Do most all of your homeowner volunteers get penalized for doing HOA work?

Just wondering what all of you think about this. Do most all of your homeowner volunteers get penalized for doing HOA work?

Seems like i hear this a lot. If so, what are the reasons for this? What do you think?

oljim. in texas

Jim,

Like LetA, I'm not sure what you are asking. Penalized how?

Am I penalized for spending time on HOA business vs. spending time with the family? Depends on your perspective.
Am I penalized by the Association if I am in violation of the Covenants? Yes, just like any other member.

Part of the job is dealing with complaints.
Just as in life, you tend to get more criticism then compliments.

I counter the criticism by offering to appoint the individual to the vacant seat on the Board. They tend to run away.

I appreciate the thank you's I receive but I don't expect them.

I think it's important for a volunteer for a director's position to understand that there will be no thanks, none of the rewards that non-volunteers reep, and much criticism. Then to survive psychologically, I think the volunteer for the greater part has to be mechanical in the application of the governing documents and law. For me, when I was on a board, I wanted to be able to say five years hence: Did I get this right as far as the governing docs, state law, and case law require? Same for members of architectural review committees/boards (ARCs and ARBs).

As for non-director volunteers, I find Boards generally publicly thank them.

I try to thank any HOA volunteer as long as it appears they are truly trying to 'get it right.' Those who mostly are not trying to get it right; whose serving is not necessary to avoid receivership; and who are not at least maintaining the grounds; have only my constructive criticism (typically straight from the governing docs) and my offer to serve in her or his place.

The same thing is happening nationwide all the time. For that matter, the sort of dissent many-to-most HOA boards face has been happening with government since time immemorial. Hence any negativity any individual (be they HOA member or HOA director) is facing is also happening right now at other HOAs. This forum helps one in not taking these matters too personally and finding some validation when one feels one has been wronged. For now, I thank all the volunteers who post here.

Fair Statement


That would depend on the the individual and really shouldn't be a broad statement on all "super volunteers"


Again, depends on the volunteer.

I would probably fit your category of "Super Volunteer" (and I expect many on this site would), and encouraged the forming of a committee to do work regarding our storm water management. It took two years of explaining that the Board simply doesn't have time to look into this issue and if volunteers are not forthcoming, the issue won't be looked into before there were volunteers. The committee did great work but I wish they had done more. They met with contractors and provided proposals for the Board to award a contract. However, once awarded, the work fell to me to coordinate the work, get notices out to members, ensure vehicles were moved when needed, etc. In this instance, the committee added to my workload vs. reducing it.


Again, that may be the reason for lack of volunteers within your Association.
I don't believe that that is the reason in ours.

Well having served now 29 years, the last 13 as president, guess that might place me in the super group.

My theory easier to keep the car from running into the ditch rather than pulling it out of the ditch after the fact.

As far as making things tough on those that follow well sadly that makes little difference. Much of the progress made will be lost with my departure simply because there are few that will do what needs to be done. The vast majority look to do as little as possible it anything at all.

Micro-managing. Well here again if you want to get something done right someone needs to be on top of things. Nobody, not the MC or the state will look after your investments and homes as well as you SHOULD. Here we had less than $30,000 in total assets when I became president. After 2 decades of existence. No reserve fund at all. Today we have over $500,000.00 in assets. Have spend another $600,000 on propert improvements over my time as president. A little micro-managing seems to go a long way. Money was pouring out to a crooked MC, his contractors, board members were given favors,
And the MC overcharged and rigged bidding for every project. Have to wonder just how much was skimmed off for the 20+ years while everyone sat back and did nothing.

And yes burn out does exist. Lack of appreciation, thanks, and any willingness to help all adds to that. What stops me from walking away is that DITCH I mentioned. With little effort I am sure we would find ourselves upside down, broke, and run down under the guidance of some who claim to have all the answers. Some already sitting on our board.

So serving is a thankless job. Do nothing get attacked. Do something, get complaints you should be doing more. Do amazingly well and that is simply expected from now on. If it is a pat on the back you require board service will not be for you.

There are those that do and those that do nothing. Sadly, most people today prefer to do nothing other than flap their gums and tell you all they know.
When in fact they "know" very little.

For those that now serve in what has been described as some "super" capacity. Just where will things go once you depart? How long before your property ends up in the ditch? My guess after a short time much of what you accomplished will be gone. Much of what you set in motion will stop. Much of what you did will be forgotten.

That is simply reality in today's world....

Couldn't disagree with you more, sue, when you wrote: '"Super volunteers' make it hard on their successors. They do too much, give too much and micro manage. They also discount committee work. The board becomes isolated and pretty soon, there are no volunteers to replace the burnt out ones."

I'm probably one. I don't believe I try to micro manage. I strongly support and praise committees. They get a lot done and some are the pipeline to further board members. The keep the Board from being isolated.

have served almost 10 hers and can't decide whether to run again next month. Not burnt out as I really like new challenges and we've had plenty. I've had and still had 2-3 who don't like my efforts, but that's just a tiny number of 200+ condo units. When someone is so active in identifying issues and coming up with solutions as I, they, unlike the benchwarmers or single-issue directors who can fly under the radar-- are bound to make some enemies. I don't get a lot of praise, but I do get some--nice, if not needed.

As with Jon, I worry all of the achievements in the last 10 years will go in the ditch if I stop serving. I've had fine support this year from two new directors, BUT neither are very interested in learning our docs or even our rules & regs; the others aren't very useful at all. One new director will be a newer owner & retired courtroom attorney.Tlaks lawsuits too much!! worries me.

I have the perception that there is a distinct division between the Board and the homeowners. It could be just my perception but board meetings are closed to the members and getting minutes of those meetings can be a difficult task. I think the board is offended when I ask for minutes. When a board closes itself off as mine does, it creates a division between the Board and the nonboard owners. I suppose that could lead to the Board feeling unappreciated and burned out but if their behavior was more member inclusive and encoraged participation my feelings might change. I think the board hangs tight with each other because there is no lack of praise from board member to board member.

The typical HOA seems just like my old workplace.

My workplace's motto:

Interesting post with good feedback.

I consider myself a super volunteer and always have. Like Kerry, I'm not sure if I micromanage or not. Probably, but with what I've got to work with here, it's probably a necessity. I put well over 100% into everything I do. With that being said, I'll be 60 this year and being on the Board of this Homeowner's Association is the most thankless volunteer job I've ever had. This community is mostly elderly. Lots of widows who move here and want to be taken care of. The other four members on the board are over 80. Now, I'm not saying that if you're elderly or over 80, you're not good for anything, but the folks on our Board basically keep a seat warm. Same folks year after year for the most part. Can't get them to read up on civil code, Davis Stirling, nothing. They complain, but don't want to take the steps to correct what's going wrong in the community. When we have a meeting, if it lasts over 30 minutes, they start to get antsy and loudly sigh because they want to get back home to turn the tv on to watch the ballgame. Can hardly do anything to motivate anyone in the community. Pretty frustrating. Only reason I stay is because we own three townhomes here and have a vested interest. But, that will be changing, as just this past week, we've decided we're looking elsewhere and they will be going on the market soon. I don't want to be doing all of this work and feel it's time for me to do something fun and for myself for a change. Too much of my life has been sucked up in this sort of thing. Okay, vent over. Sorry. As you can see, it's taken its toll.

Thank yous? In the years I've been doing this I can count them on one hand and the majority were thank yous from the Board president and his wife. That's it.

LOTS of armchair quarterbacks in the community. When they complain, I volunteer to step down so they can take over and that quiets them for awhile.

Been trying to get property management in here, but unfortunately, the prior President kept preaching to all of the scared old ladies that it will break the bank having property management and well ... that has managed to keep everyone scared. No matter how many times I say we will still retain control and have a Board, they don't even want to consider property management. So, here I am running the show with my husband. We are benefitting every other homeowner in the community at our expense! And, we still both work full-time and have other volunteer opportunities we are committed to!

Personally, I can't wait until I'm off the Board, as this place will absolutely fall apart. Sounds harsh, but this is what burnout is all about, folks.