Varapuheenjohtaja

Varapuheenjohtaja is a deputy chairperson in Finnish organizations. The term is used for the person who assists the chairperson (puheenjohtaja) and serves as acting chair when the chair is absent or unable to fulfill duties. The role is common in boards of associations, companies (osakeyhtiöt and other corporate bodies), political parties, trade unions, and sports clubs.

Duties include presiding over meetings in the chair's absence, helping prepare and guide the board's work, coordinating committees and subgroups, representing the organization at events when the chair is unavailable, and acting as a liaison between the chair and other board members or officers. The exact responsibilities are defined in the organization's statutes or in its governance policy and may be supplemented by an assignment from the chair.

Selection and term: The varapuheenjohtaja is usually elected by the board or by the membership, depending on statutes. The term commonly aligns with the chair's term; some organizations may have more than one vice chair, resulting in multiple varapuheenjohtajia with joint or divided duties. The position is not automatically the chair's successor unless the rules specify.

In different sectors, the role can vary: in corporate boards the title corresponds to vice chair of the board and may entail the right to chair committees; in party structures it is one of several vice chairs and may carry public duties; in non-profits it often emphasizes continuity and governance support.

Overall, the varapuheenjohtaja is a governance role designed to support leadership, ensure continuity, and provide representation when the chair is unavailable, with powers and duties defined by the organization's statutes.