Politely declining to volunteer?

Does anyone have any advice?

I live in a townhouse/condo. The HOA recently planted bushes in front of my building... I had no say in this, and didn't want them there. But, I accept that I don't get to control everything (since it's a condo), and that the bushes are there. I don't like them, but I accept them and have moved on.

However... someone from the HOA has contacted me and one other person in our building (small building, 6 units, the entire complex has several buildings). She wants us to volunteer to water the new plants. I don't know what's involved, but the last time they sent something out about this, I thought it involved standing around water each plant for quite awhile... i.e. this isn't a matter of just splash some water and call it good, you've got to actually make sure to water the plants for a particular amount of time.

I'm 1000% not interested. I have too many of my own things to do, and not enough time to deal with them. I'm depressed, I'm struggling with my job, I'm trying to lose weight, eat better, possibly get back to therapy, deal with a crazy family, emotional support a brother who's homeless/in jail most of the time, etc.

I'm also a bit upset. They've raised our fees nearly every year for the past several years, and I think the plants are a waste of money. I'm now paying $300/month in condo fees ... and for that amount, no, I don't think I should also have to water the plants.

My problem is... the HOA person is the most helpful person in our community. Whenever there's a problem, she is THE person to go to. So, I don't want to piss her off or get on her bad side.

How do I go about declining the plant-watering, without upsetting this person?

Is it enough to say, "I'm so sorry, but unfortunately, I'm not able to take this on right now." ? I'm afraid it might read as a bit cold.

What about, "I'm so sorry, I'd love to help. Unfortunately, I have a bit more than I can handle at the moment with my job and family. I just don't think I can commit to keeping up with the plants as well." ???

Ugh. I hate stupid stuff like this. What's the point of them charging me $300/month, if they're going to turn around and ask me to do yard work for plants that I didn't want in the first place, you know?

Any advice? Thanks!

I just went ahead and replied... apologized, but told her that work and other commitments were crazy right now, I'd help if I could, but it's just not do-able for me right now.

I hate stuff like this. Thanks for letting me rant. Feel free to share if you've recently been put in a similar uncomfortable position, and how you responded! Thanks.

I currently work two jobs and am not available for extra activities. If people ask me to do things that's my reply. I am not home enough to do extra stuff and when I am free I am too tired to do anything else. I wouldn't water any bushes even if they pay me. Well I take that back. I would if they pay lol i do things for free of course. I tutor my students all the time after school. But they aren't some bushes. People who love gardening or have nothing else to do could go ahead and water bushes.

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I have a Brown thumb, so that would be their risk.

Sounds like you handled it well. You answered her request. And you aren't resenting doing something that you didn't want to do.

Brown thumb lol lol lol I killed every plant I ever had. I managed to kill my daughters plants every time she went to her dad. Poor girl always came back to dead plants. I even killed cacti. I always either over water or forget to water

Wanted to add that my mother ( who Never says no to people and constantly does things for people ) was very ill last year. She said the only good thing came out of her illness was that people didn't ask her to do things. My mom is hilarious. When chemo was over and good results came back she said " well that's good but now they gonna ask me do things again" lol

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it's volunteering which typically means you have the choice, it should not upset anyone if you say you can't or even just dont' want to. if you're obligated to say yes then it's not volunteer work in the first place.

Thanks everybody! I got an email back early this morning saying that it wasn't a problem at all, no worries, so it looks like everything is OK. I'm not sure why I expect backlash over this sort of stuff, but I tend to get so anxious... even when I laid down last night, I felt like my heart was racing .

Divine1966 - I hope your mom is doing much better! I think that some people (maybe?) seem to really enjoy helping everyone out... but I usually feel like there's not enough hours in the day already, I think I'd resent the plants (even more!).

Healingme4me - thanks! And, that's funny. I suspect that I have a brown thumb as well... I certainly don't have any plants in my care right now, which should be a clue to the HOA!

S4ndm4n2006 - thanks! Yeah, I was worried that it wasn't really volunteering, but "volunteering" since she only emailed the two of us... I wasn't sure it was really a true "do you want to do this" request, and more of a "you really need to do this!" demand!

And... my neighbor volunteered to take it on! I feel a tiny bit guilty that he's going to have to it himself, but... I remind myself that he could have said "no" too. His choice, his consequences!

Thanks for the support!