Eulogy for Bill Brinkley
Eulogy for Board Chair William M. "Bill" Brinkley
by Executive Director Chris Jernigan
September 11, 2016
I am so honored to have been asked to take a few minutes to share some of Bill's many accomplishments during his 52 years on the Board of Trustees of Southmountain Children and Family Services.
I don't know exactly how long Bill served as chair but he was in that position when I came 26 years ago and, other than his mandatory one-year off every eight years, since I've been there he has always been the Chairman of the Board.
His accomplishments during all of those years have been nothing short of amazing.
I feel sure he was very involved in whatever decisions were made in his early years on the Board. But, I know, for a fact, that he was instrumental in hiring Ravon Smith who came after the long-time director Rob Williams, He was the main Trustee involved in hiring Doug McConnell who came after Ravon, and he was the person who allowed me the opportunity to follow in their footsteps.
He was a key leader in moving us out of the old, inefficient and no longer adequate rock building and dormitories and into the new neighborhood of homes built in 1994 and 1998. These two building projects were done by conducting two major capital campaigns led by Bill.
I remember so very well during those two campaigns how Bill would accompany me and Doug McConnell to meet with Foundation Reps and others (many of whom were just Bill's friends) to ask them to support building the new homes, gymnasium, and administration building. Bill would introduce us with that giant smile of his and then sit back to let us do our jobs. He never wanted to play "the big man" or try to make himself out to look good or make himself important. He just wanted to get better homes for the kids and knew how to get the door open and then let us do what he had hired us to do.
That's how he ran the Board as long as I can remember. Not to say that he didn't guide us, he just knew how to use his resources and he believed in allowing us to our jobs.
I shared that sentiment with Bill a few months ago after attending a conference where I heard so many people complaining about their Board members - especially those who had served what they considered a very long time - like 10 or 15 years. I was proud to tell them about my 50 - year Board chair who wasn't stuck in the old ways of doing things and who didn't want to control how things were run. Most of them were truly shocked to hear that. I think they were most shocked to learn how this "really old timer" had embraced the innovative ideas and programs we had incorporated over the last decade.
I will never forget Bill's reaction when I presented the idea to the Board about creating a one-of-a-kind foster community. It was so "out of the box" that I wasn't really sure any of the Trustees would go along with it. Throughout all of the discussion, Bill sat quietly. Questions were being asked, comments being made, but nothing from Bill. When it seemed like everyone was through with their discussions, Bill spoke up. He said, "Well here's what I think". And, my heart sank. Just for a moment I thought to myself "Bill doesn't like it, It's too far out there." Then he said, "I think this makes a lot of sense. And, I think this is the right path for us."
That was Bill, thoughtful...insightful...analytical....and willing to give it a try if he thought it would help children and families.
Bill also oversaw our growth in Children's Advocacy Centers where we assist in child abuse investigations by providing professional interviews and medical exams of child abuse victims. Once again, Bill could see how these Centers were effective and helped reduce the trauma child victims have to suffer. He saw how the families of these children benefited by coming to a friendly place and how the healing process could begin right there with us. Over the last few years, Bill would often say how he felt the Children's Advocacy Centers were one of the best things we have ever done for children. He was so proud that we were able to help so many children and families through these Centers and our clinical programs that run in conjunction with them.
Bill was proud of everything that has been accomplished at Southmountain and he never took one bit of credit for any of it. But they certainly were his accomplishments. It was his keen awareness of the community around him, his desire to make it better, and his devoted leadership that have helped to make everything we have done at Southmountain over the last 52 years possible.
A couple of years ago we honored Bill by naming the main administration building on campus the "William M. Brinkley Center." At that time a staff member interviewed Bill for an article about his years of service and this is what he said in that interview:
"I have worked with four Executive Directors and many dedicated Trustees during my time on the Board, and together we have tried to keep the growth of Southmountain strong. I'm honored to be a part of such a wonderful organization and very humbled to have been recognized in this way."
I am humbled, today, to have been able to have had Bill Brinkley as my boss, my mentor, and my friend.
Bill Brinkley's legacy will live on in the lives of his children and his children's children. But his legacy will also live on through countless men and women whose lives have been made better because he cared enough to give of himself.
May we all strive to follow the path he has left before us.
Thank you Mr. Brinkley, from all of us!
