I think you _never_ take secretive action. You don't go behind someone's back.
They should have said, "Sam, we think you are wrong, we think we are right, and we think you are not listening, so we are going to take this to the board."
They should not have conspired.
Don't conspire.
Also, in my experience, in a situation like this where sides A and B see things differently, and side B can't convince side A they are wrong, _both_ sides are usually wrong. People can easily see how others are wrong, but often find it harder to see how their position is also wrong. The solution is to keep talking it out. Until that correct position C is found.
When Side B is so confident that they are right and take secret action against Side A, not only do they still get things wrong (because the still yet to be discovered idea C is the correct position), but they are guilty of dishonest behavior, as those that conspired against SamA are here.
