(1) The board of directors of the association shall consist of not less than 5 nor more than 9 member insurers and 2 persons representing the general public serving terms as established in the plan of operation. The 2 members of the board representing the general public shall be appointed by the commissioner, shall not be engaged in the business of insurance, and shall not be officers, directors, or employees of an insurance company. The remaining members of the board shall be elected by member insurers subject to the approval of the commissioner. A vacancy on the board for a member representing the general public shall be filled for the remaining period of the term by appointment by the commissioner. A vacancy on the board for a member representing member insurers shall be filled for the remaining period of the term by a majority vote of the remaining board members, subject to the approval of the commissioner. To elect the initial board of directors, and initially organize the association, the commissioner shall give notice to all member insurers of the time and place of the organizational meeting. In determining voting rights at the organizational meeting each member insurer shall be entitled to 1 vote in person or by proxy.

  (2) In approving an election or in appointing a member to the board, the commissioner shall consider, among other things, whether all member insurers are fairly represented.

  (3) A member of the board may be reimbursed from the assets of the association for expenses incurred by the member as a member of the board of directors but a member of the board shall not otherwise be compensated by the association for his or her services.