Residents are, after all, neighbors and not associates or clients. It is a tightrope that even the most experienced managers fall from. With inexperienced managers, the falls are bound to be frequent. Lack of planning results in crisis management and crisis makes homeowners rightfully nervous and irritable. Owners that choose passivity position themselves to be reactionary.
ALL owners owe their HOA some degree of volunteerism.
Those that don't will always have a hard time understanding the homeowner association concept. Stand up and be counted. If after serving, you still feel a gross injustice is being perpetrated, you're probably right. Work to throw the bums out. All's not lost.