Tuesday night’s meeting of the Natchez-Adams County Humane Society seemed — to many in attendance — to be a strangely organized meeting.

Little to no discussion and board member nominees that had been set prior to the meeting made for a few disappointed parties in the room.

But in the end, despite the unusual nature of the meeting, it appears to have been a small step in the healing process for the organization.

For months, concerns over the leadership of the organization polarized groups of supporters, virtually froze efforts to create a new shelter building and eroded public sentiment about the group.

Sadly, all of the drama focused on the humans, not the animals for which the shelter exists.

Fortunately, by following a process, simple in theory but often difficult in practice, members from both sides came together with the help of mediator Bill Furlow and found common ground.

A key point came out of those discussions, which unfortunately had been lost over the years — members of the board and the volunteers who handle day-to-day operations do not have to be the same group of people.

The three new board members elected Tuesday all have good leadership qualities and seem to have the best interest of the community and, more important, the animals as their driving focus.

Tuesday’s meeting signaled a new direction for the organization.

Albeit perhaps a little awkward, particularly with all eyes watching and human emotions still high, the progress was a welcome move in the right direction.