Bylaws of the ILPS-US Chapter
Amended and Ratified May 30, 2026 | ILPS-US Third National Assembly | Union City, California
ARTICLE I. NAME OF COUNTRY CHAPTER
The public name of the country chapter shall be “ILPS-US”.
ARTICLE II. NATURE AND CHARACTER OF THE COUNTRY CHAPTER
Section 1. ILPS-US is the country chapter of ILPS in the US. As such, it adheres to and abides by the ILPS Charter and By-Laws. It also promotes the aims, purposes and activities of the League.
Section 2. The ILPS-US is a democratic, anti-imperialist coalition of organizations, with a broad mass character, for peoples’ struggle in the US.
ARTICLE III. GUIDING PRINCIPLES
Section 1. As an anti-imperialist and democratic coalition of organizations, it shall promote, support and develop the struggles of workers, farmers, youth, indigenous peoples, refugees, professionals, peasants women, children, national minorities, teachers, health workers, homeless and displaced, elderly, differently abled, LGBTQ+ and other sectors of society against the economic, political, military, social and cultural domination and attacks of imperialism and reaction.
Section 2. ILPS-US shall expose and oppose the oppressive and exploitative acts of imperialist and puppet states–especially the US state and its puppets–the multinational companies and imperialist-dominated international agencies, such as the IMF, World Bank and WTO, and the military alliances such as the NATO and the US-Japan Security Council.
Section 3. It shall not be subordinate to any political party, government or religious authorities and shall afford equality to all member-organizations. It shall strive to realize the unity, cooperation and coordination of anti-imperialist and democratic struggles throughout the US.
Section 4. The ILPS-US Chapter will actively participate in the activities organized by the ILPS or in which the ILPS is participating.
ARTICLE IV. AIMS AND PURPOSES
The US Chapter of the ILPS recognizes that the US is a settler-colonial state built on stolen land, the ethnic cleansing of indigenous peoples, and through the enslavement of Africans. ILPS-US, as an anti-imperialist and democratic formation based in the largest, most powerful, and most viciously anti-people imperialist power in the world today, aims to build the broadest and sharpest unity of anti-imperialist, anti-corporate, anti-racist and democratic struggles of the people in the US and the world, along the following key issues:
1. We oppose US imperialist political and economic domination and the intervention in the affairs of other nations for the benefit of monopoly capitalist interests. The chapter stands for US non-interference, recognition and respect of the sovereignty of other nations as well as the self-determination of all peoples.
2. We oppose US imperialist war, militarization, covert operations, economic sanctions and structures of reactionary violence, including the US military industrial complex, the US prison industrial complex, militarized borders, secret police and intelligence agencies, US global command of military bases, facilities, operations and agreements, state repression, fascism, Islamophobia, and encroachment on civil liberties. All these are tools of monopoly capitalist power and against the interests of the people. This includes the systematic oppression of Black, Latinx, Native, Asian, Pacific Islander, Arabs, and Muslims, and other people of color inside the United States, including surveillance, deportation, rendition, police terror, racist murder, mass incarceration, entrenched discrimination, and denial of the right to self-determination. The chapter stands for the unconditional right of all people to a secure existence, civil rights and democratic liberties, as well as freedom from police harassment, profiling, brutality, and unwarranted arrest.
3. We oppose the US ruling class exploitation of labor and all-out assault on the human rights of workers in and out of the US, including migrant workers, for the sake of profit. The chapter stands for the unconditional right of all to employment with a livable wage, dignity, respect, secure working conditions and to the rights of all workers to collective bargaining and to unionize. The chapter also opposes deportations and employer sanctions of undocumented workers and peoples, and stands for the ending of criminalization and illegalization, the reunification of working class families torn apart by forced migration, as well as fair and humane US policies that place value on the contributions of immigrant and migrant workers.
4. We oppose US ruling class schemes to divide and conquer peoples struggling against imperialism, including but not limited to chauvinism, racism, xenophobia, Zionism, Islamophobia, sexism, gender and LGBTQ oppression and discrimination. The chapter stands for a people’s culture that is non-discriminatory, unifying, respectful and appreciative of social, racial, and cultural diversity. The chapter also stands for responsible governance in the US under the power of the people and not the dictates of monopoly capitalist interests; that serves the rights and welfare of the people first and foremost, and is adequately responsive to their basic human needs such as education, housing, healthcare, and a clean and sustainable environment.
5. We shall advance the ILPS’ 20 Concerns (and any future ones as affirmed by ILPS) by promoting the initiatives and campaigns of the commissions and allied international alliances such as the International Migrants Alliance (IMA), the International Women’s Alliance (IWA), and Resist US-led War.
ARTICLE V. MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. ILPS-US is composed of organizations which agree to the ILPS Charter, program and activities, the Guiding Principles, Aims and Purposes as set out in this ILPS-US ByLaws and are engaged in struggle around any of the activities and programs of ILPS-US or the points of concern of the ILPS.
Section 2. The Country Chapter through the Assembly or ILPS-US Steering Committee in between Assemblies shall decide on the application of mass formations that wish to become members of ILPS-US.
a. Applicants for Member Organization status must complete the application form and include a statement of aims, a brief history of activities, and recommendation by a current member organization of ILPS in good standing (adhering to the member responsibilities laid out in the ILPS Bylaws).
b. Applications can be made through Regional Committees, but must be approved by the ILPS-US Assembly or the ILPS-US Steering Committee in between Assemblies. Applications shall be acted on as soon as possible after such application has been submitted.
c. In the case of applicants not having a relationship with any existing Member Organization in good standing which can provide a recommendation, the Steering Committee shall compose a team to interview the organization and determine whether or not to provide a recommendation for the organization. Final approval will be made by the ILPS-US Assembly or by the Steering Committee in between Assemblies.
Section 3. Rights and Responsibilities of member organizations:
a. All member organizations shall assume responsibilities in accordance with the resolutions and decisions of International and US Assemblies.
b. All member organizations shall maintain their independence and initiative and shall accordingly have equal basic rights and duties.
c. Member organizations which are national in scope and with presence in multiple cities or regions are encouraged to participate through their various regional formations or chapters in ILPS work at a global, national, or regional level. These regional formations or chapters are encouraged to formally join the membership of ILPS-US at their discretion.
d. The leading organ of any member organization may sponsor and recommend for membership in the ILPS any organization or formation of a mass character, which agrees with the Charter of the ILPS.
e. Member Organizations may recommend individuals who are not members of their Organization to assist ILPS US with certain tasks and duties. These individuals will be encouraged to join a Member Organization or to form their own mass organization which can join ILPS-US within a reasonable delay.
f. All member organizations shall pay annual membership dues of US$150.
g. Member organizations with greater membership, resources and capabilities may be requested to make contributions above the basic level of equal obligations.
h. A member organization may cease to be such by resignation, self-dissolution or by expulsion for serious violation of the ILPS Charter and By-Laws, ILPS-US By-Laws, resolutions or decisions of the International Assembly and ILPS-US. In accordance with the ILPS Charter and By-Laws, a member organization subject to disciplinary process such as expulsion shall be informed of the basis and be given the opportunity to explain itself or rectify any act or omission in violation of the ILPS Charter or any of the resolutions or decisions of the pertinent ILPS bodies. Basis for expulsion includes willful violation and/or misrepresentation of the ILPS and ILPS US Charter and By-Laws, Resolutions and decisions with intent to harm or undermine the aims, decisions and integrity of ILPS. In cases of violation, the ILPS-US Steering Committee shall carry out the disciplinary process in accordance with the ILPS Charter and ILPS-US Bylaws.
ARTICLE VI. THE ILPS-US ASSEMBLY
Section 1. The ILPS-US Assembly is the highest decision-making body in ILPS-US. It is held every three (3) years, unless there are unavoidable circumstances or reasons accepted by the majority of member organizations for convening it earlier or later. The ILPS-US Steering Committee will decide and announce the date of the Assembly at least three months prior to its conduct.
Section 2. Each ILPS-US member organization may choose one voting delegate to represent the organization and vote on its behalf in the ILPS-US Assembly. The name of the voting delegate must be provided to the ILPS-US Steering Committee at least two weeks prior to the Assembly
Section 3. The ILPS-US Assembly shall review the implementation of the resolutions and decisions of the previous Assembly, the performance of the outgoing Steering Committee, and the conduct of ILPS-US activities since the previous Assembly. It shall discuss issues of national and international significance and make pertinent resolutions for the priorities, activities and campaigns of ILPS-US for the next one to three years.
Section 4. The ILPS-US Assembly shall elect an ILPS-US Steering Committee, reflecting the mass base and regional and national character of the Chapter. The ILPS-US Assembly shall determine the appropriate number of members of the Steering Committee. Rules for nomination and election of Steering Committee members will be provided to the ILPS-US member organizations at least 30 days prior to the ILPS-US Assembly.
Section 5. The ILPS-US Assembly can amend the Bylaws by 2/3 majority vote of delegates in attendance.
Section 6. The ILPS-US Assembly can approve resolutions and a General Program of Action (GPOA) by majority vote of delegates in attendance.
Section 7. Non-affiliated Organizations and individuals:
a. Individuals may also attend the ILPS-US Assembly as “Observers” subject to the approval by the ILPS-US Assembly or ILPS-US Steering Committee; however they shall not have voting rights.
b. Non-affiliated political parties, alliances and organizations may be allowed Observer status subject to approval by the ILPS-US Assembly or ILPS-US Steering Committee; however, they shall not have voting rights.
ARTICLE VII. THE ILPS-US STEERING COMMITTEE
Section 1. The ILPS-US Steering Committee shall be the next highest policy-making body in between the ILPS-US Assembly. The Steering Committee will elect its own officers, consisting minimally of the Chair, General Secretary, and Treasurer. Vice Chairs and Deputy Secretaries may be elected based on the needs of the ILPS-US.
Section 2. Tasks of the ILPS-US Steering Committee:
a. The officers and at-large members of the Steering Committee shall work together to lead the day-to-day work of the ILPS-US. It shall meet as often as agreed to deal with on-going responsibilities, to issue statements and to coordinate activities.
b. It shall form such sub-committees as required to carry out the work agreed by the ILPS-US Assembly. Sub-committees will be comprised of members of the Steering Committee and individuals from among ILPS-US member organizations.
d. It shall circulate information to Member Organizations, Allies and Observers, by newsletter, website or email as determined appropriate.
e. It shall be responsible for calling ILPS-US Assembly with the minimum notice of three months.
VIII. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF OFFICERS OF ILPS-US
Section 1. The Chairperson:
a. The Chairperson shall work alongside the General Secretary to convene and preside over meetings of the ILPS-US Steering Committee, Country Chapter, and Assembly and prepare the agenda of such meetings.
b. The Chairperson shall make public statements on the basis of the General Declaration, decisions and resolutions of the ILPS-US Assembly and Steering Committee. The Chairperson leads delegates from ILPS-US to any international meetings, such as the ILPS International Assembly or International Coordinating Committee.
c. Together with the Treasurer, the Chairperson shall act as the co-signatory for checks and payments issued by ILPS-US.
Section 2. The General Secretary:
a. The General Secretary shall head the Secretariat as the daily administrative organ of the ILPS-US, subject to the approval of the Steering Committee.
b. The General Secretary shall form the staff of the secretariat, which shall be responsible for minute recording Steering Committee and Assembly meetings, all other forms of documentation and other tasks as may be assigned.
c. The General Secretary shall work alongside the Chairperson to convene and preside over meetings of the ILPS-US Steering Committee, Country Chapter, and Assembly and prepare the agenda of such meetings.
Section 3. The Treasurer:
a. The Treasurer is responsible for the collection of Affiliation Fees and monies owed, for maintaining bank accounts and records, for the preparation of Financial Reports and submission to the ILPS-US Steering Committee, and annual audit, and for payments to cover authorized operating costs incurred in meeting the Aims of ILPS-US.
b. Together with the Chairperson, the Treasurer shall act as the co-signatory for checks and payments issued by ILPS-US.
IX. THE REGIONAL COMMITTEES
Section 1. Regional Committees may be established in major cities and other locations where there are 3 or more ILPS-US member organizations.
Section 2. Regional Committees will act as coordinating bodies to ensure the implementation of the GPOA and tactical programs of the ILPS-US in its respective region and provide feedback to the Assembly and Steering Committee.
Section 3. The Regional Committee is responsible for formulating regional plans in accordance with the GPOA, tactical programs and calls to action set forth by the ILPS-US based on the particular conditions in and according to the interests and capacity of the members in its region.
Section 4. The Regional Committee shall also actively recruit members to ILPS.
Section 5. The Regional Committees shall meet as often as agreed according to the needs of the region and provide quarterly or bi-annual reports to the ILPS-US Steering Committee.
Section 6. Regional Coordinators or Body to Lead the Regional Committee:
a. Shall be selected by the respective Regional Committees and act as the coordinator of said Regional Committees formed in regions within the US.
b. Shall Chair the meeting of the respective Regional Committees of ILPS-US and shall be the principal spokesperson(s) on behalf of the Regional Formation.
c. Shall report to the ILPS-US Steering Committee on updates and developments on how their respective regions is implementing the GPOA and activities of ILPS-US.
d. Shall perform other functions set by the ILPS-US National Assembly, ILPS-US Steering Committee, and the respective Regional Committee.
IX. THE REGIONAL COMMITTEES
Section 1. Membership Fees are set by ILPS and are due every May 1st. Membership fees are to be forwarded to the ILPS-US Treasurer, who shall remit said fees to the ILPS International Treasurer. In accordance with ILPS By Laws, 20% of membership fees collected from ILPS-US members are to be retained by the ILPS-US chapter and are held and disbursed at the discretion of the ILPS-US Steering Committee.
XI. GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 1. The ILPS-US Assembly shall have the power to amend these By-Laws by two-thirds majority.
Section 2. These By-Laws uphold and adhere to the ILPS International Charter and By-Laws. The latter prevails in case of any conflict with the former.
Section 3. Decisions will be made by consensus wherever possible, where consensus is not reached, Decisions are carried by a simple majority vote.