N.Y. Religious Corporations Law Section 192
The meeting for incorporation

At the meeting for incorporation held in pursuance of such notice, the following persons, and no others, shall be qualified voters, to wit: All persons of full age, who are then members in good and regular standing of such church by admission into full communion or membership therewith, in accordance with the rules and regulations thereof, and of the governing ecclesiastical body, if any, of the denomination or order, to which the church belongs, or who have statedly worshiped with such church and have regularly contributed to the financial support thereof during the year next preceding such meeting, or from the time of the formation thereof. 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 voting thereon, a quorum being present. The first named of the following persons who is present at such meeting shall preside thereat, to wit: The minister of the church, the officiating minister thereof, the elders thereof in the order of their age, beginning with the oldest, the deacons thereof in the order of their age, beginning with the oldest, any qualified voter elected to preside. The presiding officer of the meeting shall receive the votes, be the judge of the qualifications of voters and declare the result of the votes cast on any matter. The polls of the meeting shall remain open for one hour, and longer, in the discretion of the presiding officer, or if required by a majority of the voters present. 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 number of the trustees thereof, which shall be three, six or nine, 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-third of the number of trustees so decided on who shall hold office until the first annual election of trustees thereafter, one-third of such number of trustees to hold office until the second annual election of trustees thereafter, and one-third of such number of trustees to hold office until the third annual election of trustees thereafter.

Source: Section 192 — The meeting for incorporation, https://www.­nysenate.­gov/legislation/laws/RCO/192 (updated Sep. 22, 2014; accessed Jan. 31, 2026).

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Verified:
Jan. 31, 2026

Last modified:
Sep. 22, 2014

§ 192. The meeting for incorporation's source at nysenate​.gov

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