Capitola Village Residents Association (CVRA)
By Edita McQuary
Neighborhood associations are a good idea but sometimes the reality doesn’t quite live up to the idea. After an initial gung-ho start, is your neighborhood association losing its appeal? Tired of seeing the same half-dozen people try to breathe life into a community project? Take a lesson from the Capitola Village Residents Association.
This very active, successful association started five years ago when locals Margaret Kinstler and Linda Hanson noticed that there were organizations in Capitola for businesses but there was no organization for residents. Since Capitola is a summer vacation destination, a lot of the population fluctuates during the year. Margaret’s family used to come to Capitola when she was growing up and she developed a love for the village and finally was able to move here.
She and her friend, Linda, made up a flyer inviting residents to come to City Hall to discuss any village issues or concerns. They went door to door putting the flyers into mailboxes and speaking with residents, when possible. On the appointed day, about 40 people showed up along with a couple of city counselors. People’s concerns were listed on a huge writing pad on an easel. The Capitola Village Residents Association was born!
A Board of Directors, representatives from the five neighborhoods of Capitola (Central Village, Riverview Terrace, Upper Village, Depot Hill and Jewel Box) was selected. Bylaws were discussed. Since no dues are collected, no Treasurer is needed. The membership is just under 300 people and all communication is by email so no money needs to be collected for postage. Their friends and neighbors inform those few members who do not have email access.
The Board meets every three to four months to discuss what’s happening in the village. Board members attend City Council meetings to keep up to date on what’s going on. Recently, they’ve been following the General Plan and the plans for Monarch Cove at the end of Depot Hill. A September 20 email announced the first public meeting on the Monarch Cove application, which many members have strong feelings “about this significant project on the old “el Salto” site at the east end of Depot Hill.” Meetings are open to the public and so far, according to newsletter editor/cyber-czar Rich Didday, “No one has come to blows yet.”
In 2008 when the economy started its downturn, a group called “Capitola Cares” noticed that local restaurants were hurting and decided to support them. The CVRA got involved with creating the opportunity to invite locals to fixed price dinners at various restaurants. This not only helped the restaurant owners but also gave people a chance to meet more of their neighbors. CVRA has continued this win-win situation even though the “Capitola Cares” group is no longer in existence.
The group also does fund-raisers for charity – a group of people decided to clean out their closets, hold a garage sale/flea market and donate the money to the Human Care Alliance. That is the only time they needed a “Cashier/Treasurer,” and Linda Hanson stepped up to the plate to help with this project. During the past two years, CVRA has collected $1,375 for the Human Care Alliance.
They also do a variety of other community events either in individual neighborhoods or as a village. It is refreshing in this day and age when everyone is so busy with their
lives, to be able to meet neighbors, fellow citizens, and to have a renewed sense of community and place. For more information, newsletters, calendar and photographs, please visit www.capitolacvra.org.
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Thanks to Rich Didday and Gina Velez for their help with this article.