Humane society changes bylaws, increases transparency

Conceding that it has a "communications problem," the Sault Ste. Marie Humane Society agreed tonight to allow media representatives to attend its membership meetings and to give its members access to three additional meetings each year, President Ted Osesky tells SooToday.com.

Reporters and non-members were barred from tonight's meeting and we were able to talk to Osesky only during a brief break between tonight's annual general meeting and a later gathering of directors.

The society agreed tonight to change a number of its bylaws, subject to the opinion of its lawyer, Ben Pascuzzi.

One particularly controversial bylaw that's expected to change required that "all officers shall be subject to removal from office by resolution of the board at any time with or without cause."

If that happens now, it will only be with cause, Osesky said.

The society has stopped short of allowing the general public to attend its meetings, because it's a member-driven organization, he told SooToday.com.

But representatives of the press will not be barred from the next meeting on September 19.