N.Y. Not-for-Profit Corporation Law § 1605: Board of directors

§ 1605. Board of directors.

(a) (1) The initial size of the board shall be determined in

accordance with section sixteen hundred three of this article. Unless

restricted by the actions or agreements specified in section sixteen

hundred three of this article, the provisions of this section shall

apply.

(2) The size of the board may be adjusted in accordance with by-laws

of the land bank.

(b) In the event that a land bank is created pursuant to an

intergovernmental agreement in accordance with section sixteen hundred

three of this article, such intergovernmental cooperation agreement

shall specify matters identified in paragraph (a) of section sixteen

hundred three of this article; provided, however, that each foreclosing

governmental unit shall have at least one appointment to the board.

(c) Any public officer shall be eligible to serve as a board member

and the acceptance of the appointment shall neither terminate nor impair

such public office. For purposes of this section, "public officer" shall

mean a person who is elected to a municipal office. Any municipal

employee or appointed officer shall be eligible to serve as a board

member.

(d) The members of the board of directors shall select annually from

among themselves a chairman, a vice-chairman, a treasurer, and such

other officers as the board may determine, and shall establish their

duties as may be regulated by rules adopted by the board.

(e) The board shall establish rules and requirements relative to the

attendance and participation of members in its meetings, regular or

special. Such rules and regulations may prescribe a procedure whereby,

should any member fail to comply with such rules and regulations, such

member may be disqualified and removed automatically from office by no

less than a majority vote of the remaining members of the board, and

that member's position shall be vacant as of the first day of the next

calendar month. Any person removed under the provisions of this

paragraph shall be ineligible for reappointment to the board, unless

such reappointment is confirmed unanimously by the board.

(f) A vacancy on the board shall be filled in the same manner as the

original appointment.

(g) Board members shall serve without compensation, shall have the

power to organize and reorganize the executive, administrative,

clerical, and other departments of the land bank and to fix the duties,

powers, and compensation of all employees, agents, and consultants of

the land bank. The board may reimburse any member for expenses actually

incurred in the performance of duties on behalf of the land bank.

(h) The board shall meet in regular session according to a schedule

adopted by the board, and also shall meet in special session as convened

by the chairman or upon written notice signed by a majority of the

members.

(i) A majority of the members of the board, not including vacancies,

shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of business. All actions of

the board shall be approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the

members of that board present and voting; provided, however, no action

of the board shall be authorized on the following matters unless

approved by a majority of the total board membership:

(1) adoption of by-laws and other rules and regulations for conduct of

the land bank's business;

(2) hiring or firing of any employee or contractor of the land bank.

This function may, by majority vote of the total board membership, be

delegated to a specified officer or committee of the land bank, under

such terms and conditions, and to the extent, that the board may

specify;

(3) the incurring of debt;

(4) adoption or amendment of the annual budget; and

(5) sale, lease, encumbrance, or alienation of real property,

improvements, or personal property.

(j) Members of a board shall not be liable personally on the bonds or

other obligations of the land bank, and the rights of creditors shall be

solely against such land bank.

(k) Vote by proxy shall not be permitted. Any member may request a

recorded vote on any resolution or action of the land bank.

(l) Each director, officer and employee shall be a state officer or

employee for the purposes of sections seventy-three and seventy-four of

the public officers law.