N.Y. Religious Corporations Law § 267: Organization and conduct of corporate meetings; qualifications of voters

§ 267. Organization and conduct of corporate meetings; qualifications

of voters. At every corporate meeting of a church incorporated under

this article all persons who for one year next preceding such meeting

have worshipped with such church and have regularly contributed to its

financial support, according to its usages, shall be qualified voters;

but, if so decided, by a two-thirds vote at the original meeting or at

any annual corporate meeting thereof, after notice of such meeting all

members of such church and in good and regular standing, by admission to

membership therewith, who have worshipped with such church for one year

next preceding the meeting at which they vote, may also be admitted as

qualified voters at corporate meetings. At such corporate meetings, the

presence of at least seven persons qualified to vote thereat shall be

necessary to constitute a quorum; and all matters or questions shall be

decided by a majority of the qualified voters voting thereon, except

that by-laws can only be adopted or amended by a two-thirds vote. The

clerk or secretary of the corporation shall call the meeting to order;

and under his supervision the qualified voters then present shall choose

a presiding officer and two inspectors of election to receive the

ballots cast. The presiding officer and the inspectors of election

shall declare the result of the ballots cast on any matter and shall be

the judges of the qualifications of the voters. At such annual corporate

meeting, successors to those trustees whose terms of office then expire

shall be elected by ballot from the qualified voters, for a term of

three years thereafter, and until their successors shall be elected. A

clerk or secretary of the corporation shall be elected by ballot, who

shall hold office until the close of the next annual meeting, and until

his successor shall be elected.