I hear you Bob and it is even more frustrating when successful business people who are used to getting things done are elected to the Board and discover how hamstringed they can be by HOA regulations. It might be a simple vote to approve something previously discussed at a Board meeting which just needed a minor change and it doesn't make sense to them to convene another meeting just to vote on what they already know will pass. E-mail should be fine. Sometimes a closed meeting outside the normal allowed parameters or bringing up a separate issue other than the initial reason for the closed meeting in that meeting just seems OK and saves so much time. 

I get the frustration BUT we are an HOA and as such are bound by Maryland's HOA rules however frustrating they may be at times. I was surprised the recent issue was even mentioned by a Board member knowing what turmoil that could create. Recently Ocean City was admonished by the State for similar breaches of the Md. open meetings law. It is what it is and no doubt it can be frustrating but the rules are there to provide transparency for the homeowners and too often have been ignored over the years either intentionally or ignorance of the rules. Until changed they need to be followed.