RBCA Highlight: Beach Orcas Project
For over a century, the Richmond Beach Community Association (RBCA) has been a vital force in maintaining our neighborhood’s quality of life by bringing neighbors together at events, keeping them informed and facilitating neighborhood enhancements.
One of the most recent community enhancements is the debut of the RBCA Beach Orcas art project.
One of the most recent community enhancements is the debut of the RBCA Beach Orcas art project.
About Your Richmond Beach Community Association
Richmond Beach Community Association (RBCA) is a Century Corporation having been incorporated for over 100 years. The Association remains a vital force in maintaining the neighborhood’s quality of life by bringing neighbors together at events, keeping them informed and facilitating neighborhood enhancements.
The purposes of the RBCA are to:
The purposes of the RBCA are to:
- Keep residents aware and informed of issues by providing forums that create the opportunity for residents to form and express ideas, opinions, and needs.
- Promote and produce social events and projects that generate a sense of neighborhood and enjoyment among residents.
- Nurture engagement among the Richmond Beach community, the City of Shoreline, and surrounding communities.
Richmond Beach Community Association Board
RBCA members elect nine board members as the governing body of the association. Each board member may serve up to three consecutive two-year terms. Terms are staggered so roughly half of the board is up for election every other year.
The board selects the president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer from among its members each year and appoints volunteers to serve in various posts of considerable responsibility such as membership chair, webmaster and newspaper editor, just to name a few. The board also hires and oversees a part-time executive director who manages ongoing association business such as coordinating events, public information and volunteers.
For more information on board members and the executive director, visit the Leadership Team page.
RBCA members elect nine board members as the governing body of the association. Each board member may serve up to three consecutive two-year terms. Terms are staggered so roughly half of the board is up for election every other year.
The board selects the president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer from among its members each year and appoints volunteers to serve in various posts of considerable responsibility such as membership chair, webmaster and newspaper editor, just to name a few. The board also hires and oversees a part-time executive director who manages ongoing association business such as coordinating events, public information and volunteers.
For more information on board members and the executive director, visit the Leadership Team page.
Events
RBCA offers over a dozen events each year. Neighbors are invited to have fun and get to know each other, promoting a sense of community. Visit our Events page to find out what is going on and how you can be a part of the action.
Keeping the Community Informed
RBCA reaches out to the neighborhood to keep it informed of issues of interest and impact to Richmond Beach in a number of ways:
Membership
Everything the community association does for the neighborhood is driven by hundreds of volunteers and the membership dues. Dues directly support the neighborhood newspaper, events and part-time executive director's salary. Invest in your neighborhood — and the oldest community association in Shoreline — by becoming a member of the Richmond Beach Community Association.
Anybody who cares about the community is welcome to become a member, but only members who are Richmond Beach residents have voting rights. Annual dues are $35 per person. To join, contact the RBCA Membership Chair at membership@richmondbeachwa.org or join online on our Membership page. Membership forms are also available in the Richmond Beach Community News and at RBCA community meetings and events.
RBCA offers over a dozen events each year. Neighbors are invited to have fun and get to know each other, promoting a sense of community. Visit our Events page to find out what is going on and how you can be a part of the action.
Keeping the Community Informed
RBCA reaches out to the neighborhood to keep it informed of issues of interest and impact to Richmond Beach in a number of ways:
- Community meetings are held the second Tuesday of the month, September through May, at Richmond Beach Congregational Church located at 1512 NW 195th Street. A social time with refreshments starts at 7:00 p.m. with meetings beginning at 7:30 p.m.
- The Richmond Beach Community Newspaper is mailed free to every Richmond Beach household September through June. You can read the current and back issues on our Newspaper page.
- Richmondbeachwa.org features RBCA events, meetings, current news, a calendar and community contacts.
- Sign up on our Email Newsletter page to receive twice-monthly emails detailing upcoming meetings and events. Newsletter
- RBCA Facebook offers event updates and great photos.
- NextDoor Richmond Beach is a private blog RBCA uses to post breaking news, information from the City of Shoreline, meetings and events. It is also an opportunity to get to know your neighbors; share local recommendations, news, tips; lend, borrow, give away; and stay informed.
Membership
Everything the community association does for the neighborhood is driven by hundreds of volunteers and the membership dues. Dues directly support the neighborhood newspaper, events and part-time executive director's salary. Invest in your neighborhood — and the oldest community association in Shoreline — by becoming a member of the Richmond Beach Community Association.
Anybody who cares about the community is welcome to become a member, but only members who are Richmond Beach residents have voting rights. Annual dues are $35 per person. To join, contact the RBCA Membership Chair at membership@richmondbeachwa.org or join online on our Membership page. Membership forms are also available in the Richmond Beach Community News and at RBCA community meetings and events.
RBCA Bylaws
Our bylaws can be read on our Bylaws page.
RBCA Policies
Richmond Beach Community Association
RBCA Board Mission
The mission of the Richmond Beach Community Association Board is to promote the well-being of the Richmond Beach community.
RBCA Board Vision
All residents of Richmond Beach demonstrate a sense of belonging and pride in our neighborhood and the greater Shoreline community. We feel safe, fully informed and actively engaged in helping to make our community even better.
RBCA Board Values
Our bylaws can be read on our Bylaws page.
RBCA Policies
Richmond Beach Community Association
- RBCA Block Party Policy (PDF)
- RBCA Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy (PDF)
- Website and Social Media Policies
RBCA Board Mission
The mission of the Richmond Beach Community Association Board is to promote the well-being of the Richmond Beach community.
RBCA Board Vision
All residents of Richmond Beach demonstrate a sense of belonging and pride in our neighborhood and the greater Shoreline community. We feel safe, fully informed and actively engaged in helping to make our community even better.
RBCA Board Values
- To inform our residents about issues and topics that affect our community.
- To foster a sense of neighborhood, social interaction, volunteerism and community pride among our residents.
- To engage the Richmond Beach community with the City of Shoreline and surrounding communities.
HISTORY OF THE Richmond Beach COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
RBCA History
Richmond Beach Community Association was chartered in 1908 and was active in its early years. It hosted the first Strawberry Festival in 1913. Membership and activities declined between the wars, but were revived in 1944 when a men-only service organization called the "Ninety-nine" was formed with Torrey Smith as the first president. One of the first orders of business was to decide whether smoking would be permitted during meetings. Ladies were allowed to bring and serve coffee and pie at the end of each meeting.
Within a few years, the organization evolved into the Richmond Beach Community Club and women were welcomed into the group. Since that beginning, the club has been instrumental in the progress of Richmond Beach. Activities below have been garnered from old club minutes.
1952
Richmond Beach Community Association was chartered in 1908 and was active in its early years. It hosted the first Strawberry Festival in 1913. Membership and activities declined between the wars, but were revived in 1944 when a men-only service organization called the "Ninety-nine" was formed with Torrey Smith as the first president. One of the first orders of business was to decide whether smoking would be permitted during meetings. Ladies were allowed to bring and serve coffee and pie at the end of each meeting.
Within a few years, the organization evolved into the Richmond Beach Community Club and women were welcomed into the group. Since that beginning, the club has been instrumental in the progress of Richmond Beach. Activities below have been garnered from old club minutes.
1952
- Joe Lutey reports the community should be proud of the men who patrolled the beach to enforce the 11:00 p.m. curfew. The rowdy element has left.
- The club donates $50.00 for advertising to help "put over the bond measure" to purchase the property now known as Richmond Beach Saltwater Park.
- Carnival date is set for November 21. The Highlands Parish asks for the coffee and cake booth at the carnival. The carnival committee reports total receipts of $970.60 with a net to the organization of $798.70.
- The club petitions for sewers to cover the area from 8th Avenue NW to 20th Avenue NW and the King-Snohomish County line to Innis Arden.
- Park cleanup scheduled. Beach patrol continued.
- Women's work party on the school grounda is scheduled for Wednesday and Friday at 10:00 a.m. Men's work party is scheduled for Saturday at 10:00 a.m.
- Incorporation of this area is discussed.
- Volunteers work on the school’s south bank. Shrubs are donated by Cubs, Firemen and the PTA.
- Harold Miller from Metro speaks regarding the Metro Sewer Plan and how it would affect the Richmond Beach and Ronald areas.
- Investigation and discussion on how Richmond Beach can get sewers continues.
- Community Club member is appointed to work with the water commission on a six-year plan for street lighting.
- Letter is sent to Standard Oil asking their cooperation in getting their truck drivers to observe the speed limit on Richmond Beach Road.
- CACTIS (Community Action to Improve Water Service) is formed to support the proposal for direct service to Richmond Beach. The proposal includes purchasing the privately owned and operated Richmond Beach Water Company or contracting service with Seattle City Water.
- A committee is formed to support the Light Levy to retire unpaid electrical bills.
- Marge Unruh announces the June meeting will be a community wiener roast to be held at the Richmond Beach County Park (now Saltwater Park).
- Richmond Beach “dis-incorporates” and becomes unincorporated Seattle.
- Neighborhood Crime Watch program instigated.
- The use of the Richmond Beach Elementary School site for a park is urged.
- Call for donations of historical interest to the Shoreline Historical Museum as it becomes a fact, not a dream.
- Richmond Beach Post Office moves to the Innis Arden Pharmacy. Club box number 186 remains the same.
- Richmond Beach Community Club votes to lease the school from King County Parks Department—develops community park with King County.
- Richmond Beach Community Club joins Shoreline Chamber of Commerce.
- First Strawberry Festival is sponsored by the Richmond Beach Community Club.
- The fourth Annual Strawberry Festival is combined with Park Beautification Day. Hot dogs, baked beans and strawberry Jello.
- Last full year for “volunteer-style” fire service in Richmond Beach. On-call firefighters are replaced by full-time professionals from “up the hill.”
- Sewer swap and closure of Metro treatment plant in Richmond Beach saves taxpayers $10 million.
- RBCA is involved in the Shoreline Governance Study.
- Marine Spill Response Corporation (MSRC) sites an office with over 60 workers at Point Wells. The office later moves to Everett.
- Post office returns to Richmond Beach, housed in Richmond Beach Foods. The Richmond Beach Community Council's box number remains the same.
- Richmond Beach is a neighborhood in the newly incorporated City of Shoreline.
- The Marge Unruh Community Service Award is created in honor of the late neighborhood leader to acknowledge those who carry on her legacy of service.
- The Strawberry Festival makes a comeback.
- The Strawberry Festival adds live music, food from local restaurants and strawberry shortcake.
- The Richmond Beach Community Council changes its name to the Richmond Beach Community Association.
- RBCA helps the Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council buy the “Showmobile” stage, in exchange for perpetual use at the Strawberry Festival.
- The old “volunteer” fire station is revived by the Shoreline Fire Department as the Fire Safety Center, used for community events, education and as a party rental.
- Community action discourages the construction of a vast wastewater treatment plant at Point Wells. Instead, Point Wells/Richmond Beach will become the outfall location for treated water from the Brightwater plant in Woodinville.
- The heretofore private, informal Turkey Day Fun Run on Thanksgiving morning becomes a publicized RBCA event, drawing a large crowd.
- Regular blood drives begin, first at the Richmond Beach Library and then at the Fire Safety Center.
- Paramount Oil, operator of the tank farm and asphalt plant at Point Wells (in Snohomish County, on the northern border of Richmond Beach) announces that its corporate parent, Alon, intends to redevelop the property, putting in 3000+ luxury condominiums. This is met with overwhelming community opposition and unprecedented political and legal activism.
- The Richmond Beach Post Office is relocated to Spin Alley. The RBCA box number still remains the same.
- RBCA hires Sheri Ashleman as its first Executive Director.
- The Richmond Beach Post Office relocates to Beach House Greetings. Yes, we keep our historical box number 186.
- Small group gatherings are introduced as a way to encourage residents to meet their neighbors with common interests. This includes food tours of local restaurants, yoga classes, bike rides, etc.
- The first Food Truck Shoreline is held at Richmond Beach Saltwater Park, bringing in food trucks and live music.
- Halloween Carnival celebrates its 30-year anniversary.
- Turkey Day Fun Run celebrates its 10-year anniversary with a visit from pirates.
- The Orca public art project is unveiled.