The Center for Victims of Torture works toward a future in which torture ceases to exist and its victims have hope for a new life. They are an international nonprofit dedicated to healing survivors of torture and violent conflict. They provide direct care for those who have been tortured, train partners around the world who can prevent and treat torture, and advocate for human rights and an end to torture.

Mission: The mission of the Center for Victims of Torture is to heal the wounds of torture on individuals, their families and their communities and to end torture worldwide.

Location:  Headquartered in St. Paul, MN, with offices in Atlanta, GA and Washington, DC; and healing initiatives in Africa

Meetings: Four times a year, three in St. Paul, MN and one in Washington, DC.  One of the St. Paul meetings is an extended meeting (6 hours v. the usual 3 or so) to discuss strategic planning.  Committees meet monthly and most board members serve on one.

Desired skills/experience: 

Looking for people who

1. Are committed to CVT's mission and
2. Have previous board leadership experience

And who bring one or more of the following (not in rank order, but divided into two tiers, with the first four criteria being the top tier):

Tier One

1. Would increase the racial/ethnic diversity of the Board
2. Has significant philanthropic capacity (giving or raising through their networks)
3. Financial management and oversight expertise (CFO level)
4. International perspective and human rights experience

Tier Two

1. Would increase political diversity (has connections with or credibility with Republican policy makers)
2. Geographic diversity (located outside MN, and especially in places where we are expanding our work such as Atlanta and the Bay Area)

Other Considerations: CVT is not a “starter” board.  The issues of governance involved with an international NGO dealing with torture and human rights are complex.   The board will often take time to get to know potential board members – discussions with members of the governance committee, perhaps serving on a board committee as a non-board member, etc.   This can be especially true if the potential board member has current commitments that would make board service challenging or if their profile is close to but not quite what the board is looking for in the current class of board members.

Term start:  Beginning of the calendar year (March usually).  Terms are three years, renewable three times.  

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