Confessions of a Future Politician: Part 22
Bureaucracy Recedes / Moving Higher
Year 8, Week 13
We got a letter from Corporate Affairs from the state capital.
Dear Ms. Delgers
We have reversed our decision to grant the Riverbend TDG a non-profit society designation. After further discussion, your electoral rules — although unusual — are democratic in nature. Your many bylaws are acceptable to this office.
There are some more forms to fill out, and copies of your bylaws will need to be registered properly. We believe that legislative approval is forthcoming.
We will be watching your organization and this new way.
Sincerely
Abraham Hunter
Registrar
Corporate Affairs
State of ______
“Dad, what did you do?” I asked.
“I wrote to 15 law offices in Riverbend and Joosemin to support the TDG. We told the bureaucracy that all 15 law offices believed that Riverbend’s TDG was indeed democratic and making a proper application. Just because the bylaws were lengthy and different is no reason to deny an application. Whoever made the first decision must have feared fighting 15 lawyers could stall a career. That’s my guess.”
“Why did those law offices agree to your request?”
“in part, it’s because I am well regarded in my profession. When I speak, I get listened to. In another part, I think we all want to see where this TDG goes in the next few years. I think a couple of my colleagues are members of the TDG in Joosemin.”
My father agreed to look over our application work. He said the state legislators seldom challenge this bureaucracy in these matters. But it may be weeks or months until the application makes its way to the legislature floor for legal approval.
My boss called me into his office for a serious chat.
“Thelma, we really like how you’ve been bookkeeping for your two clients.”
“Thank you. That’s nice to hear.”
“And we see your good work helps keep our clients’ accounting bills lower. We like happy clients.
He continued: “A few years back, we set up a bookkeeper to handle the books of three big clients. It takes about one day a week to handle the books and payroll for each client.”
“Do I know this person?”
“Emma Price.”
Emma comes by the office every couple of months for a quick meeting with my boss. I know she is a contract bookkeeper.
“And?”
“Emma is moving out of state and will be giving up her clients. Are you interested?”
And that is how I set up my own bookkeeping company.
The income was better than a receptionist, so I dropped that job. I was developing a love for the accounting profession and thought my future should be there. I found a university that offered accounting courses in distance format. It might take me four or five years to get my accountanting diploma that way.
To study accounting, the restaurant job also had to go. Stacey was disappointed, but understood. We promised to stay as good friends. And I wanted one more volunteer job to serve my community — and get to know a few more people.
