About Us

The Washington Association of Continuing Care Retirement Communities (WACCRA) is a volunteer-based nonprofit organization. It is led by a board of directors elected for two-year terms at the annual meeting by the voting members. For 2020 and 2021, the directors (and officers) are:

• Nickie Askov – Mirabella
• Rick Baugh – Skyline
• Orin Brustad – at large
• Carlos Caguiat – Emerald Heights 
• Cassandra Carothers – Horizon House 
• Monica Clement – Timber Ridge
• Donna Kristaponis – Emerald Heights
• Judy Love – Timber Ridge
• Natalie Siegel – Mirabella

The current officers are:

• President – Donna Kristaponis (Emerald Heights)
• Vice-President (interim) – Rick Baugh (Skyline)
• Secretary – Nickie Askov (Mirabella)
• Treasurer – Jim Crim (Emerald Heights)

According to the WACCRA bylaws, the president must also be a director of the association. Other officers may be, but do not have to be, directors as well.

WACCRA was incorporated as a Washington nonprofit association on September 16, 2016: The Articles of Incorporation. The Bylaws of the Association were restated in 2020 and accepted by the membership at the Annual Meeting on October 14 of that year.

As is explained in the “Short History of WACCRA”, the organizers of WACCRA wanted to pursue legislation to provide greater protections to residents of CCRCs. In order to pursue that goal, they decided to seek recognition from the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(4) “Social Welfare” organization (not as a “Public Charity”). The IRS accepted WACCRA’s application in July of 2016. It is important to note that contributions to Social Welfare organizations are not deductible from individuals’ federal income taxes.

Looking ahead to 2021, the WACCRA Board has a solid list of priorities for the year. Read more...

 If you aren’t a member of WACCRA, consider joining now