Secretary

From one day to the next, I was appointed secretary, and if there’s one thing I hate, it’s sorting out a company’s paperwork, filing, taking minutes, reading pointless messages and dealing with things, all whilst being constantly thwarted by a pathological liar. Or is it Alzheimer’s that’s playing a part here? That was my first thought, incidentally. I’m getting absolutely fed up with the constant back-and-forth where decisions are reversed – and I’m putting it politely.
The meeting was substandard but, thankfully, finished within the allotted time, and I’d cleverly set a timer ten minutes earlier (sorry, I’ve got a train to catch and my time is precious).

‘Would you like to think about what you can do and what you have to offer?’ asked the new board member.

Now that I’ve thought about it (not too much, just a few seconds is enough) I don’t think I have anything to offer. I was thrust into the role of secretary without my consent and registered as such… As far as that’s concerned, Iam great with money, finances, but no desire to put someone else’s financial mess down on paper. Indeed, there’s a fabricated budget and no annual report to be found. It’s possible to cobble something together afterwards and make it add up, but I’m not getting involved in that.

So my answer will be ‘nothing’, partly because there’s no list of tasks, and I feel I’m doing enough, actually, too much. I’m not the sort of secretary who sticks around; I’m the one who moves on as soon as there’s nothing but a refusal to change and I’m constantly being criticised.

‘I’m trying to appeal to your heart,’ said the other board member.

Well, she came to the wrong person. I don’t fall for flattery, lies, underhand behaviour, feigned friendliness or being used.

‘You take the shop, then I’ll take the administrative side,’ said the new board member the next day. ‘I want to know what sort of person the chair is.’
I’m afraid the new management won’t be to her liking, but as far as that’s concerned, they can sort it out for themselves. There’s a good chance the end is in sight, especially if the owner of the premises wants the business out, and to be honest, I’d have kicked them out ages ago. What I detest even more than being secretary is lying and turning other people’s property into a shambles.

If things carry on like this, the ship will soon run aground.

_{Prompt: see title
13-8-2026}