Welcome to Shelter Bay Communiversity
Never stop learning…
…because life never stops teaching.
Shelter Bay Communiversity provides life-long learning opportunities on a variety of topics available to residents of the Shelter Bay and Swinomish Tribal Communities.
Communiversity is a volunteer-managed program for the enjoyment of all Shelter Bay residents and Swinomish Tribal members. It provides a broadly-based curriculum of subjects presented in a fun and no-stress environment.
If you would like to propose a course/topic you would like to present, please submit a proposal form for review and approval. A member of the Communiversity Staff will get right back to you.

Contact person if you have questions:
Jim Barrett 206-930-3607
email [email protected]
Our Next Class is on April 15, 6:30PM
Estate and Legacy Planning
This is an in-person event only, no zoom.

Estate and Legacy Planning
This session will provide you with the steps to understand, plan, and communicate what is necessary to create a successful transfer of assets to your heirs. Course Instructor: Lisa Benjamin, Accredited Asset Management Specialist, Edward Jones...
Links to Recordings of Past Communiversity Classes
The Big Three: Great Blue Heron, Osprey, and Bald Eagle, Instructors: Steve & Martha Ellis, Presented March 2025
Deception Pass, Instructor: Jack Hartt, Presented November 2022
Emergency Preparedness, Instructors: Carolyn Caporgno, Ted Taylor, & Bill Davis, Presented September 2023
Fire District 13 – We’re Here to Help, Instructor: Captain Ted Taylor, Presented January 2025
First People to North America, Part 1, Instructor: Dr. Jim Barrett, Presented February 2024
First People to North America, Part 2, Instructor: Dr. Jim Barrett, Presented February 2024
The Fourteen Biggest Crops of Skagit County, Instructor: Don McMoran, Presented May 2023
Fraud Watch and Cyber Crime, Instructor: Kay Tomlinson, AARP, Presented October 2022
Global Warming: Evidence for Human Cause & Solutions, Instructor: Dale Oldis, Presented October 2021
A Healthy Sustainable Diet, Instructor: Dr. Keri Palasz, Presented January 2024
The History of Art in La Conner and the Founding of the Museum of Northwest Art, Instructors: John Luck & Gretchen McCauley, Presented April 2024
How to Effectively Communicate with a Native-American Indian, Fireside Chat with Jay Bowen & Jim Barrett, Presented September 2023
Lease Rent History & Adjustment for 2023, Instructor: Louise Kari, Presented February 2022
Map Your Neighborhood: Disaster Preparation, Instructor: Linda Adams, Presented November 2021
A Maritime History of Skagit County, Instructors: Jo Wolfe & Mari Densmore, Presented July 2024
Noxious Weeds, Instructor: Madelyn Loy, Skagit County Noxious Weed Coordinator, Presented November 2024
Nutrition for Healthy Adults Age 50+, Instructor: Keri Palazzo, Presented June 2022
Orcas of the Salish Sea, Instructor: Amanda Colbert, Presented February 2023
Recycling 101, Instructor: Carolyn Caporgno, Presented January 2022
Shelter Bay Amenities Master Plan, Instructor: Ken Olsen, Presented March 2022
Solar Panels, Instructor: Kyle Hermansen, Presented January 2025
Soul of Skagit, Instructor: Christian Murillo, Presented November 2023
Tsunamis in the Salish Sea, Instructor: Dr. Carrie Garrison-Laney, Presented February 2022
The World of Honeybees; A Deep Dive into the Hive, Instructor: Marisa Papetti, Presented October 2024
Your Carbon Footprint & Creating a Greener Shelter Bay Community, Instructors: Dale Oldis & Greg Whiting, Presented October 2023
Know Your Community
Wish you knew more about:
Shelter Bay History
HOA Information
Tribal Leases
Community Management
Committees
Finances
Safety
Marina
……And More?

Know Your Community
The Know Your Community classes, presented by experts from within our community, are filled with good information. Enjoy these recordings of the six classes which cover many facets of our community.
Class #1 History
>Learn about the history of Shelter Bay—how we got to where we are today and how our Home Owners Association (HOA) is structured and functions compared to other HOA communities. (Recorded Mar 2023) BEGIN CLASS >
Class #2 Marina
Learn about Shelter Bay Marina, presented by Pat McGarry and Vanessa Finch. (Recorded Dec 2022) BEGIN CLASS >
Class #3 Leases and Taxes
Class Three covered the Master and Sub-lease, land ownership, the possible new lease, the hierarchy of authority and Taxes from the Tribe. It was presented by Rod Proctor, a former member of Shelter Bay Board. (Recorded Feb 2023) BEGIN CLASS >
Class #4 Management
The fourth class covered the role of the Board of Directors, the committees and the Office including all employed staff. (Recorded Mar 2023) BEGIN CLASS >
Class #5 Safety and Security
Class five covered Shelter Bay Safety and Security. It was coordinated by Carolyn Caporgno. (Recorded Feb 2023) BEGIN CLASS >
Class #6 Committees and Website Demo
Class six covered three Committees, what they do and how to participate plus the demonstration of the newly launced Community Website. (Recorded Mar 2023) BEGIN CLASS >