This post is written for my leadership, ethics and Board advisor friends on LinkedIn.
Maybe I’m naive or out of touch. What do you think of this offer?
When I was contacted last week about a position on an advisory board for a new executive education program at a well established university in NJ, the opportunity sounded promising. I would be joining leaders from organizations including Microsoft, Uber and Google, or so I was told in an introductory email. Yesterday I received more details in a phone conversation with the program manager. The call should have ended when the manager could not tell me how she received my name, but I decided to play along for a few more minutes. My one-year “seat” was contingent on two requirements:
- A commitment to three ninety-minute on-line evening calls throughout the year, during which Board members would listen to a presentation and give feedback.
- An agreement to complete the executive education curriculum itself (16 hours of online learning.) To clarify, I personally didn’t have to be the one to do that. Someone on my staff could be assigned the responsibility. It didn’t really matter as long as the FEE was paid. And what was that fee? For the general public, the program costs $4995 but as a Board member, the fee was discounted 80% to $980. Not only that, but anyone I signed up to complete the program would also be eligible for the same reduced rate.
I tried to stop choking on my coffee long enough to say that I would check with our Council members for some feedback. Before I had a chance to do that, and within 30 minutes, I received a followup email telling me I had been “approved” with a DocuSign term-sheet attached.
Well, I did a sanity check with one of my Council members who suggested I contact the university to discuss the ethics of their “pay to play” Board program. I may just do that. What would you do?
PS- Why the picture of the dog? I lost my buddy of 13 years on Monday. I’d like to think that the week can only get better from here. Let’s see what today brings.
Copyright © 2020, Next Decade, Inc.
Barbara, so sorry about your canine buddy. We have them in our lives for much too short a time.
Hi Barbara, I’m not an expert on board recruitment and positions, but your story makes me feel uneasy.
Mostly, however, I wanted to send my condolences for your loss. I know how it feels and it’s awful. I can tell by the beautiful and calm photo your buddy was well loved – and he, you. Memories live forever.
@Charlie Green
Thank you Charlie. I remember when you lost your beautiful companion.
@Laurie Wilhelm
Thank you Laurie. He was very much loved and gave more love in return.