PiPE’s mission is to partner with houseless, street-dependent, and marginalized survivors to reduce harm, provide opportunities to heal from trauma, fight systemic oppression and build lasting connections for our community.

Meet Our Board

Thalia Vaillancourt
Board President
She/Her

Thalia Vaillancourt is a French-Canadian transplant, retired yoga instructor, and massage therapist. She began her yoga studies in 1995 and quickly learned that the tools she gained from her practice were essential to her survival as a street-involved survivor

of sexual violence.

In 2002 she completed her first teacher training while completing her college diploma in languages and literature and thereafter committed herself to teaching others the same essential life and wellness skills that saved her life. She continued her studies and grew her business in Montreal, Quebec, Canada until 2012 when she moved to the USA seeking change.

She has lived in Olympia, WA for four years and is a recent graduate of the Evergreen State College. Through a recent internship with P.I.P.E, she developed a drive to work in the organizational side of advocacy. Thalia is committed to social service, and is continually growing her skills and knowledge. She was honored to be asked to join the board of P.I.P.E, and looks forward to engaging the Olympia community and growing P.I.P.E’s network.

Lucas Scott Miller has been a Queer/Trans activist in the Olympia area for the last 15 years. He is active in several LGBTQ+ organizations including PFLAG, Pizza Klatch and Mpowerment. He hosts a show on Thurston Community Media on Queer/Trans issues. He is originally from Massachusetts and loves dogs and seafood.

Lucas Miller
Board Member
He/Him

Kahran is an Indigenous-Japanese mixed race peer advocate and student at Evergreen State College. Kahran has lived experience with housing instability and transitional housing that brought him to his work focus on protecting participants’ autonomy in support programs and other resources.

Kahran was a Library Assistant at the Downtown Olympia Library. Through his work at the library they got in contact with the Office of Homeless Youth (OHY) and became a part of the Youth Homelessness Prevention Steering committee made up of lived experts and Caregivers.

After 6 months of working with OHY, Kahran left their position at the library and continues to work with other organizations on homelessness prevention and support.

Kahran LaTourette
Board Member
He/They

Board Member Summary

The Board of Directors is responsible for ensuring that the organization is well-managed and financially responsible. The Board is the governing body of the organization and is responsible for establishing the mission and goals for the organization so everything runs smoothly as a whole. In addition, the Board sets the organization’s policies which provide the parameters for the agency’s work.

General Responsibilities

Organization Management: To ensure the organization is responsibly managed (in accordance with the organization’s by-laws and policies) and is compliant with legal and contract requirements.
Fund Raising: To ensure that the organization has the resources it needs to pursue its goals. In order to fulfill this responsibility, Board Members must determine how the organization will raise funds, participate in fundraising events, donate money, recruit and solicit donors, and identify potential funding sources.
Budget Management: To ensure that the resources of the organization are raised and spent in a responsible manner. Board Members must help create and approve the agency budget, set financial policy, acquire adequate insurance, and arrange for an annual financial audit.
Hiring: To work with HR and staff to hire appropriate Executive Directors and other staff, as PiPE needs, to make sure PiPE continues to run smoothly.
Supervising: to supervise the Executive Directors with support from HR
Representative: To serve as the organization’s representatives in the community.
Determine Priorities: To fulfil other responsibilities, Board Members must establish the organization’s strategic plan and long term goals. In addition, the Board must evaluate the organization’s progress towards its goals.
Recruitment: To evaluate and assess Board composition, identify and recruit potential Board Members.

Your Individual Responsibilities

Personal Commitment: It is expected that you make a personal commitment to PiPE’s mission when participating in Board activities.
Time Commitment: Board members are initially elected to serve a two-year term and may serve up to three consecutive terms. Board members are expected to:
- Attend monthly board meetings
- Participate in any committee meetings that you are on
- Advocate for PiPE and promote its programs and activities. Participate in PiPE’s events and training as appropriate to their time and availability.
- Spend two to four hours a month reviewing papers and keeping up to date on emails.
Transparency: You are expected to bring forward any conflicts of interest as they arise.
Program oversight: It is expected that you stay informed about the goings-on of the organization, including reading the financial and program reports.
Financial review: Ensure maintenance of sound financial records, operation within budgetary constraints and compliance with legal and regulatory standards
Fundraising: Board members are encouraged to make an annual monetary contribution to the organization at a level they deem meaningful. Board members may support staff efforts to solicit funds from a variety of sources and ensure that the organization has the resources to accomplish its work.
Events: It is expected of you to attend and participate in any special events the organization puts on.
Training Events: You are to attend Board training events in order to participate in continuing education.

Team Building: It is expected that you work with the Board and Staff to strive towards the goals of the organization as a whole.

Join Our Board

Serving on our board can be a rewarding way for you to get involved in your community and lend your skills to building a world free of violence

with houseless and street-dependent people in Olympia.

Still have questions or just want to sit in on a Board Meeting to get a feel for things? Call for meeting location and time. If you are interested in attending

please contact us at (360) 357-4472 or email info@pipeolympia.org