I recognize that in some nonprofits, one expectation or at least hope is that board members will be about bringing in the dough. And I agree that certainly in their voluntary capacity as individuals dedicated to mission, board members should give and get. Certainly, loading up a board with the heavy hitters who have access to money is a way to make this expectation achievable.
So, does Bright Future International (BFI" serve as the definitive example of what an effective board composition should represent? The Wall Street Journal article headline: "Bright Future International Announces Star-studded Board Of Directors Including Forest Whitaker, Dionne Warwick And Others".
Hm....A closer look reveals that the apparently new (totally?) 14 member board includes:
BFI Founder and Chairman, Anthony Melikhov, will be on the board along with BFI's Strategic Planning Director, Lindsay Miller. Other board members include: actor and director Forest Whitaker; Grammy winning artist Dionne Warwick; Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White; producer Damon 'Dame' Elliot; Brooklyn Nets player Charles "CJ" Watson; attorney Juliette Passer; family practice physician Dr. Andrew Ivanchenko; producer Vladimir Alenikov; Children Affected by HIV/AIDS director David Loewenguth; Program Director of BFI's Children's Program in Panama Biljana Bijelic Rosen; Chicago Bears player Jonathan Scott and Dance4Peace Executive Director Sara Potler.
So, you be the judge: does this look like a board that will govern AND raise money? Is this a composition model that should be emulated?