On May 20, 2013, I started a new job as a sales guy for Wells Fargo. My boss, James, and my assigned mentor, Rick, came into town for my first week. I had no idea how important the first week would be to my success. Rick, an old hog farmer-turned-banker, had a way with words.
On day one, they went easy, allowing me to settle in. But, on day two, Rick burst into my office in the morning and threw a 40-page document on my desk. He said, "This is your incentive compensation document. It is how you get paid. Everything the company wants you to do and everything you should focus on is in this document. Read it every Monday morning."
It sounded crazy, but taking his advice led to a successful five years at the company.
In February, as I was preparing to take office as a city councilperson, I thought about Rick's advice. What would be the most foundational document for our city? I quickly realized it was our city charter.
All the powers of a city councilperson are enumerated there. The way to interact with the city manager, attorney, engineer, and judge are all outlined there. Committees, boards, and authorities derive their powers from the charter. This is the foundational document for our city.
So, just as kings in the Bible were required to make a copy of the law and to read it all the days of their life, I am committed to reading the charter each week, reminding myself of the powers of the city council and how we serve our citizens.
In November, you will have an opportunity to vote for or against five different modifications to our charter. I exhort you to read the charter and these proposed changes. Happy reading!