I am on our HOA only because of the kooks that could run for the HOA.
HOA are a bunch of dictators that don't want a family to park a car out front or change the oil in the driveway or get new windows, etc... whiteout their permission. I am a total pain in the ass for the HOA board members and to be quite frank, I love it and I think most of the people in our development like me because I actually let people live in peace.
Snow removal, common ground issues, etc... are fine for an HOA.
My rub is when people have to ask permission to plant some flowers and put new shingles on and shit.