The Dublin Simon Community has elected a 12-member board in a move which members hope will conclude a period of division and infighting within the organisation.
The charity for the homeless, which received almost €9 million in State and public contributions last year, has been at the centre of a bitter row following the board's dismissal of its chief executive, Greg Maxwell, in July 2004.
The election follows a stormy agm in January during which a motion of no confidence in board members was passed.
Late on Thursday night up to 200 members of Dublin Simon voted to elect a new board which includes four independent professionals skilled in management, health and legal affairs, two homeless people who use the service and two long-serving soup-run volunteers.
The independent professionals include Stuart Kenny, co-founder of Paddy Power Bookmakers, Philip Flynn, chief executive of the Digital Hub in Dublin, Katherine Whidden, who has experience in healthcare and human resources, and Edward Farrelly, a barrister.
Those present at Thursday's meeting, which was closed to members of the public, said the atmosphere contrasted sharply with January's acrimonious agm.
Key steps have helped narrow division in the organisation in recent days, including the decision of chairman Ronnie Tucker to step down followed by the temporary appointment of Dr Edward Molloy, a former chairman of Focus Ireland, as chairman. The board will elect a chairperson and appoint a permanent chief executive later in the year.
Tony Bateman, a former board member of Dublin Simon, said the vote was a clear signal that it was time to end divisions.
"The organisation has spoken. There is a new board. There is a new beginning. Everyone wants to move the organisation forward. It's time to let the healing process begin," he said.
Of the 12 nominees put forward by Dublin Simon's board, 10 were elected. Of the nine nominees put forward by the group of former chairpersons of Dublin Simon which proposed the vote of no confidence in the board last January, one was elected. An independent service user was also elected.
While many are keen to play down division in Dublin Simon - which has more than 100 staff and 200 volunteers - the dismissal of Mr Maxwell has yet to be resolved.
Mr Maxwell says he was unfairly dismissed and his case is due to come before the Employment Appeals Tribunal later this year. He is seeking re-instatement as chief executive.
Mr Maxwell's supporters say the organisation expanded and flourished during his 10-year leadership and want him reinstated if the tribunal finds he was unfairly dismissed.
