I think I’ve gone out of my mind.

I’m not really a “joiner” anymore. Committing to things just isn’t my jam these days. Honestly, most of the time I’m perfectly content staying home, minding my own business, and being left alone. Life is peaceful that way.

But apparently, peacefulness has left the building.

Okay, so what am I talking about?

Yesterday, I joined ROVA.

What’s that, you ask?

ROVA stands for Residents of ViewPoint Association. Not only did I join ROVA… I became a Board Member.

Yes. You read that correctly.

A BOARD MEMBER.

WHAT????

So, what exactly is ROVA?

ROVA was established in 2005 as a nonprofit association representing residents of ViewPoint RV and Golf Resort. The ROVA Board of Directors is composed of volunteer residents elected by ROVA members.

The objective of ROVA is to promote open communication with ViewPoint Management in an effort to ensure the quality of lifestyle and property values at ViewPoint are maintained.

Sounds pretty official, doesn’t it?

Now you’re probably wondering the same thing I’m wondering:

How did this happen to me?

Well, it all started about a month ago while Ken and I were talking with one of our good friends. Somehow the conversation turned to the ROVA newsletter.

“You get the newsletter, right?” he asked.

Nope. I didn’t even know there was a newsletter.

The discussion went on and on about communication issues around the community, and before I knew it, he invited me to attend a meeting.

“Sure,” I said. “I’ll just check it out.”

Famous last words.

The meeting was held yesterday over Zoom, and honestly, things went pretty well. Everyone seemed friendly, and during the conversation I happened to mention that I’m self-taught in online marketing.

Now, when I say “self-taught,” what I really mean is: I know enough to be dangerous.

Apparently, that was all they needed to hear.

Suddenly my friend blurts out:

“Let’s vote in Eydie!”

WHAT????

No, no, no, no, NO!

Inside my head I was screaming, but outside I just sat there smiling like a deer in headlights. I mean, the entire board was sitting there on Zoom staring at me. How embarrassing would it have been to say no at that point?

So…I kept my mouth shut.

And that, my friends, is how I accidentally became a board member.

Now that I’m officially on the board, I already have duties. My first assignment is helping create flyers and ads for the upcoming directory.

Thankfully, I have ChatGPT.

Honestly, I’m planning to let ChatGPT help me design those flyers, and hopefully they’ll look pretty awesome. At least that part sounds fun.

But you know what? There’s actually an upside to all of this.

I’ll meet new people.

That alone might help cure some of my boredom. Ken and I are together 24/7, and after a while there’s just not that much left to say. Maybe this will give me something new to talk about and share with him.

Or maybe I’ve simply opened the door to endless meetings and people who talk too much.

Speaking of that…

The membership gal from ROVA called me today to discuss the flyers and ads.

Boy, can she talk.

I think I may need a survival kit for this position.

Tell me — what kinds of associations, clubs, or service groups do you belong to? Have you ever accidentally volunteered yourself into something? I’d love to hear your stories.

— Eydie

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