensive and costly in TC's history. Still, the results from significant improvements to the infrastructure of the building will be well worth the investment.
The TC Board recommended that MNP LLP Ltd be appointed as the external auditor for Tartu College for the year 2024. Additionally, the Board also discussed its decision to amend TC's By-law 2022-1 to more accurately reflect the academic nature of TC's Participatory Organizations.
Karuks also reported on Eesti Elu / Estonian Life's current financial standing.To succeed in its mission as a central source of communication for the Estonian community, Eesti Elu has sought funding from various sources, including the Canadian and Estonian governments. Their funding, in addition to TC's significant support, have become essential in the midst of the ongoing Meta news ban, which has hindered Eesti Elu's ability to share its news and expanded original content. Consequently, Eesti Elu's audience is yet to fully engage with all the exciting columns, photo series, video stories, and podcast episodes developed by creators of varying backgrounds around the world.
Launched in October 2022, Eesti Elu's digital publication offers additional features that connect our community. These include an open-source event calendar and a business directory that highlight the community's activities and services. They are designed to draw in new members, including younger generations, and ensure everyone remains up-to-date with their community. To further foster youth engagement with our community newspaper, Eesti Elu has worked alongside the Estonian camps and schools, offering journalism workshops where students had the opportunity to write and publish articles.
Yet the meeting also highlighted how these changes often yield slow results. “2023 targets are below our (aggressive) goals, but we have several strong marketing campaigns planned for the busier fall-winter season,” said Karuks. Eesti Elu remains hopeful that its revised pricing strategy will facilitate “greater integration of print/digital and monetize digital value add of our new website,” Karuks added.
As a community newspaper operating in a digital era, Eesti Elu can only survive with your continued support. Please take some time today to explore the wealth of brand new, informative content on www.eestielu.ca. From reading, listening, to sharing an article with a friend or gifting a subscription to a family member, there are several ways to help ensure that Eesti Elu has a future and succeeds in its mission of serving as a central hub of information for our community.
The Board and Management's ability to foster success and navigate challenges that arose in 2023 demonstrates their exemplary leadership and dedication to the community's vibrancy and longevity. Those interested in serving the community through the TC Board should apply for nomination through their respective korporatsioon or selts.
These dedicated efforts, amongst others, are central to ensuring TC's lasting success.
