Some Q$A with the managers ...

What comprises miscellaneous expenses?

Couldn't get an answer on this one. I suppose I should talk to Central Office.

Centralized coop maintenance expense has been climbing, from 6 grand Oct 13 to 9 grant Oct 27 to 10 grand Nov 3... This from carpets? What's it from?

So, Anders and I spoke in passing about these questions. Most maintenance expenses are for things like nails and other necessary items to keep the house in shape. With the way maintenance expenses have been climbing, it may be a good idea for the house to discuss things that we've approved, such as cleaning the carpets. Can we afford all of the larger improvements we have committed to? Anders and I spoke about getting together to come up with a budget for maintenance for next semester.

House approved projects is at 10 grand deficit. It was at 34 grand. It went down a lot. I'm curious how? Other fluctuations as well.

This is apparently related to payments on the solar panels. I should interview Alfred about this.

There have been a lot of fluctuations in the maintenance budgets. Why?

I'm still not totally clear on this. Apparently, it also has something to do with payments on the solar panels ... ?

How do we have a surplus in the food budget when we eat so luxuriantly?

We actually DO NOT have a surplus. In fact, we have a post-food-orgy deficit. I'd have to double check with Jarrod on how much that deficit is.

Response to VOCs

Hi Elves,

So, I just now joined Lothlorien Elf Gossip. I literally could not figure out how to join this e-mail list until like ... 2 days ago. Now I can e-mail all of you! It's splendid. 

So! VOCs. You were a surprisingly gentle bunch. The main complaint I got was that people didn't know what I did and that I don't give enough updates. I only started figuring out what I should do recently. You are absolutely right that I should update more. My biggest self-criticism is that I keep telling myself I am going to do something, then I procrastinate and nothing happens. It's lame as HELL. 

Anywho, so, it is now time for me to change my ways. I'm going to try to send out a report every other week. At the end of the semester, I want to put my notes together to map out BSC finances as best I can so that there's a quick reference available on Lothipedia. I also want to revise and explanation of my position. 

Ah, so that brings us to what I do. What do I do? Well, my purpose is to prevent managers from embezzling. I am currently doing this by looking at decentralization reports and asking questions about changes I notice. For example, the maintenance account has fluctuated a bit this semester. Anders said the main culprit for this up-and-downage is the SOLAR PANELS. Now, exactly how that works ... Not sure. I'll have to ask Alfred. 

I set up a blog at the beginning of the semester which I need to update more often. I'll post this update, as well as others, here: http://lothfinances.blogspot.com/

Later this evening, I plan to post the answers to some questions I asked the coordinators recently. Here's a list of my long and short-term goals in case you are interested:

Short term goals:

--Check nifty bundle of checks that Jarrod gave me against electronic bank statements

--Look at decentralization reports and ask managers questions about them more often. 

Long term goals:

--Compile notes that I've taken over the semester for Lothipedia.

--More clearly define my position and how to do it (on Lothipedia)

Questions? Tips? Concerns? You can comment on the blog, e-mail me or talk to me :-)

Best,

Tess