reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 New York Laws › RCO - Religious Corporations › Article 20 - Assemblies of God Churches › 425 - Meeting for Incorporation.

§  425. Meeting for incorporation. 1. At the meeting for incorporation
  held in pursuance  of  such  notice,  only  qualified  voters  shall  be
  eligible to vote.
2.  The  presence of a majority of such qualified voters, at least six
  in number, shall be necessary to constitute a quorum  of  such  meeting.
  The  action  of the meeting upon any matter or question shall be decided
  by a majority of the qualified voters thereon. The quorum shall  not  be
  less than six persons.
3.  The  first  named  of the following persons who is present at such
  meeting shall preside thereat, to wit: Any executive officer of the  New
  York  district  of  the  Assemblies  of  God or delegated representative
  thereof, the minister of the church or the officiating minister thereof.
  The meeting shall be called to order by  the  presiding  officer.  There
  shall  be  elected  to  such  meeting  a clerk to keep the record of the
  proceedings of the meeting, and two inspectors of  election  to  receive
  the ballots cast.
4.  The  presiding  officer  of  the meeting shall be the judge of the
  qualifications of voters. The presiding officer and  the  inspectors  of
  election shall decide the results of the ballots cast on any matter.
5.  Such meeting shall decide whether such unincorporated church shall
  become  incorporated.  If  such  decision   shall   be   in   favor   of
  incorporation,  such  meeting shall decide upon the name of the proposed
  corporation, the names of the first three trustees  thereof,  and  shall
  determine  the  date,  not more than fifteen months thereafter, on which
  the first annual election of the trustees  thereof  after  such  meeting
  shall  be  held.  Such meeting shall elect from the persons qualified to
  vote at such meeting one trustee who shall hold office until  the  first
  annual  election of trustees thereafter, a second trustee to hold office
  until the second annual election of trustees  thereafter,  and  a  third
  trustee  to  hold  office  until  the  third annual election of trustees
  thereafter. The trustees shall hold office until  their  successors  are
  elected.
6.  At the meeting for incorporation a constitution and by-laws may be
  adopted except  it  shall  not  conflict  with:  (a)  the  duly  adopted
  constitution  and  by-laws  of  the general council of the Assemblies of
  God, (b) the duly adopted constitution  and  by-laws  of  the  New  York
  district  of  the  Assemblies  of  God,  and  (c) the provisions of this
  article or this chapter.
2023 New York Laws › RCO - Religious Corporations › Article 20 - Assemblies of God Churches › 426 - Certificate of Incorporation.

§  426.  Certificate  of  incorporation.  1.  If  at  the  meeting for
  incorporation it shall be decided that such unincorporated church  shall
  become  incorporated,  the presiding officer of such meeting and the two
  inspectors of election shall execute and acknowledge  a  certificate  of
  incorporation,  in which shall be stated the name or title by which such
  body shall be known in the law; the purpose  of  its  organization;  the
  names  and  addresses  of  the trustees elected thereat and the terms of
  office for which they were respectively elected;  the  county,  town  or
  city  in  which  its  principal place of worship is or is intended to be
  located; and a statement that the corporation shall support the doctrine
  and be subject to the constitution and by-laws of and be  in  conformity
  with  the principles of the general council of the Assemblies of God and
  the New York district of the Assemblies of God  as  from  time  to  time
  established,  made  and declared by the lawful authority of said general
  council of the Assemblies of God and New York district of the Assemblies
  of God.
2. On filing such certificate in the office of the county clerk of the
  county in which such corporate body is or is  intended  to  be  located,
  such church shall be a corporation by the name stated in the certificate
  of  incorporation; but such certificate shall not be filed, unless there
  is affixed thereto the written permission of the New  York  district  of
  the  Assemblies  of God to incorporate, pursuant to section four hundred
  twenty-two of this article.
3. The certificate of incorporation shall further contain a  provision
  that,  in the event of dissolution of the corporation, all the remaining
  assets and property of the corporation shall, after  necessary  expenses
  thereof,  be  distributed  to  either  the  New  York  district  of  the
  Assemblies of God, or to the general council of the Assemblies  of  God,
  their  successors  and  assigns,  and  that  in  the event said New York
  district of the Assemblies of God or general council of  the  Assemblies
  of  God  or  if  their  successor  is  not  in  existence at the time of
  dissolution, then such assets  are  to  be  distributed  to  such  other
  Assemblies  of  God organizations as shall qualify under section 501 (c)
  (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended, to be used in such
  manner as in the judgment of a justice of the supreme court  shall  best
  accomplish the general purposes for which the corporation was formed.
2023 New York Laws › RCO - Religious Corporations › Article 20 - Assemblies of God Churches › 427 - Reincorporation of Present Incorporated Churches.

§  427.  Reincorporation  of present incorporated churches. Any church
  heretofore incorporated may, subject to restrictions and limitations  of
  existing  laws,  reincorporate  under the provisions of this article, by
  filing in the county clerk's office in the county in which its principal
  place of worship is located, a certificate, signed and  acknowledged  by
  the  district  superintendent of the New York district of the Assemblies
  of God, and signed and acknowledged by all the trustees of  said  church
  in  office  at  the time of such reincorporation, setting forth that the
  said  church  by  majority  vote  desires  to  reincorporate  under  the
  provision of this article, the corporate name by which such church shall
  be known, the county, town, city or village where its principal place of
  worship  is  or is intended to be located and the names and addresses of
  the trustees who are to hold office until the  next  annual  meeting  of
  said  corporation.  Such  certificate shall not be filed unless endorsed
  thereon is  the  written  consent  of  the  New  York  district  of  the
  Assemblies of God.
2023 New York Laws › RCO - Religious Corporations › Article 20 - Assemblies of God Churches › 428 - Time; Place and Notice of Corporate Meetings.

§  428.  Time;  place  and notice of corporate meetings. 1. The annual
  corporate meeting of every incorporated church or  body  to  which  this
  article  is  applicable shall be held at the time and place fixed by its
  by-laws.
2. Notice of the time  and  place  of  the  annual  corporate  meeting
  containing  therein  the  number  of  any trustees whose terms of office
  shall expire and whose successors are to be elected  thereat,  shall  be
  posted  and  given  by  means  of a public reading of such notice at all
  services on at least two consecutive Sundays preceding such meetings  of
  the  church or body, by the first named of the following persons who are
  present thereat, to wit: the minister of such  church,  the  officiating
  minister  thereof,  if there be one, or by any corporate officer of such
  church or body.
3. In the event of the absence of  Sunday  worship  services,  written
  notice  of  the  time and place of the annual corporate meeting shall be
  given by the board of trustees, either personally or by  mail,  to  each
  qualified  voter not less than ten nor more than twenty days before such
  meeting.
4. A special corporate meeting of the church or body may be called  by
  the  minister  of  such church or body, the board of trustees, or on the
  written application of at least twenty percent of the qualified  voters,
  but in no event by less than five qualified voters.
5.  Written  notice  of  the  time  and  place of the special meeting,
  together with a statement of the  business  to  be  transacted  thereat,
  shall  be  given  by  the  board  of trustees either by posting a public
  announcement at  all  services  on  at  least  two  consecutive  Sundays
  preceding  such  meeting or by mail, upon each qualified voter, not less
  than ten nor more than twenty days before the special meeting.
2023 New York Laws › RCO - Religious Corporations › Article 20 - Assemblies of God Churches › 429 - Corporate Meetings.

§  429.  Corporate  meetings.  1.  Each  church  shall  determine  the
  requirements for a quorum in their by-laws.
2. The action of the meeting upon any  matter  or  question  shall  be
  decided in a manner provided by the by-laws.
3.  The  first  named of the following persons who are present at such
  meeting shall preside thereat: the minister of such church, a  qualified
  voter  designated  by  the  minister,  or  voter  elected thereto at the
  meeting. The presiding officer of the meeting shall receive  the  votes,
  be  the  judge of qualifications of voters and declare the result of the
  votes cast on any matter.
4. At each annual corporate  meeting,  successors  to  those  trustees
  whose  terms of office then expires, shall be elected from the qualified
  voters for a term of three years thereafter.
5. If at any meeting of the church the actions of the minister are  to
  be  voted  upon  because  of  disagreements  with the congregation, or a
  change in his teachings from the doctrines of the Assemblies of God,  or
  his  conduct,  the  minister  shall  not  chair such meeting. A district
  official is to be invited to chair such a meeting. The minister, being a
  member of said congregation, may speak at such meeting.
6. Only the members of the church at  its  annual  meeting,  or  at  a
  special  meeting  called  for  that  purpose,  have the power to call or
  remove its pastor.
2023 New York Laws › RCO - Religious Corporations › Article 20 - Assemblies of God Churches › 431 - Property of Extinct Assemblies of God Churches.

§  431.  Property  of  extinct  Assemblies  of  God  churches.  1. All
  property, both real and personal, belonging to or held in trust for  any
  Assemblies  of God church, incorporated or reincorporated or supervisory
  under this article, that has or  shall  become  extinct,  shall  at  the
  option  of  the  New York district of the Assemblies of God, vest in and
  become the property of the New York district of the  Assemblies  of  God
  and  its  successors  and  assigns; provided that this section shall not
  affect the reversionary interests of any person or corporation  in  such
  property or any valid lien thereon.
2.  An  Assemblies of God church, incorporated or reincorporated under
  this article,  which  fails  to  hold  regular  worship  services,  such
  services  being distinguished from committee or business meetings, for a
  period of six months, may be declared by the New York  district  of  the
  Assemblies of God to be dissolved and extinct, said New York district of
  the  Assemblies  of  God  being  the immediate supervisory body over the
  local church within this state.
3. Whenever the New York district of the Assemblies of  God  dissolves
  or  declares  extinct  a  particular  church  under  this  section; upon
  petition by the New York district  of  the  Assemblies  of  God  to  the
  supreme or county court and upon satisfactory proof of the facts leading
  to such dissolution, the court shall have jurisdiction to grant an order
  to the effect that all property of whatever kind which may have belonged
  to  or have been held by said church shall vest in the New York district
  of the Assemblies of God in as full and ample a manner as the same shall
  theretofore have been vested in the church so declared to  be  dissolved
  and  extinct.  There shall be recorded in the office of the clerk of the
  county in  which  the  church  is  located,  a  certified  copy  of  the
  resolution  of  the New York district of the Assemblies of God declaring
  such church extinct and the court order transferring the  title  of  the
  church  property; and the recording of such a resolution and court order
  shall be proof of the vesting of title of  the  real  property  of  such
  church in the New York district of the Assemblies of God.
2023 New York Laws › RCO - Religious Corporations › Article 20 - Assemblies of God Churches › 432 - Church Council and Church Management.

§  432.  Church council and church management. Any incorporated church
  or body to which this article applies shall have its affairs managed  by
  a  church  council.    Such  council  shall  consist  of the pastor, the
  trustees of the corporation as well as any  others,  such  as  corporate
  secretary and treasurer, who may be designated as church council members
  by  the  by-laws.  If the local church or body has a pastor, he shall be
  president of the corporation and be a member of such council  and  serve
  as  presiding  officer  of its meetings. In the absence of a pastor, the
  by-laws shall provide for the manner of selecting a  presiding  officer.
  The  by-laws  shall  further set forth the time and manner of notice for
  such meetings.
2023 New York Laws › RCO - Religious Corporations › Article 20 - Assemblies of God Churches › 433 - Right of Self Government.

§  433.  Right of self government. Each church shall have the right of
  self government under Jesus Christ, its living head, and shall have  the
  power  to choose, call or dismiss its minister, establish the minister's
  salary, elect its trustees and other officials, and transact  all  other
  business pertaining to its life as a local unit.
2023 New York Laws › RCO - Religious Corporations › Article 20 - Assemblies of God Churches › 434 - Right of Affiliation; Relationships Between Churches, District Corporations and the General Council of the Assemblies of God.

§  434. Right of affiliation; relationships between churches, district
  corporations and the general council of the Assemblies of God.  Churches
  shall  be  deemed  to  be sovereign, autonomous, self governing and self
  determining bodies. The affiliation of  each  church  with  the  general
  council  of  the  Assemblies  of  God  and  the New York district of the
  Assemblies of God shall be in matters of doctrine and  conduct.  In  the
  event  determination  of  disaffiliation with the general council of the
  Assemblies of God is under consideration by an affiliated assembly,  the
  pastor  and/or the church council shall invite the district officiary to
  participate in a special called church meeting for the express matter of
  giving the district officiary the opportunity to present  the  case  for
  continued  general  council affiliation. Final disposition of the matter
  may then proceed in accordance with the by-laws of the local church  not
  inconsistent with this article.
2023 New York Laws › RCO - Religious Corporations › Article 20 - Assemblies of God Churches › 435 - District Corporation.

§  435. District corporation. 1. The present corporation acting within
the territorial limits of  New  York,  the  New  York  district  of  the
Assemblies  of God, may reorganize by the formation of a new corporation
which may have as many trustees as there are  regional  sections  within
the  state,  plus  district  officers,  and  others so designated by its
constitution and by-laws.
2. Said corporation shall have jurisdiction over all churches to which
this article applies, in conformity with  the  principles  of  voluntary
cooperative  fellowship  as set forth in the constitution of the general
council of the Assemblies of God. It shall also have the right  to  hold
real  property  for district purposes, including district offices, Bible
conference grounds, camps and educational institutions, homes, missions,
as well as properties for local unincorporated missions or churches.
3. The said district corporation shall be vested  with  title  to  all
property  within the state now held in the name of the New York district
of the Assemblies of God. The said corporation may convey  any  property
without  a court order, notwithstanding the provisions of section twelve
of this chapter or article five of the not-for-profit  corporation  law,
to a local church under all of the following conditions:
(a)  Title  was acquired by the district on behalf of the local church
before the local church was incorporated.
(b) The local church has been in possession and has had the use of the
premises.
(c) Premises had been acquired for and on behalf of the local  church,
the district corporation holding title merely in the nature of a trust.
(d) The right of creditors will not be affected by such transfer.
2023 New York Laws › RCO - Religious Corporations › Article 21 - Coptic Orthodox Churches › 450 - Application.

§  450.  Application.  1.  This  article applies to any unincorporated
  church, church school, seminary or other  organization  affiliated  with
  the  Coptic Orthodox Church and to any heretofore incorporated church or
  body, so affiliated, which desires to  reincorporate  pursuant  to  this
  article.
2.   Nothing  hereinafter  provided  shall  prevent  or  prohibit  any
  heretofore incorporated church  or  body,  affiliated  with  the  Coptic
  Orthodox  Church  from  maintaining and continuing the relationship with
  such church or body enjoyed at the time of the effective  date  of  this
  article  should  such  church  or  body  determine  not to reincorporate
  pursuant to this article.
2023 New York Laws › RCO - Religious Corporations › Article 21 - Coptic Orthodox Churches › 451 - Definitions.

§ 451. Definitions. As used in this article, the following terms shall
  have the following meanings:
1. "Coptic  Orthodox  Church"  refers to the Apostolic Church presided
  over by His Holiness, the Pope of Alexandria (Egypt) and  the  Patriarch
  of  the  See  of St. Mark, the legislative body of which is known as the
  Holy Synod. The Coptic Orthodox Church is a hierarchical church.
2. "Holy Synod" is the highest legislative and executive authority  in
  the  Coptic  Orthodox Church, presided over by His Holiness, the Pope of
  Alexandria and the Patriarch of the See of St. Mark and is more formally
  known as "The Holy Synod for the Coptic Orthodox  Church  of  Alexandria
  and the See of St. Mark."
3.  "The  Synodical  Committee for the Coptic Churches in Immigration"
  is, according to the constitution and bylaws of the Holy  Synod,  formed
  and  presided  over  by  His  Holiness,  the  Pope of Alexandria and the
  Patriarch of the See of St. Mark from among  the  members  of  the  Holy
  Synod, to assist him in marshalling the affairs of the churches abroad.
4. "Unincorporated Coptic Orthodox Church" in this state and a "Coptic
  Orthodox  Church"  heretofore  incorporated  in  this  state refers to a
  church, cathedral, chapel or other religious  organization  founded  and
  established  for  the purpose of and with the intent of adhering to, and
  being subject  to  the  administrative  jurisdiction  of  the  Synodical
  Committee for the Coptic Churches in Immigration.
5. A "Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese" refers to that person who
  is serving as such bishop pursuant to the authority of and in accordance
  with  the  rules  and  regulations of Synodical Committee for the Coptic
  Churches in Immigration. In accordance with the laws of the Holy  Synod,
  the  Pope  of  Alexandria  (Egypt)  is  the  presiding bishop of any new
  diocese during the foundation period and until a bishop is ordained  for
  such  diocese.  Likewise,  and  pursuant  to  such  laws,  the  Pope  of
  Alexandria (Egypt) is the presiding bishop of any existing diocese which
  has no bishop.
2023 New York Laws › RCO - Religious Corporations › Article 21 - Coptic Orthodox Churches › 452 - Incorporation of Coptic Orthodox Churches.

§  452.  Incorporation  of Coptic Orthodox Churches. An unincorporated
  Coptic Orthodox Church in this state may become incorporated as a church
  by executing, acknowledging and filing a certificate  of  incorporation,
  stating  the  corporate name by which such church shall be known and the
  county, town, city or village where its principal place of  worship  is,
  or  is  intended  to  be  located.  A certificate of incorporation of an
  unincorporated Coptic Orthodox Church shall be executed and acknowledged
  by the bishop of the Coptic Orthodox  Diocese  in  which  its  place  of
  worship  is located and by two or more persons who shall be appointed by
  the bishop from among the priests  and  deacons  of  such  church.  Upon
  filing  such  certificate such church shall be a corporation by the name
  stated in the certificate.
2023 New York Laws › RCO - Religious Corporations › Article 21 - Coptic Orthodox Churches › 453 - Reincorporation of Existing Corporations.

§  453.  Reincorporation of existing corporations. Any Coptic Orthodox
  Church heretofore incorporated in this state, with the  consent  of  the
  bishop  of  the Coptic Orthodox Diocese in which its place of worship is
  located, may reincorporate under  the  provisions  of  this  article  by
  filing  in  the  office  of  the county clerk in the county in which its
  principal place of worship is located,  a  certificate,  signed  by  the
  trustees  in  office  at  the  time  of such reincorporation whereby the
  majority of them setting forth that they desire to  reincorporate  under
  the  provisions  of  this  article,  the  corporate name by which such a
  church shall be known, the county,  town,  city  or  village  where  its
  principal  place  of  worship is located and the names of the bishop and
  two or more persons appointed by the bishop from among the  priests  and
  deacons  of  such  church,  who  shall  constitute  the initial board of
  trustees of said church. Immediately upon the filing of such certificate
  all the right, title, equity and  interest  of  such  a  church  in  any
  estate,  real  or  personal,  together  with  all  franchise and charter
  rights, shall be vested in the body  corporate  so  created  under  this
  article  and  the  original  incorporation  of such a church be null and
  void.
2023 New York Laws › RCO - Religious Corporations › Article 21 - Coptic Orthodox Churches › 454 - Government of Incorporated Coptic Orthodox Churches.

§ 454. Government of Incorporated Coptic Orthodox Churches. The bishop
  of  the  Coptic  Orthodox  Diocese  in  which the place of worship of an
  incorporated Coptic Orthodox Church is located  and  his  successors  in
  office  shall,  by  virtue of his office, be a trustee of such a church.
  Two or more persons selected by the bishop from among  the  priests  and
  deacons  of  such  a  church in the manner provided from time to time by
  rules and regulations of the  Coptic  Orthodox  Church  adopted  by  the
  Synodical Committee for the Coptic Churches in Immigration shall also be
  trustees  of  such  incorporated  church,  and the bishop and other such
  persons shall together constitute the board  of  trustees  thereof.  The
  bishop  and other persons signing the certificate of incorporation shall
  be the trustees of such a church for  the  first  year  or  until  their
  successors  are  selected  according to the rules, statutes, regulations
  and usages of the  Coptic  Orthodox  Church  adopted  by  the  Synodical
  Committee  for the Coptic Churches in Immigration. The trustees of every
  Coptic Orthodox Church  shall  have  the  custody  and  control  of  all
  temporalities  and  property,  real  and  personal,  belonging to such a
  church and of the revenues therefrom and shall administer  the  same  in
  accordance  with  the  rules,  statutes,  regulations  and usages of the
  Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria adopted by Synodical Committee  for
  the  Coptic  Churches  in Immigration, provided, however, that no act or
  proceeding of the trustees of any  such  incorporated  church  shall  be
  valid  without  the  approval of the bishop of said diocese in which the
  place of worship of such a church is located, or in case of his  absence
  or inability to act, without the approval of the vicar of such diocese.
2023 New York Laws › RCO - Religious Corporations › Article 21 - Coptic Orthodox Churches › 455 - Disposition of Property.

§  455.  Disposition  of  property.  Whenever a Coptic Orthodox parish
  shall hereafter be duly divided by the Coptic  Orthodox  bishop  of  the
  diocese  in  which  said parish is located into two parishes within such
  diocese, then the Coptic Orthodox bishop or his successor shall have the
  right and power, of himself independently of any action  or  consent  on
  the  part  of  the  trustees  of  the  original  Coptic  Orthodox Church
  corporation to transfer assets, with or without valuable  consideration,
  from  the  original  Coptic  Orthodox  corporation  to the new or second
  Coptic Orthodox Church corporation. Said transfer shall be made by  said
  bishop  or  his successor after having complied with the requirements of
  this chapter in the  same  manner  as  the  trustees  of  any  religious
  corporation  are  compelled  to  do  before  making a transfer of church
  property.
2023 New York Laws › RCO - Religious Corporations › Article 22 - Organizations of the Hindu Faith › 460 - Application.

§  460.  Application.  1.  This  article applies to any unincorporated
  church  affiliated  with  the  Hindu  faith,  and  to   any   heretofore
  incorporated   church   or   body,   so  affiliated,  which  desires  to
  reincorporate  pursuant  to  this  article.  Independent  churches   may
  incorporate  or  reincorporate under this article in the manner provided
  in sections four hundred sixty-one and four hundred sixty-seven of  this
  article,  and  all  the  provisions  of this article shall apply to such
  churches as the context requires.
2.  Nothing  hereinafter  provided  shall  prevent  or  prohibit   any
  heretofore  incorporated church or body, affiliated with the Hindu faith
  from maintaining and continuing the relationship which  such  church  or
  body  enjoyed  at  the time of the effective date of this article should
  such church or body determine not  to  reincorporate  pursuant  to  this
  article.
2023 New York Laws › RCO - Religious Corporations › Article 22 - Organizations of the Hindu Faith › 462 - Qualification of Voters.

§  462.  Qualification  of voters. The following parties and no others
  shall be qualified voters for  all  purposes  under  this  article:  all
  persons  eighteen  years  of  age  or  over  who are members in good and
  regular standing of the church or  body  by  admission  into  membership
  therewith,  in accordance with the standards for membership in the local
  church as determined by the local church itself.
2023 New York Laws › RCO - Religious Corporations › Article 22 - Organizations of the Hindu Faith › 463 - Notice of Meeting for Incorporation.

§  463.  Notice  of meeting for incorporation. Notice of a meeting for
  the purpose of incorporating an unincorporated church shall be given  as
  follows:
1.  The notice shall be in writing and shall state, in substance, that
  a meeting of such unincorporated church will be held at its usual  place
  of  worship at a specified day and hour for the purpose of incorporating
  such church and electing three or  more  trustees,  but  not  to  exceed
  fifteen.
2.  The notice must be signed by at least six qualified voters. A copy
  of such notice shall be publicly read at each  of  the  two  consecutive
  main  worship  services,  of  such  unincorporated  church preceding the
  meeting to incorporate, by the minister of such church, or if  none,  by
  the  church  member  who  has been designated by the membership or other
  authorized body of the church to conduct the worship  service  that  day
  (the  "officiating  minister");  and  at  least  fifteen days before the
  meeting for incorporation, a copy of such notice shall be posted at  the
  place of worship.
2023 New York Laws › RCO - Religious Corporations › Article 22 - Organizations of the Hindu Faith › 464 - Meeting for Incorporation.

§  464. Meeting for incorporation. 1. At the meeting for incorporation
  held in pursuance  of  such  notice,  only  qualified  voters  shall  be
  eligible to vote.
2.  The presence of one-third of the qualified voters or six qualified
  voters, whichever number is higher, shall be necessary to  constitute  a
  quorum  of  such  meeting.  The action of the meeting upon any matter or
  question shall be decided by a majority of the qualified voters present.
3. The minister of the church, or if none, the  officiating  minister,
  shall  act  as  presiding  officer  of  the  meeting to incorporate. The
  presiding officer shall call the meeting to order and shall be the judge
  of the qualification of voters.
4. Such meeting shall decide by ballot whether  the  church  shall  be
  incorporated,  the  name  of  the proposed corporation, the names of the
  initial trustees, and the date, not more than fifteen months thereafter,
  on which the first  annual  election  or  affirmation  of  the  trustees
  thereof after such meeting shall be held. The trustees shall hold office
  until their successors are elected or affirmed.
5.  At the meeting for incorporation, a constitution and by-laws shall
  be adopted setting forth a form of church governance that is  consistent
  with section four hundred sixty-five of this article.
2023 New York Laws › RCO - Religious Corporations › Article 22 - Organizations of the Hindu Faith › 465 - Church Governance.

§  465. Church governance. 1. A church incorporated under this section
  shall provide  in  its  certificate  of  incorporation  or  by-laws  for
  trustees  to  be  elected  or  appointed at large, or by virtue of their
  office. There shall be a  minimum  of  three  trustees.  To  the  extent
  practicable,  terms  of  office  shall be for three years and staggered.
  Terms may be consecutive.
2. Provision shall also be made in its certificate of incorporation or
  by-laws for officers of the corporation to be elected  or  appointed  at
  large  or  by  virtue of their office. The president and secretary shall
  not be the same person. To the extent practicable, terms of office shall
  be for three years and staggered. Terms may be consecutive.
3. Provision shall also be made in its certificate of incorporation or
  by-laws for spiritual oversight of the church by an eldership board or a
  senior pandit, swami, guru or some combination of the  above.  Terms  of
  office may be definite or indefinite as the by-laws may specify.
4. Provision shall also be made in its certificate of incorporation or
  by-laws for periodic affirmation of appointive positions by a designated
  body or board.
2023 New York Laws › RCO - Religious Corporations › Article 22 - Organizations of the Hindu Faith › 466 - Certificate of Incorporation.

§  466.  Certificate  of  incorporation.  1.  If  at  the  meeting for
  incorporation it shall be decided that such unincorporated church  shall
  become incorporated, the presiding officer of the meeting and two others
  shall  execute  and acknowledge a certificate of incorporation, in which
  shall be stated the name or title by which such body shall be  known  in
  the law; the purpose of its organization; the names and addresses of the
  initial  trustees, the county, town or city in which its principal place
  of worship is or is intended to be located; and  a  statement  that  the
  church is in affiliation with the Hindu faith.
2. On filing such certificate in the office of the county clerk of the
  county  in  which  the  principal  office  or  place  of  worship of the
  corporation is or is intended to be located,  such  church  shall  be  a
  corporation by the name stated in the certificate of incorporation.
2023 New York Laws › RCO - Religious Corporations › Article 22 - Organizations of the Hindu Faith › 467 - Reincorporation of Present Incorporated Churches.

§ 467. Reincorporation of present incorporated churches. 1. Any church
  heretofore  incorporated may, subject to restrictions and limitations of
  existing laws, reincorporate under the provisions of  this  article,  by
  filing in the county clerk's office in the county in which its principal
  place  of  worship is located, a certificate, signed and acknowledged by
  all the  trustees  of  said  church  in  office  at  the  time  of  such
  reincorporation,  setting  forth that the said church by a majority vote
  of the members present at a duly called meeting of  the  membership,  as
  determined  by  the  by-laws  of  the  existing  corporation, desires to
  reincorporate under the provisions of  this  article.  Such  certificate
  shall  set forth those items specified in section four hundred sixty-six
  of this article.
2. The reincorporated corporation shall be deemed  a  continuation  of
  the  previously organized corporation, but thereafter it shall have only
  such rights and powers and be subject only to such  obligations  as  any
  corporation  created  under  this  article,  provided, however, that all
  property rights and liabilities of the previously organized  corporation
  shall  be  vested  in and assumed by the reincorporated corporation. The
  corporate by-laws and officers of the reincorporated  corporation  shall
  be  the  same  as those of its predecessor until changed pursuant to the
  said by-laws, provided they conform to the provisions  of  section  four
  hundred sixty-five of this article.
2023 New York Laws › RCO - Religious Corporations › Article 22 - Organizations of the Hindu Faith › 468 - Time, Place and Notice of Corporate Meetings.

§  468.  Time,  place and notice of corporate meetings. 1. The by-laws
  shall make provisions for an annual corporate  meeting  and  for  giving
  appropriate  notice  to each voting member of the date and place of each
  such meeting.
2. Notices of any special meeting shall state the purpose or  purposes
  for  which  the meeting is called and no business shall be transacted at
  such special meeting except that contained in such notice.
2023 New York Laws › RCO - Religious Corporations › Article 22 - Organizations of the Hindu Faith › 469 - Corporate Meetings.

§  469.  Corporate  meetings.  1.  Each  church  shall  determine  the
  requirements for a quorum in their by-laws that shall not  exceed  fifty
  percent of the members.
2.  The  action  of  the  meeting upon any matter or question shall be
  decided in a manner provided by the by-laws.
3. The presiding officer of any meeting shall be  the  senior  pandit,
  swami  or  guru  of  the church or if none, as shall be set forth in the
  by-laws of the church.
2023 New York Laws › RCO - Religious Corporations › Article 23 - Organizations of the Sikh Faith › 470 - Application.

§  470.  Application.  1.  This  article applies to any unincorporated
  church  affiliated  with  the  Sikh  faith,  and   to   any   heretofore
  incorporated   church   or   body,   so  affiliated,  which  desires  to
  reincorporate  pursuant  to  this  article.  Independent  churches   may
  incorporate  or  reincorporate under this article in the manner provided
  in sections four hundred seventy-one and four hundred  seventy-seven  of
  this article, and all the provisions of this article shall apply to such
  churches as the context requires.
2.   Nothing  hereinafter  provided  shall  prevent  or  prohibit  any
  heretofore incorporated church or body, affiliated with the  Sikh  faith
  from  maintaining  and  continuing the relationship which such church or
  body enjoyed at the time of the effective date of  this  article  should
  such  church  or  body  determine  not to reincorporate pursuant to this
  article.
2023 New York Laws › RCO - Religious Corporations › Article 23 - Organizations of the Sikh Faith › 472 - Qualification of Voters.

§  472.  Qualification  of voters. The following parties and no others
  shall be qualified voters for  all  purposes  under  this  article:  all
  persons  eighteen  years  of  age  or  over  who are members in good and
  regular standing of the church or  body  by  admission  into  membership
  therewith,  in accordance with the standards for membership in the local
  church as determined by the local church itself.
2023 New York Laws › RCO - Religious Corporations › Article 23 - Organizations of the Sikh Faith › 473 - Notice of Meeting for Incorporation.

§  473.  Notice  of meeting for incorporation. Notice of a meeting for
  the purpose of incorporating an unincorporated church shall be given  as
  follows:
1.  The notice shall be in writing and shall state, in substance, that
  a meeting of such unincorporated church will be held at its usual  place
  of  worship at a specified day and hour for the purpose of incorporating
  such church and electing three or  more  trustees,  but  not  to  exceed
  fifteen.
2.  The notice must be signed by at least six qualified voters. A copy
  of such notice shall be publicly read at each  of  the  two  consecutive
  main  worship  services,  of  such  unincorporated  church preceding the
  meeting to incorporate, by the minister of such church, or if  none,  by
  the  church  member  who  has been designated by the membership or other
  authorized body of the church to conduct the worship  service  that  day
  (the  "officiating  minister");  and  at  least  fifteen days before the
  meeting for incorporation, a copy of such notice shall be posted at  the
  place of worship.
2023 New York Laws › RCO - Religious Corporations › Article 23 - Organizations of the Sikh Faith › 474 - Meeting for Incorporation.

§  474. Meeting for incorporation. 1. At the meeting for incorporation
  held in pursuance  of  such  notice,  only  qualified  voters  shall  be
  eligible to vote.
2.  The presence of one-third of the qualified voters or six qualified
  voters, whichever number is higher, shall be necessary to  constitute  a
  quorum  of  such  meeting.  The action of the meeting upon any matter or
  question shall be decided by a majority of the qualified voters present.
3. The minister of the church, or if none, the  officiating  minister,
  shall  act  as  presiding  officer  of  the  meeting to incorporate. The
  presiding officer shall call the meeting to order and shall be the judge
  of the qualification of voters.
4. Such meeting shall decide by ballot whether  the  church  shall  be
  incorporated,  the  name  of  the proposed corporation, the names of the
  initial trustees, and the date, not more than fifteen months thereafter,
  on which the first  annual  election  or  affirmation  of  the  trustees
  thereof after such meeting shall be held. The trustees shall hold office
  until their successors are elected or affirmed.
5.  At the meeting for incorporation, a constitution and by-laws shall
  be adopted setting forth a form of church governance that is  consistent
  with section four hundred seventy-five of this article.
2023 New York Laws › RCO - Religious Corporations › Article 23 - Organizations of the Sikh Faith › 475 - Church Governance.

§  475. Church governance. 1. A church incorporated under this section
  shall provide  in  its  certificate  of  incorporation  or  by-laws  for
  trustees  to  be  elected  or  appointed at large, or by virtue of their
  office. There shall be a  minimum  of  three  trustees.  To  the  extent
  practicable,  terms  of  office  shall be for three years and staggered.
  Terms may be consecutive.
2. Provision shall also be made in its certificate of incorporation or
  by-laws for officers of the corporation to be elected  or  appointed  at
  large  or  by  virtue of their office. The president and secretary shall
  not be the same person. To the extent practicable, terms of office shall
  be for three years and staggered. Terms may be consecutive.
3. Provision shall also be made in its certificate of incorporation or
  by-laws for spiritual oversight of the church by an eldership board or a
  senior granthi or guru or some combination of the above. Terms of office
  may be definite or indefinite as the by-laws may specify.
4. Provision shall also be made in its certificate of incorporation or
  by-laws for periodic affirmation of appointive positions by a designated
  body or board.
2023 New York Laws › RCO - Religious Corporations › Article 23 - Organizations of the Sikh Faith › 476 - Certificate of Incorporation.

§  476.  Certificate  of  incorporation.  1.  If  at  the  meeting for
  incorporation it shall be decided that such unincorporated church  shall
  become incorporated, the presiding officer of the meeting and two others
  shall  execute  and acknowledge a certificate of incorporation, in which
  shall be stated the name or title by which such body shall be  known  in
  the law; the purpose of its organization; the names and addresses of the
  initial  trustees, the county, town or city in which its principal place
  of worship is or is intended to be located; and  a  statement  that  the
  church is in affiliation with the Sikh faith.
2. On filing such certificate in the office of the county clerk of the
  county  in  which  the  principal  office  or  place  of  worship of the
  corporation is or is intended to be located,  such  church  shall  be  a
  corporation by the name stated in the certificate of incorporation.
2023 New York Laws › RCO - Religious Corporations › Article 23 - Organizations of the Sikh Faith › 477 - Reincorporation of Present Incorporated Churches.

§ 477. Reincorporation of present incorporated churches. 1. Any church
  heretofore  incorporated may, subject to restrictions and limitations of
  existing laws, reincorporate under the provisions of  this  article,  by
  filing in the county clerk's office in the county in which its principal
  place  of  worship is located, a certificate, signed and acknowledged by
  all the  trustees  of  said  church  in  office  at  the  time  of  such
  reincorporation,  setting  forth that the said church by a majority vote
  of the members present at a duly called meeting of  the  membership,  as
  determined  by  the  by-laws  of  the  existing  corporation, desires to
  reincorporate under the provisions of  this  article.  Such  certificate
  shall   set   forth  those  items  specified  in  section  four  hundred
  seventy-six of this article.
2. The reincorporated corporation shall be deemed  a  continuation  of
  the  previously organized corporation, but thereafter it shall have only
  such rights and powers and be subject only to such  obligations  as  any
  corporation  created  under  this  article,  provided, however, that all
  property rights and liabilities of the previously organized  corporation
  shall  be  vested  in and assumed by the reincorporated corporation. The
  corporate by-laws and officers of the reincorporated  corporation  shall
  be  the  same  as those of its predecessor until changed pursuant to the
  said by-laws, provided they conform to the provisions  of  section  four
  hundred seventy-five of this article.
2023 New York Laws › RCO - Religious Corporations › Article 23 - Organizations of the Sikh Faith › 478 - Time, Place and Notice of Corporate Meetings.

§  478.  Time,  place and notice of corporate meetings. 1. The by-laws
  shall make provision for an annual  corporate  meeting  and  for  giving
  appropriate  notice  to each voting member of the date and place of each
  such meeting.
2. Notices of any special meeting shall state the purpose or  purposes
  for  which  the meeting is called and no business shall be transacted at
  such special meeting except that contained in such notice.
2023 New York Laws › RCO - Religious Corporations › Article 23 - Organizations of the Sikh Faith › 479 - Corporate Meetings.

§  479.  Corporate  meetings.  1.  Each  church  shall  determine  the
  requirements for a quorum in their by-laws that shall not  exceed  fifty
  percent of the members.
2.  The  action  of  the  meeting upon any matter or question shall be
  decided in a manner provided by the by-laws.
3. The presiding officer of any meeting shall be the senior granthi or
  guru of the church or if none, as shall be set forth in the  by-laws  of
  the church.
2023 New York Laws › RCO - Religious Corporations › Article 24 - Organizations of the Islamic Faith › 480 - Application.

§  480.  Application.  1.  This  article applies to any unincorporated
  church  affiliated  with  the  Islamic  faith,  and  to  any  heretofore
  incorporated   church   or   body,   so  affiliated,  which  desires  to
  reincorporate  pursuant  to  this  article.  Independent  churches   may
  incorporate  or  reincorporate under this article in the manner provided
  in sections four hundred eighty-one and  four  hundred  eighty-seven  of
  this article, and all the provisions of this article shall apply to such
  churches as the context requires.
2.   Nothing  hereinafter  provided  shall  prevent  or  prohibit  any
  heretofore incorporated church or  body,  affiliated  with  the  Islamic
  faith from maintaining and continuing the relationship which such church
  or body enjoyed at the time of the effective date of this article should
  such  church  or  body  determine  not to reincorporate pursuant to this
  article.
2023 New York Laws › RCO - Religious Corporations › Article 24 - Organizations of the Islamic Faith › 482 - Qualification of Voters.

§  482.  Qualification  of voters. The following parties and no others
  shall be qualified voters for  all  purposes  under  this  article:  all
  persons  eighteen  years  of  age  or  over  who are members in good and
  regular standing of the church or  body  by  admission  into  membership
  therewith,  in accordance with the standards for membership in the local
  church as determined by the local church itself.
2023 New York Laws › RCO - Religious Corporations › Article 24 - Organizations of the Islamic Faith › 483 - Notice of Meeting for Incorporation.

§  483.  Notice  of meeting for incorporation. Notice of a meeting for
  the purpose of incorporating an unincorporated church shall be given  as
  follows:
1.  The notice shall be in writing and shall state, in substance, that
  a meeting of such unincorporated church will be held at its usual  place
  of  worship at a specified day and hour for the purpose of incorporating
  such church and electing three or  more  trustees,  but  not  to  exceed
  fifteen.
2.  The notice must be signed by at least six qualified voters. A copy
  of such notice shall be publicly read at each  of  the  two  consecutive
  main  worship  services,  of  such  unincorporated  church preceding the
  meeting to incorporate, by the minister of such church, or if  none,  by
  the  church  member  who  has been designated by the membership or other
  authorized body of the church to conduct the worship  service  that  day
  (the  "officiating  minister");  and  at  least  fifteen days before the
  meeting for incorporation, a copy of such notice shall be posted at  the
  place of worship.