Branch communications

The Finnish Red Cross material bank is used to share organization's communication materials and to manage and harmonize their visual identity, content, and quality. Register or log in to the material bank here. When filling out the registration form, select Volunteers as your user group; different groups have different access rights.

In addition to graphic guidelines and logos, the material bank contains brand-compliant templates and working documents that follow the visual identity for the communication needs of the Red Cross branches, districts, headquarters, and institutions. You can also download high-resolution images from the Red Cross image archive for your use. The images may be used free of charge in Finnish Red Cross-related contexts, provided that the photographer's name and the source are mentioned.

After registering, you can also download the graphic guidelines and other brand materials to your computer.

The material bank is maintained by the Finnish Red Cross communications unit.

For more information about the materials: aineistot@punainenristi.fi or +358 40 637 1699.

For more information about images and the use of the material bank in general: pekka.turtiainen@punainenristi.fi or +358 40 643 3165.

How to work with the media?

Local media is an excellent channel for highlighting the work carried out by your branch. It can be used to showcase the branch’s regular activities, promote events, and communicate about the assistance the branch provides, for example in the event of a local emergency or crisis.

When you contact the media yourself

• You can approach local media by contacting a journalist directly or by sending a press release.
• Offer an interviewee who knows about the topic. For example, a first aid attendant can tell what kind of help we provide at summer festivals.
• Prepare for interviews in advance and, if possible, ask to review your quotes before publication.
  
  • Do not speculate or comment on topics you are not familiar with.
• When sending a press release:
  • Describe the topic clearly and concisely (what is happening, where, why, who is involved)
  • Remember to include contact details for further inquiries.
• If the topic concerns a local event, contact the media well in advance.

Topics for local media:

• Red Cross campaigns: for example, on Valentine's Day you can tell about friend activities, or during the Week Against Racism you can promote events and talk about equality and inclusion.
• The branch's help activities.
• Remember timeliness! Current and relevant topics are more likely to attract media interest.

Accidents and crisis situations

• In accident or crisis situations, responsibility for public communication rests with the authorities.
• The Red Cross may communicate about its own relief and support activities, but we do not describe or analyze the situation itself. We also never disclose detailed information about the people receiving assistance.
• In emergency situations, interviews may only be given by individuals who have been designated in advance to act as spokespersons.

Here are some useful materials to support the use of social media (currently available only in Finnish). You can find information about the Social media use in branches training here (currently available in Finnish and Swedish).

Sosiaalisen median pelisäännöt (pdf) (Guidelines for social media use, in Finnish)

Saavutettavuusohjeita sosiaalisen median julkaisijoille (pdf) (Accessibility guidelines for social media content creators, in Finnish)

Ohje kritiikin ja vihapuheen kohtaamiseen sosiaalisessa mediassa (pdf) (Guidelines for dealing with criticism and hate speech on social media, in Finnish)

Do you know how to communicate during unexpected situations? These materials will help you with emergency and preparedness communication (currently available only in Finnish).

Osaston viestintä auttamistilanteessa (pdf) (Branch communication in a helping situation, in Finnish)

Osaston viestintä auttamistilanteessa (docx) (Branch communication in a helping situation, in Finnish)

Planning communication in advance makes communication more effective and reduces extra work.

It is always a good idea to create a branch communication plan alongside the branch's operational plan. The attached template can also be used to plan communication for individual campaigns or events.

Viestintäsuunnitelma taulukkopohjana (pdf) (Communication plan template in a table format, in Finnish)

Communication support for branches is provided by the staff of your own local district office.

In addition, you can contact the headquarters' communications unit. The communications unit staff are happy to help you. The headquarters' contact information can be found here.