I would rather be ashes than dust! I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry-rot. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I will use my time.
Brothers then told the story of when former University of Alabama and Oakland Raiders quarterback Kenny Stabler was asked by a sports reporter what those words meant to him, and Stabler replied: "Throw deep.""I want to challenge you that when this Board and when this management is going to throw deep, you be out there to catch it," Brothers told Annual Banquet delegates. "And when there is something that we need to catch, throw it deep."
Over the next year, Brothers said the organization's actions will be centered on three major themes: technology, economics and politics. "We know something about technology in our code development process and in our listing services, and technology tells us what is possible," he explained. "By the same token, as we implement programs and develop our codes, we take into consideration the economics of what our activities have as an impact on our society.
"And most especially, we as code officials have a unique ability to make decisions when we have both opportunity and challenge before us, that being political decisions or what have you," Brothers continued. "I think the way forward looks good for our profession."
While moving forward, Brothers said the organization will not leave its core values behind. "We are committed to our mission—there's no doubt about that whatsoever." Brothers added that efforts such as the Board’s Code Development Review Ad Hoc Committee will remain challenging in the coming year.
"We are very wedded to the notion that we desire and value fairness in the participation in all of our activities, most especially our code development process," Brothers said. "And we are very wedded to the notion of having integrity and what that stands for in all of our activities, as well. Given that we are struggling at this point to define if there is a need to change some of the processes that are currently utilized, I don't want you to lose sight of this: While it may be true that good is the enemy of great, by the same token, don't let the pursuit of perfection be the enemy of good while we resolve how we’re going forward in the future.
"It is true the ultimate measure of man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but truly where he stands in times of challenge and controversy," Brothers continued. "That being said, it's important to be respectful for all the viewpoints that we are going to be considering as we go forward."
Brothers thanked his fellow Code Council members for the opportunity to serve as Board President. "I know so many of you that I would have never had any opportunity to know, and you inspired me to be as convicted and compelled to be as good at my job as I could possibly be," he said. "There's all kinds of people in this room tonight that exemplify that—in fact, there's a lot of people in this room that could probably serve as your president better than I will—but you've given me your confidence and you've given me your trust and for that I am truly grateful.
"I will use my time."