The members of the UMMF Board of Directors is of critical importance to the success of the foundation. It must be a working Board, with individual assignments and tasks. They are the on-stage image of the foundation and the pivot around which the mission revolves. The foundation, and its mission and purpose, will be judged on the basis of the members of the Board.

Outside consultants and advisors can be of significant help, but it is the investment of time and passion from Dr. Uwakah and Mr. Uzegbu that will determine the success of the UMMF mission.                                          

Other members of the Board are equally important and have individual roles to fulfill, but the President and Vice-President of UMMF are the two people who must determinedly drive the foundation’s mission. It is incumbent upon the foundation to develop a management strategy that places each Board member in a strategic position that supports the organization’s purpose. It is also necessary to appreciate that, given the demands on their time and their limited financial resources, Dr. Uwakah and Mr. Uzegbu will only be able to do so much.
                                         
Strategically, therefore, the Board must take one step at a time, knowing that the long-term objective–a fully functioning hospital in Akoli-Imenyi–is a distant desire, and that progress will have to be made in small steps. To plan otherwise would be folly. That is why the ’Grow As We Go’ strategy is appropriate and proper.

Dr. Uwakah and Mr. Uzegbu’s primary function is to spread the word of UMMF’s mission, to speak to any and all influential people who might lead them to sources of funding, in-kind resources, advice, and support.

Once research has concluded which foundations and philanthropists to approach for the first step in the Grow As We Go strategy, Dr Uwakah will communicate with those foundations and philanthropists introducing himself and his foundation. After that initial introduction, the grant will be sent.     

It is of critical importance that Dr. Uwakah becomes the foundation’s “presence.” It is his passion and commitment that must be shared with the organizations, institutions, and companies that are approached for funding.

Dr. Uwakah and Mr. Uzegbu must also work together to create an Advisory Board that consists of influential men and women, who agree to support UMMF’s mission in whatever ways they can. The Advisory Board should consist of no more than five to ten people. Dr Uwakah and Mr. Uzegbu should meet quarterly with the full advisory group, and maintain monthly contact with them, via phone and email.            

The Advisory Board will be a powerful tool that UMMF Board can count on as it pursues its mission. Dr. Uwakah and Mr. Uzegbu must also become members of organizations and institutions whose missions are in alignment with the mission of UMMF. The goal for Dr. Uwakah and Mr. Uzegbu is to become well-known among the organizations and institutions with interests in African and Nigerian affairs.