Title 36Patriotic and National ObservancesRelease 119-73

§80303 Governing body

Title 36 › Subtitle Subtitle II— - Patriotic and National Organizations › Part Part B— - Organizations › Chapter CHAPTER 803— - GIRL SCOUTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA › § 80303

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

There must be a National Council of Girl Scouts. The constitution says how many members there are, who can serve, and how long they serve, but members must be U.S. citizens. The Council can create and change its constitution and bylaws and choose a board, officers, and agents. The constitution sets the number needed for a quorum, and it can be less than a majority. Meetings happen under the constitution for elections and reports, and special meetings can be called. If allowed by the constitution and bylaws, the board of directors runs the group between Council meetings. The constitution sets how many directors there are, who can be a director, and their terms, and it must set a quorum of at least 20 people or two-fifths of the board. Bylaws can make an executive committee and other committees under the board. The Council and board can meet and keep the seal and records inside or outside Washington, D.C.

Full Legal Text

Title 36, §80303

Patriotic and National Observances — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)(1)There shall be a National Council of Girl Scouts. The number, qualifications, and term of office of members of the Council are as provided in the constitution of the corporation, except that members of the Council must be citizens of the United States.
(2)The Council may adopt and amend a constitution and bylaws and elect a board of directors, officers, and agents.
(3)The constitution may prescribe the number of members of the Council necessary for a quorum. That number may be less than a majority of the entire Council.
(4)Meetings of the Council shall be held as provided in the constitution to hold elections and receive reports of the officers and board of directors. Special meetings may be called as provided in the constitution.
(b)(1)To the extent provided in the constitution and bylaws, the board of directors shall have the powers of the Council and manage the activities of the corporation between meetings of the Council. The number, qualifications, and term of office of directors are as provided in the constitution.
(2)The constitution may prescribe the number of directors necessary for a quorum. That number shall be at least 20 or two-fifths of the entire board.
(c)The bylaws may provide for—
(1)an executive committee to carry out the powers of the board of directors between meetings of the board; and
(2)other committees to operate under the general supervision of the board of directors.
(d)The Council and the board of directors may hold meetings and keep the seal and records of the corporation in or outside the District of Columbia.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 80303(a)(1)36:34 (1st sentence words before 1st comma, 2d sentence).Mar. 16, 1950, ch. 62, §§ 4 (1st–7th sentences), 5, 64 Stat. 23, 24; Aug. 14, 1953, ch. 486, § 1, 67 Stat. 582. 80303(a)(2)36:34 (1st sentence words after 1st comma). 80303(a)(3)36:34 (3d sentence). 80303(a)(4)36:35 (1st, 2d sentences). 80303(b)(1)36:34 (4th sentence words before 1st comma, 5th, 7th sentences). 80303(b)(2)36:34 (6th sentence). 80303(c)36:34 (4th sentence words after 1st comma). 80303(d)36:35 (last sentence). In subsection (a)(1), the words “(hereinafter referred to as the ‘national council’)” are omitted as unnecessary. In subsection (a)(3), the words “entire Council” are substituted for “whole number” for clarity. In subsection (b)(1), the first sentence is substituted for “The affairs of the corporation between meetings of the national council shall be managed by a board of directors” and “The board of directors, to the extent provided in the constitution and bylaws, shall have the powers of the national council, in the interim between its meetings” to eliminate unnecessary words.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

36 U.S.C. § 80303

Title 36Patriotic and National Observances

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73