Members of the board, excluding ex officio members, are entitled to receive one hundred forty-eight dollars as compensation per day and necessary mileage and travel expenses as provided in sections 44-08-04 and 54-06-09 for attending meetings of the board. No member of the board may lose regular salary, vacation pay, vacation or any personal leave, or be denied right of attendance by the state or political subdivision thereof while serving on official business of the fund.