The CZ (Master Association) Lifestyle and the Volunteer Fallacy
September 26, 2007
The October 2007 CZ Master Association's Newsletter makes the argument that the CZ lifestyle is mostly due to efforts of volunteers and that it is “very easy to overlook the tireless work and the thousands of hours donated” to benefit CZ residents.
The facts are that not only do CZ residents shell out close to $10 million/year to subsidize such lifestyle for others, but Common Interest Development (CID/HOA) is a multi-billions industry structured not to benefit the average resident, but to benefit politicians, property management companies, attorneys and a host of other service providers. Wit the flurry of legislation in Sacramento, not unlike AB-980 waiting for the governor’s decision to either sign or veto it – According to an article written by D. Vanitizian titled VETO ASSEMBLY BILL 980 BEFORE THERE'S NO MORE GOLD IN THE GOLDEN STATE, AB-980 will in part:
All but halt 1031 property exchanges;
Complicate home ownership and refinancing;
Cause an influx of liability and litigation;
Cost every taxpayer more money;
Conflicts with numerous existing statutes to cause havoc in implementation;
It is true that operational efficiency (or in-efficiency) in a given common interest development is very much a function of unpaid volunteers, the “volunteer fallacy” is that residents should be content with the outcome, whatever it is, as long as the decisions are made by unpaid volunteers.
It is fair to say that every volunteer has a personal reason to engage in volunteer work. Some do it to maintain the status quo. Some want to be change agents. Some want to be in the spotlight. Others want to embellish the resume. Some are wannabee politicians. Whatever the reason, we posit that residents who do volunteer work, receive their reward, by being good stewards and should not expect to be thanked, quite the contrary. Further, we posit that the final CID development solution is to structure a legal framework more akin to a for profit organization.
Buzz
Interesting analogy from someone who hasn't bothered to volunteer
their time and efforts to improve the community. Instead you would
rather criticize the efforts of those who do sacrifice their time
and volunteer.
Sure, we can eliminate the volunteers and hire professionals. But
then you would howl about the dues increase necessary to pay their
salaries, and then accuse them of being corrupt and incompetent.
After all, if you cannot create a controversy then what will you
have to write about?? I know, the facts are boring, and positively
acknowledging the efforts of the many volunteers that work on behalf
of our community just isn't consistent with your agenda.....
The only "fallacy" here is that you and the Coto Enquirer can be
counted on to provide any facts or value to the community.
For the record, we volunteered for various positions during the Varo/Mezger administration - no one on the board ever bothered to even acknowledge the requests.
…and the slippery slope continues, or is it our German friend following close behind?- Buzz
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