Board of Trustees lack of transparency

Hello! I have read several posts that might suggest something like this has been asked before, however, I'm hoping for some genuine direction for the group of homeowners who are hoping for increased transparency from our trustees.
We are in Missouri, and our subdivision is relatively large. In the past two years, we have had several large projects go on that have had a large impact on our homes, property, etc. Nobody seems to have a clue what is happening other than conjecture and gossip.
We have three trustees, and one no longer lives in our subdivision. A neighbor joined the board but left relatively quickly after the two long-time members refused to share information with her and basically just assigned her busy work and told her to not worry about the finances or anything else. The two long time trustees simply replaced her with their buddy. No one in the neighborhood was notified of any of these changes.
At least five neighbors that we know of, likely more, have emailed the trustee email address to request the regular business meetings required in the by-laws and to ask questions regarding some construction/trees being torn down etc in our common ground, and the large financial compensation the neighborhood received from the corporation causing the disturbance. Everyone has received the same type of answer, essentially blowing off any requests for meetings where people can ask questions. The emails are always signed by "trustees" and we are told consistently that there is "no business reason for a meeting" although our by laws clearly state these should be happening throughout the year. Their response is that they haven't had one in a while, and technology makes them unnecessary because they can email. Several of us have also offered to help if they need committee members, etc. They seem entirely uninterested in anyone having a conversation.
We know the trustees have been punitive to those they don't like in the past, so are trying to tread lightly as we organize, hoping that there is strength in numbers. It's been thrown around to have a meeting and invite them, to start a petition for financial transparency and regular meetings, and re-visiting the bylaws to ensure this doesn't happen again. Obviously, many of you reading this have WAY more experience than we do. We aren't looking to cause problems, we just love our neighborhood and would like to be a part of ensuring that it is well taken care of.
I have looked up home owner rights... it seems like we have the right to review the financials, etc. I find a lot on how trustees can enforce the by-laws. How do homeowners enforce them? Our focus on a next step is getting a meeting. Maybe we are thinking too small.

Does anyone have ideas, advice, thoughts regarding our situation? All ideas are welcome, we just aren't sure where to go next and want to get this right. Thank you so much for your insight!

CathyA3's post is on the money AFAIC. I want to post what I think is some reinforcement.

-- Missouri has no HOA statute per se. It does have some statute sections that address HOA ops, like this one, regarding political signs: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=442.404 .

-- The OP should skim through the Missouri Nonprofit corporation statute at https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneChapter.aspx?chapter=355 .

-- In particular, I think the OP should read Missouri Revised Statute sections 355.821, 355.826 and 355.831 and 355.846, for starters. EricaL4, cite these sections in any letter you send requesting a review of records. Also cite the applicable bylaw section on members reviewing records, if such a section exists. Bylaws often do have such a section.

-- Send any request for records certified mail, return receipt requested.

-- The courts have hammered and IMO will continue to hammer corporations when corporations are not providing records to shareholder/members like the OP (where the law says the corporation must provide certain records).