Fraternal societies

Wis. Stat. ch. 188

in effect

Wis. Stat. § 188.01 Election of trustees

The members of any grand lodge or division or of any subordinate lodge or division acting under the authority of any grand lodge or division of Free Masons, Odd Fellows, Hermann’s Sons, or Sons of Temperance, Grand Army of the Republic, or of the State Grange, or any subordinate grange of the order of Patrons of Husbandry acting under the authority of a state or national grange, or of the State Woman’s Christian Temperance Union, or any county, district or local Woman’s Christian Temperance Union, or of any other society constituted in a manner generally similar to either of the foregoing, whether acting under the jurisdiction of a grand lodge or division or not, may assemble at their usual place of meeting and, in pursuance of the rules of their society, elect not less than 3 nor more than 9 of their number trustees to take care of the property, real and personal, belonging to the society and transact all the business relative to the investment and disposal of the society’s property.

Wis. Stat. § 188.02 Powers of trustees

The trustees of a society that is subject to this chapter: (1) May have a common seal that may be altered at the trustee’s pleasure. (2) Shall be considered a corporation for all purposes for which they are authorized to act. (3) In pursuance of the rules and regulations of the society and in conformity with the rules and regulations of the grand lodge, division or society from which they derive their charter, may take possession of, manage, control, purchase, lease, receive, recover, hold, sell, convey, mortgage, demise and improve all of the property thereof or necessary therefor, real and personal, including all burial places belonging to the society, and may erect and keep in repair all buildings necessary therefor. (4) May sue and be sued in all matters pertaining to the property and the debts, claims, demands and liabilities of the society, and the name in which they shall sue or be sued shall be “The trustees of .... (insert name of the grand lodge, lodge, division, grange or society of which they are trustees)”.

Wis. Stat. § 188.03 In whom property to vest

All of the real and personal property that shall have been conveyed by devise, gift, grant, purchase or otherwise to any society that is subject to this chapter or to any person as trustee for the use of the society shall vest in the society’s trustees and their successors in office as fully as if originally conveyed to them, and shall be held by them and by their successors in trust for the society in the manner aforesaid.

Wis. Stat. § 188.04 Election, term and removal of trustees

(1) The trustees of a society that is subject to this chapter shall be elected annually at the time and place and in the manner prescribed by the rules or bylaws of the society. The trustees shall severally hold their offices for one year and until their successors are elected. (2) Any society, at the first or any subsequent election, may classify its trustees so that the term of office for one-third of them shall expire each year. When so classified, the term of office of the trustees thereafter elected shall be 3 years and until their successors are elected. Any trustee may be removed in accordance with the rules or bylaws of the society, and all vacancies may be filled for the residue of the term. (3) Any 2 trustees may call a meeting of the society, and a majority of them being convened may transact any business authorized to be done by them. (4) Whenever any subordinate grange of the Patrons of Husbandry shall from any cause cease to exist, the trustees then in office shall immediately sell the property of the grange and divide the proceeds proportionally among its members.

Wis. Stat. § 188.05 Council of granges

Any members of subordinate granges of the Patrons of Husbandry, not less than 5, located in any county or in adjoining counties may unite and be known and designated by some especial name as a council of granges of the Patrons of Husbandry, and may, as such, elect trustees as provided in this chapter. The trustees shall have all of the powers and privileges in respect to the property of the council of granges that are conferred by this chapter upon the trustees of a subordinate grange.

Wis. Stat. § 188.06 Powers of trustees

The powers conferred by this chapter upon the trustees of a subordinate grange or council of granges of the Patrons of Husbandry shall not be exercised until the chief officers of such grange or council of granges shall make and sign a certificate setting forth the name, number and date of organization of such grange or council and the number and names of its trustees first elected, and record the same in the office of the register of deeds in the county in which such grange or council is located; nor, in case of the state grange, until the like officers thereof shall have made, signed and filed a like certificate with the department of financial institutions.

Wis. Stat. § 188.08 Corporate powers of American Legion

(1) Any post, county or district council or department of the American Legion organized in this state pursuant to the acts of congress passed September 16, 1919, and the acts amendatory thereto, and any unit, county or district council, or department of the auxiliary of the American Legion organized in this state, shall have full corporate power to transact business in this state and to take over the assets and liabilities of the existing posts, units, county or district councils, or departments upon filing with the department of financial institutions a statement of its intent so to do and a full and complete list of its duly elected officers, and shall by so doing become a body corporate. No filing fee shall be charged by the department of financial institutions for so doing. (2) All acts done by any post, unit, county or district council, or department, so incorporated, or its constituted authorities, shall be considered acts of said post, unit, county or district council, or department, as a body corporate, and no personal liability shall be attached to any member therefor. (3) Sections 180.0203 and 181.0203 shall not apply to corporations organized under this section. In the execution of any conveyance or encumbrance by such corporations, the post, county or district, or department commander, and the post, county or district council, or department adjutant, or like or similar officers, shall have the powers and duties granted to presidents and secretaries respectively under s. 706.03 (2) and (3). The provisions of this section shall apply to all corporations incorporated hereunder whether incorporated before or after May 14, 1937.

Wis. Stat. § 188.09 Corporate powers of the Disabled American Veterans and affiliates

(1) Any chapter, county or district council, or department of the Disabled American Veterans, organized in this state pursuant to an act of congress of the United States, known as Public No. 186, seventy-second congress (H.R. 4738), and the acts amendatory thereto, any unit or department of the auxiliary of the Disabled American Veterans in this state and any dugout or state department of the National Order of Trench Rats, their auxiliaries and affiliated organizations, or any department thereof, organized in this state, shall have full corporate power to transact business in this state and to take over the assets and liabilities of the existing chapters, county or district councils, department of Wisconsin, their auxiliaries and affiliated organizations, or any department thereof, upon filing with the department of financial institutions a statement of its intent so to do, and a full and complete list of its duly elected officers, and shall by so doing become a body corporate. No filing fee shall be charged by the department of financial institutions for so doing. (2) All acts done by any department, chapter, county or district council, unit, dugout and state department thereof, their auxiliaries or affiliated organizations so incorporated, or its constituted authorities, shall be considered acts of said department, chapter, county or district council, unit, dugout or department thereof, their auxiliaries or affiliated organizations, as a body corporate, and no personal liability shall be attached to any member thereof. (3) Sections 180.0203 and 181.0203 shall not apply to corporations organized under this section. In the execution of any conveyance or encumbrance by such corporations, the chapter or department commander and the chapter or department adjutant, or like or similar officers of any of the affiliated or auxiliary organizations, shall have the powers and duties granted to presidents and secretaries respectively under s. 706.03 (2) and (3). The provisions of this section shall apply to all corporations incorporated hereunder whether incorporated before or after May 14, 1937.

Wis. Stat. § 188.10 Corporate powers of the Wisconsin Veterans Council

The Wisconsin Veterans Council shall have full corporate power to transact business in this state upon filing with the department of financial institutions a full and complete list of its duly elected officers. The Wisconsin Veterans Council shall during each succeeding year of its existence file with the department of financial institutions on or before the first day of January of each succeeding year thereafter a like list of its duly elected officers. No filing fees shall be charged by the department of financial institutions for so doing.

Wis. Stat. § 188.11 Corporate powers of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and affiliates

(1) Any post, county or district council, or department of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, organized in this state pursuant to an act of the seventy-fourth Congress of the United States, and the acts amendatory thereto, any unit or department of the Auxiliary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States in this state and any Pup-Tent or Grand Pup-Tent of the Military Order of the Cooties, their auxiliaries and affiliated organizations, or any department thereof, organized in this state, shall have full corporate power to transact business in this state and to take over the assets and liabilities of the existing posts, county or district councils, department of Wisconsin, their auxiliaries and affiliated organizations, or any department thereof, upon filing with the department of financial institutions a statement of its intent, signed by commander and adjutant so to do, and a full and complete list of its duly elected officers, and shall by so doing become a body corporate. Provided, a duplicate of such statement and certificate of the department of financial institutions, showing the date when such statement was filed by the department of financial institutions, shall within 30 days of such filing be recorded by the register of deeds of the county in which such organization or its principal office is located, and until such recording no such organization shall have legal corporate existence. Notwithstanding such recording requirement any organization having acquired corporate existence prior to July 4, 1945, shall continue to have such corporate existence if it shall within 90 days after said date cause a duplicate or certified copy of its statement of intent and such certificate of the department of financial institutions to be recorded with the register of deeds of the county where it or its principal office is located. No filing fee shall be charged by the department of financial institutions for so doing. (2) All acts done by any department, post, county or district council, unit, pup-tent, grand pup-tent, their auxiliaries or affiliated organizations so incorporated, or its constituted authorities, shall be considered acts of said department, post, county or district council, unit, pup-tent, grand pup-tent, their auxiliaries or affiliated organizations, as a body corporate, and no personal liability shall be attached to any member therefor. (3) Sections 180.0203 and 181.0203 shall not apply to corporations organized under this section. In the execution of any conveyance or encumbrance by such corporations, the post or department commander and the post or department adjutant, or like or similar officers, shall have the powers and duties granted to presidents and secretaries respectively under s. 706.03 (2) and (3). The provisions of this section shall apply to all corporations incorporated hereunder whether incorporated before or after May 14, 1937.

Wis. Stat. § 188.12 Corporate powers of the 40 and 8; liability for acts

(1) Any Grand Voiture or Voiture Locale of the La Societe des 40 Hommes et 8 Chevaux organized in this state pursuant to authority granted by La Societe Nationale des 40 Hommes et 8 Chevaux shall have full corporate power to transact business in this state and take over the assets and liabilities of the existing Voitures Locale and Grand Voiture of the state of Wisconsin, upon filing with the department of financial institutions a statement of its intent so to do and a full and complete list of its duly elected officers. No filing fees shall be charged by the department of financial institutions for so doing. (2) All acts done by the Grand Voiture or any Voiture Locale of La Societe des 40 Hommes et 8 Chevaux or unit, county or district council, so incorporated, shall be considered acts of the Grand Voiture, Voiture Locale, or unit, county or district council, as a body corporate, and no personal liability shall be attached to any member therefor.

Wis. Stat. § 188.13 Corporate powers of 32nd Division Red Arrow Clubs

(1) Any Red Arrow Club organized in this state and composed of members of the 32nd Division who served at any time from World War I or II, who served in the 32nd Division in the United States Army, or who served with the 32nd Infantry Brigade or the 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Wisconsin army national guard, in any conflict, deployment, peacekeeping operation, or domestic response if the member was deployed in a federal or state status or conducted training to carry out such missions, shall have full corporate power to transact business in this state and to take over the assets and liabilities of the existing clubs in this state, upon filing with the department of financial institutions a statement of its intent so to do, and a full and complete list of its duly elected officers, and shall by so doing become a body corporate. No filing fee shall be charged by the department of financial institutions for so doing. (2) All acts done by any club, so incorporated, or its constituted authorities, shall be considered acts of such club, as a body corporate, and no personal liability shall be attached to any member therefor. (3) Sections 180.0203 and 181.0203 shall not apply to corporations organized under this section. The provisions of this section shall apply to all corporations incorporated hereunder whether incorporated before or after March 28, 1939.

Wis. Stat. § 188.14 Corporate powers of the Military Order of the World Wars

Any chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars in this state shall have full corporate power to transact business in this state upon filing with the department of financial institutions a full and complete list of its duly elected officers, and shall by so doing become a body corporate. No filing fees shall be charged by the department of financial institutions for so doing.

Wis. Stat. § 188.15 Corporate powers of Marine Corps League and affiliates

(1) Any detachment or state department of the Marine Corps League, organized and existing in this state pursuant to the acts of congress passed August 4, 1937, and the acts amendatory thereto, and any unit of the auxiliary of the Marine Corps League organized in this state and recognized by the local detachment, shall have full corporate power to transact business in this state, to take over the assets and liabilities of the existing detachments, units or departments, upon filing with the department of financial institutions a statement of its intent so to do and a full and complete list of its duly elected officers, and shall by so doing become a body corporate. No filing fee shall be charged by the department of financial institutions for so doing. (2) All acts done by any department, detachment, unit, their auxiliaries or affiliated organizations so incorporated, or its constituted authorities, shall be considered acts of said department, detachment, unit, their auxiliaries or affiliated organizations, as a body corporate, and no personal liability shall be attached to any member therefor. (3) Sections 180.0203 and 181.0203 shall not apply to corporations organized under this section. In the execution of any conveyance or encumbrance by such corporations, the detachment or department commandant and the detachment or department adjutant or senior vice commandant, or like or similar officers, shall have the powers and duties granted to presidents and secretaries, respectively, under s. 706.03 (2) and (3). The provisions of this section shall apply to all corporations incorporated hereunder whether incorporated before or after June 4, 1941. (4) Any department or detachment of the Marine Corps League in this state shall be incorporated under this section. Any corporation organized under this section is subordinate to the national Marine Corps League and is a corporation described under section 501 (c) (4) of the Internal Revenue Code that is exempt from taxation under section 501 (a) of the Internal Revenue Code. (5) (a) By October 1 of each year, each detachment of the Marine Corps League in this state that is incorporated under this section, including any unit, auxiliary, or affiliate of such a detachment, shall file an annual report with the Marine Corps League, department of Wisconsin, as incorporated under this section, showing the elected officers of the detachment. (b) The Marine Corps League, department of Wisconsin, shall file a consolidated annual report under s. 188.25 that includes information of the department and of each detachment that files a report under par. (a).

Wis. Stat. § 188.16 Corporate powers of the Military Order of the Purple Heart

(1) Any chapter, county or district council or department composed exclusively of persons who were awarded the medal known as the Purple Heart organized in this state pursuant to the constitution and bylaws of the national organization of the Military Order of the Purple Heart and any unit, county or district council or department of the auxiliary of the Military Order of the Purple Heart organized in this state shall have full corporate power to transact business in this state and to take over the assets and liabilities of the existing chapters, units, county or district councils, or departments upon filing with the department of financial institutions a statement of its intent so to do and a full and complete list of its duly elected officers and thereupon it shall become a body corporate. No filing fee shall be charged by the department of financial institutions for so doing. (2) All acts done by any chapter, unit, county or district council or department, so incorporated, or its constituted authorities, shall be considered acts of such chapter, unit, county or district council or department, as a corporate body, and no personal liability shall be attached to any member therefor. (3) Sections 180.0203 and 181.0203 shall not apply to corporations organized under this section. In the execution of any conveyance or encumbrance by such corporations, the chapter, county or district, or department commander, and the chapter, county or district council, or department adjutant, or like or similar officers, shall have the powers and duties granted to presidents and secretaries respectively under s. 706.03 (2) and (3). The provisions of subs. (1) and (2) shall apply to all corporations incorporated thereunder whether incorporated before or after March 28, 1943. (4) Any chapter, county, district council, department or other unit of the Military Order of the Purple Heart or of the auxiliary of the Military Order of the Purple Heart which has become a body corporate under the provisions of this section may change its name or dissolve by the adoption of a written resolution to that effect, by a vote of a majority of its members present at a meeting called for that purpose and by filing the same as herein provided. Such resolution, with a certificate thereto affixed, signed by the commander and adjutant, or like or similar officers, stating the facts, including the date of the adoption of such resolution, the number of members present at such meeting, and the number of members who voted for the adoption of the resolution, shall be forwarded to and filed with the department of financial institutions, and thereupon the name of such corporation shall be changed or the corporation shall cease to exist, as the case may be, except that in case of dissolution it shall continue to exist for the purpose of winding up its affairs. No fee shall be charged by the department of financial institutions for such filing.

Wis. Stat. § 188.17 Corporate powers of Navy Club

(1) Any unit, department or auxiliary of the Navy Club of the United States of America organized in this state under 36 USC 140 to 140c shall have full corporate power to transact business in this state and to take over the assets and liabilities of existing navy clubs and navy club auxiliaries upon filing with the department of financial institutions a statement of its intent so to do and a full and complete list of its duly elected officers and shall by so doing become a body corporate. No filing fee shall be charged by the department of financial institutions for so doing. (2) All acts done by any such corporation or its constituted authorities shall be considered acts of said corporation as a body corporate and no personal liability shall be attached to any member therefor. (3) Sections 180.0203 and 181.0203 shall not apply to corporations organized under this section. In the execution of any conveyance or encumbrance by such corporation the commandant and the ship’s writer, or like or similar officers, shall have the powers and duties granted to presidents and secretaries respectively under s. 706.03 (2) and (3). The provisions of this section shall apply to all corporations incorporated hereunder whether incorporated before or after April 8, 1943.

Wis. Stat. § 188.18 Corporate powers of Reserve Officers Association

(1) The department of Wisconsin and any chapter or unit of the Reserve Officers Association of the United States, organized in this state pursuant to the constitution, bylaws and rules and regulations of such association or such department, shall have full corporate power to transact business in this state and to take over the assets and liabilities of the existing department, chapters or other units upon filing with the department of financial institutions, a statement of its intention so to do, its name, location and a full and complete list of its duly elected officers, and by so doing shall become a body corporate. No filing fees shall be charged by the department of financial institutions for so doing. (2) All acts done by the department or any chapter or other unit so incorporated or its constituted authorities shall be considered acts of such department, chapter or other unit as a body corporate and no personal liability shall be attached to any member thereof. The provisions of ss. 180.0203 and 181.0203 shall not apply to corporations organized under this section. (3) Any department, chapter or other unit which has become a body corporate under the provisions of this section, whenever its constitution or bylaws do not provide the manner in which its name shall be changed or the dissolution effected, may change its name or dissolve by a majority vote of its members at a meeting called for that purpose. A certificate signed by the president and secretary stating the facts shall be filed with the department of financial institutions, and thereupon the name shall be changed or the corporation shall cease to exist except for the purpose of winding up its affairs. No filing fee shall be charged for such filing.

Wis. Stat. § 188.19 Corporate powers of American Veterans of World War II (AMVETS)

(1) Any post, county, district council, and department of the American Veterans of World War II (AMVETS) organized in this state pursuant to the acts of congress passed July 23, 1947 and the acts amendatory thereto, and any unit, county or district council, and department of the auxiliary of the American Veterans of World War II (AMVETS) organized in this state, shall have full corporate power to transact business in this state and to take over the assets and liabilities of the existing posts, units, county or district councils, or departments upon filing with the department of financial institutions a statement of its intent so to do, and a full and complete list of its duly elected officers, and shall by so doing become a body corporate. No filing fee shall be charged by the department of financial institutions. (2) All acts done by any post, unit, county or district council, or department so incorporated, or its constituted authorities, shall be considered acts of said post, unit, county or district council, or department, as a body corporate, and no personal liability shall be attached to any member therefor. (3) Sections 180.0203 and 181.0203 shall not apply to corporations organized under this section. In the execution of any conveyance or encumbrance by such corporations, the post, county or district, or department commander, or the post, county or district council, or department adjutant or like or similar officers, shall have the powers and duties granted to presidents and secretaries respectively under s. 706.03 (2) and (3).

Wis. Stat. § 188.20 Changing names and dissolving units

Any post, county, district council, department or other unit of the American Veterans of World War II (AMVETS) or of the auxiliary of the American Veterans of World War II (AMVETS) which has become a body corporate under the provisions of s. 188.19 may change its name or dissolve by the adoption of a written resolution to that effect by a vote of a majority of its members present at a meeting called for that purpose and by filing the same as herein provided. Such resolution, with a certificate thereto affixed, signed by the commander and adjutant, or like or similar officers, stating the fact, including the date of the adoption of such resolution, the number of members present at such meeting, and the number of members who voted for the adoption of the resolution, shall be forwarded to and filed with the department of financial institutions, and thereupon the name of such corporation shall be changed or the corporation shall cease to exist, as the case may be. Or any corporation formed under s. 188.19 may be dissolved by the filing of a certificate in the office of the department of financial institutions reciting that such corporation has ceased to be a unit of the American Veterans of World War II (AMVETS) auxiliary. Such certificate shall be signed by the national commander and national adjutant of the American Veterans of World War II (AMVETS) or by the state commander and state adjutant of the American Veterans of World War II (AMVETS) department of Wisconsin. In the case of units of the auxiliary the certificates shall be signed by the national president and national secretary or the department president and department secretary. Corporations dissolved under this section shall continue to have corporate existence, subject to the limitations on their activities under s. 181.1405. No fee shall be charged by the department of financial institutions for such filing.

Wis. Stat. § 188.21 Corporate powers of the Veterans of World War I of the U.S.A., Inc

(1) The department of Wisconsin and any post, unit, barracks, department or auxiliary of the American Veterans of World War I of the U.S.A., Inc. organized in this state pursuant to the acts of congress passed July 18, 1958 (P.L. 85-530) (72 Stats. at Large pp. 370-375) and the acts amendatory thereto, shall have full corporate power to transact business in this state and to take over the assets and liabilities of the existing department of Wisconsin, posts, barracks, units, departments or auxiliaries of the Veterans of World War I of the U.S.A., Inc. upon filing with the department of financial institutions a statement of its intent so to do, and a full and complete list of its duly elected officers, and shall by so doing become a body corporate. No filing fee shall be charged by the department of financial institutions. (2) All acts done by the department of Wisconsin or by any post, barracks, unit, department or auxiliary so incorporated, or its constituted authorities, shall be considered acts of said department of Wisconsin, post, unit, department or auxiliary, as a body corporate, and no personal liability shall be attached to any member therefor. (3) Sections 180.0203 and 181.0203 shall not apply to corporations organized under this section. In the execution of any conveyance or encumbrance by such corporations, the department of Wisconsin, post, barracks, unit, department or auxiliary commander, and adjutant or like or similar officers, shall have the powers and duties granted to presidents and secretaries respectively under s. 706.03 (2) and (3). (4) Section 188.20, so far as applicable, shall apply to corporations formed under this section.

Wis. Stat. § 188.22 Corporate powers of the Jewish War Veterans

(1) Any post, county or district council or department of the Jewish War Veterans organized in this state pursuant to the constitution, bylaws and rules and regulations of said organization shall have full corporate powers to transact business in this state and to take over the assets and liabilities of the existing posts, units, county or district councils or departments upon filing with the department of financial institutions a statement of its intent to do so and a full and complete list of its duly elected officers. By so doing such organization shall become a body corporate. No filing fee shall be charged by the department of financial institutions. (2) All acts done by any post, unit, county or district council or department so incorporated or its constituted authorities shall be considered acts of said post, unit, county or district council or department as a body corporate and no personal liability shall attach to any member thereof. (3) Sections 180.0203 and 181.0203 shall not apply to corporations organized under this section. In the execution of any conveyance or encumbrance by such corporation the post, county or district or department commander and the post, county or district council or department adjutant, or like or similar officers, shall have the powers and duties granted to presidents and secretaries respectively under s. 706.03 (2) and (3). This section shall apply to all corporations incorporated hereunder whether incorporated before or after May 14, 1937.

Wis. Stat. § 188.23 Corporate powers of the Polish Legion of American Veterans

(1) Any post, county or district council or department of the Polish Legion of American Veterans (P.L.A.V.) organized in this state pursuant to the constitution, bylaws and rules and regulations of said organization, and any unit, county or district council or department of the auxiliary of the Polish Legion of American Veterans, shall have full corporate powers to transact business in this state and to take over the assets and liabilities of the existing posts, units, county or district councils or departments upon filing with the department of financial institutions a statement of its intent to do so and a full and complete list of its duly elected officers. By so doing such organization shall become a body corporate. No filing fee shall be charged by the department of financial institutions. (2) All acts done by any post, unit, county or district council or department so incorporated or its constituted authorities shall be considered acts of said post, unit, county or district council or department as a body corporate and no personal liability shall attach to any member thereof. (3) Sections 180.0203 and 181.0203 shall not apply to corporations organized under this section. In the execution of any conveyance or encumbrance by such corporation the post, county or district or department commander and the post, county or district council or department adjutant, or like or similar officers, shall have the powers and duties granted to presidents and secretaries respectively under s. 706.03 (2) and (3). This section shall apply to all corporations incorporated hereunder whether incorporated before or after May 14, 1937.

Wis. Stat. § 188.24 Corporate powers of the Catholic War Veterans

(1) Any post, county or district council or department of the Catholic War Veterans organized in this state pursuant to the constitution, bylaws and rules and regulations of said organization shall have full corporate powers to transact business in this state and to take over the assets and liabilities of the existing posts, units, county or district councils or departments upon filing with the department of financial institutions a statement of its intent to do so and a full and complete list of its duly elected officers. By so doing such organization shall become a body corporate. No filing fee shall be charged by the department of financial institutions. (2) All acts done by any post, unit, county or district council or department so incorporated or its constituted authorities shall be considered acts of said post, unit, county or district council or department as a body corporate and no personal liability shall attach to any member thereof. (3) Sections 180.0203 and 181.0203 shall not apply to corporations organized under this section. In the execution of any conveyance or encumbrance by such corporation the post, county or district or department commander and the post, county or district council or department adjutant, or like or similar officers, shall have the powers and duties granted to presidents and secretaries respectively under s. 706.03 (2) and (3). This section shall apply to all corporations incorporated hereunder whether incorporated before or after May 14, 1937.

Wis. Stat. § 188.25 Annual reports of veterans’ organizations

Subject to s. 188.15 (5), the state organization of any veterans’ society or society affiliate which has a unit incorporated under this chapter shall file with the department of financial institutions on or before January 1 an annual report showing the elected officers of the state organization. No filing fee shall be charged. The secretary of any such state organization shall on request furnish the department of financial institutions information about subordinate units. Subject to s. 188.15 (5), if any veterans’ society or society affiliate has no state organization each unit incorporated under this chapter shall file an annual report of the elected officers with the department of financial institutions on or before January 1.

Wis. Stat. § 188.26 Veterans; corporations

Whenever any corporation is formed under ch. 180 or 181 or this chapter for the purpose of assisting any veteran, as defined in s. 45.01 (12), or a person under s. 45.51 (2) (a) 2., or operating social clubs in which the name “veteran” appears, the department of financial institutions shall investigate the same to ascertain the character thereof, and whether or not the same has been procured by fraudulent representation or concealment of any material fact relating to such veteran’s name, purpose, membership, organization, management or control or other material fact. If the department of financial institutions so finds, such findings, misrepresentation or concealment shall be reported to the attorney general, and the attorney general shall bring an action to vacate or annul the corporate charter.

Wis. Stat. § 188.085 Changing names and dissolving units of the American Legion

Any post, county, district council, department or other unit of the American Legion or of the auxiliary of the American Legion which has become a body corporate under the provisions of s. 188.08 may change its name or dissolve by the adoption of a written resolution to that effect, by a vote of a majority of its members present at a meeting called for that purpose and by filing the same as herein provided. Such resolution, with a certificate thereto affixed, signed by the commander and adjutant, or like or similar officers, stating the facts, including the date of the adoption of such resolution, the number of members present at such meeting, and the number of members who voted for the adoption of the resolution, shall be forwarded to and filed with the department of financial institutions, and thereupon the name of such corporation shall be changed or the corporation shall cease to exist, as the case may be. In lieu of the foregoing method of dissolution, any corporation formed under s. 188.08 may be dissolved by the filing of a certificate with the department of financial institutions reciting that such corporation has ceased to be a unit of the American Legion or its auxiliary. Such certificate shall be signed by the national commander and national adjutant of the American Legion or by the state commander and state adjutant of the American Legion, department of Wisconsin. In the case of units of the auxiliary the certificates shall be signed by the national president and national secretary or the department president and department secretary. Corporations dissolved under this section shall continue to have corporate existence, subject to the limitations on their activities under s. 181.1405. No fee shall be charged by the department of financial institutions for such filing.

Wis. Stat. § 188.095 Changing names and dissolving units of the Disabled American Veterans

Any chapter, county or district council, or department of the Disabled American Veterans, or other unit of the Disabled American Veterans, or of the auxiliaries of the Disabled American Veterans, which has become a body corporate under s. 188.09, may, whenever its articles do not provide the manner in which its name shall be changed or of its dissolution, change its name or dissolve by the adoption of a written resolution to that effect, by a vote of the majority of its members present at a meeting called for that purpose, and by filing the same as herein provided. A certificate thereto affixed, signed by the commander and adjutant, or like or similar officers, stating the facts, including the date of adoption of such resolution, the number of members present at such meeting, and the number of members who voted for the adoption of the resolution, shall be forwarded to and filed with the department of financial institutions, and thereupon, the name of such corporation shall be changed or the corporation shall cease to exist as the case may be, except that in case of dissolution, it shall continue to exist for the purpose of winding up its affairs. No fee shall be charged by the department of financial institutions for such filing.

Wis. Stat. § 188.115 Changing names and dissolving units of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States and affiliates

Any post, county or district council, department or other unit of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, or of the auxiliaries of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, or any Pup-Tent or Grand Pup-Tent of the Military Order of the Cooties or of the auxiliaries of the Military Order of the Cooties, which has become a body corporate under s. 188.11, may, whenever its articles do not provide the manner in which its name shall be changed or of its dissolution, change its name or dissolve by the adoption of a written resolution to that effect, by a vote of the majority of its members present at a meeting called for that purpose and by filing the same as herein provided. Such resolution, with a certificate thereto affixed, signed by the commander and adjutant, or like or similar officers, stating the facts, including the date of adoption of such resolution, the number of members present at such meeting, and the number of members who voted for the adoption of the resolution, shall be forwarded to and filed with the department of financial institutions, and thereupon, the name of such corporation shall be changed or the corporation shall cease to exist as the case may be, except that in case of dissolution, it shall continue to exist for the purpose of winding up its affairs. No fee shall be charged by the department of financial institutions for such filing.

Wis. Stat. § 188.235 Corporate powers of the Army and Navy Union of the U.S.A

(1) Any post, county or district council or department of the Army and Navy Union of the U.S.A. organized in this state pursuant to the constitution, bylaws and rules and regulations of said organization shall have full corporate powers to transact business in this state and to take over the assets and liabilities of the existing posts, units, county or district councils or departments upon filing with the department of financial institutions a statement of its intent to do so and a full and complete list of its duly elected officers. By so doing such organization shall become a body corporate. No filing fee shall be charged by the department of financial institutions. (2) All acts done by any post, unit, county or district council or department so incorporated or its constituted authorities shall be considered acts of said post, unit, county or district council or department as a body corporate and no personal liability shall attach to any member thereof. (3) Sections 180.0203 and 181.0203 shall not apply to corporations organized under this section. In the execution of any conveyance or encumbrance by such corporation the post, county or district or department commander and the post, county or district council or department adjutant, or like or similar officers, shall have the powers and duties granted to presidents and secretaries respectively under s. 706.03 (2) and (3).

Source: WI Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/188Fetched: 10/7/2026