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Title 36 — Patriotic and National ObservancesRelease 119-73not60

§200304 Governing Body

Title 36 › Subtitle Subtitle II— Patriotic and National Organizations › Part B— Organizations › Chapter 2003— SONS OF UNION VETERANS OF THE CIVIL WAR › § 200304

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

The national encampment is the highest decision-making body of the organization. It is made up of officers and elected representatives from the States and other local parts of the organization as set out in the constitution and bylaws. The group's government must represent the whole membership and must not let control rest with a small or self-perpetuating clique. Meetings may be held in the District of Columbia or in any State, territory, or possession. When the national encampment is not meeting, the council of administration runs the organization and sets general policy, programs, and activities. The council must have at least seven members elected as the constitution and bylaws provide. The officers include a commander in chief, senior vice commander in chief, junior vice commander in chief, a secretary, a treasurer, and any others listed in the constitution and bylaws. One person may serve as both secretary and treasurer.

Full Legal Text

Title 36, §200304

Patriotic and National Observances — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)(1)The national encampment is the supreme governing authority of the corporation.
(2)The national encampment is composed of officers and elected representatives from the States and other local subdivisions of the corporation as provided in the constitution and bylaws. However, the form of government of the corporation 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)(1)During the intervals between the national encampments, the council of administration is the governing board of the corporation and is responsible for the general policies, program, and activities of the corporation.
(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)(1)The officers of the corporation 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.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (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.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

36 U.S.C. § 200304

Title 36 — Patriotic and National Observances

Last Updated

Apr 5, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60