Title 36, Patriotic and National ObservancesRelease 119-110

§220304 Governing Body

Title 36 › Subtitle II — Patriotic and National Organizations › Part B — Organizations › CHAPTER 2203 — UNITED STATES CAPITOL HISTORICAL SOCIETY › § 220304

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

The board of trustees runs the corporation and controls its money and affairs. The board must have at least 12 but no more than 40 trustees (not counting honorary or automatic members). One trustee must be chosen as chairman. Trustees are picked by the board for 4-year terms. A trustee cannot be reappointed until one year after their term ends unless every voting trustee agrees. A trustee can be removed at any time by a two-thirds vote of the other trustees. Corporate officers are automatic members of the board with full voting rights. The board must meet at least once a year in the Capitol of the United States. Other meetings can happen when the chairman decides, but must follow the bylaws or be announced with 30 days' written notice. The officers are a president (the chief executive), five vice presidents, a treasurer, and a secretary. The board elects officers every year and can keep or replace them at any time. Officers do normal duties for their jobs and any extra tasks the board gives them. Officers can be paid and reimbursed for expenses as the board decides. The board may hire an executive secretary and other staff. Staff serve at the board’s pleasure, and the board sets their pay and duties.

Full Legal Text

Title 36, §220304

Patriotic and National Observances, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Board of Trustees.—
(1)The board of trustees is the governing body of the corporation. The board is responsible for the control of all funds and affairs of the corporation.
(2)Exclusive of ex officio and honorary members, the board shall consist of at least 12 but not more than 40 trustees, one of whom shall be elected chairman. Trustees shall be elected by the board of trustees for a term of 4 years. A trustee may not be reelected as a trustee within one year of the expiration of the prior term, except by the unanimous vote of the trustees present and voting. A trustee may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by a two-thirds vote of the other trustees.
(3)The officers of the corporation are ex officio members of the board with all the rights and privileges of trustees, including the right to vote.
(4)The board shall meet at least once a year in the Capitol of the United States. The board may meet at other times as decided by the chairman. A meeting may be held only at a time and place stated in the bylaws or on 30 days’ written notice.
(b)Officers.—
(1)The officers of the corporation are a president, 5 vice presidents, a treasurer, and a secretary. The president is the chief executive officer.
(2)The officers shall be elected annually by the board of trustees and continue in office at the pleasure of the board.
(3)The duties of the officers are the usual duties pertaining to their offices and any additional duties delegated by the board.
(4)Officers may be compensated for their services, and reimbursed for actual expenses, in amounts decided by the board.
(c)Employees.—
The board of trustees may employ an executive secretary and other personnel needed to assist the board and the officers to carry out the activities of the corporation. Employees serve at the pleasure of the board. The board shall prescribe the compensation and duties of employees.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 220304(a)(1)36:1207(a) (1st–21st words).Oct. 20, 1978, Pub. L. 95–493, §§ 7, 8, 92 Stat. 1645. 220304(a)(2)36:1207(a) (22d–last words), (b), (d). 220304(a)(3)36:1208(b) (1st sentence). 220304(a)(4)36:1207(c). 220304(b)(1)36:1208(a). 220304(b)(2)36:1208(c). 220304(b)(3)36:1208(d). 220304(b)(4)36:1208(b) (last sentence). 220304(c)36:1208(e). In this section, the word “active” is omitted as unnecessary. In subsection (a)(1), the words “The board of trustees is the governing body of the corporation” are added for clarity and consistency in the revised title. The words “is responsible for” are substituted for “shall be vested in” for consistency in the revised title. The word “management” is omitted as included in “control”. In subsection (a)(3), the words “During their respective terms of office” are omitted as unnecessary. In subsection (a)(4), the words “at Washington, District of Columbia” and “in advance of any such meeting” are omitted as unnecessary. In subsection (b)(4), the words “other remuneration” as [sic] are omitted as unnecessary. In subsection (c), the word “activities” is substituted for “programs and business” to eliminate unnecessary words.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

36 U.S.C. § 220304

Title 36, Patriotic and National Observances

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110