The old timer (part 2)

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Breakdown

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Desperately seeking someone

“Tomorrow night? Sorry, Ben, I can’t make it. PTA at school.” This is the third conversation with a trustee Ben has had this morning as he tries to scrape together an emergency board meeting. Everyone has an excuse for not attending, but he could hear in their voices that they felt the meetings chaired by Walter were a waste of time.

He decides to call Jim, the co-coordinator for Voluntary Action Millcaster - an ex-solicitor and no stranger to these situations. Ben tells him about the organisation's funding problems and potential staff cuts, the appalling attendance at its board meetings as well as the last AGM (which wasn’t quorate so they had to call another one to get their annual accounts signed off). He also expresses his concerns about Walter’s interfering.

Jim responds: “Ben, you need to be careful that HomeFront is acting entirely legally. You know board meetings must be quorate to make decisions. If this goes on the Charity Commission could investigate, especially if your accounts were late. That wouldn’t look good for HomeFront.”

Ben shudders. Of course he knows that, but how serious are the consequences? Could they be shut down at any moment? He nods at Jim who continues.

“Look, co-opt some new members as soon as possible. A lawyer and an accountant would be ideal.” Ben is at a loss. He’s tried all HomeFront's usual networks, advertised in the Mercury and asked local professional firms, all with no joy.

“Try the CTN Trustee Network and check the guidance on the Charity Commission website. Yes, it's time-consuming and you’ll have to interview a number of people, but it’s the board members who could be liable if the organisation gets into serious financial problems.”

“And what about Walter?” sighs Ben.

Jim insists that a frank conversation is unavoidable and that Ben has to help Walter realise the effect he is having. “But be careful. You’ve already had one confrontation with your previous chair, Hugh, which ended with him stepping down. You might get a reputation for yourself, Ben.”

Later, as Ben puts little Buster to bed, he wonders whether he's really done the right thing by moving here. Should he have stuck with his old Housing Manager job? Was it all worth it? More to the point, was he really cut out to run a small outfit like HomeFront

The unavoidable task

Ben gets in a little earlier the next day to find Trish’s resignation on his desk. Just what he doesn’t need. Then the phone starts to ring.

“Ben, is that you? Walter here, I’m just on my way in. There’s something urgent I need to discuss with you.”

Ben stands in front of the mirror in the staff toilets, visualising the day ahead: well-meaning Walter making his honey tea, sifting through old complaints, alienating Trish. He clears his throat: “So, Walter, how are things with you these days?” No, get straight to the point, Ben. He straightens his tie. “Walter, you’re name is practically synonymous with our work, but recently you’ve become an annoying nuisance…" Annoying nuisance? He couldn’t say that. This was not going to be easy.

Walter buzzes into the office and plants himself in front of Ben. The kettle for his lemon and honey tea is already on.

“I’ve got some good news and some bad news.”  

This time Ben is determined not to let Walter take the lead. It's time to take charge.

Honey saves the day

“Walter, actually I've got…erm, something quite serious to say to you…no, no, let me go on. Look, we all know you’ve been HomeFront's main pillar supporting it through thick and thin. Mention HomeFront and everyone thinks of you…but…" Now Ben is in full stream: "Walter, you know the world we operate in and HomeFront has changed dramatically. That's why you brought me in. So, well, perhaps it’s time for you to step aside from all the grinding board responsibilities, take on a more fitting role. It would be fantastic if you became our first patron in recognition of all that you've done for HomeFront.”  

Ben takes a deep breath and waits for the usual response, but to his surprise Walter takes out his wallet and hands Ben a cheque.

“£15,000 to HomeFront? What’s this?" asks Ben.

“It’s the shortfall for the matched funding. I just knew there must be some of our private donors who would be happy to help, so I trawled through the filing cabinet the other day.”

Ben is speechless.

“And I topped it up to the full amount, personally. Treat it as a parting gift."

"A parting gift?" says Ben, puzzled.

"Yes, I'm sorry, but my mind is made up."

"You're leaving HomeFront?" asks Ben, in disbelief.

"I'm leaving the country, old chap. To be honest, I’ve been wanting to retire to France for over three years now, and make my own honey. 'Miel de Walter' – tres originale, non? It was just with all the changes and problems I could never find the right moment to leave.”

"Yes. I can't think how HomeFront would have survived without you these last six months," says Ben, with barely concealed relief.

It all made sense now, the terrible French, the local honey-taster pots, and now this parting gift. Walter was going to make an excellent patron. Trish could be persuaded to stay on now, and the money would give them a little breathing space and stability.

And with Walter heading south, perhaps Ben is going to be able to make the changes to HomeFront he wants to make after all…

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