Freedom Network Usa

Mission

Freedom Network USA (FNUSA) mobilizes its collective strength to build a transformative approach to human trafficking that is grounded in anti‑racism and anti‑oppression. For more information, please visit FNUSA’s website at https://freedomnetworkusa.org/. FNUSA’s 100+ members are located across the US, and include human trafficking survivors, service providers, researchers, and advocates. Members provide legal and social services, training and technical assistance, community outreach and organising, and education and advocacy. FNUSA is a primarily remote organisation, with 13 staff members located in 11 different states.

Values

FNUSA is a values‑based network. Our core values are: Equity, Transparency, Respect, Ethical and Evolving Expertise, Sharing Power and Building Community, and Inward and Outward Accountability. You can read more about our values here.

While the work of members is vast, we share a common approach to anti‑trafficking work. It is important that Board Members understand and support the values and policy positions of the organisation. Please review the following FNUSA Position Papers through the links provided and consider if FNUSA’s position aligns with yours as you contemplate your interest in FNUSA board membership. You can access more of FNUSA’s policy work, including additional position statements at: https://freedomnetworkusa.org/advocacy/.

A Human Rights Based Approach to Human Trafficking

Human trafficking is a violation of an individual’s basic rights and personal freedom. Successful approaches to address human trafficking must protect all the rights of survivors and respect their individual agency. Focusing on the rights of each individual is the only path to restoring their dignity and giving them the opportunity they deserve to pursue a better life. Freedom Network USA is committed to a human rights‑based approach to human trafficking.

Human Trafficking and Immigrant Rights

Immigrant workers should be protected through ensuring safe working conditions, preventing discrimination including sexual harassment, preventing workplace violence including sexual assault, eliminating wage theft and fraud, and barring exploitation and human trafficking.

Human Trafficking and Decriminalisation of Sex Work

Sex workers are vulnerable to abuse and exploitation when they are unable to work safely and access needed or necessary services. It is important to understand that people in the sex trades have a myriad of experiences and may identify as sex trafficking survivors, sex workers, or both at different times in their lives. The criminal records that are now so common for people trading sex create barriers to safe housing, education, employment, public benefits, immigration status, and parenting. Decriminalising sex work is a necessary pre‑condition to decreasing abuse and exploitation within the sex trades, including labour and sex trafficking.

Human Trafficking and Farm Workers

Agricultural workers are vulnerable to trafficking and H‑2A visa holders should be able to change employers. Enforcing labour protections across all worksites will help prevent labour abuses that can lead to human trafficking. Creating strong and consistent protections across visa categories will help to stop employers from shopping for workers in the programmes with the weakest oversight.

Human Trafficking and Reproductive Rights

Every victim of human trafficking deserves access to the full range of reproductive health services (including legal abortion and birth control).

The Current Moment

Potential Board Members should be aware that FNUSA is currently operating in a challenging political environment, often taking firm positions on policies that impact the communities we serve. To uphold our mission and protect these communities, our strategies may include advocacy, public statements, and, when necessary, engaging in litigation against the federal government. We seek Board Members who understand the complexities of this work and are prepared to support the organisation in meeting the challenges of the current moment while upholding the values and positions outlined in here.

Board Member Position Description

The Board supports the work of FNUSA and provides mission‑based leadership and strategic governance. While day‑to‑day operations are led by FNUSA’s Executive Directors (EDs), the Board‑ED relationship is a partnership, and the appropriate involvement of the Board is both critical and expected. Specific Board Member responsibilities are centred on leadership, governance and oversight, and include:

• Serving as a trusted advisor to the EDs as they develop and implement FNUSA’s strategic plan;
• Reviewing outcomes and metrics created by FNUSA for evaluating its impact and regularly measuring its performance and effectiveness;
• Reviewing agenda and supporting materials prior to Board meetings, and attending at least 75% of Board meetings (the Board meets quarterly);
• Reviewing and, if appropriate, approving FNUSA’s annual budget, audit reports, and material business decisions;
• Being informed of, and meeting all, legal and fiduciary responsibilities;
• Contributing to an annual performance evaluation of the ED and more frequent feedback;
• Assisting the EDs and Board Chair in identifying and recruiting other Board Members;
• Partnering with the EDs and other Board Members to ensure that Board resolutions are carried out;
• Serving on at least one committee (which includes attending at least 75% of the committee meetings, generally quarterly), taking on special assignments as appropriate;
• Representing FNUSA to stakeholders, acting as an ambassador for the organisation;
• Engaging in individual and collective anti‑racism, anti‑oppression, and race equity work to support FNUSA in becoming an anti‑racist organisation;
• Ensuring FNUSA’s commitment to a diverse Board and staff that reflects the communities FNUSA serves.

Fundraising

FNUSA’s Board Members will consider FNUSA a philanthropic priority and make annual gifts that reflect that priority. So that FNUSA can credibly solicit contributions from foundations, organisations, and individuals, FNUSA expects all Board Members to make an annual contribution that is commensurate with their capacity, and is among their largest philanthropic gifts, and to participate in fundraising efforts on behalf of the organisation.

Committees

All FNUSA Board members are expected to serve on at least one of the Board’s three committees: Governance and Nominating, Audit and Finance, and Development. The committees engage more deeply with the related aspect of FNUSA and make recommendations to the Board regarding adoption of policies and procedures, annual budgets, annual audit, Board member recruitment, and fundraising activities.

Board Terms/Participation

FNUSA’s Board Members serve an initial one‑year term and may be nominated for re‑election for additional terms (of 3 and then 2 years, for a total of 6 years). Board meetings are held every three months and are usually conducted remotely via Zoom. FNUSA will strive to support Board members’ travel costs as needed for at least one in‑person meeting per year, when the organisation’s budget allows.

Qualifications

This is an extraordinary opportunity for an individual who is passionate about FNUSA’s mission and who has a record of leadership. Selected Board Members will have achieved leadership stature in business, government, philanthropy, or the nonprofit sector. Their accomplishments will allow them to attract other well‑qualified, high‑performing Board Members. We are particularly seeking support in the areas of fundraising, non‑profit financial management, and anti‑racist organisational development.

Ideal candidates will have the following qualifications:

• Extensive experience with significant accomplishments in business, government, philanthropy, or the nonprofit sector.
• Specific expertise in areas such as non‑profit financial management, marketing/public relations, fundraising/development, social media, governance, anti‑racist organisational development, and strategic planning are highly desirable.
• A commitment to and understanding of FNUSA’s beneficiaries, mission, and policy goals, preferably based on experience.
• Savvy diplomatic skills and a natural affinity for cultivating relationships and persuading, convening, facilitating, and building consensus among diverse individuals.
• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and a passion for improving the lives of human trafficking survivors.
• We value diversity, equity, and inclusion and encourage individuals with varied backgrounds and perspectives to apply.

Service on FNUSA’s Board of Directors is without pay. If a Board member has limited financial resources, FNUSA provide limited travel and accommodation costs in relation to that Board Member’s duties.

Survivors of trafficking are strongly encouraged to apply.

Freedom Network USA is an equal opportunity employer. FNUSA does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, colour, gender identity or presentation, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, age, religion, immigration status, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability in employment. We will provide reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities so they can participate in the application or interview process and perform essential Board member functions. Please contact us to request accommodations.

To indicate your interest in joining FNUSA’s Board, please complete the application and upload your resumeand biography via the online application.