MOOSE JAW, Sask. – A tense, atmosphere at last week’s Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association meeting left members wondering if the organization can recover after a falling out between board members.
Those attending the group’s annual meeting June 11 closed the meeting to the general public to talk privately about why the executive elected after last year’s meeting had been replaced in February.
Those who left and re-entered the two-hour session appeared at times angry, frustrated, incredulous and embarrassed.
As one observer noted, “everybody’s wondering what’s going on in Saskatchewan.”
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Tension that had been building within the organization for years came to a head in February when the then executive dismissed the general manager. Some directors thought the entire board should have been involved in that decision.
The board then passed a motion to remove Broderick, Sask., producer Dennis Fuglerud from the presidency and a new executive was put in place.
But that motion was rescinded during the closed session last week after 68 of 99 members who voted cast their ballots to do so. The organization requires a two-thirds majority for a motion to pass, or 66 votes in this instance.
“There was quite a bit of concern that it may or may not be constitutional,” a reinstated Fuglerud told reporters about his earlier dismissal. “It was precedent setting. It was unusual in the operation of any board.”
He said the only reason he had been given for dissatisfaction with his leadership was that the board wasn’t kept informed.
He said the vote indicates that most members supported the direction the previous executive had been taking.
“We felt pretty strongly that we’re in a day and age where lobbying government is the most important thing we can do as an industry association,” he said. “I’m not sure if some of the board had a problem with that direction or how we were doing it or what.”
At least part of the concern is a proposal to form one industry lobby group that includes cow-calf producers and cattle feeders. Some members believe stock growers will lose their identity if that happens.
But even after the closed session, during which Fuglerud said members seemed comfortable enough to speak their mind, feelings appeared raw. Several people opted out of the second day of the conference including Fuglerud who had to attend to a ranch emergency. Some current and former board members privately wondered what the future holds.
At the end of the day, the board re-elected Fuglerud as president, but two newcomers will serve as vice-presidents. Tim Oleksyn of Melfort and Ed Bothner of Beechy were elected directors, along with Eric Lawrence of Maple Creek and Allen Patkau of Hanley. Two incumbents were defeated and two chose not to run again.
Dylan Roberts from Melfort now chairs Zone 8 and Eileen Davidson of Ponteix chairs Zone 12. Zones nine, 10 and 11 are not represented.
