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... the sky is baby blue, and the just-unfurling leaves ...
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Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Sun Nov 24, 19 7:17 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Getting the accounts audited will be a good start, although by the sounds of it he will be tearing his hair and just saying they are unauditable very quickly.

I know you have a lively sense of civic duty, but I assume you are doing this on a voluntary basis, so you can always walk away. If something is not done soon, I would suggest you do, not only for your own sanity, but because the whole lot of them could be on a fraud charge for misappropriating grant money.

Still coughing well, although I have felt a little better. I am hoping to go out for a little while today, so will see how it goes. I have 30 log sacks, 2 meetings and a doctor's appointment over the next few days, so hoping I can manage to pace myself for them.

cassandra



Joined: 27 Mar 2013
Posts: 1733
Location: Tasmania Australia
PostPosted: Mon Nov 25, 19 2:22 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

As you say Mistress Rose, I am doing this on a voluntary basis, but I feel very strongly that the attitude of this person is very much "after me the deluge" - in other words, if she can't manage it, then no-one will be permitted to do so.

By bringing Council into the equation we can have an independent Third Party to guide us and our action in initiating the intervention will demonstrate a will to do better which will hopefully protect the bystanders.

I have just been making up the Monthly account. Despite several re-counts of the actual cash I was handed I can not make it up to the amount stated at hand-over (which included adding verbal reports of various sums arising from the smaller parcels of money which I did not count as I was on the edge of emotional collapse with the lobby group standing over me). So I have backtracked through the 'receipts (which at least detail the donation of $100, and the revenue from raffle sales), deducted the float and raffle money from the amount claimed from the Market, double checked my notations as I was being briefed, and finally reached a close approximation of what is actually there. A long and painful process for someone who goes cross-eyed at the idea of balancing even simply petty cash with all receipts but I think I have traced all the duplicate additions and if not I will simply offer to make up the difference from my own pocket (and live on bread and butter for a fortnight).

We remain $150 short of our next bill

In case you wonder at my persistence, the Hall is two doors up from me, and well worth saving if we can, but consecutive non-functional committees have been slowly eroding it's condition and reputation.

Tomorrow I have an early start to take a patient into town which will at least provide a distraction for me and hopefully the Mayor will be in touch shortly.

gz



Joined: 23 Jan 2009
Posts: 8577
Location: Ayrshire, Scotland
PostPosted: Mon Nov 25, 19 6:51 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Wishing you all the best...hope it all goes well

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Mon Nov 25, 19 8:46 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Yes, asking for the council to come in certainly shows that you want to do better and may preempt any action by them. I suggest you go gently through all the takings and try to get it right. There is no reason why you should have to make up any shortfall. Is this woman going away again soon, as I think you said she lives some distance away. The sooner the better.

Managed to get out for a little while yesterday. We delivered a besom to a customer at a little distance, and she was delighted with it. She wants it for a housewarming present, which is rather a nice idea.

gregotyn



Joined: 24 Jun 2010
Posts: 2201
Location: Llanfyllin area
PostPosted: Tue Nov 26, 19 2:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I am sorry you are still not well, MR., even if improved on last week, this does seem to be going on a bit. Glad you are going to the doctors', they should help. Rest is the main thing, but don't tell the other half I said so!

I can only say "take care" Cassandra, we are all on your team but, it depends how many guns are aimed at you over there. The alternative is to walk away from it all, but why should people get away with what appears to be fraudulent? Frankly, I think I would just go and say 'I told you so' when it all comes to a head and volunteer to return to do the job "straight down the line", without the encumbrances of any of the current regime, but with a hand picked team of competent personnel. Easier said than done I guess.

I keep saying I am going to retire, but the money keeps coming in and although both boys want me to go as another boy is looking for the job-the newest storeman's brother is not happy where he is working and would like to come to us. I don't blame-him good money for old rope! Repetitive, as I do the same thing every morning opening parcels and distributing the contents to their appropriate place a bin, a shelf or a fitter, but to be paid for getting up early, which I normally would in the week, is good.

The excess demand on my firewood I now realise is because the other stockist in the town has given up shop keeping, and in now living in the old shop as well! I have trouble cutting and chopping the last 2 days input-26 nets-and am worried how much it will take to restock it to day if they are going at the same rate I have some stock but I had planned to be able with my stock, chopping at weekends, sawing in the week, to be able to maintain the stock to a point as well as sell it. I am panicking that I need a partner!

Off now to chop more wood!

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Wed Nov 27, 19 7:32 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

That is always the problem Gregotyn; the work takes you over. One of the other firewood suppliers ceased trading suddenly last year, and a lot of their customers suddenly came to us. We were able to take a few, but not all, but now things seemed to have settled down a bit. Log sacks are currently selling well, but I haven't been able to do any this week, so husband and son have done some, and the others await better weather so we can actually cut some more wood, and my return. This weather is really making life difficult for us. The plus is that son is able to do some more leather work at home, so at least something is being produced.

cassandra



Joined: 27 Mar 2013
Posts: 1733
Location: Tasmania Australia
PostPosted: Thu Nov 28, 19 5:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

What you propose may well eventuate Gregotyn, simply because the mother/daughter duo will be resigning after Christmas, Mother will wait till the Boys are on board, but i remain cautious about Daughter's reliability. As a precaution I am approaching another local farmer (who donated $100 to our fundraiser) to see if I can recruit him to come to this meeting, become a member, and ensure we have the numbers for a quorum come in case the daughter resigns before we have enough numbers on board and I have re-drafted the Articles to a more manageable document.

My meeting with Council did not go as well as i had hoped, but still offers some short term solutions. The General Manager (being the person who actually decides on the allocation of Council resources) was cautious about the degree of support they could provide, but has made a few offers which will be very helpful in the short term. At present we are $200 short of the $1300 required for our insurance in January. I have not been confident we were appropriately insured anyway, and his reading of the document concurs. So he will negotiate cover with an agency that most of the local groups use, and Council will pay half of the amount of the fee. So assuming it is a similar total to what we have previously paid, that means we would still be able to cover the electricity bill due the same month - phew.

So my plan is to get Lance on board this meeting, propose a redraft of the Articles, put the fear of god into them about our finances (basically our fund-raisers have been covering our operating costs which have not been covered due to the failure to charge a table fee for the markets - in other words, we are asking the Community to subsidise one stall holder who has always had a stall), and suggest that recriminations are fruitless, provide an explanation about the process errors and how a new set of Articles will reduce the problem should she propose a further insurrection, and steer them forward. I do have to catch up with the rest of the Executive and obtain their support for this approach prior to the meeting.

Today was a friend's birthday, so apart from finally getting some washing done, I had a pleasant couple of hours at the coffee shop catching up and engaging in pleasant chatter. Sunday I will be spending at the wool shop knitting and gossiping and Tuesday will be crunch day. Wish me luck.

Shan



Joined: 13 Jan 2009
Posts: 9075
Location: South Wales
PostPosted: Thu Nov 28, 19 8:35 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Good luck Cassandra and remember, at some point, if they don't decide on positive change, it will all come crashing down on them. You will have done what you could and you can be a hell of a lot more forceful if it happens, if YOU CHOOSE to still be involved. You have more options here than they do.

dpack



Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 45377
Location: yes
PostPosted: Thu Nov 28, 19 1:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

good luck, to go with your sound tactics might prevail, your plan b is outlined, they seem to have bluster and little else.

when a group gets stale and flaky at the top there is often a moment like your village hall stuff.
you explained it to us in a way we understand, try to simplify and clarify it into clear, simple and short points. make them in an order that makes context very clear.

whenever you can get the problem persons to provide proof of the problems by their statements and/or their ability to provide evidence.
set em up and lead em in:twisted:

prepare, don't play the hall, get forensic on the problems one at a time to demonstrate context

gregotyn



Joined: 24 Jun 2010
Posts: 2201
Location: Llanfyllin area
PostPosted: Thu Nov 28, 19 4:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Best of luck, all your UK followers are on team Cassandra!! I hope the council man can come up with some serious help after the initial hand, as you will need to be able to sustain income to keep the hall going. Initially anything which helps can be superficial-so that it looks good! It contravenes the old saying pound wise penny foolish, but in this case you are after new local talent to be impressed and come along and help or sponsor. Anyway I know nothing!

Take time in getting better MR, rushing back can do more harm than good. This weather here is really warm, when we should by now have had several frosts. There was a small covering of snow at home one morning on the fields by home, around 1000ft. but there was nothing on the roads and I think we have only had 1 frost so far meriting salt lorries. I am hoping it stays this way too!

I have just looked out of the window and it is pitch black out there-4 months of this to come. I have caught up with the kindling a bit just hoping to get a lot cut and chopped before the mid December comes along and takes all the stock. I have done 4 nets this afternoon so pleased. None needed in the shop as there is plenty on display outside. Tomorrow will be a sawing day and hope to get a start chopping at the weekend after library of course!

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Thu Nov 28, 19 6:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Had a meeting with the power line people about the work that needs doing, and we should be able to manage it. They will be doing half in March/April and half in about September next year, so might be fun for them to access under the pylon tower at that time of year with lots of new growth.

Managed to do some log sacks today, but very tired now, so going to have a day at home tomorrow as we need to send another besom off anyway.

Cassandra, hope you get it all through. Things seem to have got into a terrible state, and as you say, they can't go on that way. Best of luck, and make sure that if anyone votes against sensible ideas or tries to carry out stupid ones, that it is all minuted so you are seen to be blameless.

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Thu Nov 28, 19 6:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Sorry, somehow got double post.

gregotyn



Joined: 24 Jun 2010
Posts: 2201
Location: Llanfyllin area
PostPosted: Fri Nov 29, 19 2:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

We have no objection to you posting twice, MR, but take care, don't overdo the working!

Yes new growth will probably affect the power line people's access. They are skilled with chain saws and have no qualms about cutting whatever is in their way. They cut a hedge for me that was getting close to the lines and in so doing gave me an extra 2 yards of grazing for the horses each side of the hedge-almost half an extra horses needs revealed! I hadn't asked them, they hadn't told me, but it was a surprise, and well done, and saving me around £50!

I hope all this works out for you, Cassandra, take care and don't saddle yourself with too much work; delegation, is a key word!

cassandra



Joined: 27 Mar 2013
Posts: 1733
Location: Tasmania Australia
PostPosted: Sat Nov 30, 19 7:44 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Thanks guys - your support means a lot. I have been rehearsing arguments continually day and night so will hopefully have the words if required, and can deliver them with dignity rather than sounding like a shrieking harpie.

Meanwhile we had a frost this morning. After 15mm of rain over night, followed by sun shine and a light wind (which got the washing dry) then strong winds and thunder, and black unproductive clouds and finally as I type, clear skies and the odd looming thunderhead.

The overnight rain was a welcome follow-up from the 23mm I had two days ago - with any luck the new farmer up the road will get some regrowth on the paddock he ploughed in anticipation of Spring rains.

Tomorrow is the first official day of Summer, and the week's forecast is for rapidly diminishing temperatures. Snow on Thursday apparently, haha. Of course that is the day I am driving someone to their medical appointment, but you can't help bad luck.

Tomorrow I have booked a seat on my friend's couch in her wool shop so I can spend a peaceful day of knitting.

gregotyn



Joined: 24 Jun 2010
Posts: 2201
Location: Llanfyllin area
PostPosted: Sat Nov 30, 19 10:27 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I panicked the first frost about 2 days ago, having had nothing really to call frost and now it has started as a regular feature this, and yesterday, morning I have been spraying the windscreen to get away in the morning. I am now looking for a large parcel to be delivered, covered in bubble wrap to act as a screen cover for the nights, particularly covering the door handles as they seen to stick well in with the frosts to the point the first morning I thought the lock was still on. I may have to invest in an over all cover-or a garage!

Cassandra what is a shrieking harpie? I have obviously led a sheltered life.

We too had frost over night, but not as bad as it was for the last 2 days, and by the time I came to drive to the library all fairly clear. I can't ever remember having frost and thunder in the same 24 hours. I would find it strange having snow in summer. Always remember that if it were not for bad luck, I would have no luck at all.

Have fun with the knitting-what is on the needles this time?

As soon as I get home it is back in the wood shed with the sole objective of doing a minimum of 20 nets this weekend, demolishing the pallets, de-nailing sawing to length, chopping and netting. de-nailing takes the most time! I have some stock but not enough to get through the winter-panic!

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