There are two different sets of requirements for YLAC members. If you meet all of the criteria of either set, you are eligible for membership.

Option 1: You are between the ages of thirteen (13) and have not yet turned twenty-one (21). 

Option 2: You are currently enrolled in an intermediate (7th-8th), secondary (9th-12th), or post-secondary institution (college) and you have not yet turned twenty-five (25).

YLAC is for all youth of all backgrounds. We do not deny anyone membership on the basis of gender, sex, race, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, national origin, disability, family or social status, or any other factor that could cause discrimination.

The Youth Legislative Action Center is led by an Executive Director and an Assistant Director. Both are appointed by the Advisory Committee and can serve up to four one-year terms but not more than two terms consecutively.

The Executive Director and Assistant Director appoint the following Executive Board Officers:

• Chief of Staff

• Programs Director

• Finance Director

• Outreach Director

• Policy Director

• Development Director

• Social Media Director

• 2 Co-Editors-In-Chief

All Executive Board Officers (above) must be approved by the Advisory Committee.

The Executive Director and Assistant Director also appoint the Regional Directors:

• • Northeastern Region

  • Midwestern Region

  • Southern Region

  • Southwestern Region

  • Pacific Region

The Regional Directors (above) serve as non-voting members ex officio of the Executive Board and do not require approval by the Advisory Committee.

The Executive Director of YLAC serves as the Chair of the Executive Board and the Chief of Staff as Secretary.

The Regional Directors choose from among themselves one person to serve as Vice Chair of the Executive Board. The Vice Chair is granted full voting rights on all decisions considered by the board (the rest of the Regional Directors do not have voting rights, only speaking rights).

To consider most business, at least 50% (five out of nine since the Co-Editors-In-Chief cast one vote jointly) of the EBoard's voting members must be present.

The EBoard meets twice a month, on the 1st and 3rd Sunday at 5PT/8ET. However, a unanimous vote of the EBoard can temporarily change the meeting frequency and/or time. Any changes will reset with each new Executive Board.

Sometimes, special meetings of the board need to be called. As long as twenty-four (24) hours' notice is given, the Executive Director, Assistant Director, or Chief of Staff may call a meeting for any reason. Alternatively, any three (3) other members of the board may call a special meeting.

The Executive Board has all of these powers and duties:

• establish branding and identity guidelines

• maintain the YLAC website and domain

• appoint a Parliamentarian to the Advisory Committee

• write to individual members of the House of Representatives or Senate

• write, with the advice and consent of the Advisory Committee, letters to an entire house (or both houses) of Congress

• remove an officer of Advisory Committee from their position (by a simple majority)

• remove any member or officer of Advisory Committee from their seat on the committee (by a supermajority)

• suggest actions to be taken by the Advisory Committee

The Advisory Committee is made up of highest-ranking officer from each state-level chapter, all of the regional directors, and the Assistant Director of the Youth Legislative Action Center.

The Executive Director and Chief of Staff sit on the committee as non-voting members ex officio.

Term lengths for AdCom members are not defined nationally, but state-level chapters may choose to place a term limit on their highest-ranking office.

The Assistant Director of YLAC serves as the Chair of the Advisory Committee. 

The voting membership of AdCom chooses from among itself one person to serve as Vice Chair of the Advisory Committee. 

• No one may serve as Vice Chair for more than two (2) consecutive years and no one may serve for more than five (5) total years.

The Vice Chair appoints a Secretary who takes their seat upon confirmation by a majority of voting members.

The Executive Board chooses the AdCom Parliamentarian.

To consider most business, at least 50% (five out of nine) of the AdCom's voting members must be present.

The EBoard meets once a month, on the Saturday before the 3rd Sunday at 5PT/8ET. However, a supermajority vote of the AdCom can temporarily change the meeting frequency and/or time. Any changes will reset with each new term.

Sometimes, special meetings of the board need to be called. As long as twenty-four (24) hours' notice is given, the Assistant Director, AdCom Vice Chair, or AdCom Secretary may call a meeting for any reason. Alternatively, any eight (8) other members of the board may call a special meeting.

The Advisory Committee has all of these powers and duties:

• choose YLAC's Executive and Assistant Directors

• approve appointments to the Executive Board

• oversee programs and initiatives by state chapters

• write letters to a state's delegation of members in the House and Senate or their offices

• write, with the advice and consent of the Executive Board, letters to an entire house (or both houses) of Congress

• remove a Regional Director from their position (by a supermajority)

• remove an officer of YLAC from their position (by a 75% vote)

• suggest actions to be taken by the Executive Board