Invisible Labor, Visible Results

Board Work Is Work

Every neighborhood has invisible labor — the kind that doesn’t show up in photos or on a balance sheet, but without it, nothing else works.

That’s what board work is. It’s the phone calls, the document review, the scheduling, the conflict mediation, the 7pm meeting after an 8-hour workday. It’s showing up again when you’re tired, and staying calm when things get heated. It’s not glamorous, but it’s the glue that holds a community together.

And yes — it’s work.

Why “Volunteer” Doesn’t Mean “Effortless”

When people hear “volunteer,” they sometimes imagine something light, optional, even recreational. But board service is a responsibility. It carries deadlines, legal obligations, fiduciary duties, and emotional load.

Board members are caretakers — not of people’s homes, but of the systems that maintain our lake, our common areas, and our community.

That means:

• Reading and interpreting governing documents.

• Making decisions that balance fairness, safety, and cost.

• Listening to neighbors — especially when they disagree.

• Keeping records, managing budgets, and following laws.

It’s all work — the kind that happens in the background, so that others can enjoy the foreground.

The Cost of Invisible Labor

When this kind of effort isn’t recognized, it quietly becomes unsustainable. People burn out, fewer volunteers step forward, and the culture shifts from participation to criticism.

The best way to prevent that is simple: acknowledge that board service is labor, not leisure.

When we treat volunteer governance as real work — with structure, boundaries, and shared accountability — we protect both the people doing it and the community they serve.

The Executive Committee An executive committee is a support structure, not a shortcut. It’s a standard, widely used practice that helps boards stay responsive, organized, and transparent — especially when time or logistics make it hard to gather everyone at once. The goal of an executive committee is efficiency and balance. It helps ensure that no single officer bears the entire administrative burden and that the organization can remain functional during unexpected delays or emergencies.

When used properly, it strengthens governance by:

• Providing checks and balances among officers.

• Preventing decision-making bottlenecks.

• Allowing the board to act responsibly between meetings while preserving accountability.
  

Executive Committees are a common feature in nonprofit and homeowners’ association governance, used to keep operations running smoothly when the full board can’t convene. The committee doesn’t replace the board’s authority; it functions as a practical tool for continuity and efficiency.

Why It Matters

Respecting the work doesn’t mean idolizing the workers. It means understanding that systems only run when someone maintains them.

Good governance isn’t magic. It’s maintenance. It’s showing up, preparing, discussing, compromising, and documenting. It’s hundreds of small decisions that prevent chaos.

When we recognize that, we can share the load more fairly — dividing tasks, rotating responsibilities, and building teams that reflect the diversity and energy of the whole community.

That’s how we move from “a few people doing everything” to “everyone doing something.”

A Call for Shared Stewardship

If we want a healthy, functional, and fair neighborhood, we need to value the people — and the labor — that make it possible. Volunteering on the board is a huge commitment.

Because caring for a community isn’t just a feeling. It’s a job — and one worth doing well.