Life as I have Seen It

Author(s): Urmila S Dholakia
Publisher: Urmila S Dholakia

Page 37

=Life - As I've seen it
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At the very first meeting the working committee registered their concerns about the food bill increasing each month. I assured them that I would investigate it and come back with solutions that would satisfy all the parties involved.
The very next day I took bull by the horn and, started working on resolving this issue. I called the kitchen staff and asked them to bring their account books. I spoke to the staff that this is our first meeting and we need to come together and share a vision for our responsibilities towards the students. At that meeting, 1 outlined our common vision that not a single penny should be wasted in purchasing groceries, supplies and equipment required to prepare food and maintain the kitchen. I told the staff that I am not going to dig up the past but as of today I clearly expected full fiscal responsibility from each person. I emphatically stated that not even a small infraction would be tolerated.
We established some ground rules, guidelines and an action plan to reach our goals. We included some senior students from the working committee to make sure that they understood how the food bill was developed and charged. Our transparent system yielded effective results soon. The food bill went down and the food quality went up. What a seesaw at the hostel! Was everyone happy? No! I did hear grumbling from some kitchen staff but I was thrilled that we were making good progress and every month the girls started enjoying the dropping food bill. We reached our goal. Our food bill was
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