Evergreen Village

Why Non‑Participation Hurts the Community

Evergreen Village is a place we all share—158 homes, each with an equal stake in how this community functions and how it feels to live here. Every rule, every improvement, every dollar spent, every decision about safety, maintenance, and new neighbors comes from the Board of Directors. It’s the group that keeps the whole structure standing.
Right now, we have two open seats on that Board. And not one member has stepped forward.
That silence is more than disappointing—it’s dangerous for the health of a cooperative. A co‑op can survive tight budgets, tough winters, and complicated repairs. What it cannot survive is a lack of people willing to help steer the ship.
When only a handful of volunteers carry all the responsibility, several things happen:

• Decisions slow down because too few people are doing too much.
• Important tasks get delayed—maintenance, planning, financial oversight.
• The same volunteers burn out, and eventually they step back.
• The community loses its voice, because decisions are made by necessity rather than by broad input.
• Trust erodes, not because anyone is doing wrong, but because too few are involved to share the load.

And here’s the hardest truth:
A cooperative cannot function if its members choose not to participate. It simply cannot. The structure depends on shared responsibility, not on a small group doing everything while others watch from the sidelines.
This isn’t about blame. It’s about reality.
A Board with empty seats is like a house with missing beams. You can ignore it for a while, but eventually the strain shows. And when it does, everyone feels it—financially, socially, and in the day-to-day quality of life.
What we need now is not perfection, expertise, or endless free time.
We need willingness.
We need voices.
We need neighbors who care enough to help guide the place they call home.
Even one year of service, even one term, even one person stepping forward makes a difference. Evergreen Village works best when more of us are in the room, helping shape the future we all live in.
Sam Brockman, Director At Large .

June 3, 2026

Newsletter Correction

The Prayer, Share and Fellowship meeting dates are incorrectly published in the June 2026 Newsletter. The correct dates are June 10th and June 24th,.

May 6, 2026

Open Board Positions

The Evergreen Village Coop. Board of Directors currently has two open seats: Board Secretary (interim term through August 22, 2026) Board Vice President (term through August 2027) These roles are important to the smooth operation of our community, and we warmly encourage residents to consider serving. If you are interested or would like more information, please speak with any Board member or email evergreenvillagecoop@gmail.com.