(a) The board shall consist of five members, who shall be residents of the state, three of whom shall be practical arterial embalmers, shall be actively engaged in the practice of embalming at the time of their respective appointments and shall be licensed embalmers as hereinafter provided; and two of whom shall be public members. The Governor shall appoint the members of said board in accordance with the provisions of § 4-9a. Any vacancy in said board shall be filled by the Governor for the unexpired portion of the term. No member of said board shall be an elected or appointed officer of any professional association of embalmers or funeral directors or have been such an officer during the year immediately preceding his appointment. The Governor shall appoint a chairperson from among such members. No member shall serve for more than two full consecutive terms commencing after July 1, 1980. Members shall not be compensated for their services.

(b) Said board shall meet at least once during each calendar quarter and at such other times as the chairman deems necessary. Special meetings shall be held on the request of a majority of the board after notice in accordance with the provisions of § 1-225. A majority of the members of the board shall constitute a quorum. Any member who fails to attend three consecutive meetings or who fails to attend fifty per cent of all meetings held during any calendar year shall be deemed to have resigned from office. Minutes of all meetings shall be recorded by the board. No member shall participate in the affairs of the board during the pendency of any disciplinary proceedings by the board against such member.