Recruiting and briefing collectors

Handing over collection equipment to a collector

1. Welcome the collector.
2. Ask the collector to fill in the collector contact information form and to prove their identity.
3. Record the collection box number and the time it was handed over on the form.
4. Explain how the collection works and what the funds are used for. Encourage the collector to inform donors about the possibility of donating via MobilePay.
5. Advise the collector on a good location to collect.
6. Provide the collector with safety instructions.
7. Agree on when the collection equipment will be returned.

After the collection

1. Thank the collector and ask how the collecting went.
2. Mark the collection box as returned on the personal information form.
3. Ask whether the collector's contact details may be added to the volunteer register so that they can be invited to participate in future collections. Encourage them to create a profile in OMA Punainen Risti.
4. Ask the collector to complete the collector feedback survey. You can send collectors a link to the survey afterwards, or print out a poster from the material bank for the collection point that includes a QR code linking to the survey.
5. Thank the collector and invite them to participate in Red Cross activities again in the future.

Every collector should know:

On Hunger Day, we collect unrestricted funds for the Disaster Relief Fund. Because the funds are not tied to any specific purpose, the Red Cross can make a decision to provide assistance as soon as a sudden disaster strikes. The Finnish Red Cross helps in dozens of countries every year.

In Finland, the Disaster Relief Fund provides material assistance to, for example, victims of fires. Often the help takes the form of psychological support for those affected by accidents.

Collection costs may not exceed 20% of the proceeds of the collection.

The instructions have been translated into several languages and can be found in the material bank.

According to collector surveys, almost everyone who has participated in box collection is willing to volunteer as a collector again. Therefore, encourage collectors to register in OMA, to make inviting them back as easy as possible.

Post an event notice on OMA

OMA Punainen Risti is the key tool for recruiting collectors. Make sure your branch's collection has an event notice on OMA and share it actively. Keep an eye on the sign-ups coming in through OMA and get in touch with volunteers quickly.

Instructions for creating an event can be found here (available in Finnish and Swedish).

A personal invitation works best

The best way to get collectors excited about taking part is to ask them personally. Get everyone in the branch to invite their friends and acquaintances to collect. Also, encourage those who have signed up as collectors to bring a friend along.

Invite everyone

Remember to invite:

• people who have been collecting before
• the branch's active volunteers
• people who have signed up as volunteers through OMA
• your own friends and acquaintances
• work and hobby groups
• schoolchildren and students
• The easiest place to start inviting is close to home.

Call or send an email

If there are a lot of phone numbers, split the call lists between several volunteers. If you do not have time to call everyone, send the invitation by email.

Invite collectors on social media

On your own social media, it is worth inviting your own friends to come along as collectors.

On the branch's social media channels, you can share photos and the collector invitation, and direct collectors to sign up through OMA.

It is also worth being visible in other local social media channels and letting everyone know that anyone can join in as a box collector.

Use the ready-made social media materials

You are free to share the images published on the Red Cross's social media channels. From the material bank, you can also find shareable images that you can add your own details to, explaining how people can take part in your branch's collection.

Poster for noticeboards

Put up printable posters on noticeboards, and add your branch's own details to them. The printable poster can be found here.

"Become a collector" flyer

From the material bank, you can also find editable flyers that you can hand out or take to the library, for example. Use the editable field to add information on how to become a tin collector in your branch.