As I have spent many years in both the private sector and the non- profit world, recent ocurrences have led me to reflect on my own experiences—and particularly on the role of Boards of Directors and those who agree to help lead an organization. I have been, both a Board Member, as well as one who has taken Board’s directions on growth
By far, one of the most influential people ever to take on a disease impacting children is Boomer Esiason. Through the Boomer Esiason Foundation, more than $170 million has been raised in the fight against cystic fibrosis. Their results are well known as what was once, surely a death-sentence by age ten, has long since added decades to many who suffer. Yes, you can make a difference.
Interestingly, Boomer became involved with the cause even before he had children of his own. His neighbor and friend, legendary sportswriter Frank Deford, had lost his daughter, Alex, to cystic fibrosis.
Then life became intensely personal.
Boomer and his wife, Cheryl, had two children one a daughter and a son, Gunnar, who was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at age two. Frank encouraged Boomer to not ‘merely’ help, but to use his prominence, relationships, and leadership to change the world.
Boomer became a machine.
He understood endorsements. He understood corporate relationships. He understood cause marketing. Most importantly, he understood that nearly every relationship represented an opportunity to ask someone to become involved, to help……and he did.
Not everyone has Boomer Esiason’s influence. But everyone has (or should have) the same drive. It’s not a matter of how much you have, it’s what you do with what you have to change your child’s world. The question is whether people are willing. With a child living with an insidious disease EVERY paret should ask themselves; “Do I want to help” or “Do I want to try to change the world for my child and for others like them”?…..and then to act. Many become involved in what is of interest and many even become Board members.
In my experience, there are two types of Boards: oversight boards and participation boards.
Certainly, oversight matters. Governance matters. Accountability matters. But the most successful boards, in my opinion, spend perhaps 20 percent of their energy overseeing and 80 percent helping to build.
Giving time and money.
Building relationships.
Opening doors.
Making introductions.
Asking for help.
Creating opportunities.
Helping generate the resources an organization needs to grow.
My goodness—if not for their kids, then for whom?
I once had a prominent board member tell me he simply could not ask the people he knew for donations. Yet this same individual had built a multimillion-dollar company by asking many of those very same people to buy his company’s products and services. His child eventually died from the disease the organization was fighting. Sad. But it does happen. Too often. If not for their kids, then for whom?
Too often, some board members would rather sit around a table pointing out everything an organization is doing incorrectly than roll up their sleeves and help create the resources needed to make things better.
Criticism is easy.
Building is harder.
But building is why leadership matters.
If not for their kids, then for whom?
One of the greatest fundraising executives I have ever known is Bob Pearlman, the former head of the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation. In his heyday, he was second to none and he stated once, “Organizations will not, and cannot, hit their long term targets, by merely ‘cutting’. Waste needs to be eliminated but if you are not always building up, you’re going backwards!” I never forgot those words.
So, if you serve on a board, ask yourself a few questions.
When was the last time you called a staff member with an idea? When was the last time you opened a door to someone who could help? Are you spending more time at meetings on reports, or on ideas/actions/discussion building-up your organization? When was the last time you personally started a fundraising effort? When was the last time you introduced the organization to someone in your professional or personal network?
Do you merely attend board meetings—or do you actively participate in advancing the mission between those meetings?
Because when it comes to changing the course of a disease, it takes everyone.
And I mean EVERYONE. Everyone rowing together. Board members. Staff. Volunteers. Families. Donors. Researchers. Corporate partners. Community leaders.
Together, they can create a roadmap that does not merely help an organization survive, but gives it the opportunity to truly change the world.
And really…………….
If not for your children, then for whom?
I’m a diabetes dad.
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