Board of Directors - Co-Chair

About WISH

WISH Drop-In Centre Society (WISH) is the largest sex worker support organization in Canada and is located on the unceded, stolen lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) First Nations. For 40 years, WISH has been a refuge and an essential point of contact for street‑based sex workers in Vancouver. Based in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, WISH's connection to the land is central to the work we do and our efforts to decolonize that work.

WISH is a sector leader with an incredibly committed team of staff and volunteers excited to deliver on their mission through partnership, collaboration, and program and service innovation that brings together people, land based practices, ideas, systems, processes and technology.

WISH exists so women, trans, Two‑Spirit and non‑binary sex workers can live and work on their own terms, free from violence, judgment and rescue. We create space for safety and connection by centring street‑based voices within our community. We envision a world where every sex worker lives and works in safety, dignity and self‑determination.

WISH is committed to the following core positions:

1. Rights, not rescue.
2. Accountability builds trust.
3. Harm reduction is essential.
4. Autonomy always.
5. Safety is the floor, not the ceiling.
6. Care is collective.
7. Centring lived experience.
8. Decolonization is practice, not promise.

About the Board

WISH’s Board of Directors are responsible for providing governance and strategic direction for WISH, a registered charitable organization. Board members bring diverse and varied skills, expertise, and competencies - including sex worker rights and advocacy, policy, fundraising, donor and governmental relations, human resources, and finance - to support WISH’s strategic objectives.

Board members' values must align with WISH’s vision, purpose and core commitments. They also possess a significant understanding and knowledge of systemic barriers and oppression rooted in colonization, racism, transphobia, classism, misogyny, moralism, ableism and the ways that these systems negatively impact sex workers.

Come join the largest sex worker support organization in Canada alongside a team that centers a strong intersectional feminist, anti‑racism and anti‑oppression lens, with a voice that is trauma‑informed!

Co‑Chair Position

WISH is currently seeking, amongst other roles, a Co‑Chair. A Board member’s tenure is a minimum of two years and a maximum of six years.

Provide Board Leadership

• Track Board Progress: via the Board Calendar and Workplan, including checking in with Committee Chairs to understand the roles and duties, committee functions, progress, any challenges, and next steps.
• Provide Support Required to Board Members: throughout their term if they have questions or concerns, which may involve 1‑1 meetings to build trust and foster an understanding of director concerns, pain‑points, etc.
• Develop the Materials for the Board Meetings: including co‑drafting the agenda and reviewing the final package before it is sent.
• Co‑Chair Board Meetings: every second month and a planning meeting on alternating months, with a focus on facilitating generative discussions, information exchange and informed decision‑making, and ensuring priorities‑driven time management.
• Co‑Chair the Annual General Meeting: once per year prepare materials for, plan and execute WISH’s AGM as per Societies Act requirements

Collaborate with and Support Executive Director (ED)

• Meet at least once per month with the ED to discuss overarching priorities for the organization, plan the agenda for the upcoming Board Meeting.
• Be present and available, including as a thought partner, sounding board, and adviser, to discuss urgent matters with the ED as they arise, including acting as a conduit between the Board and ED outside of board meetings.
• In close collaboration with the Co‑Chair and Executive Committee, support with the annual ED review.

Time Commitment & Terms

Board members attend regular monthly virtual meetings as a group, as well as additional committee meetings and other periodic requirements such as the annual general meeting, town halls and strategic planning sessions. On average, the time commitment expected of a Board member ranges from 5-10 hours per month.

Encourage Applications From

• Those with applicable hard skills or expertise in Governance, Organizational Leadership, and/or Not for Profit Leadership
• Those who have lived experience as a sex worker
• Indigenous people
• Black people
• People with other racialized identities
• Persons with disabilities
• Those who have familiarity with the Downtown Eastside
• Those who reside in the Lower Mainland/Vancouver

How to Apply

Interested applicants can apply by email to wishboard@wishdropincentre.org. Please send an expression of interest that lets us know why you want to join the Board at WISH and what you feel you will bring to the organization. If you have a resume, you’re also encouraged to share this. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis as received up until August 31, 2026 at 12:00pm (PST).

We thank everyone for their expression of interest, however, only those who have been selected to participate in our pre‑screening process will be contacted. WISH is committed to providing accommodation upon request during the pre‑screening process. If you require accommodation during this process, please contact us at wishboard@wishdropincentre.org.

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