Board
Cathy Waymire Rooks
President
How long have you lived on Whidbey Island?
Whidbey became my full time 20 years ago.
How long have you served on the Commons board?
I have been on the board for about 2 years.
Why do you serve on the board?
After being asked to redesign the outside spaces at the Commons I found myself drawn to the community that thrives there and the amazing people that devote so much of themselves make that happen.
What unique background/skills do you bring to the board (and to the Commons?)
My background in landscape design focuses on making the garden a place to be rather than just a pretty thing to look at. The SWC embodies that same feeling of being a place to be and I hope that my contribution on the board helps fulfill that mission.
What’s your favorite Commons memory?
When we were tearing apart the garden and beginning to put the new one together so many people stopped and engaged in the process whether it was to comment on how good things looked or to ask questions about just what the SWC was about and even jumped in to help.
Ted Brookes
Vice president
How long have you lived on Whidbey Island?
12 years
How long have you served on the Commons board?
One year
Why do you serve on the board?
To contribute to the mission of the SWC and to promote improved intergenerational relations in the community.
What unique background/skills do you bring to the board (and to the Commons?)
Thirty years as an officer in the U.S. Navy, 11 years as a member of the South Whidbey Kiwanis (vice president for eight of those years). Volunteer director of the South Whidbey School District Speakers Bureau for four years. Volunteer Tutor/Mentor Coordinator for the South Whidbey Elementary School for two years. Volunteer tutor/mentor at the South Whidbey Elementary School for eleven years.
What’s your favorite Commons memory?
The success we experienced at and the joyful community participation in Summer FunFest 2011.
Ron Norman
Treasurer
How long have you lived on Whidbey Island?
13 years (part-time since 1985)
How long have you served on the Commons board?
Six months
Why do you serve on the board?
I wanted to do something to support the youth of South Whidbey.
What unique background/skills do you bring to the board (and to the Commons?)
Photography, organizational skills, construction, and electrical skills.
What niche do you fill at the Commons?
Same as above
What’s your favorite Commons memory?
The night seven volunteers were awarded scholarships.
JoAnn Buff
Secretary
How long have you lived on Whidbey Island?
I have lived in Langley for almost 11 years full-time. We spent many weekends here before that.
How long have you served on the Commons board?
I’ve been with the board just over 1 year.
Why do you serve on the board?
I’ve always believed in having a “third place” where people of all ages can gather to enjoy each other.
What unique background/skills do you bring to the board (and to the Commons?)
I’m a retired banker and am employed with Sno-Isle Libraries as a Children’s Liaison. My background in finance and enthusiasm for kids make me suited for the board.
I’m not shy, so you’ll frequently find me talking to people about all of the wonderful programs the Commons supports.
What’s your favorite Commons memory?
My favorite memory has to be the variety of people attending our open house. It was great to look around and see the camaraderie the Commons inspired.
Sue Haworth
Volunteer bookstore manager
How long have you lived on Whidbey Island?
31 years
How long have you served on the SWC board?
8 years
Why do you serve on the board?
A community needs a “heart!” SWC has become that “heart,” where I can meet with my 97-year-old mom or my 6-year-old grandson; where I can work alongside teens and friends.
What unique background/skills do you bring to the board (and to the Commons?)
Educator, book lover, “people” person.
What niche do you fill at the Commons?
Lead “bookie,” sorting, pricing, shelving, displaying books, talking to people of all ages about good books.
What’s your favorite Commons memory?
Many, many memories; seeing in large and small ways how SWC has become a special “place” in the community.
Carol McNeil
How long have you lived on Whidbey Island?
Since 1979
How long have you served on the Commons board?
Since the beginning
Why do you serve on the board?
Because….have always been interested in connections, especially cross generational.
What unique background/skills do you bring to the board (and to the Commons?)
My career as nursing director for the health department for 20 years gave me experience in budgets, personnel management, creating collaborations, communications, etc.
What niche do you fill at the Commons?
longest history with project, Langley resident, many sw connections.
What’s your favorite Commons memory?
working in kitchen with many youth volunteers, side by side, to prepare food for open house last year
Joseph Neil (student representative)
How long have you lived on Whidbey Island?
I have lived on Whidbey Island for my whole life, 14 years.
How long have you served on the Commons board?
I have been on the board for 4 months.
Why do you serve on the board?
I am on the board because I was asked to be a student representative and I enjoy working at the coffeehouse.
What unique background/skills do you bring to the board (and to the Commons?)
I enjoy volunteering and helping other people and being at the coffeehouse helps me to fulfill that need.
What’s your favorite Commons memory?
My favorite SWC memory is being a student apprentice and then working as a volunteer. I have been volunteering for the coffehouse for just over a year.
Laura Persaud
How long have you lived on Whidbey Island?
I’ve lived on Whidbey Island for ten years
How long have you served on the SWC board?
One year
Why do you serve on the board?
I am passionate about building a vibrant community and creating opportunities where I am raising my children. Serving on the board has been a learning experience where I have enriched my skills with people and discovered abilities to create programs that benefit many types of individuals.
What unique background/skills do you bring to the board (and to the Commons?)
My background as a writer, visual and performing artist, and educator enabled me to find my niche creating such programs as the “Artists’ Forum,” “Youth Improvisational Acting,” and “Little Dresses For Africa.” I also have enjoyed communicating and bringing together musicians to perform for our Open House this past October and the upcoming community celebration “Summer Funfest.”
What’s your favorite Commons memory?
My favorite memory is the pride, joy and enthusiasm my 6th grade son shows to be able to volunteer as a barista assistant.
Cynthia Shelton
How long have you lived on Whidbey Island?
13 years
How long have you served on the Commons board?
Four years
Why do you serve on the board?
It makes me very happy to be involved with my community, to know that I can help students apply their learning in a safe and supportive environment, and to be a part of connecting the generations.
What unique background/skills do you bring to the Commons?
As a retired educator, I have always worked to partner businesses with schools to create relevant based learning opportunities.
What niche do you fill at the Commons?
Floor washer, wall painter, student supporter, gardener, cheer leader, community networker, board member.
What’s your favorite Commons memory?
Jo Shelver bringing the board Believe signs — and everyone saying, “we can do it”.
Jim Shelver
How long have you lived on Whidbey Island?
Full-time since the end of ‘83
How long have you served on the Commons board?
This is my fourth year
Why do you serve on the board?
I’m a perpetual volunteer. I volunteered for more than a decade at the Chinook Learning Center and Whidbey Institute. I tried to retire, got involved with Beachwachers, and received many 500-hour awards. Then I got involved in our community at Possession Point, volunteered to help with the Hometown Heroes project, and found myself on the board here.
I started volunteering at the South Whidbey Commons because I wanted to be involved with kids, especially the AmeriCorps kids, who were unbelievable. I gained a lot of empathy and understanding for young people, which hasn’t always been the case, and wanted to do what I could to make this a place of community.
What unique background/skills do you bring to the board (and to the Commons?)
Commitment, motivation, and follow-through. I also serve as a mentor to a lot of people.
What niche do you fill at the Commons?
I serve as a principal facilitator and organizer for things that need to be done. I spent more than 30 years in the telephone business, most of it in meetings, and I don’t like meetings or spending time on the phone.
What’s your favorite Commons memory?
Teaching Rosie to mix cement when we were making the walkway, and when the Coffehouse Bookstore finally came back together and reopened a year ago.
Jo Shelver
How long have you lived on Whidbey Island?
In the 60s, we had a small trailer year-round. Then in ’72, we found a beach cabin on Possession Point, and finally in the 80s, we moved from Mercer Island to Whidbey Island full-time. Yay!
How long have you served on the Commons board?
I have been on the board almost one year, specifically to help with the Believe project (fixing the floor). Great project!
Why do you serve on the board?
I’m a insatiable volunteer. In hours of my life, I’ve earned at least a master’s degree in volunteering. I love young people and feel gifted in being able to witness them on their journey.
What unique background/skills do you bring to the board (and to the Commons?)
I have four children, nine to 12 grandchildren, depending on how you count them, have been on several boards, and have participated in many projects, including design and building. My education has been LIFE!
What niche do you fill at the Commons?
I’m the one who wears a hat, laughs a lot, and believes in all.
What’s your favorite Commons memory?
Maybe when we were sewing little dresses for Africa, and as we worked, children chased balloons and laughter filled the room. Or maybe when my Commons friends and family surrounded me and listened to a young volunteer barista, Nicole Ledgerwood, sing a song called “A Cup of Jo” that she wrote on my 80th birthday.
Patty Sievers
How long have you lived on Whidbey Island?
20 years full time . . . 42 years total
How long have you served on the Commons board?
10 years
Why do you serve on the board?
My original passion was to help create a place for youth to gather and learn. That has grown into a desire to help build community by offering cross generational gathering opportunities.
What unique background/skills do you bring to the board (and to the commons?)
Former teacher and business owner with communication skills and compassion for our friends and neighbors
What niche do you fill at the Commons?
Executive Board
What’s your favorite Commons memory?
So many to pick from, but fresh in my mind is our Open House last year celebrating the reopening of the space after our remodel to replace a sinking floor. Staff, AmeriCorps, Board, Volunteers and Baristas worked side by side for days to prepare for the event, and I can still remember the proud smiles on the faces of our baristas as they served food samples, and welcomed the community into the refurbished facility.
Diane Watson
How long have you lived on Whidbey Island?
33 years
How long have you served on the Commons board?
Since the beginning
Why do you serve on the board?
My belief that one must give back to their community for the greater good. The South Whidbey Commons exemplifies what our community is about.
What unique background/skills do you bring to the board (and to the Commons?)
Fund-raising, grant-writing, tenacity, and commitment
What niche do you fill at the Commons?
Whatever the Board assigns me to undertake
What’s your favorite Commons memory?
The joy of working with such dedicated Board and staff members.
Sitting in the Coffeehouse and watching folks connect and enjoy each other and the space.
All the wonderful new friends I have made through my experiences on the Board.
Support the work of the South Whidbey Commons
You can support the Commons by donating money, books, or talents. Right now, there are some wonderful premiums to be had for donating, including limited edition stainless steel travel mugs, personalized pavers, and the use of the Community Room for your book club, birthday party or other event--along with 12 free espresso drinks for your guests.
