---
kind: "section"
citation: "36 U.S.C. § 200304"
title: "36"
title_heading: "Patriotic and National Observances, Ceremonies, and Organizations"
number: "200304"
heading: "Governing body"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/36/200304"
units:
  - "Subtitle II — Patriotic and National Organizations"
  - "Part B — Organizations"
  - "Chapter 2003 — Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War"
---

# §200304. Governing body

- (a) **National Encampment.—**
  - (1) The national encampment is the supreme governing authority of the [corporation](/usc/36/220501.md?p=b-7).
  - (2) The national encampment is composed of officers and elected representatives from the States and other local subdivisions of the [corporation](/usc/36/220501.md?p=b-7) as provided in the constitution and bylaws. However, the form of government of the [corporation](/usc/36/220501.md?p=b-7) must be representative of the membership at large and may not permit concentration of control in a limited number of members or in a self-perpetuating group not representative of the membership at large.
  - (3) The meetings of the national encampment may be held in the District of Columbia or in any State, territory, or possession of the United States.
- (b) **Council of Administration.—**
  - (1) During the intervals between the national encampments, the council of administration is the governing board of the [corporation](/usc/36/220501.md?p=b-7) and is responsible for the general policies, program, and activities of the [corporation](/usc/36/220501.md?p=b-7).
  - (2) The council of administration shall consist of at least seven members elected in the manner and for the term provided in the constitution and bylaws.
- (c) **Officers.—**
  - (1) The officers of the [corporation](/usc/36/220501.md?p=b-7) are a commander in chief, a senior vice commander in chief, a junior vice commander in chief, a secretary, a treasurer, and other officers as provided in the constitution and bylaws. One individual may hold the offices of secretary and treasurer.
  - (2) The manner of selection, term of office, and duties of the officers are as provided in the constitution and bylaws.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 105–225, Aug. 12, 1998, 112 Stat. 1453.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Revised<br>Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
| 200304(a) | 36:536. | Aug. 20, 1954, ch. 774, §§ 6–8, 68 Stat. 750. |
| 200304(b) | 36:537. |  |
| 200304(c) | 36:538. |  |

In subsection (a)(2), the words “several”, “always”, and “thereof . . . the hands of” are omitted as unnecessary.

In subsection (a)(3), the words “State, territory, or possession of the United States” are substituted for “State or Territory” for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the United States Code.

In subsection (b), the text of 36:537(b) is omitted as obsolete.

In subsection (c), the words “One individual may hold the offices of secretary and treasurer” are substituted for “(which latter two offices may be held by one person)” to eliminate unnecessary words. The word “provided” is substituted for “may be prescribed” to eliminate unnecessary words.