President's Message

WBBG’s board represents a very narrow slice of the membership.  All the officers and most of the active regional reps are from a narrow strip from just north of Seattle to Olympia.  Please consider offering your perspective to the board.
One of the first lessons our WBBG mentors shared with us when Karen and I became aspiring innkeepers was:  Innkeepers should never talk politics or religion with their guests.  Occasionally, however, guests want to talk politics, and as we approach the upcoming presidential election, this desire seems to be intensifying.  I had a guest tell me the other day that although he is a conservative, he believes in social responsibility.  Social needs should not be fulfilled at the national level, or even the state level, but rather at the local level - communities, churches and individuals.  He thinks each member of a society has a fundamental, personal responsibility to support the society.  
WBBG has an election coming up on November 6^th – the same day as our countrywide election.  At the annual meeting we will be electing a Treasurer, Vice President of Marketing and several regional representatives.  As a part of your nominating committee, I have talked with many of you about your willingness to participate in the governance of this guild.  The President, the officers and all representatives are unpaid volunteers.  The whole governing board meets 4 times each year and the officers meet monthly by teleconference.  We try to move the board meetings all over the state to share the travel burden.  Unfortunately, some reps are resigning and nobody outside Seattle has been willing to step into their shoes. 
We need broader representation and participation.  We need your unique perspective, your ideas, and your experience so that the Guild can serve all of its members in meaningful ways. It’s not just social responsibility; it’s also good business practice – for the Guild and for your B&B.   Ask any board member how their involvement has benefitted them. It is easy to see how it has helped the Guild. Please step up and support WBBG by volunteering your time. We need YOU.

Slate of Officers

WBBG Announces the 2012-2013 Slate of Officers.   
The WBBG nominating committee presents the following slate of officers for approval by the membership at November's Annual Meeting:
Vice President of Marketing: Penny Whisler, Three Tree Point B&B
Treasurer: Don Malatesta, The Inn at Mallard Cove (continuing for a second term)
Area Rep Position 2 Cathy Hall ,Reflections B&B (Kitsap)
Area Rep Position 4 Gary Gabelein, Farmhouse B&B (Islands)
Area Rep Position 6 Linda Dike, The Guest House B&B (Seattle Tacoma)
Area Rep Position 8 Cindy Lonn, A Harbor View Inn B&B (at Large)
Area Rep Position 9 vacant  (Ponderosa Pine Region)
Area Rep Position 10 Bonnie McCullough, Selah Inn (at Large)
Area Rep Position 12 vacant

The Officers and the Area Representatives  are volunteers who make up WBBG's Board of Directors. They meet as a group 4 times a year to lead the WBBG , including at the annual meeting. We elect the Vice President of Marketing and Treasurer in the even numbered years. Officers serve a 2 year term, and can keep their office for up to 4 years. 
 We also have 12 Area Representative Positions. There are no term limits for board positions, but they need to be re-elected every 2 years.   One area rep, Marge Arndt (Ponderosa Pine Region), is retiring from innkeeping and will be stepping down. So, there 2 additional opportunities for regional and at large positions.  Per the bylaws change in 2007, the positions should be numbered and do not need to be tied to specific regions (although from a representation standpoint we think it is best to have as many regions represented as we can get volunteers). We elect the even numbered positions in the even years, and the odd numbered positions in the odd years.
Thank you again to all of our volunteers! 
 

In Memory

Mary Jane Creger, owner of the Guest House Log Cottages (and the longest standing WBBG member, to our knowledge) passed away at home in August. She was honored by the WBBG last fall with a Special Certificate of Merit at our Whidbey Island Networking meeting.  The family held a Celebration of Life on September 15 at the Guest House Log Cottages for family and friends.  The inn has been managed by her son, Doug with the help of his sister, Peggy.  Mary Jane was a pioneer for the bed and breakfast business in Washington.  She will be missed and we are grateful for her hard work and contribution to our industry.