Where’s My Pay? - Unpaid, Overworked & Underappreciated: The Strata Hustle

Is it time to put a price on committee pain?

In this week’s episode, Fiona and Judy dive into one of strata’s juiciest debates:

Should strata committee members be paid?

From unpaid invoices and unsolicited advice to negotiating paint colours and refereeing neighbourly spats — they unpack the pros, cons, and comic absurdities of life on a volunteer strata committee.

In this episode:

• What strata committees really do (spoiler: it’s more than just meetings)
• The case for volunteers: Community spirit vs. silent burnout
• The case against volunteers: Is “free” taken for granted?
• What the law says about paying your committee
• Creative (and hilarious) alternatives to payment
• What you can do if your building wants to start compensating committee members
• Why gender equity and respect play into the debate

💡 Key Takeaways:

• Strata committee roles are legally unpaid unless voted on at a general meeting.
• Fair reimbursement for professional services can be considered.
• Payment may help reduce burnout and increase professionalism — but it brings its own governance risks.
• If not payment, then appreciation matters. Wine helps. So do gift cards.
• And always… don’t expect double-choc Tim Tams unless you vote for them.

🤯 Quote of the Week:

“They sent me a draft email — not one word of mine was in it. Completely ignored. And their email? It had Buckley’s chance of changing any views.”

🛠️ Bonus:

Sample motion wording to propose payment at your next AGM

Real numbers on the time and opportunity cost of volunteering

Laugh-out-loud concepts like StrataCoin™ and the symbolic Golden Key to the Storage Room

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☕ Buy your committee a coffee — or at least stop yelling at them.

🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your strata tea.

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