Contents:

• Preamble
• Article I: Name
• Article II: Purpose
• Article III: Membership
• Article IV: Administration
• Article V: National Convention
• Article VI: National Executive Committee
• Article VII: Coordinating Committee
• Article VIII: Finances
• Article IX: Local Organizations and Clubs
• Article X: Regional Coordinating Committees
• Article XI: Referenda
• Article XII: Amendments

Preamble

Socialism is the struggle to build a truly democratic society, where people have the power to determine the course of their own lives, with genuine control over the social, political and economic systems we create to govern our affairs.

As young socialists, we recognize that this struggle is ever changing, ever renewing, and that the definition of the socialist vision falls to each new generation to decide.

We accept that challenge gladly, with fresh minds and earnest hearts.

We see a dual responsibility in our work, in that it is toward the future, but also in the present. While we work to build the world to come, we also commit ourselves to the issues of our generation here and now; we commit ourselves to fighting for the rights of youth, who suffer a general disenfranchisement throughout society, as well as exploitation at the hands of their elders.

As we call for power to be given to the people, we remind ourselves and others that young people must have their share of that power, and that our rights, needs, and concerns cannot be ignored by any society that seeks socialism and democracy.

As with adults, youth must also have the power to determine the course of their lives, for we are the future of the world.

[TOP]

Article I: Name

The name of this organization is the Young People's Socialist League, or YPSL.

[TOP]

Article II: Purpose

The purpose of YPSL is to unite like-minded democratic socialist youth for the promotion of socialism through direct political action and education, as well as providing a social outlet for young people. YPSL, as the politically independent youth affiliate of the Socialist Party USA, advises the Socialist Party USA on issues concerning youth.

[TOP]

Article III: Membership

Section 1: Every person under the age of 30 who resides in the United States or its territories and subscribes to the principles of YPSL is eligible for membership.

(a) The National Executive Committee may, with just cause, waive the above restrictions by a 3/4 vote.

Section 2: Membership can be denied or revoked on the basis of:

(a) Membership in organizations whose principles or actions violate the principles of YPSL.

(b) Personal actions or principles that violate the Statement of Principles of YPSL.

Sections 3: Applications for membership are decided upon by the lowest existing organized body.

(a) The decisions on applications may be appealed to higher organized bodies.

(b) The decisions on applications may be subject to review by higher organized bodies.

Section 4: The lowest possible organized body that can act on a membership application is a Local, or club. Followed in authority by: the Regional Coordinating Committee, Coordinating Committee, National Executive Committee and National Convention.

[TOP]

Article IV: Administration

Section 1: The ultimate authority in YPSL rests with its members.

(a) Major decisions such as election of national officers and the National Executive Committee and matters of principles, policy and constitution shall be decided by national convention.

(b) In between conventions, major decisions such as election of national officers and the National Executive Committee and matters of principles, policy and constitution shall be decided by national referendum. Any decision made at a national convention can be appealed to a national referendum.

Section 2: The affairs of YPSL shall be administered by the National Executive Committee, Coordinating Committee, national officers and special committees.

Section 3: The National Executive Committee shall be the main decision making body of YPSL in between national conventions and referenda, with its authority subject to national conventions and referenda.

Section 4: The Coordinating Committee shall consist of the national officers and be empowered in matters of minor policy and administration, with its authority subject to the National Executive Committee.

Section 5: Regional Coordinating Committees shall have primary authority in matters of policy and administration over the areas designated in their charter and the Local organizations and clubs they charter, with their authority subject to the National Executive Committee, national convention and national referenda.

Section 6: The national officers of YPSL shall consist of the National Chair, any number of vice-chairs as determined by the national convention, the National Secretary and National Treasurer.

Section 7: The National Secretary and National Treasurer shall be in charge of the administration of the National Office, in cooperation with the Coordinating Committee.

(a) In the event the National Secretary or National Treasurer cannot complete her/his term, The National Secretary and/or National Treasurer shall be elected by the National Executive Committee.

Section 8: The National Chair of YPSL shall represent YPSL outside the organization, supervise the activities of the national organization and otherwise foster growth of the organization, in cooperation with the National Vice-Chair(s), the National Secretary and National Treasurer as the Coordinating Committee. The National Chair shall facilitate meetings of the National Executive Committee. In times that the National Chair cannot fulfill her/his duties, the National Vice-Chair(s) shall act in her/his place.

(a) In the event that the National Chair cannot complete her/his term, the National Vice-Chair(s) shall serve the remainder of that term.

(b) In the event that a National Vice-Chair cannot complete her/his term as Vice-Chair, the National Executive Committee shall choose a replacement to serve the remainder of the term from amongst the members and alternates of the National Executive Committee.

[TOP]

Article V: National Convention

Section 1: National Conventions shall be held every year, with the time and place to be determined by the National Executive Committee.

Section 2: The National Executive Committee may present Convention rules to the National Convention, subject to a vote by the National Convention.

Section 3: The National Executive Committee shall set the standards for National Convention delegate selection.

Section 4: The National Convention shall elect the national officers, members of the National Executive Committee, as well as any other officers it sees fit.

(a) Members may submit nominations to the National Convention by mail.

(i) Mail nominations must be received by the national office one week prior to the National Convention.

[TOP]

Article VI: National Executive Committee

Section 1: The National Executive Committee shall consist of the National Chair and National Vice-Chair(s) plus any number of additional members as decided by the National Convention. In addition, the National Convention shall elect any number of alternates to the National Executive Committee, in ranked order, to serve out the terms of any members of the Committee who cannot do so.

Section 2: The term of office of National Executive Committee members shall be between National Conventions.

Section 3: The National Executive Committee shall meet at least once every month.

(a) The National Executive Committee may hold meetings by mail, phone or electronic communication. At such meetings, only members of the National Executive Committee proper may participate. At meetings held in person alternates may take the place of absent Committee members, in ranked order. Members of the National Executive Committee must be members in good standing in order to be seated voting.

Section 4: The NEC shall replace all members who resign or become inactive?the general definition of inactive is to be out of contact for more than 2 months. This process shall be done by membership wide elections and advertised by e-mail, mail, & print. The election itself shall be held in accordance with sections two through five of Article Eleven.

[TOP]

Article VII: Coordinating Committee

Section 1: A Coordinating Committee, consisting of the National Chair, National Vice-Chair(s), National Secretary and National Treasurer shall be responsible for the carrying out of minor YPSL business and the application of YPSL decisions in between meetings of the National Executive Committee.

Section 2: Members of the Coordinating Committee must be able to regularly attend meetings at the national office, or by phone or online.

[TOP]

Article VIII: Finances

Section 1: The National Executive Committee shall adopt an annual budget to be administered by the National Treasurer.

(a) In administering the budget the National Treasurer shall be responsible for keeping records of expenses as well as the cost or profitablility of various projects.

(b) The National Executive Committee may appoint a National Treasurer, independent from the National Secretary, at the request of the National Secretary-Treasurer, a 3/4 majority of the National Executive Committee, the National Convention or a national referendum.

Section 2: The National Executive Committee shall set the national dues policy.

(a) Dues may be paid in cash or by barter, at the discretion of the body acting upon the application.

(b) Local organizations, clubs and Regional Coordinating Committees may not set mandatory dues in addition to the national dues.

(c) Members in arrears in their membership dues for more than six months are no longer in good standing.

(d) Members in arrears in their membership dues for more than nine months shall be considered inactive, and shall not be allowed to participate at any level of YPSL.

(e) Members in arrears in their membership dues for more than one year shall be dropped from membership.

[TOP]

Article IX: Local Organizations and Clubs

Section 1: Locals may be chartered upon the application of three or more members by a Regional Coordinating Committee.

(a) In the absence of a chartered Regional Coordinating Comittee, Locals may be chartered by the Coordinating Committee.

Section 2: Local organizations and clubs shall consist of all members residing in the area designated in its charter.

Section 3: Local organizations and clubs shall keep and maintain membership and finance records, hold public meetings, and may hold classes, events, support candidates for public office and other functions, as well as represent the national organization on the local level.

Section 4: Local organizations and clubs may elect officers to administer the affairs of the Local.

[TOP]

Article X: Regional Coordinating Committees

Section 1: The Coordinating Committee may charter Regional Coordinating Committees upon the application of one or more Locals.

Section 2: Regional Coordinating Committees must run in accordance with the YPSL constitution and principles, as well as ensure that the Locals and clubs in their jurisdictions do as well.

Section 3: Regional divisions are dealt with in the by-laws and determined by majority vote of the National Executive Committee.

[TOP]

Article XI: Referenda

Section 1: The National Executive Committee and the National Secretary must submit to a referendum vote of the members:

(a) All nominations for vacancies in national offices, within one week of the nominations.

(b) An appeal of any National Executive Committee decision or National Convention decision, within 30 days of receipt of the appeal by the National Secretary. Such appeals may be made by:

(i) 2/3 of the National Executive Committee.

(ii) a petition signed by at least five percent of the members in good standing.

(iii) any three Locals of YPSL.

(c) Any proposed amendment to the constitution, within 30 days, upon application of:

(i) a 2/3 majority of the National Executive Committee.

(ii) a petition signed by at least five percent of all members in good standing.

(iii) Any three Locals of YPSL.

Section 2: The Coordinating Committee shall be responsible for the receipt and verification of all requests for national referenda, as well as the mailing and counting of referenda ballots.

Section 3: Referenda ballots must be returned to the National Office within 30 days of mailing to be valid.

Section 4: Only members in good standing at the time of the call for a referendum shall be eligible to vote.

Section 5: A Referendum shall be considered passed when it is approved by over half of the ballots received, provided that at least 30% of the ballots are received.

(a) Except, in the case of an amendment to the constitution, which is explained in Article IX.

[TOP]

Article XII: Amendments

Section 1: This Constitution may be amended by 2/3 vote at the National Convention, or by 3/4 vote of respondents to a referendum, provided that at least 30% of the ballots are returned.

Section 2: Amendments adopted at the National Convention do not take effect until the close of the Convention, except where the election of National Officers is involved.

[TOP]