RE: Why 5 Board Members?
Keith, thanks for the message.
Our community's bylaws stipulate that our organization operates with a five member board, which is to include a President, Secretary, Treasurer, & two Vice-Presidents. One member is designated President Pro Tem (usually one of the VPs).
Typically we have had 5 members on a board at any given time, though, due to circumstances, there have been times when we've fallen below that number (in '04/'05, for example.)
To answer your question, the organzation can function with less than 5 board members, but that's not an idea situation.