There will be only eight board members even after a new member representing Dunedin clubs joined this week.
Lee Piper joined the board as the clubs' representative after a change in the union's constitution voted in at a union special general meeting earlier the month.
At that same meeting it was also decided Otago Country would be able to put a representative on the board to air its views.
That would have boosted the membership of the board to 10 members from eight, which had raised questions over the board having too many members.
But chairman Keith Cooper has stood down and not been replaced on the board. His role as chairman has been taken by current member Rowena Davenport.
The country board has also decided against taking up its seat at the board table and is comfortable its interests will be looked after by board member John Latta, a former Otago player. The country board will still have the option of putting on a board member at a later date.
Meanwhile, the Otago Rugby Football Union is confident of having a sold-out ground for its first Ranfurly Shield defence of the year.
In a statement this week, Otago Rugby Football Union general manager Richard Kinley said the game between Otago and Thames Valley, in Wanaka on July 13, was on track for a sell-out.
The union had sold 2000 out of the 3000 tickets available.
"It's been amazing to see how much interest and support there is for this game, not only from the Wanaka community, but from right across Otago," he said.
"Taking the Ranfurly Shield game to Wanaka is going to be a fantastic occasion and we're looking forward to welcoming the travelling Thames Valley fans, as well."
The match will be centre Matt Faddes' 50th and final game for Otago before he heads overseas to play for Ulster in Northern Ireland.
The second defence of the shield - provided Thames Valley is beaten - is against North Otago, in Oamaru on July 26.
