Longboat Women's Guild welcomes new board

A new chapter in the history of the St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church started with a fresh page after the installation of an entirely new board. Coincidentally, the leaders in all five board positions finished their terms at the same time. 

The outgoing board includes President Kay Kochenderfer, Vice President Lyn Kennelly, Treasurer Marilyn Davol, Recording Secretary Susan Gilmore Clarke and Corresponding Secretary Mary del Pup.

The new board consists of President Barb Sikora, Vice President Mary McGinn, Treasurer Susan Hartrick, Recording Secretary Carol Basi and Corresponding Secretary Paula Sharp.

Meet the new board

Sikora said she was truly humbled and honored to be nominated and elected, which members voted on at their March 16 meeting.

"I don't think it's an easy job," she said. "The past board has done excellent work, and we will all work together to try to get to that same place."

She moved to Longboat Key about 10 years ago from Michigan and has been a member of the Women's Guild just about as long.

"I have always felt accepted here, and I think it's a great social and spiritual thing for women in the community," she said. "As you get older, it's more important to stay connected, even when it's easier to say no."

Anyone who has been shopping in the women's clothing department of the guild's large annual rummage sale will likely recognize Sikora from her hours volunteering there.

The turnover comes as the church is preparing for some extensive expected renovations. But Sikora said she looks forward to the challenge of seeing the guild through it all.

McGinn of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, brings her experience working in a chief staffing position with Microsoft. She recently retired, and it was no surprise she quickly found a new leadership role.

"The people here and the work that they're doing is very important to me, which is why I decided to do it," she said of taking up the board position.

She looks forward to further growing the camaraderie in her parish and the good the guild can do for the wider Longboat Key community.

Fellow Michiganer Hartrick said she looks forward to giving back to the guild after enjoying its activities for the past two years.

"I've been here since 2005 and coming to this church, and as we've been staying longer and longer, I've wanted to get more involved," she said.

Hartrick was a registered nurse before she retired, and she didn't hesitate to work in any department that needed her.

"It was exciting and very rewarding work," she said.

Basi said she hopes to be up to the job. She was certainly off to the right start, taking notes at her own installation celebration.

She has been part of the guild for five years.

"I'm so glad I joined, because I would walk into church and recognize faces but not know anyone's name," she said. "Once I joined the guild and got to know these women on a social basis, it was wonderful."

She raised six kids and worked as a teacher in science and math.

Rounding out the board is Sharp. Guild members named her last year's special honoree for the May Crowning Ceremony, lauding her willingness to give back to the community and her warm friendship.

This isn't the first time she has served as the group's corresponding secretary, and her experience is an asset to the new board.

In a morning service overseen by Father Robert Dziediak on April 14, the outgoing members passed their lit candles to their successors.

Kochenderfer, who has been helping Sikora learn the ropes since last month's election, expressed every confidence that the new board will carry forward the momentum.

Following the service, the board members joined fellow Women's Guild members for a celebration luncheon at Father Pick Hall. 

"Kay has been a very caring, considerate, kind, gracious, generous, talented and in many ways brilliant president," Sikora said. "I believe those adjectives can also be said of her whole board."