N.Y. Religious Corporations Law § 465

§ 465. Church governance. 1. A church incorporated under this section\nshall provide in its certificate of incorporation or by-laws for\ntrustees to be elected or appointed at large, or by virtue of their\noffice. There shall be a minimum of three trustees. To the extent\npracticable, terms of office shall be for three years and staggered.\nTerms may be consecutive.\n 2. Provision shall also be made in its certificate of incorporation or\nby-laws for officers of the corporation to be elected or appointed at\nlarge or by virtue of their office. The president and secretary shall\nnot be the same person. To the extent practicable, terms of office shall\nbe for three years and staggered. Terms may be consecutive.\n 3. Provision shall also be made in its certificate of incorporation or\nby-laws for spiritual oversight of the church by an eldership board or a\nsenior pandit, swami, guru or some combination of the above. Terms of\noffice may be definite or indefinite as the by-laws may specify.\n 4. Provision shall also be made in its certificate of incorporation or\nby-laws for periodic affirmation of appointive positions by a designated\nbody or board.\n