RESOLUTION NO. RS2017-533

A resolution recognizing William P. Sinclair, Executive Director of Catholic Charities of Tennessee, on the occasion of his retirement.

WHEREAS, William P. Sinclair accepted a two-month temporary assignment with Catholic Charities of Tennessee in the summer of 1975 to help resettle refugees; and

WHEREAS, Bill Sinclair, loving his Catholic Charities work so much, declined another job that had been waiting for him to complete his Master of Social Work studies in order to stay with the agency; and

WHEREAS, After serving two years as Catholic Charities’ Refugee Resettlement coordinator, Bill was named executive director of St. Mary Orphanage, now known as Saint Mary Villa Child Development Center, in 1977; and

WHEREAS, In October 1986, Bill Sinclair became executive director of Catholic Charities of Tennessee, succeeding Sister Andrea Vaughn, D.C. in the post; and

WHEREAS, He has taken to heart advice offered by Sister Andrea (Maintain positive relationships, aim for a win-win situation for all, be loyal to the Diocese, and don’t surprise anyone) and by his father, a retired Air Force general (Whatever you do, do it well. And don’t complain) in building an agency which has touched the lives of untold tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of our neighbors in need – regardless of faith, age, sex, nationality, or country of origin – throughout Middle Tennessee and the entire state; and

WHEREAS, Bill has served his home and professional communities in many ways, including as an instructor for the University of Tennessee College of Social Work and in a variety of leadership capacities with the Catholic Charities USA network; and

WHEREAS, Bill Sinclair is retiring from Catholic Charities of Tennessee on January 31, 2017, after more than 41 years of total service to the agency, the last 35 of which were as executive director; and

WHEREAS, no stranger to awards and accolades during his extraordinary career, Mr. Sinclair was honored with the Commitment to Service Award in 2014 by the University of Tennessee College of Social Work and, accepting on behalf of his agency, received the Nashville Business Journal Nonprofit Best in Business Award in 2012; and

WHEREAS, throughout his estimable career, William P. Sinclair has demonstrated the utmost professionalism, ability, and integrity, winning the unbridled respect and admiration of his colleagues in the nonprofit and human services communities and of the citizenry of this State, as well as the appreciation of those served by the staff and volunteers of his agency; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council recognizes William P. Sinclair for the great service he has given to this State and wishes for a happy and gratifying retirement and every continued success in his future endeavors.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. The Metropolitan Council hereby goes on record as recognizing William P. Sinclair, retiring Executive Director of Catholic Charities of Tennessee, on the occasion of his retirement.

Section 2. The Metropolitan Council Office is directed to prepare a copy of this Resolution to be presented to William P. Sinclair.

Section 3. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Kathleen Murphy, Brett Withers, Bob Mendes, Nick Leonardo, Jeff Syracuse