Board Members - Megaphone

ABOUT MEGAPHONE
The Hope in Shadows Society (operating as Megaphone) is an award-winning charity and social enterprise based in Vancouver that exists to amplify marginalized voices and create meaningful work opportunities for people experiencing poverty or homelessness in Vancouver.

Through our editorial program, we produce community-driven publications: Megaphone magazine, the Hope in Shadows calendar, and the Voices of the Street poetry anthology and art zine. Through our vendor program, we train up to 150 vendors annually to sell these publications on the street — legally earning income to meet their basic needs. Vendors buy our publications wholesale and keep the profits from every sale. We provide training, branded gear, and complimentary products to get them started, along with ongoing support. Each purchase a vendor makes is an investment in themselves and their organization.

Vendors have a meaningful say in how the organization is run. Through the Vendor Advisory Board — elected biannually by vendors — they help shape the vendor program and advise on operations. As society members, vendors attend the AGM, review financial statements, and elect the Board of Directors. To ensure full participation by members and vendor directors, the AGM and board meetings are held in-person at 312 Main.

We're a small but mighty organization committed to individual empowerment and social change, and we're looking for new board members to help steward us through our next exciting chapter.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
We are currently recruiting new members to strengthen the board's diversity of perspectives and professional expertise. We are particularly seeking candidates with knowledge or skills in:

1. Financial administration or accounting
2. Human resources or employment law
3. Fundraising, major donor and/or capital campaign development

ABOUT THE BOARD ROLE
Our Board of Directors is elected by the vendors to govern the Hope in Shadows Society and help advance our mission through legal and financial oversight, strategic guidance and fundraising support. Board members hold a fiduciary responsibility to:

1. Uphold the legal and financial requirements of a registered Canadian charity
2. Act in accordance with the Society’s Constitution and By-laws
3. Guide long- and short-term planning in alignment with Megaphone’s mission, vision, values and strategic plan

Responsibilities:

1. Attend a minimum of five board meetings per year in-person at 312 Main Street
2. Participate in at least one board committee (Finance & Fundraising, HR & Governance, ad hoc, etc.)
3. Commit 5–10 hours per month to board duties
4. Support fundraising initiatives, including in-person events

EQUITY AND INCLUSION
Megaphone values diversity and is committed to building an inclusive organization. We strongly encourage applications from people of diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds; LGBTQ2+ individuals; women, femmes, and non-binary people; people with disabilities; and people with lived experience of poverty, homelessness or substance use.

TO APPLY
Please submit your CV and a short cover letter outlining your interest in Megaphone and what you would bring to the board to info@megaphonemagazine.com. We are accepting applications until May 15, with interviews will follow.

Looking for more information about what we do? www.megaphonemagazine.com
Questions? Email info@megaphonemagazine.com or call 604-255-9701 ext. 138.