Fortunately, there is a better way. The most critical of these is the interim phase as it sets the tone for the future. The interim phase covers the time when owners occupy a development while still under control of the developer. There is a board of directors that rules, however, it is made up of the developer's representatives so owners have little or no real power. There can be clashes because the developer, whose interests are short term, makes decisions that impact the owners, whose interests are long term.
Developers have a variety of control styles.
One may be an autocrat, calling all the shots and failing to organize the owners. Another, where sales are brisk, exercises minimal authority and turns control over to the owners prematurely, leaving inexperienced owners to fend for themselves. This participation prepares those that are interested for roles on the board. The committees also make valuable budgetary, construction, landscaping and policy recommendations to the developer that will be in both parties' best interests. The committees also serve as buffers between the developer and owners answering owner questions that don't require a developer response.