Title 36Patriotic and National ObservancesRelease 119-73

§220104 Governing body

Title 36 › Subtitle Subtitle II— - Patriotic and National Organizations › Part Part B— - Organizations › Chapter CHAPTER 2201— - UNITED SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS, INCORPORATED › § 220104

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

The board of governors runs the corporation. The board sets the main policies and programs and controls the corporation’s affairs and property. Board members are elected by the corporation’s members for terms and in classes the bylaws set. The board must include six people the President appoints, the Secretary of Defense or that Secretary’s designee, and representatives of the civilian groups named in section 220102(4) plus members of the public as the bylaws provide. The corporation may create other governing groups or committees and may have other officers in line with the bylaws. The honorary chair position must be offered to the President. If the President accepts, they may be invited to lead meetings they find appropriate and convenient.

Full Legal Text

Title 36, §220104

Patriotic and National Observances — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)(1)The board of governors is the governing body of the corporation. The board is responsible for the general policies and program of the corporation and for the control of the affairs and property of the corporation.
(2)The board shall be elected by the members of the corporation for the term and in the classes provided in the bylaws of the corporation. The board includes—
(A)six members appointed by the President;
(B)the Secretary of Defense or the Secretary’s designee; and
(C)representatives of the civilian organizations listed in section 220102(4) of this title, and of the public at large, as provided in the bylaws.
(3)The corporation may have other governing bodies or committees as provided in the bylaws.
(b)(1)The office of honorary chairman of the corporation shall be offered to the President. On acceptance, the honorary chairman shall be invited to preside at meetings of the corporation that the honorary chairman deems appropriate and convenient.
(2)The corporation may have other officers as provided in the bylaws.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 220104(a)36:1305(b), (c).Dec. 29, 1979, Pub. L. 96–165, § 5(b)–(d), 93 Stat. 1270. 220104(b)36:1305(d). In subsection (a)(1), the words “The board of governors is the governing body of the corporation” are substituted for “The management of the corporation shall be entrusted to a board of governors” for consistency in the revised title. In subsection (a)(2), the text of 36:1305(b) (2d sentence) and the word “Thereafter” are omitted as executed and obsolete. In subsection (b)(1), the word “offered” is substituted for “tendered” to use a more common word.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2006—Subsec. (a)(2)(B). Pub. L. 109–284 substituted “Defense” for “State”.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

36 U.S.C. § 220104

Title 36Patriotic and National Observances

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73