N.Y. Religious Corporations Law Section 57
Changing number of laymen trustees

An incorporated church to which this article is applicable may, by a majority vote of the duly qualified voters at an annual corporate meeting, change the number of its laymen trustees to three, six or nine, and classify them so that the terms of one-third of such number so changed expire each year. No such change shall affect the terms of the laymen trustees then in office, and if the change reduces the number of laymen trustees, it shall not take effect until the number of laymen trustees whose terms of office continue for one or more years after an annual election of trustees, is less than the number determined upon. Whenever the number of laymen trustees so holding over is less than the number so determined, sufficient laymen trustees shall be elected, in addition to those so holding over, to make the number of laymen trustees for the ensuing year equal to the number so determined. The laymen trustees so elected up to and including one-third of the number so determined shall hold office for a term of three years, the remainder up to and including one-third of the number so determined, for two years and the remainder, for one year.

Source: Section 57 — Changing number of laymen trustees, https://www.­nysenate.­gov/legislation/laws/RCO/57 (updated Sep. 22, 2014; accessed Feb. 14, 2026).

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Verified:
Feb. 14, 2026

Last modified:
Sep. 22, 2014

§ 57. Changing number of laymen trustees's source at nysenate​.gov

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