Changes start Locally
STAFF
Building manager: WENDY SCHELL
My name is Wendy Schell and I have lived in this area for 44 years. During that time I have worn many hats, from wife, mother, grandmother, ranch hand and nurse. I retired from nursing the end of 2018. Bought a sweet travel trailer and headed south via the ocean, then on to Arizona and New Mexico. I was hoping to have my first ever winter without snow. Well that didn't happen. I drove on the Continental Divide in a wet white blizzard.
I bought a house here in Tonasket the end of 2019 and at that time I started volunteering at the CCC and enjoyed it a lot but Covid hit. Now almost 2 years later and spending a lot of quiet time getting adjusted to retirement and such, I am finding it very important to get involved and be a part of this great community, to be a part of figuring out the needs and desires of the people and to serve in some capacity. I am excited about working with the CCC, our community center.
I am going to be in the office on Thursdays and Fridays to start with unless there is something that needs my attention earlier in the week. Please feel free to come in so I can meet you, if you have questions, concerns or suggestions I would love to hear them.
Gratefully, Wendy
Hispanic Community Liaison: ROBERTO LOPEZ
I am the new Hispanic Community Liaison for the CCC, please allow me to introduce myself and tell you a little about what has brought me here: I was brought to the U.S. by my parents in the 90’s from Mexico, leaving behind my favorite tree, cat, flowers and some family. Since then I’ve had very fulfilling experiences living in my new home country, from being a first responder in multiple disciplines, earning a Master’s degree in literature and experiencing a spectrum of opportunities. I’ve had the opportunity to run two cultural centers in the past; these catered to Latino/Chicano communities in urban areas. My goal as the community liaison for the Tonasket CCC is to reach out to local migrant and established communities with relevant programming in the arts, health and community involvement. I believe culturally-relevant programs are excellent opportunities to bridge gaps and combat biases or misconceptions. At the same time, educational programs will give some new migrants the tools to integrate to our community while retaining their cultural individuality. I believe in programming that makes a community resilient to changes in migration, resource management and environmental fluctuations.
At this time, I would like to present programs that are meaningful for all attendees, from the Day of the Dead celebrations, to Mexican Golden Cinema presentations, to cooking presentations, to roadway safety programs. All of these opportunities, I hope, will lead to a better understanding of each other.
Thank you!
Soy el nuevo intermediario comunitario para el CCC de Tonasket. Permítame presentarme y decirle lo que me trajo aquí: Me trajeron a este país en los noventas, hijo de campesinos mexicanos. Atrás quedaron algunos de mis familiares, mi árbol favorito y mi gato. Desde mi llegada a este país he tenido la fortuna de aprovechar muchas oportunidades volviéndome un auxiliar de emergencia en múltiples disciplinas, obtener una maestría en literatura, y haber experimentado un sinfín de otras oportunidades. He trabajado en centros culturales con enfoque en la cultura latinoamericana en centros urbanos. Mi meta en Tonasket es proveer programación relevante a las necesidades de la zona. Creo que algunos nuevos migrantes requieren ayuda para integrarse mejor a la cultura local, y seguir siendo vitales en las necesidades inmediatas.
Creo que nuestra integración es vital para la resiliencia que nos traerán los cambios futuros, desde el cambio climático, hasta las migraciones masivas. Debemos aprender a utilizar mejor nuestros recursos, tanto los naturales como los espacios.
En este momento me gustaría presentar eventos inclusivos sobre El Dia de Muertos, Cine de Oro mexicano, clases de cocina, seguridad vial, etc. Espero que estas oportunidades lleven a que nos conozcamos mejor como comunidad y seamos vitales el uno para el otro.
Gracias.
BOARD
We are looking for a new Board member for our Organization. If you would like to be considered please come to our Board meeting every third Tuesday of the month at 5:30 pm
We are in search for a new Treasurer and a Secretary for our Organization. To become a Board Member you need to attend 3 Board Meetings (every third Tuesday of the month at 5:30 pm, have finance and QuickBooks knowledge.
Moving to the Okanogan highlands over 45 years ago and raising my three children here, has been one of the greatest blessings. Having served on multiple boards including the Barter Faire, ON, OCCF, OHA, and the Natural Foods Co-op, has taught me many skills. I have a passion for community service, especially in food preparation! I enjoy sharing my talents with my community. I feel privileged to be a part of the CCC board.
I was born and raised in Tonasket and have spent the last 20 years working and living around the country! This past winter the wilds of Washington drew my family back. I have had a bustling career in a diverse spectrum of industries from food service, sales and business administration to health care. I currently hold a position as a Chief Operations Officer in an ever-changing field! Community is my heart’s work and I look forward to bringing my expertise, community connections and overall enthusiasm to this building and the community! I am honored to be in this position!
My childhood was spent in the highlands of North Okanogan County. The off the grid lifestyle gave me a strong appreciation for community. I followed my passion and attended Evergreen State College in Olympia. I returned home to the highlands to raise my daughter and find my place back among my community that I loved and cherished. I am very excited to bring my passion for community onto the Community Cultural Center board. The change that we desire is at hand and is available and attainable now!
I am originally from East Tennessee. I have lived in the Tonasket area for many years with my wife Melanie Thornton. I enjoy the mix of cultures in our area, and I am happy to live in this wonderful and fragile part of the Earth.
I enjoy skiing and hiking.
I was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1947. My family moved first to Iowa and then to Southern California. After High School I attempted College several times, finally dropping out to pursue a life filled more of physical adventures than academic discipline. While tripping around the Sierra Mountains, I met my wife Sandy.
We settled in the Okanogan County in 1973, having migrated from central California with a new born child. We were part of a sizeable population of young people who, at that time, were leaving the cities of America in search of a simpler more organic life in the rural countryside. With a second child, we lived in the back woods of Aeneas Valley for ten years, and then moved into the town of Tonasket. I went back to college to pursue a career in nursing.
A few years ago, after retiring from thirty years of nursing in Okanogan County, I was looking for something to do with my new "free" time. I was looking for some way to pay back the community that had supported me all these years and provided me with a comfortable life style. I have been to many events at the Community Center, but really didn't know anything about its origin, or how it worked. A friend suggested I volunteer and check it out. I was amazed at what this facility does, and what it provides, and what it is capable of providing for the community.
That is why I joined the Board, to contribute as best I can to the Community Cultural Center and its mission statement.
Become a Board Member
Are YOU our next Board Member?
- Do you have a desire to be a part of the community in a meaningful and impactful way?
- Are you passionate about making the Okanogan Valley the best place to live, work and play?
- Do you have great ideas that will benefit the community?
- Are you looking for a unique way to be more socially active?
- Do you work well with people and have natural leadership skills?
- Do you possess a specific knowledge or skill set that would be a great asset to the community through the CCC?
- Are you interested in having a direct voice in what goes on here at the CCC on regular basis?
If you answered yes to the any of the previous questions, we encourage you to try becoming a board member!
How to Apply
- You must attend no less than 3 consecutive Board Meetings.
- Show initiative and participation in each meeting (volunteering during this time is apreciated but NOT mandatory)
- While the process is simple, becoming a Board Member is not guaranteed.
Finalization per Vote
- If previous requirements are met, the Board will nominate said candidate and the applicant will be voted in during the annual General Membership Meeting by all the members in attendance.
For more information please contact the CCC today!
- Office Hours: Closed at this time
- Phone: (509) 486-1328
- Email the board at info@communityculturalcenter.org