Meet the board
Kathy Whitman – Vice President of the Hall
Kathy was a recreation professional with Seattle Parks, overseeing aquatic programs and special events.
Many of the skills gained there fit into the needs of the island. She was elected to the GICCA Board in 2019 and has focused on hall and stage rentals, maintenance, landscaping, etc. She also lead the development of the Guemes Island Art Initiative and continues to work cooperatively to expand awareness of the art and artists on the island. This work includes the website, art studio tours and more.
It is her intention to bring positive energy, creativity, a value of past history and welcoming change. Her primary contribution is offering her time with GICCA to build community, support projects and programs.
She strives to listen to suggestions and see what ideas could come to life.
Gale Myles – Vice President, Stage
Gale brings energy and curiosity to the group. As a seasoned elementary school teacher and librarian, her strengths lie in organization and thinking outside the box. She led a Guemes Island homeschool group, Island Explorers, and met many talented and knowledgeable folks. She hopes to revive those connections and help connect more small island groups of children and adults to learn from each other.
She is interested in the history of the island and how we can continue to educate new residents and children about their island. She would like to build the strong relationships that she has witnessed on the
island and perhaps to foster new trust and cooperation.
Libby Boucher – Secretary
Libby was elected to the GICCA Board in 2018 and has served as the Secretary for her entire tenure. She has served on multiple nonprofit boards and has a good handle on what is required to make one work
successfully. She is good at logical thinking and likes to develop streamlined processes. She enjoys writing, so the job of secretary feels like a perfect fit. She also writes the Artist of the Month articles for the Guemes Island Art website. She would like to work to continue to heal the relationship between GICCA and those who call it home.
Betsy Jeffers – Treasurer
Betsy is someone who works well with others, has experience in board activities, has a strong commitment, believes in community, and loves to contribute to the community in which she lives. An example of her previous board experience includes being Commodore of the Monterey Peninsula Yacht Club. During her board years, she served as Director, Treasurer, Recording Secretary, and all flag officer positions. As Treasurer, she completed restructuring the general ledger accounts and assisted with integrating a new bookkeeping system. She hopes to avail herself to a more robust contribution to the island, and there is no better way than jumping in and providing her services in whatever way necessary.
Brenan Filippini – Trustee
Most of the non-profit work Brenan does is “boots on the ground” (vs clerical-type work). He is happy to help with whatever is needed. His flexible schedule allows him to attend many events. In other
associations and clubs, he does safety organization, mowing, volunteer events for specific purposes, event setup/planning, and helping neighbors that have limited resources (usually separate from the organizations). He brings his interest, equipment, small tools, and “can do” attitude to make a positive difference! He fills many gaps GICCA has and assists with projects in the hopes of alleviating burnout.
Nancy Fisher-Allison – Trustee
Nancy was the GICCA Treasurer for almost 3 years and stepped down in the summer of 2024. In her new position as a Trustee, she will continue to work with the current Treasurer and can offer her research and problem-solving skills to the organization. Her core values include being a good team member and seeking consensus, while also respecting diverse viewpoints. She hopes to continue moving GICCA’s financial practices in a professional direction, in keeping with Washington nonprofit law. Beyond the financial realm, she would like to support the Coast Salish community as they plan gatherings on Guemes Island, their ancestral home.
Anya Mayo - Trustee
Anya has been a Guemes Island resident for the last 17 years and with two kids that are in the Anacortes School District. She hopes to bring a voice to the generation that has children on the island. She would like to bring in the younger generations and have them more involved. Anya prefers to work together in a friendly way and is a problem solver by nature. Over the years, she has donated her
time to different community projects. It is her goal to work together to try to lessen the division and make community property communal again; to collaborate and strengthen the character of our community.
Eugene Gwost- Trustee
Eugene is a lifetime Islander, and property owner, dedicated to giving back in the spirit of Community. He wants to preserve the local traditions and events that help make Guemes a special place for us to live together. As a builder and maker by trade, he has a keen mind for troubleshooting and is used to working through difficult operations. He hopes to bring a fresh viewpoint to GICCA, and to help wherever he can. Eugene looks to expand an already in-depth knowledge of GICCA Facilities Operation and Maintenance.
He looks forward to working with GICCA Board on the historic return of The Annual Guemes Island Woodchopper's Ball at the Guemes Island Community Hall.
Ryan Mimnaugh - Associate Member
Ryan, a ten-year-old lifelong resident of Guemes Island, is making waves as one of two youth associate board members of the Guemes Island Community Center Association. Growing up watching ferries cross the channel, Ryan and her fellow youth representative are bringing fresh perspectives to the organization while recognizing the unique challenges young people face on the island. Together, they champion initiatives like kids' movie nights, and a youth-led fund raisers to create more opportunities for the island's younger residents. Their authentic perspectives and creative suggestions have earned the respect of adult board members, who value their ability to represent the needs of local children in their tight-knit community.
Nalu Rumpff - Associate Member
Nalu, a passionate eleven-year-old who has called Guemes Island home since birth, serves alongside Ryan as one of two youth associate board members of the Guemes Island Community Center Association. With a deep connection to island life, Nalu brings unique perspectives to the board while advocating for more inclusive youth activities within the community. Her enthusiasm for outdoor recreation and environmental stewardship has led her to propose many ideas that will be well accepted by the community. Together with Ryan, she helps ensure that the voices of young islanders are heard in the community center's planning and activities. Nalu is excited to demonstrate how young leaders can help shape their community's future.
Mission:
The purpose of the Association is to promote the educational, recreational, environmental, and social welfare of the inhabitants of Guemes Island, by maintaining and operating a meeting hall and and outdoor stage, associated facilities and properties, hereafter called the Community Center, which shall be for the use of all members. For-profit organizations, private affairs, and off-island organizations may be allowed use of the Association’s facilities at the discretion of the Board.
Sub-Committees
Sub-committee updates are included in GICCA public meeting minutes, posted on this website.
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Events Committee
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Volunteer Committee
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Stage Storage Committee
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Website Committee
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Facilities Committee
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Guemes Emergency Team (GET)
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Guemes Art Initiative (GIA)