It originally started as nothing more than an advisory board. Can't remember the exact specifics, but we might've had 8-10 guys who were asked if they wanted to participate in helping navigate some of the occasional conundrums that would pop up. Most of the time we were asked for our input when certain posters would intentionally cause issues with other posters, or maybe certain issues that would arise in the Flea Market, etc.
To my knowledge, no one from the board (while I was active) was singling out other posters in a biased manner... that was really part of the reason why it was a group committee deal to begin with - so personal biases wouldn't become involved in the resolution of whatever situation popped up. We were just providing unbiased feedback and suggestions to the moderator(s) who would bring the issue to our attention. Obviously we had a few instances with a couple of posters who intentionally trolled other posters to create issues, and of course when you see a pattern of that - you kinda know ahead of time the backstories involved and the overall intent. Nevertheless, at least while I was a part of that - I felt that we collectively provided reasonable advice to the moderators to deal with whatever it was, but it was still ultimately the moderator's decision about how to proceed.
I wasn't on the advisory board for the duration... because of life situations and time constraints I left the group, as I felt like I wasn't spending enough time there on the forum to be of much help. Subsequently, I cannot speak to what might've gone on there on the board after that, because honestly I have no clue.
But to be frank about it... the demise of FGI was already in situ long before the revelations of a "secret" group ever surfaced. The attitudes there by several posters all but guaranteed that the place was destined for the world-wide toilet.
Hopefully that same tragic ending can be avoided here.
