As I have already argued, I don't think that JR is instrumental to the development of the project because he founded it. If you disagree, please explain why.
If JR doesn't have enough time to give his input and votes, then he shouldn't be a board member. If someone isn't able to fulfill the duties of his position, he shouldn't have that position. Is JR an exception?
The project can progress without JR.
However the project will move much faster with full support from JR.
This is for a few reasons:
1. He owns a lot of MSC, and carries a lot of weight. Many people look to him. So unless he supports a particular hire, feature or project, it is bound to be delayed. (I want his relative weight to decrease in order to remove him as a single point of failure in the project. Selling some MSC now would be a great start).
2. JR is a board member and he definitely should remain one. He is working on freeing up his time, and is already dedicating more time and effort than some of the other board members. "Kicking JR out of his project" is so off the table that it's in the barn with the dogs. Won't happen.
3. We never formalized the expectations from board members, but we are all busy people. Try not to judge.
Board members need to either: be available for discussion, or work to reducing the project's dependencies on them. I am pushing for both.
4. It's holidays... please be patient for a bit. I'm pushing this super hard, give me a chance to do what I do. Thanks!
(1): Agreed, he should sell some MSC.
(2): You haven't provided an argument as to why he should "definitely remain" a board member. Putting that to the side though, I find it troubling that any fundamental policy decision is "so off the table that its in the barn with the dogs", and that some one board member feels he has the authority to say this without reservation. There are already concerns about centralization, and such comments don't help.
(3): I am not judging anyone, but simply stating that people shouldn't bear more responsibility than they can handle. However, I do like that you are taking initiative on this point.