Puheenjohtajan

Puheenjohtaja is the Finnish term for the chairperson of a meeting, committee, or organization. The genitive form puheenjohtajan is used to indicate possession, for example puheenjohtajan tehtävät (the chairperson’s duties).

Role and duties include presiding over meetings, setting and guiding the agenda, ensuring orderly proceedings and adherence to rules, and moderating discussion to reach decisions. The chair often represents the organization in external matters and coordinates with the board or secretary to ensure governance and compliance. Depending on the rules of the body, the chair may also have responsibilities such as signing official documents or overseeing the implementation of decisions.

Selection and term are typically governed by the organization’s statutes. A puheenjohtaja is usually elected by members or appointed by the governing body and serves for a defined term, which may be extendable. When the position becomes vacant, a new chair is chosen according to the established procedures.

Contexts of use include corporate boards (hallitus), associations (yhdistys), committees (toimikunta), and political or public bodies. The term is used for both women and men, and is considered gender-neutral in contemporary Finnish. The word derives from puhe (speech) and johtaa (to lead), reflecting the role as the leader who guides discussion and decision-making.