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They generally agreed that improving communication between the board and the co-operative’s members is high on the priority list.

In an interview, Addley said the board also agreed during its first meeting on working to build a healthy work environment and valuable employment, as well as facilitating employee development and improving morale within the co-operative.

“If you ask most people, we’re not achieving that right now. But the board last night said, ‘This is still our goal we want to achieve. How do we go forward from here so that a year from now people believe we are doing that?” he said.

“We need to send a message to the membership that, ‘We heard you and we’re endeavouring to make changes on a go-forward basis on how we communicate and how we make decisions,’ ” he said.

Erika Ritchie, who was elected to the board in June with the backing of the protest group Co-op Members For Fairness, said Addley is the right person to lead the board as it addresses multiple issues, including broken trust with members.

“Graham has a lot of qualities that make him a good chairperson for the board. He’s a bridge builder, and is open-minded. I think he’ll serve us well,” Ritchie said of Addley, who held several cabinet posts during his eight-year tenure as an MLA.

“It signals that we’ve got some change in the works here,” said Nathan Holowaty, who was elected to serve his second three-year term as a Saskatoon Co-op director in June.

Asked whether Whitmore needed to leave to ensure continued trust in the board, Addley praised his former colleague and said it was “unfortunate” that he was viewed negatively; Holowaty acknowledged that some people may feel it was necessary.