Considering that you have been kilted for 7+ years and nothing has been said, I wonder what other "rules" they have lurking in the background? You kicked your baby out the door to grow up when you started the board. It is not uncommon for children to fight parents at the first experience of freedom and it seems that the board is doing the same thing exerting its new found freedom.

I think that you have a hard question to ask yourself, "can I live with this and other actions of the board if I disagree with that action?" If you can, then all that I can see that can be done, is follow the boards direction, if not, I like Jock's "Never explain and never complain" comment and as soon as you can gracefully stop attending and look for another group.