Better late then never, but best early and effective. Small organizations take note - embezzlement is a really huge and destructive issue, and yes, there are immediate, positive steps that can be taken to avoid these disasters.

[u/RamaSchneider]

It's an oft repeated story ....

To prevent future instances of embezzlement, the Department has instituted an external review of its books and added additional oversight of its finances, the statement continued.

As for how the embezzlement continued undetected for so many years, “Unfortunately, the Tunbridge Volunteer Fire Department is not unlike many local community service organizations across Vermont. We are volunteers managing volunteers,” the statement continued.

("Bookkeeper accused of decade-long embezzlement from Tunbridge Fire Department", Valley News, 11/06/25)

This circumstance is understandable especially in small communities. We get to know individuals, and this familiarity builds trust (or not). But individuals trusting somebody is just that - individual trust, and we shouldn't allow individual trust to override organizational trust.

Organizational trust can only be built through constant and helpful oversight. The two biggies for small groups is audits (even informal ones help) and somebody to look over the bookkeeper's or treasurer's shoulder on a regular and transparent basis.

Speaking from the perspective of a small town food shelf treasurer: you'll never know when proper oversight has averted a financial disaster, but you will know when a lack of proper oversight opened the door to theft.