We move into an “HOA” 10 years ago. One of the flyers they sent out for “dues” said they were voluntary. Which made me curious. I asked for CC&Rs/bylaws a couple of times and never received.
Finally figured out that it’s not an HOA under the law (required by my state to be on file at State and County), but just a bunch of local homeowners taking voluntary dues “for maintenance and beautification projects”. They do ask for volunteers to take on the roles - but no elections either.
At this point I’m convinced they are just people trying to keep the place pretty...they have replaced signs and such...but also done things the city is supposed to already be doing. I haven’t paid dues in years and have gotten no feedback on any questions I’ve asked.
If they have a bank account with your neighborhood's name associated with it, it's only a matter of time before the need for community property becomes a hot topic. In order for that to happen, the kind of an hoa must become an incorporated HOA with things in place to protect the HOA board of directors from the evil homeowners, like the power to FORECLOSE on homes that will not comply with rules, pay fines or pay dues. Never trust these people, and try to put together an opposing group of home owners that feel strongly against any HOA infiltration, before it gets worse.