Branch activities: Spring is full of events for volunteers
Spring in our organization is marked by campaigns, trainings, and meetings.
In spring, the Red Cross organizes, in addition to basic activities, three major campaigns, statutory spring meetings, and many interesting trainings and meetings. The branch's board organizes itself, and new trustees also get started. Spring begins with the district’s joint preparedness opening and board training.
Board Training and preparedness opening
The department’s board will hold its organizational meeting by the end of January. The district will arrange orientation for the board members and the contact persons appointed by the board through webinars and at the district’s preparedness opening.
HUP will organize orientation for trustees through webinars in cooperation with the Southeast Finland district. The orientation is recommended especially for new or newly appointed board members and contact persons in the branches.
HUP’s preparedness opening will be held at the beginning of February. The preparedness opening is a joint event for the Helsinki and Uusimaa district and Uusimaa Vapepa, with separate workshops for the Red Cross department boards and Vapepa leaders.
The year 2025 is also the year of the Red Cross national preparedness exercise, and its orientation webinars will be held from January to October. The preparedness exercise #AvunKetju2025 will take place on 14-15.11.2025.
Campaigns
The Red Cross spring includes no less than three national campaigns: Valentine’s Day, Anti-Racism Week, and Red Cross Week.
Valentine’s Day 💌
The Valentine’s Day campaign takes place during the week of Valentine’s Day on 14.2. Valentine’s Day reminds us of the importance of friendship: doing things together, exchanging thoughts, fun moments, and presence. Valentine’s Day is the most important day of the year for friendship activities and one of the most important campaigns of the Finnish Red Cross. Loneliness affects more and more people in Finland, so the Valentine’s Day campaign is needed!
Anti-Racism Week 🎈
The Anti-Racism Week campaign takes place during the week in March that includes the UN International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on 21.3.
Racist thinking is contrary to the principles of the Red Cross, humanity, and impartiality. We oppose racism year-round in all our activities. The Finnish Red Cross coordinates an annual national anti-racism campaign in Finland, where we raise awareness of racism and provide tools for anti-racism activities. The district awards a Prejudice-Free Pioneer during Anti-Racism Week, who has acted exemplary for social inclusion, equality, and accessibility regardless of language, nationality, or culture.
Red Cross Week 🎈
In May, we celebrate volunteers during Red Cross Week! The campaign takes place during the week that includes the birthday of the Red Cross founder Henry Dunant on 8.5. Red Cross Week also includes the birthday of the Finnish Red Cross on 7.5.
During Red Cross Week, we highlight volunteer activities. The headquarters awards the Humanitarian Handshake recognition to a person or organization that has particularly excelled in promoting humanitarian themes, values, and activities in Finland.
On May 8, 2025, the Finnish Red Cross's new volunteer vest will be introduced.
Spring Meeting
The spring meeting of the local branch is held by 31.3. The meeting invitation is issued at least one week before the meeting. At least three branch members must be present at the meeting. The meeting addresses at least the previous year’s activity report, financial statements, and the auditor’s review report. A written protocol is prepared from the meeting. The activity report, financial statements, and a copy of the reviewed spring meeting protocol are submitted to the district via the OSSI department registry tool by 15.4.
Submission of financial information to the organization’s accounting
After the financial statements have been completed, the department fills out the financial information form and submits it to the district by April 4th. The form and financial instructions can be found on the financial instructions page.
In HUP, the financial form is sent via email to eine.sahlakoski@redcross.fi.
District Annual Meeting
The district’s annual meeting is held in April. Decision-making power is exercised by the voting representatives of the departments. The department’s board selects one representative for every 100 starting members of the department (membership count as of the last day of the previous year) and notifies them to the district in advance with a power of attorney, which is handed over to the district official at the registration for the annual meeting.