I hadn't even moved in before I had people knocking at my door trying to get me on a committee. I took evasive action because I had seen how it affected MiL, she felt so duty-bound that it was hard for her to get away on holiday or for visits. So I will wash up, bake cakes, organise a stall every year for the village fete, sing in the village choir, go litter-picking, go carol-singing, be on the flower rota, do the teas at various events and allow the use of my house for committee meetings - but I will not run anything, because sometimes we simply cannot be around. When DBH is on holiday, he wants to be flexible. I think people get out and about more now than people used to, we travel more and take short breaks.
For example, the job that really needs filling now is that of running the village hall bookings. My somewhat older friend used to do it, but she rarely went anywhere. She is in her mid 70s. She would take the bookings, meet people at the hall and show them how to work lighting and the industrial dishwasher etc, and the bar. Then they either dropped the key back to her, or she would go across to lock up. What woman in their mid 70s wants that sort of job? I cannot think of anyone younger than that with the time to spare to take her place.
Yet the admirable women in my village have only just realised that apart from their treasurer, they have no men on any committee whatsoever. It's just the same in my choir. You would think that all the retired men would be more than happy to run a village.