This week was our homeowner’s association (HOA) meeting. I know a lot of HOA’s get a bad wrap and some deservedly so, but our board is even keeled. I’m not just saying that because I’m one of the three Trustees, I’m stating that because we follow the written guidelines.

We apply that equally across the board. This meeting was different because it was time to elect new members for all trustee positions. So, after the usual discussion of budget, old business and new business it was time to nominate and elect new members.

Now for context in our subdivision we have 33 homes and as usual only 12 homes were represented, which was enough for a quorum. The 12 homes that were represented genuinely care about the neighborhood, even through our infighting they want to see the esthetics of the neighborhood maintained.

When the call went out for nominations not one person would step up to take the position. Even after it was explained that come January when we all step down nothing would get done, no invoices approved, no bills paid, no violations enforced, none where motivated to volunteer. It didn’t matter that the three of us have all served multiple terms. Everyone had an excuse on why they couldn’t do it, but all could comment on what needs to be done.

You can’t control people, you can only control your reaction to what they do. So instead of getting angry, which I felt justified in doing, I thought about what was blocking them from giving of themselves to a greater calling.

It hit me like a ton of bricks, “subby” is what is holding my neighbors back from doing what they know needs to be done. In an effort to pull at least two members out of their comfort zone I volunteered to extend my term one more year to help train the two new members.

After another 30 minutes of coaxing, we did have two neighbors step up and volunteer. Even though I am still serving another year I felt good about recognizing the problem and controlling my response to it.