The district annual meeting offered information and togetherness

The HUP Annual Meeting was held on Saturday, 25 April 2026, in Espoo at Haukilahden Upper Secondary School. A total of 56 voting representatives from 24 different local branches participated in the annual meeting. More participants attended the workshops held prior to the meeting and the presentation of awards – altogether approximately 90 Red Cross representatives were present.

At the annual meeting, the activity report and financial statements for the previous year were approved. The activity plan and budget for the current year were also approved. There was lively discussion about grant applications, and it was noted that within the NGO sector it is common for part of the activities to be carried out with the support of grants.

Finally, new members were elected to the district board and to the election committee.

The Chair of the Annual Meeting was Katja Kuusela, who led the meeting efficiently and with a twinkle in her eye – the meeting was also an enjoyable occasion for being together.

New members of the district board

In accordance with the proposal of the election committee, five volunteers from our district were elected as new members of the HUP District Board to replace outgoing members:

• Juhani Korhonen, Pohjois- ja Keski-Helsingin osasto
• Sami Koskinen, Länsi-Helsingin osasto
• Jarkko Mikkonen, Keski-Espoon osasto (second term)
• Pekka Piri, Tapiolan osasto
• Eva Wester-Mollgren, Ekenäs–Tenala avdelning

Election committee

One new member was elected to the HUP Election Committee (update forthcoming).

Programme and side events

The annual meeting day began with workshops on topical themes. A raffle was organised among the workshop participants.

Just before the official annual meeting, Red Cross merit badges as well as the recognitions for Young Volunteer of the Year and Branch of the Year were presented.

Branch of the Year 2026

At the annual meeting, Borgå avdelning - Porvoon osast was named Branch of the Year 2026.

The branch was recognised for, among other things, its activity, visibility, and ability to renew itself. The Porvoo Branch works in close cooperation with other branches, organisations, the City of Porvoo, and the Eastern Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County.

Volunteers from the branch have also participated in emergency response tasks in other regions. The branch offers a wide range of activities for different age groups, takes part in Red Cross campaigns, and actively recruits new members.

The Porvoo Branch communicates about its activities online, on social media, in OMA, and through local media.

https://osastot.punainenristi.fi/osastot/porvoon-osasto 

Young Volunteer of the Year 2026

The Young Volunteer of the Year recognition was awarded to Marika Huttunen from the West Helsinki Branch.

Marika has served as the secretary of her branch since 2023. She has demonstrated exceptional responsibility, initiative, and flexibility in supporting the branch’s activities. Marika also served as a member of the District Board for one term from 2024 to 2026 and, in this role, acted as an active facilitator in the Preparedness and Readiness Development Group.

Red Cross Merit Medals

At the annual meeting, silver and bronze merit medals granted by the President of the Republic in February were presented.

Silver merit medals

Lappträsk Branch

• Maj-Len Jaatinen

Mäntsälä Branch

• Juha-Pekka Halme
• Irma Teronen

Hyvinkää Branch

• Soile Tomperi

Bronze merit medals

Porvoo Branch

Raija Halen

Hyvinkää Branch

Tuula Juva

Laajasalo Branch
Raija Uljas

Lappträsk Branch

• Säde-Maaria Lindholm

Länsi-Vantaa Branch

• Kari Laine

Mäntsälä Branch

• Sirkka Ristolainen

Tapiola Branch

• Eero Aspiala
• Aki Kaisla
• Marja Salovaara
• Sanna Sivula

Tikkurila Branch

• Saara Sahlsted
• Juha Veijonsuo

Töölö Branch

• Aino Davidsson
• Merja Järvinen
• Aino Kervinen
• Mia Pulkkinen

Warm congratulations and heartfelt thanks to our distinguished members and volunteers!