The desire to form the Village of Rockville Centre Civic Association has become a reality, thanks to the efforts of Meghan Kearns and her steering committee. The newly created civic association hosted its first official meeting at the Rockville Centre Public Library on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
The civic association aims to provide a permanent platform for residents to collaborate and engage with government agencies, organizations, citizens and surrounding communities to address neighborhood safety, quality of life concerns, physical improvements, beautification opportunities and volunteer efforts and find mutually agreeable solutions for the betterment of the community.
“I’ve had a really great group of residents working with me the whole time,” Kearns said, reflecting on the teamwork that has brought the association to fruition.
This initiative marks a significant milestone for Rockville Centre, which has not had an active civic association for nearly 20 years. The Southside Civic Association group was one of the last organized efforts in the area. Kearns and the steering committee hope to fill this void and create a sustainable platform for community engagement.
The journey began earlier this year when Rockville Centre resident Jeannette Duncan-Cornell created the RVC Neighborhood Association group on Facebook and organized its initial community meeting in June.
“It’s only through her efforts and her work that we were able to come together and are able to move further down the path,” Kearns said of Duncan-Cornell. “At the first meeting of the (neighborhood association), I expressed that forming a civic association would be a permanent path forward.”
This idea resonated with attendees, many of whom reached out afterward, expressing a desire to get involved.
A steering committee was quickly formed comprising more than a dozen dedicated individuals — including Kearns, Catherine Carter, Kevin Ryan, David Ruttura, Cailin McEntee, Jeff Kantounis, John Sullivan, Ginny Fitzpatrick, Dave Fitzpatrick, Mary Beth Kearns, Howard Kamph, Kelly Wexlar, Ben Wexlar and Rich Collett.
The committee has been meeting monthly, and sometimes twice a month, to lay the groundwork for the civic association, and their efforts have been methodical and comprehensive.
“Our goal was to get the bylaws done and get legs under it,” Kearns said, adding that the bylaws are designed “to benefit the residents of the village as much as possible” and cover key aspects such as leadership structure, membership, standing committees and dues.
Drawing inspiration from other civic associations in nearby South Hempstead and Baldwin, which provided valuable blueprints, the steering committee assembled a series of bylaws.
“We’re really excited to be able to finally launch this with residents,” Kearns said, expressing how transparency and accessibility will be guiding principles throughout this process.
Duncan-Cornell, who announced that she is stepping back as the RVC Neighborhood Association transitions into the new civic association, expressed her gratitude to those who supported her efforts.
“My objective in setting this up as an informal group was to get this community re-engaged — it had been about 20 years since there was an active group like this and, frankly, it shows,” she wrote in a Facebook post. She went on to encourage residents to continue participating: “If you become a member, you will have the opportunity to elect the group’s leadership,” she added.
Members of the steering committee have worked behind the scenes to bring this initiative to life. “It’s been a really nice group of people,” Kearns said. “Everyone felt passionate about making this happen.”
As the new civic association is born, the excitement among its founders is palpable. For them, the effort is not only about creating a new organization, but it’s also about fostering a renewed sense of community and providing a platform for residents to come together, share ideas and address local concerns.
The first public meetings, in January and February, will serve as introductory sessions to provide residents with information and answer their questions. By March, the association plans to hold its first leadership meeting, paving the way for elections and an operational leadership team by April.
Kearns and members of the steering committee provided a brief overview of the civic association's bylaws, officers, committees and membership at the Jan. 7 meeting, held after press time on Tuesday. She explained that the organization will be governed by a six-person board of directors consisting of a president, vice president, corresponding secretary, recording secretary, treasurer and membership director. The association president will be responsible for appointing a chairperson to four different committees focusing on public safety, zoning and land use, beautification and infrastructure.
Any resident over 18, who resides within the boundaries of the Village of Rockville Centre, is eligible to be a voting member. Homeowners and renters within the school district, whose property lies outside the boundaries of the community — such as homes with South Hempstead or Oceanside addresses — are welcome to attend meetings but are not eligible to be considered voting members. Dues are $24 per person annually and will be collected at the start of the coming fiscal year.
With the Village of Rockville Centre Civic Association poised to make a meaningful impact, residents are encouraged to attend its upcoming meetings on Feb. 11, March 11, and April 8 at the RVC Public Library to learn more, get involved, and help shape the future of their community.
“This is about creating something lasting for the betterment of everyone in the village,” Kearns said.
For more information, questions or concerns, email rvc.civic@gmail.com.
This story has been updated from its original publication.