JOIN PR, Marketing & Communication group meets in The Hague

  • Horizon2020
From left to right: Stephan Beschle (Venerable Order of St John), Therese Raatz (Johanniter Germany), Hannah Marsh (St John Ambulance England and The Islands), Marie-Claire Boyle (St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital Group), Katinka Kersting (Johanniter Nederland), Birte Hilbert (Johanniter Germany), Eva Pelgen (JOIN Office), Joachim Berney (JOIN Office), Christina Stark (Johanniter Austria), Mark Broughton (JOIN Board member), Frederik Siemssen (Johanniter Denmark), Dr Robert Brandstetter (Johanniter Austria) and Lidwien van der Reep (Johanniter Nederland).

From 28 to 29 March, the JOIN PR Marketing and Communication Group came together in The Hague for their annual face-to-face meeting. Representatives from Austria, Denmark, England, Germany, Jerusalem, the Venerable Order of St John, the JOIN Board and the JOIN Office were hosted by Johanniter Nederland.

The day began with the review of the JOIN-Guidelines and Documents for Public Relations, which were discussed and agreed to be amended according to recent developments. The JOIN Office gave an update on the submitted project proposal on ‘First Aid in School’ that encompasses 10 JOIN organisations committed to create a training for first aiders in schools throughout Europe. This was followed by a presentation on JOIN’s ongoing EU-funded projects SecureHospitalsand EUinAid. The drafting of European First Aid Guidelinesby the Clinical working group was also presented and discussed regarding the branding, layout and pictorial editing. 

Furthermore, Robert Brandstetter, Chair of the PRMC group, reported on the development of the logo harmonisation of several JOIN members and discussed the progress for further recommendations towards a common presentation of the member organisations. Johanniter Germany gave an example over their lobbying activity at the German Parliament. Our German JOIN member also presented their political communication on day care facility for children (Kindergarten) as well as their new Intranet ‘4JUH’ which was launched in September 2018. Johanniter Austria reported then on their lobbying activities concerning patient transport in Vienna. 

The second day of the meeting saw Johanniter Nederland presenting their new project about wheelchair busses. The St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital Group reported on its past and future communication activities. Moreover, Johanniter Austria informed on the Superhands campaign and on their latest social media developments.

Finally, the JOIN Office presented the Volunteer Swap 2019, its new merchandising and discussed the JOIN Annual Review 2018and social media activities. The working group decided on an intensified exchange of social media practices among the members and set up an online meeting to this topic in late 2019.