Young Pirates USA/Bylaws

ARTICLE I: Name and Authority

These Bylaws shall govern the organization known as the Young Pirates of the Pirate Party of the United States of America, hereinafter referred to as the Young Pirates or YPUSA.

The Young Pirates are recognized as the official youth outreach and engagement organization of the Pirate Party of the United States of America (USPP) and shall operate in accordance with these Bylaws and the Bylaws of the Pirate National Committee (PNC).

The term “state” as used in these Bylaws includes the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, and the U.S. Minor Outlying Islands.

ARTICLE II: Object

Section 1: Mission

The Young Pirates shall:

1. Support, promote, and advance the Pirate Party of the United States.
2. Provide an organized voice for youth and young adults within the USPP.
3. Encourage youth participation, leadership development, and political engagement.
4. Operate as the officially recognized youth organization of the USPP.
5. Adhere to all applicable policies, values, and official statements adopted by the Pirate National Committee.

Section 2: Core Values

Pursuant to its mission, the Young Pirates affirm and actively uphold the Core Values of the USPP, including but not limited to:

1. Open culture and the free exchange of ideas, tools, and works
2. Transparency and openness in governance
3. Individual privacy and personal autonomy
4. Opposition to monopolies that restrict human rights, innovation, or expression
5. Human beings over institutions or artificial entities
6. Evidence-based, post-ideological decision making
7. Equality, inclusivity, and egalitarian participation
8. Accountability in both principle and practice

The Young Pirates shall hold themselves accountable for adherence to these values.

ARTICLE III: Membership

Section 1: Eligibility

Membership in the Young Pirates is open to any individual who:

1. Is at least thirteen (13) years of age and no older than twenty-five (25) years of age, inclusive.
2. Voluntarily enrolls as a member.
3. Affirms support for the mission and Core Values of the USPP.

Members who attain the age of twenty-six (26) shall be automatically removed from the membership roster.

Section 2: Membership Requirements

To be recognized as an active member, an individual must provide, at minimum:

1. Legal or preferred name
2. Email address
3. State of residence
4. Age

Active members must:

1. Participate in at least three (3) general meetings within the preceding twelve (12) months.
2. Maintain adherence to the mission and Core Values of the USPP.

Members who fail to meet activity requirements for twelve (12) consecutive months shall be designated inactive and removed from the roster.

Section 3: Rights of Members

Active members shall have the right to:

1. Participate in meetings and discussions.
2. Vote in elections and motions as permitted by these Bylaws.
3. Seek election or appointment to offices for which they are eligible.

ARTICLE IV: Officers

Section 1: Positions

The Young Pirates shall elect the following Officers:

1. Captain (Chair) - Oversees administration and operations, serves as primary spokesperson, facilitates meetings, and reports progress to the PNC.
2. First Officer (Vice-Chair) - The First Officer will assume responsibility for all meetings held by party recognized committees and conduct business on behalf of the Captain.
3. Scribe (Secretary) - Maintains records, meeting minutes, membership rolls, and vote tallies.
4. Signal Officer (Communications Director) - Manages public communications, social media, outreach, and press relations.
5. Treasurer - Manages funds provided to the Young Pirates by the PNC as well as a log of all transactions made for the Young Pirates.

Section 2: Eligibility

To be eligible to hold office, a candidate must:

1. Be an active member of the Young Pirates.
2. Be at least eighteen (18) years of age and no older than twenty-five (25) years of age at the time of election.
3. Be in good standing with the USPP.

Section 3: Duties and Accountability

Officers are accountable to the membership and shall:

1. Act in accordance with these Bylaws and USPP principles
2. Provide regular reports on their activities
3. Facilitate continuity and institutional knowledge

ARTICLE V: Elections

Section 1: Regular Elections

Officer elections shall be held annually and, where feasible, concurrent with the PNC Annual Meeting.

Elections shall be conducted using the Schulze Method via secret ballot.

Section 2: Special Elections

In the event of a vacancy, the Pirate National Committee may appoint an interim officer if reasonable. A special election shall be held as soon as practicable to fill the remainder of the term.

Section 3: Vote of No Confidence

Any member of the Young Pirates or USPP may call for a Vote of No Confidence if the organization becomes inactive or dysfunctional.

1. The motion must be seconded.
2. A special assembly shall be convened.
3. Passage requires a three-fifths (3/5) majority of participating members.

Upon passage, new elections shall be held for all offices for the remainder of the term.

ARTICLE VI: Meetings

Section 1: General Meetings

1. Meetings shall be held at least monthly.
2. Meetings shall be conducted electronically using accessible platforms.
3. Notice shall be provided no fewer than seven (7) days in advance.
4. Agendas shall be published at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the meeting.

Section 2: Quorum

A quorum shall consist of those members present, provided notice requirements have been met.

ARTICLE VII: Committees and Working Groups

The Young Pirates may establish committees or working groups to fulfill specific objectives. Membership and procedures shall be determined by the body unless otherwise specified.

ARTICLE VIII: Parliamentary Authority

The current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised (RONR) shall govern proceedings where applicable and not in conflict with these Bylaws.

ARTICLE IX: Amendments

1. These Bylaws may be amended by a majority vote of the Pirate National Committee.
2. A simple majority of Young Pirate officers may submit a formal request for amendment.

ARTICLE X: Dissolution

Upon dissolution of the Pirate National Committee, the Young Pirates shall follow the dissolution procedures set forth in PNC Bylaws Article X.