Individuals who serve on HIPS’s Board of Directors are chosen based on the following criteria:

*HIPS Board members should have the skills and expertise to perform governance and oversight duties and strategically guide HIPS’s future direction, or be invested in developing these skills in order to serve on the Board. The Board is particularly interested in recruiting members from and with knowledge of the communities HIPS serves, experience with harm reduction philosophy and programs, health care systems and policy. Experience in non-profit or corporate management, fundraising, and communications are also valuable.

*Board members should reflect the diversity of the community being served in all aspects, including but not limited to diversity of:  sex, racial/ethnic identification, national origin, sexual orientation, non-gender conforming individuals, those with current or former sex work experience, experience of homelessness, and current or former drug users.

*Board members should have a strong commitment to the mission of HIPS and the communities we serve.

*Board members commit to serve a three year term beginning January 1, 2021 and ending December 31, 2023.

*Board members cannot be currently employed by HIPS.

*Board members or potential members must reveal any potential conflict of interest during his or her tenure as Board member. Once revealed, the Executive Committee will determine whether a conflict exists and what action, if any, needs to be taken.

Individuals who serve on the HIPS Board of Directors accept clear responsibilities in relation to the organization.  All Board members, by virtue of serving on the Board, agree to the following:

*To actively support and promote the mission of HIPS:
HIPS promotes the health, rights, and dignity of individuals and communities impacted by sexual exchange and/or drug use due to choice, coercion, or circumstance. HIPS provides compassionate harm reduction services, advocacy, and community engagement that is respectful, non-judgmental, and affirms and honors individual power and agency. We believe that those engaged in sex work, sex trade, and drug use should be able to live healthy, self-determined, and self-sufficient lives free from stigma, violence, criminalization or oppression. We will achieve this through engaging sex workers, drug users and our communities in challenging structural barriers to health, safety, and prosperity.

*Be well-versed in HIPS mission, vision, core values, budget, operations, programs, policies, strategic initiatives, and the documentation related to its governance.

*Establish policy, approve long-range plans and sustainability efforts, hire the Executive Director, approve the annual budget, and regularly review the overall operations and management of HIPS.

*Serve as an ambassador of goodwill to the community through increasing support for and understanding for both the programs and advocacy of HIPS.

Board members commitments:

*Serve as a member of the Board of Directors in HIPS best interest and the population it serves without compensation.

*Attend at least 75% of all general Board meetings and participate in the activities of at least one Board committee (active committees are Fundraising, Finance, Audit, Strategic Planning, and Board Development). Currently, the Board meets quarterly for approximately 5 hours, usually on a Saturday morning - although this is subject to change. Board committee schedules vary according to duties, calendar and need. Most committees meet once a month with some degree of follow-up activity required between meetings. Between meetings and other tasks, Board members should plan to spend 8-10 hours a month of HIPS-related work.

*Attend the Board's annual retreat, to be scheduled for early 2021. Attendance is mandatory for incoming Board members; an inability to attend will disqualify a candidate from consideration.

*Respect the confidentiality of the Board’s deliberations and the information received as a member of the Board.

*Communicate with the Board Chair and Executive Director regarding conflicts of interest, conflicts with another Board member, or in the event they are not able to fulfil their responsibilities as Board members.

*Actively participate in fundraising efforts by:
  -making financial contributions at a meaningful level within personal means. Board members are asked to contribute or raise funds at an annual level of $2,500/year+, to be monitored by the Board chair. (*Board members may pledge to contribute or raise a lesser or greater amount depending on financial ability: inability to meet financial obligations will not disqualify potential Board members.)

  -identifying and cultivating prospective contributors on an ongoing basis and secure new contributions – both financial and in-kind.

  -attending, sponsoring and supporting HIPS fundraising events whenever possible.