196

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 97

When any congregational meeting assembles, unless
otherwise provided by the bylaws of the parish, the
rector, if present, shall preside, but if the rector is
absent, then one of the following, in the order named,
shall preside: (i) the senior warden; (ii) the junior
warden; (iii) the dean of the vestrymen present; or (iv)
any qualified voter elected by the remaining voters
present.

And, the registrar, if present, shall be the
secretary of such meeting, but if the registrar is
absent, then the chairman shall appoint a secretary from
among the qualified voters present.

If the registrar does not act as secretary of a
congregational meeting, the minutes of such meeting shall
be delivered to him as soon as practicable after the

meeting.

301. Election of vestrymen and lay delegates; procedure
for adoption of bylaws.

(a)    First congregational meeting for election of
vestrymen.

(1)     Date and Notice. The first
congregational meeting of a newly authorized parish shall
be held on such date as shall be fixed by the prospective
rector, or if there be none, then by two or more members
of the new parish, notice of which meeting shall be given
in manner and form similar to that required by the
provisions of § 300 (a) of this subheading.

(2)    Number of Vestrymen to Be Elected. The
adult members of the Protestant Episcopal Church,
resident within the bounds of such new parish, who shall
attend such first meeting, shall elect nine vestrymen
from among the members of such new parish, who, with the
prospective rector, if there be one, shall be deemed and
considered to be the vestry of said new parish until the
election of their successors pursuant to law or the
bylaws of the new parish.

(3)    Rector a Member of Vestry. The rector
of the new parish when called shall be a member of the
vestry.

(b)    Annual congregational meeting for election of
vestrymen.

(1) Date and Notice. On Easter Monday of
each year, or such other fixed annual date as may be
provided by the bylaws of the parish, there shall be a
congregational meeting for the election of vestrymen
pursuant to the provisions of this subsection, notice of
which said meeting shall be given pursuant to the
provisions of § 300 (a) of this subheading or the parish
bylaws, and if not then held, shall be held as soon