Collective nouns such as jury, committee, audience, crowd, troop, family, and couple name a class or a group. In American English, collective nouns are nearly always treated as singular: They emphasize the group as a unit. Occasionally, when there is some reason to draw attention to the individual members of the group, a collective noun may be treated as plural. (See also G3-a.)

To underscore the notion of individuality in the second sentence, many writers would add a clearly plural noun.

The board as a whole meets; there is no reason to draw attention to its individual members.

The meaning is clearly plural. Only separate individuals can argue and hold hands.

note: The phrase the number is treated as singular, a number as plural.

note: In general, when fractions or units of measurement are used with a singular noun, treat them as singular; when they are used with a plural noun, treat them as plural.