Branch development tool

Link to branch development tool in Finnish and Swedish:

https://link.webropolsurveys.com/s/osastotyokalu

Different branches chart in Finnish and Swedish:

• Erilaiset osastot.pdf
• Olika avdelningar.pdf

What is the branch development tool?

• The branch development tool supports branches in developing its activities and operations.
• The development tool consists of two parts: a self-assessment form and a development plan.
• The development plan serves as the basis for the branch's action plan. It is recommended to update the action plan annually.
• The self-assessment form is completed together with the branch's volunteers through discussion, evaluating the branch's operations and shared development goals.
• All branches carry out the self-assessment and development plan at least once during the general assembly period 2024–2026.
• The self-assessment takes into account the objectives of the operational guidelines for 2024–2026.

Why is the tool used?

• The self-assessment and development plan create a shared understanding of the branch's current state and help in planning its operations.
• The self-assessment and development plan serve as excellent tools when the results are revisited regularly (e.g., annually during operational planning). In follow-up meetings, progress is reviewed and the next development measures are agreed upon.
• With the collected data, the district is able to provide effective and targeted support to all its branches.
• The collected data is also utilized nationally in the development of volunteer and branch activities.

How is the tool used?

• The self-assessment session can be facilitated by a district employee (e.g., the branch's own mentor), a volunteer trainer, or the branch's active members themselves.
• The facilitator of the self-assessment session agrees with the branch well in advance on the date of the session, and the branch invites volunteers from the branch's various activity groups and board members to attend.
• It is important to get a comprehensive overall picture of the branch's current state. For this reason, it is good to have as many of the branch's active members present as possible.
• It is important to ensure that the development measures (which may require district support) are agreed upon together.
• The recommendation is to have at least five participants from the branch present. The more participants are present, the more the facilitator's role is emphasised as an enabler and guide of the discussion.
• Participants' views on the branch's current state may differ. For this reason, it is good to give participants the opportunity to discuss at ease and find a shared understanding of the branch's situation.
• The estimated time needed for completing the branch's self-assessment and development plan is approximately two hours.

What is assessed?

• The branch assesses its own operations through four different themes:

1. Core functions and statutory matters supporting preparedness
2. Preparedness to help
3. Network activities
4. Branch operations as a whole

• For each theme, the branch assesses its own operations within categories A–E. The categories are based on a five-level branch classification.
• The development tool and branch categories A–E do not rank or place branches in order of merit.
• Branches always operate according to the needs and resources of the area. The classification provides branches, districts, and the central office with a good picture of the branches' emergency preparedness and development needs.
• The self-assessment evaluates the branch's operations, not the performance of individual persons.

Instructions for the facilitator

Completing the self-assessment form

The branch's self-assessment session can be facilitated in many ways. Below are some examples to support the facilitator.

• The goal is to provide an opportunity to express different opinions and to guide the discussion constructively towards a shared outcome.
• The facilitator or another designated person should record the responses in written form during the session.
• The discussion is conducted with mutual respect and by listening to one another.
• The facilitator must ensure that all participants have the opportunity to express their opinions and that the principles of a safer space are followed.
• The facilitator can print out the self-assessment forms for all participants in advance to support the discussion. The forms can be found on this page in Finnish and Swedish.
• The four themes can also be printed on separate sheets of paper and displayed visibly on the walls of the room to support the discussion.
• Participants can, for example, express their views on the assessment using post-it notes directly on the printouts.
• A–E cards can be distributed to participants for possible voting situations.
• The facilitator records the discussion and supports the branch in creating a realistic development plan.
• At the end of the session, the facilitator summarises the key points of the discussion for all four categories, as well as the agreed measures and the persons responsible for their implementation.
• The facilitator or another agreed person records the branch's self-assessment results and development plans. The automatic response message contains a summary of the self-assessment and development plan, and it serves as the basis for the branch's action plan.
• Self-assessment criteria in Finnish: Itsearvioinnin kriteerit .docx (in Finnish)