The Weight of Community Work
June 9, 2025Tags: careers, community
For over 15 years, many of us have poured our hearts and countless hours into building and nurturing this community. We’ve watched it grow, celebrated its successes, and weathered its storms. It’s been a labor of love, a testament to the power of collective spirit. But lately, that love has started to feel like a heavy burden, and frankly, some of the long-time organizers are getting tired.
The Invisible Expectation: Full Responsibility, Zero Support
The unspoken truth in many communities is that the “leaders” - often those who’ve been around the longest and invested the most - are expected to carry the entire load. We’re the ones organizing events, mediating conflicts, answering questions, and generally keeping the lights on. It’s an assumed full-time job, yet it’s entirely volunteer.
And while the community readily shows up to consume what’s offered, there’s a deafening silence when it comes to shared responsibility. The expectation is that we’ll always be there, always “on,” always ready to show up for them. What’s missing, however, is anyone showing up to help shoulder the actual work.
The Exhaustion Sets In: When Dedication Turns to Dread
Imagine running a marathon, year after year, with no relief runners in sight. That’s what it feels like. The initial adrenaline and passion that fueled us for so long are slowly being replaced by a gnawing exhaustion. We’re tired of being the only ones initiating, the only ones problem-solving, the only ones holding things together.
This isn’t about seeking accolades or praise; it’s about the fundamental principle of shared ownership. A community, by its very definition, is a collective. Its success, and its failures, should be a reflection of everyone’s involvement, not just a select few. When the entire weight falls on a handful of individuals, it’s not sustainable.
The Peril of the Unwilling Successor: Why Stepping Down Feels Like Failure
This fatigue leads to a precarious situation. When we’re running on fumes, things inevitably start to get sloppy. Communication might falter, initiatives might stall, and the vibrant energy that once defined our community can begin to wane. And that’s when it gets truly ugly.
Because despite our exhaustion, despite the growing resentment, we’re often terrified to step down. We look around, desperate to pass the reins, but see no one stepping up. No one raising their hand to say, “I can help. I can take on some of that responsibility.” The fear of “letting down” a community that hasn’t stepped up for itself creates a toxic cycle. We feel trapped, obligated to continue even when our tanks are empty, because the alternative seems to be the collapse of something we’ve invested so much in.
A thriving community needs more than just participants; it needs active contributors. It needs individuals willing to share the load, to learn the ropes, and eventually, to take their turn at the helm. Without that shared commitment, the dedicated few will eventually burn out, and the very foundation of the community will crumble, not from a lack of care from its founders, but from a pervasive lack of involvement from everyone else.