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Guemes Island Community Center Association

Enriching and Connecting Our Island Community

 

 Island Happenings

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Guemes Island, Skagit County, WA, USA

Ferry Cams

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(Find out if there's a 2nd 11:15am sailing)


⛴ Catch the Ferry


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Community Messages

SCAM ALERT!

An email purporting to be from GICCA under Lisa Charnock’s signature has gone out widely. Please do not click on any links and please delete the message. We are very sorry for the inconvenience and will try to address the problem.

GICCA Monthly Business Meeting
September 28, 2023, 7:00 PM
With the end of the Summer hiatus, the GICCA Board will resume monthly business meetings at the Hall this Thursday.  All Guemes Islanders are welcome to attend.  See here for this month's agenda.

POETRY IS A PORTAL

Conversations About Poems With Island Poet, Lisa Charnock

Guemes Island Church

Saturday, September 23 and October 7

2:00PM - 3:30PM

Events are free and open to All.

 

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Click Here for more information


GUEMES EMERGENCY TEAM

GET

GET” is being established in 2023 to replace Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) which now requires member recertification and training for all participants in order to continue using the title "CERT." The new GETprogram builds on the strengths of CERT as well as uses the existing “Map Your Neighborhood” (MYN) program”. It recognizes the challenges that are unique to Guemes Island.  Click here for more information on this important new program.


Guemes Island Pickleball
Guemes Island Pickleball Players are a loosely organized group of local players with support from Guemes Island Community Center (GICCA) and Skagit County Parks.  The tennis court at Schoolhouse Park is open for anyone with a net. It is striped to allow for two pickleball courts at one time.

Memorial Day to Labor Day: Drop in on Saturday and Sunday at 10:00

Year-round: Players are encouraged to join in casual play on weekends at 10:00 am in good weather months. To communicate availability; players use the “TeamReach” App. Look for Guemes Pickleball and use the code 8GuemesI (letter I like Island at the end).

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Skagit County Burn Ban Modified to Allow Recreational Fires

Due to the increase in moisture levels, recreational fires are now allowed in unincorporated areas of Skagit County. Residential yard and land-clearing fires continue to be banned until further notice.  See here for the complete press release from Skagit County.


A Message from Guemes Fire Chief Cole
 
Do not wait to call 911 if you see a grass, brush, or home fire. Lack of rain, hot temperatures, and wind combined with dry grass and brush are the perfect recipe for wildfires. You may think you can put out a fire yourself, but fire can run faster than you can under the right (or wrong) conditions.
Keep our island safe by following the modified burn ban and call 911 if you see a fire.

Interim Fire Commissioner to be Appointed
The Guemes Island Fire Department (Skagit County Fire District #17), will be appointing an Interim Fire Commissioner to replace Dave Margeson, who has provided outstanding service to the Fire Department in multiple capacities for many years, but has now moved to La Conner with his wife, Shirley.
For more information about this position and the process for applying, please see:
Thank you,
David Wertheimer, Commissioner & Chair
Skagit County Fire District #17
Guemes Island Fire Department


GICCA Bylaws Amendments for September 28, 2023 Membership Vote

President’s Message: Bylaws Revisions for September Membership Vote

 The GICCA Board met monthly through the summer to conduct a comprehensive review of Association bylaws for presentation of proposed amendments in the September business meeting.  Association members present at that meeting will vote on the proposed amendments. Our working meetings were announced in the GICCA newsletter and on the website, and were available by Zoom for the public to join. I want to thank the Board, who worked so hard, and all the members of the public who joined to follow the process.

Bylaws should provide guiding principles, and where they are particular and prescriptive, future Boards must adhere to them. Our revisions often sought ways to make future Boards’ implementation options flexible wherever possible.

We hope you will read all the proposed changes. When you do, you’ll see a lot of “redline,” indicating changes from the current bylaws, as last amended in February, when the Membership voted on some minor amendments. Many proposed changes consolidate relevant sections under the Finances Article. Others make modifications needed to comply with recent changes in nonprofit law. Importantly, some changes are proposed to improve Members’ ability to participate in the organization.

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Volunteer Opportunities

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Supporting the community and GICCA

Fall is the perfect time to support your community! Choose one or more of the many volunteer opportunities. This is a sampling of the events, activities, and programs that rely on volunteers to make them happen. Volunteers contribute time, energy, and enthusiasm to bring these to life!

LANDSCAPE TEAM

  • Join a Landscape Care Team to help preserve the area around the historic Community Hall or the Community Stage. Every Wednesday Weeding and Watering from 9:00 to 10:00... one quick hour of drop-in volunteer service... just bring your garden gloves. These are weather dependent so if in question, drop us an Email.
  • We are in search of 100 sword ferns... we love it when you dig, tuck into a garbage bag and let us know you are dropping by the gate at the stage or on the north side of the Community Hall building. Our Landscape Care Team is ready to plant!

COMMUNITY HALL

  • Routine Maintenance and Repair for those who may be handy with a paint brush or a hammer. The lobby area is next on the painting list as we will give it a fresh clean look.
  • Holiday decorating on Friday, December 8 as we prepare for a festive community Holiday Dinner on December 9.
  • Art Studio Tour sign installation and removal team moves into action on various dates beginning November 1 and cleanup late on December 2. Write to GuemesIslandArt@gmail.com
  • Be part of the Audio-Visual Team to support meetings and events at the hall.

“How do I sign up?” Maybe your next question. There is ONE easy choice to get started! Email toGiccaVolunteer@gmail.com to express interest... this contact will forward your offer to the project lead. Thanks in advance for being part of the solution for great events, programs, and activities!

Artist of the Month: Arden Charles

When exploring art created by Arden Charles, viewers are led on a personal journey to discover the story each piece summons for them. Techniques ranging from assemblage and painting to bamboo stock and ink stand alone or come together to delight the eye. Read on to learn more about Arden and what has made her the artist she is.  https://guemesislandart.org/arden-charles-aotm/

GICCA Business Meetings

For the remainder of 2023, meetings will occur on the 4th Thursday of the month at 7:00PM, with the exception of November so as to avoid a Thanksgiving conflict. That meeting will be the 5th Thursday, November 30th at 7:00PM.

GICCA Monthly Business Meeting, September 28, 2023, 7:00 PM
See here for the complete agenda for the September 28th meeting.  All Guemes Islanders are invited to attend.

Agendas and minutes from past meetings are posted here.

GICCA Bylaws Review 2023

GICCA is reviewing and updating its bylaws throughout 2023. In the May, 2023 meeting, the Board decided to hold working sessions over the summer to review and discuss revisions to the Bylaws.  The Board will hold working sessions on the 4th Thursday in June, July, and August (and possibly more often) to review and discuss proposed amendments to the GICCA Bylaws. Each working meeting will be available to the community by Zoom. Resulting amendments will be presented and voted on by the Membership in the fall. For more information on the bylaws click Here.

Thank You to Our Generous Donors!

Generosity runs deep in our community; we have come together over this past year to support each other in so many ways.  The GICCA Board of Directors thanks you for your generous support.

On Labor Day weekend the Guemes community rallied once again in support of the Sept. 2 Pie Sale at the Community Hall. 39+ volunteer pie bakers made and donated 129 pies that sold out within 60 minutes. Much of the fruit was grown, picked, and donated by islanders. Other volunteers helped with signage, set up, clean up, and cashiering for the tsunami of pie buyers. $3378 was raised for GICCA to support community activities and events on the island. I special thank you to Mary Holmes for driving the event and to the Church for providing their kitchen for pie baking.

GICCA is a qualified 501(c)(3) charitable organization. We appreciate your financial support. You can find out about ways to donate here.

Guemes Connects

Neighbors Helping Neighbors – GUEMES CONNECTS Needs You

A "community" is defined as a group of people living in the same place. There is also a more internal definition. A community is a group of people that takes care of each other. As Guemes Islanders, we are geographically connected but when we feel we are part of something bigger than ourselves, we truly function as a community.

For many years, GUEMES CONNECTS has brought neighbors together to help neighbors. Their mission is to foster a network of support for the Guemes Island community. This group of dedicated volunteers is committed to meeting the needs of anyone requesting assistance, regardless of age, illness, disability, race, or religion. Now CONNECTS needs new volunteers as several of the founders are retiring.

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GICCA Facilities

 GICCA owns and manages the Community Hall (7549 Guemes Island Road) as well as the Murray Read Pavilion and the Community Stage in Schoolhouse Park.  The Community Hall can be rented for private events and is available for public events.  Please Click Here for information on private event rentals and contact 4gicca@gmail.com about any reservations.  The Murray Read Pavilion is available for picnicking without a reservation or for private events by reservation (email 4gicca@gmail.com).  We are in the process of developing processes for reserving the Community Stage for private and public events, but it is available anytime for drop-in events (with no amplification) with 30 or fewer people during Schoolhouse Park hours.

Latest COVID News & Updated Hall Use Policy

The health of the Guemes Island community continues to be a top priority for GICCA as we offer venues for public gatherings. We appreciate that there are varied views on this important topic, and we remain attentive to changes from Skagit County, the State, and the CDC.  GICCA no longer requires that masks be worn for events held inside the Community Hall, but we strongly recommend them because of the possibility of spreading COVID-19 before becoming symptomatic.

 

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Discover the World of Virtual Learning

GICCA's Social Connections page has a number of interesting virtual learning links to podcasts and videos covering a variety of topics from travel destinations to humor, music, nature, and more.

 

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A Reminder About Stage & Park Use

As a requirement of our Special Use Permit, GICCA's property at Schoolhouse Park is now designated as a Community Park. The rules that govern the Skagit County Schoolhouse Park also apply to the Stage and Pavilion picnic structure.

 

The Park, Community Stage, and Pavilion are open for public use from dawn to dusk. In other words, day use only.

 

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Join Our Mailing List

Receive our monthly e-newsletter

Guemes Island Community Center Association email lists on other island websites are no longer used for GICCA mailings of any kind. To receive GICCA news, click below to subscribe. GICCA promises not to share or use subscriber emails for anything other than sending GICCA newsletter-related information.

TIP: Where's my GICCA Newsletter?

 

Update Your Directory Listing

We need your help NOW to update your directory listings on this website, myguemes.org. Islanders can easily add, delete, or update their listings (both residential and business). GICCA is committed to producing a new printed directory this year, but we can't do it without you. Please take a moment to review your listing(s) and add or edit, if needed.

To add your listing(s):

Pull down the Guemes Directory & Map tab in the menu bar at the top of this home page.

Select Directory Signup, then Residential Signup or Business Signup.

Complete your information and click Send.

To edit or delete existing listings:

Pull down the Guemes Directory & Map tab in the menu bar at the top of this home page.

Select Link Request (listing edit/opt out), then Link Request Residential Listing or Link Request Business Listing.

Complete the information and click Send or Submit.


The Help You Want

The Resources You Need

If you or someone you know is struggling, there are resources for help – help with alcohol or drugs, thoughts of suicide or self-harm, feeling depressed or anxious, or having trouble affording basic needs. To find these resources, or if you could use someone to talk to who is caring, compassionate, and confidential, visit:
No judgment. No pressure. Just resources for help.

Helpful Links

On Deck

Click on the blue "Island Happenings" box below or in the banner at the top of this page to view a full month-at-a-glance calendar view.

Weather Map

Mobile? Click 'Rain/Snow' tag for options