Here is what has really been bothering me about the recent blowup at OFS (here and here at the Olympian). The board of directors actually isn't elected from the membership. Rather, it is self appointing.

The current members of the board choose all new incoming members. From the OFS bylaws, posted up at OFSvolunteers:

Any member of the Society wishing to serve as a Director must submit to the Board prior to a regularly scheduled meeting a letter of application summarizing their experience with the Society and their interest in serving on the Board, outlining any particular skills they would bring to the Board, and indicating whether they are applying for a one or two year term. Letters of application to the Board shall be posted in the lobby for not less than two weeks before the meeting at which the applicant is to be considered by the Board. The Board shall also solicit and consider member input on the applications in whatever method (letter, email, verbal testimony to the Board) is deemed appropriate by the Board. The Board shall retain the power to determine the appropriate method. Following an interview by the Board at a regularly scheduled meeting, a member may be appointed to the Board.

Now, here's my question: Would you trust a board that is put together in such a manner?

Also, there's a new explainer over at OFSvolunteers called: How did the board fudge the bylaws?