The registration that opened at nine in the morning in the lower lobby of Haukilahti High School went more smoothly than before, thanks to all the branches that had submitted the credentials of their voting representatives in advance. From the lobby, participants were directed to morning coffee and workshops.

After the workshops, everyone gathered to hear the opening words of the district's acting director Mari Grus, the beautiful musical performance by flutist Sofia Ojanen, and the opening words of the district's outgoing chair Päivi Hurttia.

After Päivi, the floor was given to Taika Vaulo, vice-chair of the National Youth Committee (Vanuto), who shared Vanuto's wishes for the departments and the district. The wishes include, for example, the openness of meetings, increasing opportunities for remote participation, and enhancing the use of Oman so that every young profile is contacted and encouraged to join.

Merit medals and recognitions

Before the statutory part of the annual meeting, the Red Cross merit medals and district recognitions were distributed.

The Red Cross merit medal was awarded to 23 volunteers and one district employee.

Branch of the Year 2025

The Hyvinkää department was named Department of the Year. Hyvinkää's activity and versatility have been visible both in communication and in the growth of membership. The department especially thanked the city of Hyvinkää for a good partnership.

Young Volunteer of the Year 2025

Sebastian Rosanthan (Herttoniemi branch) was named Young Volunteer of the Year. Sebastian joined the activities as a participant in the Helpers' Club, learned Finnish, and focused on first aid skills, qualifying as a first aid attendant. He stated that it is important to have different people from different backgrounds involved, as those being helped are also diverse and speak different languages. Sebastian thanked Herttoniemi's chair Tony Ahlqvist for strong support.

Statutory meeting

The statutory annual meeting was held in the auditorium, where more participants were present than the recorded 55 voting representatives. 20 of the district's 43 active departments were present (plus two without credentials), and the meeting was declared quorate.

Tapani Tulkki, who will start as HUP's operations director on August 1, 2025, introduced himself to the annual meeting audience.

The annual meeting proceeded quite briskly, but there was a bit more discussion about the district's action plan.

The election committee had done its preparations carefully, and the personnel selections presented by chair Kalle Kivimaa were accepted as such.

District Board Chair

Max Lindholm (Helsingfors svenska branch) was elected chair of HUP's district board.

District Board Vice Chair

Santeri Korhonen (Itä-Helsinki branch) was elected vice chair of HUP's district board.

District Board Members

According to the election committee's proposal, Jori Hurula (Kallio-Käpylä branch), Markus Nieminen (Korso branch), Karoliina Simenius (Vihti branch), and Kaisu Tajakka (Tuusula branch) were elected to replace the outgoing members of the district board. Kristiina Huhdanmäki (Sibbo-Sipoo branch) was elected for another term.

Declaration

The draft declaration presented at the annual meeting received a few update suggestions. The declaration will be modified accordingly and distributed to the departments as soon as possible.

More information about the content and selections of the annual meeting can be found in the branch bulletin (in Finnish).

Recipients of merit medals

The Red Cross merit medals were awarded to 23 volunteers and one district employee: two gold, four silver and 18 bronze medals. 

Gold 

Irma Ekola, Karkkila branch
Leila Tiainen, Lohja branch

Silver

Marja Liisa Kauppinen, Töölö branch
Juhana Päivärinta, Kirkkonummi-Siuntio branch
Hannele Rautamäki, Tapiola branch
Gun-Vivian Wallén, Lappträsk branch

Bronze

Matti Aaltonen, Töölö branch
Marja Björkell, Sibbo-Sipoo branch
Anders Holmberg, Tuusula branch
Emilia Jokiaho, HUP
Tuija Jortikka, Kehä-Espoo branch
Pirjo Karjalainen, Kehä-Espoo branch
Taina Kettula, Töölö branch
Martiina Lahti, Kehä-Espoo branch
Ylva Laurila, Ekenäs-Tenala branch
Pirjo Lehto, Keski-Espoo branch
Janne Leskinen, Töölö branch
Jenny Lindholm, Ekenäs-Tenala branch
Helena Långström, Lounais-Espoo branch
Paula-Sisko Mäntysalo, Keski-Espoo branch
Emmi Ritvanen, Kehä-Espoo branch
Eija Salonen, Länsi-Helsinki branch
Nina Seeck, Mäntsälä branch
Larissa-Maria Sutinen, Kallio-Käpylä branch