Guatemalan leaders host a General Assembly
- The Kateri Team
- Sep 2
- 3 min read
In June the Directiva, or the governing board of the Guatemalan Association, held an Extraordinary General Assembly. This annual meeting is a legal requirement for Guatemalan associations, but also serves as a time for participants, past and present, to come together, reunite, and work toward the future of the organization.
The Directiva members worked hard to put together the agenda and reach out to women who had been involved with Kateri Tekakwitha over the years - as scholarship recipients, as interns, or in the microfinance program. In all, 38 women were able to attend the event that took place in Panajachel.
During the event, the women of the Directiva gave updates on the organization’s programs for those present. The group includes Candelaria Sut, Carmela Paz, Juana Catarina Atz, Alicia Catú, and Emilsa Peren, who together led the activities. In addition, Rosa García Quiná helped to plan the event, although she was unable to attend.
“Including reflections and thanks during the assembly regarding the work of the Association and the benefits of all the programs over several years helped raise awareness among those present and therefore made several of them willing to participate and volunteer,” said Alicia.
“The activity was very beneficial because it was possible to reunite a good number of participants and they were able to form a new Directiva,” explained Carmela. “It was a great success for us as organizers.”
As Carmela mentioned, the attendees chose members of a new Directiva, which will serve for the next two years. A number of women stepped up to serve, expressing the desire to support the Association in this leadership role.
“For me it was joyful and surprising,” said Candelaria about the level of participation and the willingness of the women to volunteer.
Emilsa Peren, a member of the outgoing Directiva, enjoyed being able to share advice with the new group.
“I think it gave us the opportunity to share our opinions on how our experience was with the Directiva, and the points that need to be improved for the new Directiva,” she said, adding “Being part of the Directiva of Kateri Tekakwitha is truly a challenge that pushes us to serve and to fight for our neighbor."
The second part of the meeting was a special activity for Kay Sweeney, Founder and Managing Director of the Kateri Tekakwitha Fund. She was able to make a special trip down to Guatemala to join the activities, and many program participants were anxious to see her during her visit.
“I felt so happy with our founder Kay’s presence,” said Candelaria.
There was a great deal of merriment during the day, as everyone shared memories and expressed their thanks for the opportunities that came from their involvement in Kateri’s programs.
“I believe that the event was a space of gratitude and memory, where we reaffirmed the commitment to continue the legacy of our founder, promoting the values that she sowed in the organization,” shared Alicia. She hopes that the enthusiasm seen at the event will remain. “May that spark that was ignited in all those who were present be maintained .”
“It was a time to see how so many women were empowered and full of leadership,” added Carmela.
Emilsa summed it up, saying, “Being part of Kateri Tekakwitha has been a blessing, a challenge, and very beautiful experiences, especially the partnership with people that maybe we would have never imagined!!!”
