Most committees are held together by a small group of determined volunteers. That is admirable, but it is not sustainable. Participation fatigue happens when the same people do all the work, all the time.
Lower the cost of saying yes
The easiest way to increase participation is to make each ask smaller and clearer. Instead of recruiting for a role, recruit for a task.
- Replace "join the committee" with "review two quotes this week."
- Offer 30-minute time boxes instead of open-ended commitments.
- Publish a list of micro-tasks residents can pick from.
Make progress visible
People show up when they believe their effort changes something. Share quick updates that connect participation to outcomes.
- What was decided and why it matters.
- What work moved forward because of volunteer input.
- What still needs help and who owns it.
Use short, focused feedback loops
Long meetings discourage involvement. A short survey or single-question poll can unlock a surprising amount of engagement, especially when the results are published quickly.
How OpenCourtyard helps
OpenCourtyard makes it easy to assign small tasks, run quick polls, and publish updates in one place. That reduces the burden on the committee and makes participation feel worth it.
Try Surveys and Voting and the Community Forum for low-friction engagement.
If participation is slipping, request a demo and we will share a lightweight engagement plan.