Barbara Bennett, Board Member
I moved to Whidbey in 2010 to be the Coordinator for WSU Island County Beach Watchers (which became Sound Water Stewards of Island County in 2015). I am currently in the process of embracing my "senior-ness" as I move to a smaller home on South Whidbey with an eye to maintaining my independence.
I worked all my adult life until I retired in 2015 and I now volunteer for a number of organizations: Trinity Lutheran Church, Island County Marine Resources Committee, Civility First, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Ocean Acidification Research Team. I have always been passionate about environmental education and stewardship, and continue that focus in my volunteer work. My personal faith and my desire to build civility in community life are also passions that rise to the top in my volunteer work.
I have had multiple types of careers and find all of my work experiences helpful in my diverse volunteer activities. I am glad to draw on past skills developed as a Social Worker (20 years working with abused and neglected children and and their biological and foster parents), and focusing on adult education and community development (20 years working with employers and members of their workforce to build skills to meet changing work environments).
SW@Home is a good match for my background and my desire to be a part of building and sustaining a caring community here on South Whidbey.