JOINews May


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Monthly Newsletter

May 2023

News from the Network

Annual General Meeting 2023

From 20th to 21st May, the JOIN Annual General Meeting 2023 took place in Brussels, for the first time. The JOIN Office welcomed twenty-four delegates from St John enterprises across Europe to discuss a broad spectrum of topics. Our Chairman, Mark Broughton, outlined the activities of the Board and the network over the past twelve months. He highlighted the humanitarian aid for Ukraine provided by all JOIN members and the relaunch of the Volunteer Swap programme. Continue reading

Annual Review 2022

Our Annual Review 2022 sums up an extraordinary year that started with the end of the COVID-19 crisis and was immediately followed by another crisis - the war in Ukraine. In 2022, JOIN members not only dedicated themselves to combating the devasting consequences of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, they also tirelessly provided humanitarian aid and immediate emergency relief to Ukraine and coordinated support to the refugees in the neighbouring countries. Read about selected activities and meetings, the Volunteer Swap programme, the progress of our EU-funded research project MED1stMR and JOIN’s work in 2022 here.

Volunteering & Youth Working Group meets in Brussels

On 18th May, the JOIN Volunteering & Youth Working Group met in Brussels for its annual face-to-face meeting. The JOIN Office hosted representatives from Austria, England, Germany and Hungary in the Belgian capital. Topics addressed were how to engage different generations in volunteering and to compare the medical qualifications of volunteers across Europe. The group also discussed the legal frame needed to facilitate Swap opportunities for young volunteers aged under 18. Continue reading

'Tag der Johanniter' in Potsdam

From 5th to 7th May, Johanniter Germany held its ‘Tag der Johanniter’ with nearly 3,700 employees and volunteers present in Potsdam. This very special event was filled with learning, festivities, exhibitions and competitions, team spirit, cordiality, joy and solidarity. The JOIN Office was represented with a stand presenting the Volunteer Swap and the MED1stMR project. Next to important German politicians such as the event’s patron, the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and former President Joachim Gauck, JOIN members from England and Poland took part in the event.

Volunteer Swap

Opportunity for Cycle Responders at the Parookaville Festival in Germany

The Parookaville Festival is one of Germany’s biggest open-air music festivals that assembles electronic dance music artists from all over the world. Qualified Cycle Responders can join Johanniter Germany from 21st to 24th July and provide first aid at the event as one of 6 additional team members within the Cycle Response Unit. Food and accommodation are provided. If you are interested, find all details here.

An Austrian volunteer at the football match in Manchester

St John Ambulance regularly provides first aid at significant sporting events in England. On 22nd April, a team of our English member was joined by Martin Stepan from Austria for the football match Wigan Athletic vs Millwall at the DW stadium in Manchester. Here is what Martin reports of his first Volunteer Swap trip to Greater Manchester.

Eight English and twenty Polish volunteers at 'Tag der Johanniter' in Germany

From 5th to 7th May, a team of eight English volunteers and twenty Polish volunteers attended the 'Tag der Johanniter' (Johanniter Day) and joined the first aid competition of Johanniter Germany as guest teams. The English volunteers were invited by Larissa, a German volunteer who joined St John Ambulance in London for the provision of first aid at the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022. Our Polish JOIN member has a longstanding friendship and exchange with its German colleagues and regularly participates in the activities of 'Tag der Johanniter'. Read the report by Alice Guillaume from St John Ambulance here.

News from the members

The Order of St John: Lord Prior at Coronation Procession

On 6th May, His Majesty King Charles III was crowned as King of the United Kingdom, the Realms, and Head of the Commonwealth together with his Queen Consort, Camilla. Lord Prior of the Order of St John, Prof Mark Compton, was present at the Coronation Procession and offered the warmest congratulations on behalf of The Order of St John and all St John people from around the world. To mark the occasion the Lord Prior has written a letter to all St John people.

The Order of St John: New Chancellor

Thomas Budd has been appointed as Chancellor of the Order of St John in succession to Dr Gillian Willmore from 25th June. Thomas Budd was a partner in an international law firm and was responsible for the recent revision of the Order's Statutes and Regulations. He has been Honorary Legal Counsel since 2016 and has served on the Alliance/SMOM Committee of the Orders of St John. He was promoted to a Knight of the Order in 2022 and is now looking forward to implementing the Order’s global strategy. Read more here.

European Projects

Webinar of MED1stMR

On 31st May, JOIN participated in the MED1stMR webinar ‘End User Point of View’ regarding revolutionizing mass casualty preparedness. MED1stMR strives to create a cutting-edge mixed reality training solution specifically designed for medical first responders. By combining patient simulators with virtual environments, this technology aims to enhance learning outcomes and disaster preparedness - for this, it is crucial to consider the end user point of view. Therefore, JOIN and Johanniter Austria shared their perspectives and insights, along with feedback from other end-user partners. Learn about the MED1stMR project and the promises of a mixed reality training approach for medical first responders here.

Johanniter International

Rue Joseph II, 166,

1000 Brussels, Belgium

join.office@johanniter.org

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