Bill Medley, who is retiring from Creative Community Living’s board of directors this month, was honored at the board’s Christmas party on Dec. 4 at The Ridge.
Board president Sharon Bird and executive director Linda Misasi thanked Medley and acknowledged some of the ways he helped establish CCL and has worked to make it a successful nonprofit organization.
Medley, retired superintendent of Winfield USD 465, was one of the local business people who stepped up and helped parents organize CCL in 1996 after the Kansas Legislature voted to close Winfield State Hospital and Training Center.
CCL provides community support for men and women with developmental disabilities in Winfield, Arkansas City and El Dorado.
Besides being one of the founding board members of CCL, Medley has served as the board treasurer and chairman of the finance committee since the beginning.
Bird and Misasi both said they appreciated Medley giving them excellent direction and support in a kind way.
He has been their teacher and mentor, using the wisdom he gained during his many years as a teacher, principal and superintendent. In addition to his business knowledge, Medley has shared his wealth of knowledge and experience connected to the workings of the Kansas Legislature.
He has stayed up to date on legislative issues that might affect CCL and shared that information with board members and key staff members.
"Mr. Medley has been a very gracious mentor to me since I took on the leadership role at CCL," said Misasi. "He has made himself available to me on very short notice and has a kind way of helping me think through things. His experience has been so important to our organization. I admire him greatly."
Bird presented Medley a clock, and several other board members shared their appreciation for his many contributions to CCL. Medley’s wife, Maxine, attended the party with him.
