Apply to join KVT’s board for 2027!
Are you interested in association activities and gaining a deeper understanding of how to manage a small organization? Would you like a front-row seat to make an impact on what happens in KVT? Apply to join the board for 2027!
KVT’s activities are planned and carried out by a board, known as “Johtis,” consisting of 9-12 volunteers elected by KVT members. In Johtis, you will gain a deeper understanding of KVT’s work and peace activities both locally and internationally. You’ll gain experience of governance of an association and have the opportunity to do meaningful volunteer work in a great team. As a board member, you can develop your skills not only in traditional board activities but also by participating in events, trainings, and seminars.
The board meets about once a month, and meetings are held both in person and online, depending on the preferences of the board members. It’s also possible to attend in-person meetings remotely when needed. Board members are volunteers who are carrying out their tasks according to their own capacity and other commitments in life. However, it is good to have time for the board meetings (although you don’t need to be able to attend every single one of them) and your own specific tasks.
You are welcome to join Johtis with any level of experience with association work; there are roles for both beginners and veterans. Board members share tasks based on their interests: you don’t need to know everything beforehand, and you will not be working on things alone. The most important things are enthusiasm for influencing KVT’s activities, active participation in the board’s work, and sharing KVT’s values.
Board members and chair person will be elected in KVT’s fall annual meeting on 22nd November 2026 in Helsinki. It is also possible to join the meeting online.
What kinds of positions are available?
In the fall meeting the following roles are filled:
- Chair person
- 7 other actual members, amongst whom 1-2 vice chair will be nominated
- 1-4 vice members
Vice members participate in the activities of the board like actual members, apart from that they cannot act as a chair or vice chair and can only vote when an actual member is absent. The board will select the vice chair(s) in its first meeting of the year.
What does the board do?
The board plans, implements and evaluates KVT’s annual activities together with the office staff and working groups or other active volunteers. The main responsibilities of the board are creating and following KVT’s annual plan of action, representing KVT as an employer, following up on the association’s finances, and making important decisions concerning KVT’s activities and future plans (including updates on the annual budget, approving proposed voluntary workcamps for the coming camp season, recruiting new employees, applying for project grants or joining international projects..).
In addition, activities of the board depend on the interests of its individual members. The board delegates tasks among them and as a board member you can express what kind of tasks or topics you would like to focus on. Here are some examples:
- Secretary tasks in board meetings. Participating in writing of annual report, plan of action or grant applications.
- Organizing events (e.g., the annual volunteer weekend, info evenings, workshops, visits) and 80th anniversary
- Following up on finances, planning the budget and fundraising
- HR-related tasks, such as acting as a contact person for the office staff, annual development discussions, recruitment processes
- International relations: e.g., joining SCI’s international seminars or working groups
- Communications: e.g. writing membership letters, creating content for social media, or visiting events, educational institutions, or youth work organizations to tell about KVT
- Volunteer projects: processes of outgoing volunteers and organization of international camps in Finland
- Monitoring and developing sustainability at KVT: climate impact and environmentally friendly practices, equity and accessibility issues (e.g. improving inclusivity of KVT’s activities for volunteers from diverse backgrounds and supported participation options)
- Perspectives of young volunteers on developing KVT’s activities
Are you interested to be in the chair team?
Chair of KVT’s board will coordinate the work of the board, chair board meetings and collaborate closely with the office staff for example in preparing topics for the board’s meeting agenda. You won’t be carrying all the chair responsibilities alone but will share tasks with one or two vice chairs depending on each of your interests. You will get valuable experience of administration of a small association and volunteer coordination. In the chair team you will get to enhance your leadership, collaboration and practical facilitation skills in practice.
We hope for the chair to already be at least somewhat familiar with KVT’s activities and have previous experience as a board member of a non-profit association. Knowledge of Finnish is important for the chair (although does not need to be native-speaker level), as the position involves dealing with official documents written in Finnish. To enjoy the tasks coming up with the position, it is also helpful to like working with people and doing things together, building group spirit and motivation among other volunteers, and at least tolerate administrative tasks. As with all board members, the chair team is not expected to know everything at once; you can grow into the role by being active and learning from others.
How can I apply?
Message the current chair Evgeni () and ask for more details if you have questions! Applications for the board positions can be sent to the same email at the latest by Monday, November 16th. In your application, please tell briefly:
- who you are
- how well you know KVT beforehand
- why you would like to join the board
- do you have other experience from NGO work
- what kind of tasks or topics you would find especially interesting or what roles (chair, vice chair, actual board member, vice board member) are you interested in
Welcome on board!
