March 6,  2009


On Wednesday, March 4, the Kinnakeet Civic Association (KCA) held its first general membership meeting at the Avon Fire House. Approximately 35 people attended the meeting, which was led by Jennifer Augustson, president of the association, and its five other board members: Vice President Jim Coleman, Secretary Natasha Hooper, Treasurer Robin Ames, and Directors Tilman Gray Sr., Bonnie Williams, and Claudine Williams.

The meeting was an introduction of sorts to the KCA, which was launched in 2008. The mission statement of the association, which was posted in the KCA Newsletter and association bylaws that were passed out at the meeting, is to “sponsor, promote, conduct, manage and carry on activities and programs for the improvement of and benefit of the social and civic welfare of the citizens of Kinnakeet, Dare County, North Carolina.”

The board members were on hand to broaden this mission statement and suggest and listen to projects that would fit within these parameters. With two white boards set behind the association directors with a long list of the KCA’s interests, such as historic preservation, neighborhood beatification, and public safety, Augustson summed up the purpose of the KCA.

“We are looking for projects that can benefit the residents, but can also make us a more cohesive community,” she said.

In order to be a member, applicants must be over 18 years old, be permanent residents of Avon, and pay annual dues of $10. Applications and a copy of the bylaws are available upon request by emailing Natasha Hooper at Kinnakeetcivics@yahoo.com.

In her treasury report, Ames noted that the organization started with $100 towards the playground fund, and currently has $450, not including undeposited dues and new member applications taken at the meeting. In addition, there is already an unofficial tally of 56 members. “That’s a good start for such a short amount of time,” said Ames.

But the purpose of the KCA is to discover inexpensive projects that can benefit the community, such as educational programs for students that focus on the stories and histories of long-time residents or a community photo swap to reacquaint residents with their neighbors.

“We are also planning social gatherings in the winter, when all of us get tired of TV and we need something to do besides sit at home,” said Coleman.

Several other ideas were tossed around as attendees started to brainstorm projects.

“What about resurrecting the Kinnakeet Fish Fry?” asked one attendee.

“Oh, yes sir.” replied Coleman, generating a chuckle from the room. “I think we’ll all agree to that.”

There are several community organizations, such as the Avon Property Owners Association, that already serve the community of Avon through scholarship programs, providing trash cans for the Avon beaches, and a myriad of other projects.

The KCA, explained Ames, is a separate entity and not in competition with these groups.

“There were already so many good existing organizations in place, and one voice was underrepresented, and that was local residents,” she said. “Now we can work with these organizations to accomplish great things.”

“APOA is a well organized group,” expanded Augustson, “and we want to collaborate with them on events and projects, and share the work and the benefits.”

The next scheduled board meeting is April 1, 6:00 p.m., at the Avon Fire House and all members are encouraged to attend to share their input. The goal is to form one or two committees to start projects, particularly a summer fundraiser.

“The board is simply the central group,” explained Augustson, “but all the members have to work together to make this association work.”  

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