From PPI
The official minutes for the PPI General Assembly of January 28th 2023
---28.01.2023 10:00 UTC ---
- Mumble: mumble.ppi.rocks
- Audio recording: PiratesOnAir Streaming, recording
- https://owncloud.ag-technik.de/s/mFNGiEsZoFs6zLW
- Video: https://www.youtube.com/user/PiratePartiesInt https://piratesonair.net/live-stream/
- Online Discourse link: https://ga.pp-international.net/c/january-2023-general-assembly/30
- Minutes of the last GA: https://wiki.pp-international.net/wiki/index.php?title=PPI_GA_JUL_2022_2
- According to the Rules of Procedures Art 8. point 4 the Minutes of the last GA are accepted, as no objections had been voiced during the four weeks following the publication of the minutes.
Record of the meeting
1 - ATTENDEES
1.1 - Ordinary Members of PPI
Pirate Party of Austria (Austria withdrew from the PPI without any explanation on Dec 10th 2022) Pirate Party of Belgium - Pirate Party of Brazil - mtoledo Pirate Party of Catalonia - Dario Pirate Party of Chile - Mauricio, AlmirantuxPPCL, Manuel Caicedo, Ooscarr Czech Pirate Party - Mike, Veronika, Raman Estonian Pirate Party - Pirate Party of France - Florie, Emerodh Pirate Party Germany - Anne, Tyg, pr02, Vinz, Gregory, Bastian Pirate Party of Greece - Pirate Party of Hungary - Pirate Party of Israel - Noam, Keith Pirate Party of Italy - Pirate Party Luxembourg - Pirate Party of Netherlands - Pirate Party of New Zealand (1/2 vote; vote shared with IP New Zealand) - Internet Party New Zealand (1/2 vote; vote shared with PP New Zealand) - Pirate Party of Norway - Polish Pirate Party - Pirate Party of Portugal - Pirate Party of Russia - Alexander Pirate Party of Serbia - Pirate Party of Slovakia (1/2 vote; vote shared with the other Slovakia) - Pirate Party - Slovakia (1/2 vote; vote shared with the other Slovakia) - Pirate Party Switzerland - Carlos Pirate Party of Tunisia - Pirate Party of Turkey (1/2 vote; vote shared with new Pirate Party Turkey) - Pirate Party Turkey (1/2 vote; vote shared with old Pirate Party of Turkey) - Ukrainian Pirate Community - (Not present due to internet difficulties, but they are communicating with some of our members on a separate channel.) United States Pirate Party - Joe Pirate Party of Venezuela -
- Total Voting Power of the GA is 10.0 (out of 27). Power needed for establishing the quorum is 9.
- We have 9 parties present at the roll call that took place at 10:25 UTC.
1.2 - Observer Members
Internet Party of Serbia (POKRET NAPRED) Pirates without Borders - ThomasG Pirate Lobby, France Pirate Party of Berlin (Piratenpartei Berlin) Pirate Party of Bavaria Pirate Party of Hesse Pirate Party of La Rioja (Spain) Pirate Party of Lower Saxony - Vincent Pirate Party of New York Pirate Party of North Rhine-Westfalia Pirate Party Potsdam europe beyond division e.V. Formerly: Young Pirates of Germany Young Pirates Sweden (Ung Pirat) Pirate Party of Japan [1] (old) Brandenburg Pirati Pirate Party of Finland European Pirate Party The Pirates Center of Belarus Pirate Party of Japan (new) Pirate Party of Slovenia Pirate Party of Spain Pirate Party Romania Pirate Party of Latvia
1.3 - Guests Participating
- Pirate Party Australia
1.4 - Proceedings
RoP: https://wiki.pp-international.net/wiki/index.php?title=Rules_of_procedure
GA opened at 10:28 UTC by Bailey Lamon
Meeting chaired by Bailey Lamon
Secretary for this meeting is Keith, Mike, and others please help out.
- Voting Power of the GA is 9.0 (out of 27). Amount needed for establishing the quorum is 9.
- Bailey: There's a chance we get through everything today; if not then we come back tomorrow and continue where we left off. Also please follow the minutes being taken and make sure that when you speak the stuff being written down represents what you said. Minute taking isn't easy.
Streaming started: https://piratesonair.net/live-stream/Recording and [1]
Proposed Agenda (1-day version; we might or might not spill over into Sunday Jan 29th)
- Saturday, January 28th (all times in UTC)
09:00: Delegates accreditation opens 10:00: Opening of the General Assembly 10:15: Formalities–Meeting chair, secretary, acceptance of agenda 10:30: Reports–Board, Treasurer, CoA, Lay Auditors, Keynote Speech 11:30: Break 11:45: Budget proposal 12:30: Lunch 13:30: Statute Ammendments 14:00: Elections of PPI officers 15:30: Break 15:45: Elections continued,motions 17:00: End of Day 1
- If we won't manage to wrap things up on Saturday, we shall continue on Sunday.
- Are there any objections or suggested amendments to the agenda?
- No one objects to the agenda.
- Bailey: Shoutout to the PiratesOnAir and to the present Australian Pirates. We do have a quorum, we agreed upon the agenda and are ready now to get to the reports.
Reports and Keynote Speech
Board
https://etherpad.pp-international.net/p/Board_Report_PPI_GA_Jan_2023
- Bailey: We elected a new treasurer, Manuel Caecido from PPCL. He has been working with our prior treasurer to prepare invoices, accounts, budget for the new term. We have been meeting up and helping him adjust to the new position. The Think Twice conference took place. We have a new PPI mailing address. Bastian set that up for us. There has been discussion about moving the PPI headquarters from Switzerland. It is a bit of a complex issue. There are pros and cons, and things to think about. It is ongoing. If anyone has any feedback, please feel free to share. Per request of the previous GA, PPI board members have been working on a new set of statutes, looking at what could change, what could be redone. Members came to the conclusion that we need to go through our statutes and open to reforming things. Mike has been working on the initial part of going through the statutes and seeing what can be improved. This is something that in the new term can be open to the members, and maybe at the next GA we can vote on some statutes. If you feel passionate about this, please help out.
- Alexander: What about UN activities?
- Bailey: Does anyone want to talk about Think Twice?
- Bastian: We had the Think Twice 4 conference in August.
- https://tt22.thinktwice.today/
- Alexander: (He will speak about it later).
- Mike: I wanted to say that I will soon call a third meeting about the statutes. The statutes are very much prepared. We have a first draft. It will be decided what is necessary and not. Whoever would like to join that, let me know, everyone will be invited. Not everyone is on the PP leaders list.
- Keith: We just today registered delegates for NYC UN. We're also registering delegates for Vienna and Geneva. Anyone can be our delegate. If you want to be involved in this, get in touch; we have all kinds of passes available.
- Bailey: That is it for the board report. We are still doing social events and standing committees. We should be doing more, but these events are still happening. That concludes the board report.
The board report text: Since the last General Assembly in July 2022, the PPI Board has been focusing mainly on sorting out several internal, bureaucratic issues that had previously been (unintentionally) neglected or newly realized. For example, we elected Manuel Caicedo as our new treasurer after the previous GA, who has been working closely with our former treasurer, Bastian to get familiar with the PPI finances like the bank account, paypal, our crypto account as well as things like preparing invoices for membership fees and a budget for the new term. The Think Twice conference took place. We have a new PPI mailing address in Potsdam so it is being monitored more closely...although the discussion around officially moving the headquarters from Switzerland is ongoing. As per the request from the membership at previous GAs, PPI board members have begun working on a new set of statutes, which Mike has been in charge of. Hopefully in the new term this can be opened up to the members and perhaps next GA there can be a vote. We encourage everybody to get involved with this.
Regarding our UN activities, this year we will be sending delegates for all 3 ECOSOC centers (NY, Geneva, and Vienna). Due to COVID restrictions we were not able to send many delegates over the past couple years. There are still a few annual passes available, and we also have temporary passes that are good for up to 3 months, in addition to daily passes that can be requested. We request assistance from PPI Members to attend those events. We also update that the quadrennial report that we submitted as required in 2021 was approved, meaning that we maintain our membership for 4 more years!
Treasurer
- Treasurer's Report: https://drive.proton.me/urls/YQ7Y30Q5JR#IYsTYwwwOelZ
Manuel: Thank you, Bailey. In accordance with the statutes the board appoints the treasurer from among its members. In July 2022 the board elected me. I've been taking care of the money since. All our accounts' statements are constantly refreshed on our wiki. We have 6027 swiss franks in out main account, 900 swiss franks in our PayPal account.
- Every member received an invoice. I received few responses. I have a budget that I present here. I have had no contact with the lay auditors and no sign of activity. Personally, I am not intending to keep the post of treasurer after the remake of the board.
- Keith: Can you confirm that you sent the budget to the lay auditors? Also my party and possibly other parties didn't receive the invoices.
- Manuel: No, I haven't sent it to the lay auditors. I can do it right away.
- Keith: There is an email for the lay auditors, and this is layauditors@pp-international.net
- Manuel: I sent an email from my personal account, but I also received an announcement that these went to spam.
- Bailey: There will be a later discussion about the budget, and the budget will be published later in this meeting.
Keynote Speech
- Mike: I will introduce Ivan. His name is Ivan Bartos. He is the long time chairperson of the PPCZ. Since 2017 he has been a long term member of parliament, and now he is the deputy chairman for digitalization and also development.
- Ivan : Thank you for the short introduction.
: When I roll through the delegates I see people I've known all those 13 years ago. I don't want to be super formal. It is my honour to be asked to give a keynote speech at this event. Honestly, back in 2010, when PPI was founded, half of the Pirate Parties here didn’t exist yet and the other half still wore diapers. Now my son wears diapers and back then I didn’t have one. Back then it was also very hard to find some public figures to speak at our events.
Over those 13 years of PPI’s existence, we’ve come a long way. Pirates are now represented at town halls in many countries, in multiple national parliaments, there is a steady and ever-growing Pirate presence in the European Parliament and in case of my country, we also managed to pass the last hurdle, making it into the national government. I'm responsible among others for the crucial field of digitalisation and we already managed to successfully survive the first year.
The gear of politics has been really shifted in this century. One f the iportant parts in the Czech Republic was the chance to head the EU. Many important topics were discussed, such as the AI Act. The position of the state was already prepared but I did my best to push for the things important for our movement. Some Pirates are advisors to European politicians too. We discussed ammendments to the AI Act, preserving privacy of the citizens and the internet. Maybe one thing for me, when Czechs lead the council, horizontal principles of many activities of the EU. Citizens are the centre of things being done. Citizens being protected is largely now the main point of the EU.
There are many pieces of legislation though that are completely contrary to this, such as the personal privacy being thrown outta window the minute it is said we need to do that to protect the children. Automatic filters of all private communication is bad. Marcel Kolaja is raising the opposition to chat control in the European Parliament.
I really appreciate everyone who is involved in the Pirate international structures. Even after 13 years, we still have problem with the membership base. International cooperation is cool and could bring more people to be interested in the Pirate movement. So thanks, guys, for your work, even though my work here is only occasional, though I was involved more in the past.
Good luck to all of you running for office today; you’ll also need a lot of perseverance to succeed in your new offices. Keeping a volunteer-based organisation alive is never easy and we need to face the challenges of the 21st century. Sorry for being a bit long. As I can experience how the things are being run from the top executive level, I still believe that we do things that are right. So thanks for giving me chance to talk to you and keep up the good work.
- Bailey: Thanks for being here and talking to us. In general, hearing from a success story is always great. Back in 2018 in Munich Markéta gave us an in-depth presentation about the Czech Pirates' history and it was really cool to hear your experience now. Thanks for talking to us.
- Ivan: Maybe two things I've learned: Sometimes if you are growing you feel like the world depends on what you do and you have to take responsibility for the society. Like if we leave the government, it all falls apart. It's necessary to keep your inner reason why you do this. It's not our role to be responsible for the entire society. We worry a lot which makes us to feel weaker. Rick Falkvinge says: Don't take yourselves too seriously.
I somehow feel like we're Pirates but if you're elected and have to find compromises, I feel like a privateer. Focusing on the job but fighting under someone's flag (the prime minister from a different party). You can still be a Pirate but you can do everything anyway, except for shooting at his ship. We can't take ourselves too seriously. We just have to be focused on what we'd like to change.
- Bailey: I like your point about not taking yourself too seriously. I think this is a very important point. We have to be tough on the issues but soft on the issues. At the end of the day we are pirates and that is what matters.
- Ivan: Are there any last questions? Keep up the good work. Don't take yourself so seriously, and be pirates. Thank you for having me and letting me give this keynote.
Court of Arbitration
- No report
- Vojtěch Pikal PP-CZ
- Marco Confalonieri PP-IT
- Ohad Shem Tov PP-IL
- Markus Barenhoff PP-DE
- Rudolf Molnar PP-SK (new Party)
- Michal Pírek PP-SK (old Party)
Lay Auditors
- Alessandro Ciofini (PP-IT)
- Noam Kuzar (PP-IL)
- Enrique Herrera (PP-CL)
- Noam: I've gone over the report and 2023 budget and I approve them. The budget seems to be within the PPI's means. I also volunteer to remain as a lay auditor for the coming year.
- Manuel: Apologies for not making more of an effort to get in touch with the lay auditors. We tried to establish e-mail addresses for the lay auditors and it didn't work. We need to have personal emails for the today elected lay auditors.
- Mike: Indicates that he will be away for a few hours and Keith will take over on the minutes. Everyone keep an eye on the minutes.
- Bailey: For the CoA, the last that I heard was Vojtech and Marco. The last thing that they said was that they were going to be in contact with each other and start their work. There was a CoA complaint that was sent in. The party that sent it in is no longer a PPI member. We have not heard anything from the COA since then. For now we don't have a report from the CoA. I think it is safe for now to say that they do not have a report, but it is not my place to say anything. If any of them show up later, we will encourage them to make a report and get it out there on Wiki and elsewhere.
- Veronika: I see that Vojtech from PPCZ is one of the members. He is active on our networks, so I will try to ask him if he has anything to report later for the notes.
- Bailey: Let's take a short break, about 15 minutes. We will resume at a quarter to.
11:45 UTC
- Bailey: Let's get started again. We will do a quick roll call.
Pirate Party of Belgium - no Pirate Party of Brazil - yes Pirate Party of Catalonia - yes Pirate Party of Chile - yes Czech Pirate Party - yes Estonian Pirate Party - no Pirate Party of France - yes Pirate Party Germany - yes Pirate Party of Greece - no Pirate Party of Hungary - no Pirate Party of Israel - yes Pirate Party of Italy - no Pirate Party Luxembourg - no Pirate Party of Netherlands - no Pirate Party of New Zealand (1/2 vote; vote shared with IP New Zealand) - no Internet Party New Zealand (1/2 vote; vote shared with PP New Zealand) - no Pirate Party of Norway - no Polish Pirate Party - no Pirate Party of Portugal - no Pirate Party of Russia - yes Pirate Party of Serbia - no Pirate Party of Slovakia (1/2 vote; vote shared with the other Slovakia) - no Pirate Party - Slovakia (1/2 vote; vote shared with the other Slovakia) - no Pirate Party Switzerland - yes Pirate Party of Tunisia - no Pirate Party of Turkey (1/2 vote; vote shared with new Pirate Party Turkey) - no Pirate Party Turkey (1/2 vote; vote shared with old Pirate Party of Turkey) - no Ukrainian Pirate Community - no United States Pirate Party - yes Pirate Party of Venezuela - no
- Bailey: We have a quorum with 10 votes present. We have guests who wanted to speak from PP Australia.
- Miles: Could I have the option to defer for about half an hour?
- Bailey: PP Australia will talk with us in a bit more time. Let's go into the budget proposal. I pass it over to Manuel who has prepared a budget proposal for 2023, and then we will take a vote on it.
Budget Proposal
Budget Proposal: https://nextcloud.ppi.rocks/s/XTkj2t8kj8SsZi3
- Manuel: Thank you. First, I have pasted a link that shows the current proposal for the votes to have access to. I will be open to any questions from the members about any doubts about the proposal. The proposal is based on the spending tendencies of the organization. It has a proposal of considering allocating money to frequent expenses that even if they are not very large, they are probable according to our logs that could happen this year. First and foremost is the technological infrastructure of the organization: the server and internet domains. These are provisioned as tech stuff, as done in previous years. I have also replicated expenses regarding our post box in Switzerland as well as fees from Post Finance for our main bank account in Switzerland. Those are fixed expenses. Regarding variable expenses, I am adding events for Think Twice, the Summer Camp, and the Pirate Security Conference. Our debts consist of payments for technological infrastructure from previous years, as well as internet domain costs. Regarding incomes, our affiliation fees, there are members that without having their contributions we could not continue with our operations. The affiliation fees are based on the members that participated in the prior GA. Normally we could collect more fees in a given year, but they would be dependent on members that have not shown activity since the last GA. So, assuming to collect fees, they would not be enough to handle our debts and expenses. This is why we need to request fees from 2022, which are labeled as urgent. The section remaining is the amount that would be collected with complete collaboration. In variable incomes, I wrote the incomes that have fluctuated and post the incomes from previous years.
The budget would end with a surplus of 2,553.61 euros. However, this assumes that the non-urgent affiliation fees would be collected. If they would not, then the budget would end with 33 euros.
- Joe: Do we have any means to do fundraisers. I would love to see bumper stickers. I would personally buy bumper stickers. That would be a great source of revenue for the pirate party. Are there any fundraisers, or do we have any ideas to "feed the machine".
- Bailey: I can speak on this a little bit. This is something that we have spoken about for a long term. We set up a shop for people to buy merch. This would be linked to all of the pirate stores around the world, so when you went to our page, you could find each country's page. The online store kind of got lost over the past year, but that is something that has been discussed. It is hopefully something that we can get rolling in the past year.
- Gregory: We have investigated a lot of platforms. The hinderence is not technical, but it is more technical in terms of how to pay taxes and conduct it in the proper year. We need more solid legal structure, and this has been opened up how to make a dependency in Germany. When we have a PPI shop established that can pay taxes and deal with VAT, we are ready to start selling. We received from Pat Maechler about 100 PPI designs that can be bought on the website of Pirates Without Borders.
- Joe: I'm not sure how your tax laws work, but in the US it goes by the consumer where they are. If the person is buying the shirt in Germany, then you pay the duty to Germany, and so on. This is my general assumption. I would support making it easier to support us and get the dollars floating in.
- Gregory: You are correct regarding the sales tax. The sales tax is paid where the customer is. In Europe if the entity that is selling in the same country, but if you buy something from Europe you don't have to pay the sales tax. It is not only about the sales tax, but also tax on profits. We need to return the tax report. Selling items is considered fully taxable, even if we are a non-profit. Our options are either to operate from Switzerland or Belgium. We have a bank account, but it is not listed in commercial registers. We are looking at it, but I am sure that we will be able to start it shortly.
- Emtoledo: In Brazil we are testing a local platform where we send a design and they produce the shirt or merchandise and send it directly to those who bought, freeing us from infrastructure for stock and shipping, they also take care of the fees. Maybe there are similar platforms in other countries?
- Joe: There are a plethora of options for sending items. What Gregory seemed to be talking about was not only the transparency but also legal issues, so any enemies do not knock our peg down. So, going about it cautiously is always advised.
Manuel: I would like to comment about the suggestion from the Brazilian delegate. I think that it would be helpful to deal with the stock, because then we would have to deal with this, and then we would have tax responsibilites. I think we can agree, or at least myself as a board member, that if we agree to a merchandise plan that does not contravene the tax laws for an organization. We will let you know so we can get feedback if that is what you would prefer.
- Carlos: We should do a campain to get some fund rising all linked to ppi account and that take in to account language and cand be adapted by all countries
Noam: If it can be a one-time campaign which donors get gifts is also an immediate possibility which may not incur taxes.
Carlos: yes because donations are legally free nearly everywhere
Bailey: I want to thank Manuel for taking the treasurer duties on, and he did a wonderful job. Thank you very much Manuel for all of your work.
| Motion | |
|---|---|
| |
 Yes : 10
| |
 No : 0
| |
 Abstain : 0
| |
|
Pirate Party of Brazil - yes Pirate Party of Catalonia - yes Pirate Party of Chile - yes Czech Pirate Party - yes Pirate Party of France - yes Pirate Party Germany - yes Pirate Party of Israel - yes Pirate Party of Russia -yes Pirate Party Switzerland -yes United States Pirate Party - yes
Address of Pirate Party of Australia
- Miles: I have a few brief words to say. The Pirate Party of Australia does not currently have status with PPI since about 2013. I think it is important for the Australian pirates to be involved in PPI, especially as we are the only Pirate party in Oceania and Eastern Asia that is running for elections. We have had two election campaigns this year, the federal election and a state election in Victoria. We have had candidates from teh Pirate Party as well as a party called Fusion. We have had a number of policy talks. We made submission to government on a variety of topics. Regarding PP Australia's stance to PPI, it has taken a back step to our campaigning and the formation of Fusion, I am confident that we can put more time to being involved in PPI and supporting the global movement. There are other Pirates that support. In true fashion they like the idea or don't care to tell me to stop. We work by consensus. We are interested in applying for observer status, and there is no obstacle for applying for observer or full membership. We still have to put it up to our members to apply for full membership, but in the next few weeks we will be discussing this. PPI isn't going anywhere and neither are we. Since we are only the Pirate presence in Oceania. We are the largest in Asia and Oceania, also to support the pirate presence across Asia and Oceania. One of the possibilities is that we reach out to those who are supportive. If there are any Asian, New Zealand, or Oceania pirates we are eager to support you as one of the major presences in the region. We have been sponsored to speak by Pirate Party of Israel. Thanks to Keith. Thanks to Michal and Bailey, who have reached out to us to speak to PPI. I'll be happy to take questions.
- NoamPPIL: I suggest opening a forum of active elections in the upcoming year, and possibly a "hotline" for helping eachother during elections, for example sending upport videos or having local media interested in international affairs.
- Miles: One of the issues we have with PPI is getting into the mailing lists. There may be some technical issues. The number one goal is having a communication forum, having open channels. That would be great. We have had some good dialogue with the US Pirates, it would not be exclusive to Asian or Oceania pirates, but anyone who wants to support.
- Manuel: I would like to ask Miles if he would let us know when their next congress would take place so we have the opportunity to observe.
- Miles: Our national congress is held in late June every year, approximately the same time of day as the GA, a 10 am on a Saturday local time. We are quite happy to invite participants formally through PPI or informally, to tune in. We have a long tradition of remote participation. That would be for the membership vote. The vote on observer status, would be to go to the national council on February 2nd. We have a standing invite for those who would want to participate in one of our executive meetings.
- Joe: I just want to say from the US that we're glad to see you here.
- Bailey: I want to echo that. Thank you very much for being here and speaking to us. It is really amazing to know that PP Australia is thinking about rejoining PPI. You have your own process for that, and it will happen when the time is right. That you are thinking about it, discussing it, and coming to the GA... thank you for that.
- Miles: Thank you and thanks to PPIL for the opportunity to speak.
- Gregory: We have received a motion from the Pirate Party of Ukraine, and we post it and will discuss it when we return from lunch.
- Break 12:30 to 13:30 UTC
Pirate Party of Belgium - no Pirate Party of Brazil - yes Pirate Party of Catalonia - no Pirate Party of Chile - yes Czech Pirate Party - yes Estonian Pirate Party - no Pirate Party of France - yes Pirate Party Germany - yes Pirate Party of Greece - no Pirate Party of Hungary - no Pirate Party of Israel - yes Pirate Party of Italy - no Pirate Party Luxembourg - no Pirate Party of Netherlands - no Pirate Party of New Zealand (1/2 vote; vote shared with IP New Zealand) - no Internet Party New Zealand (1/2 vote; vote shared with PP New Zealand) - no Pirate Party of Norway - no Polish Pirate Party - no Pirate Party of Portugal - no Pirate Party of Russia - yes Pirate Party of Serbia - no Pirate Party of Slovakia (1/2 vote; vote shared with the other Slovakia) - no Pirate Party - Slovakia (1/2 vote; vote shared with the other Slovakia) - no Pirate Party Switzerland - yes Pirate Party of Tunisia - no Pirate Party of Turkey (1/2 vote; vote shared with new Pirate Party Turkey) - no Pirate Party Turkey (1/2 vote; vote shared with old Pirate Party of Turkey) - no Ukrainian Pirate Community - no United States Pirate Party - yes Pirate Party of Venezuela - no
quorum established
Statute Ammendments
- There is one statute change proposed by Bastian on Discourse: https://ga.pp-international.net/t/motion-proposal-statutes-change/378
- Bastian introduce the proposed statutes amendement
- Alexander - from my experience in Russia there might be some problems: For such an amendment I recommend that we are sure that all members of an association are notified of a general assembly. for the example of Russia, usually many members in Russia are not notified or given fake notifications. If they have something like this in statute amendments, a group takes over. I don't think that something will happen with our organization, but notification of proper notifications may be required in order to ensure that all agreements are correct. This is just a said case. I still believe that things that happen in Russia will likely not happen elsewhere.
- Bastian: We are about 9 people in the board alone, so we nearly cover the quorum. I think the board members are interested that if we don't have problems with the GA. We will never have a majority for calling the GA that fits the problem that you describe. I think we are safe with that. I think that the board will not be suppressed. I think it is very theoretical.
- Gregory: I hear your concerns. The process for the GA is outlined in section IX(7) about how people should be invited. The whole world can see this, so it is not possible to create a GA and not inform the members.
- Noam: I propose adding that such a quorum be decided on previous decided items only.
- Joe: I would like to speak about what my Russian counterpart mentioned. Notification is necessary. Calendar imports have been great for seeing when the next meetings, but I would have to make another calendar and there is another step involved. If we could make it that notifications are automatic, that would be great. The translation of our general website doesn't always come through. Some times I need assistance with translations. Moving forward, I will be able to attend more of these. Making sure I get notifications, and that all parties are reached out to in a timely manner.
- Bastian: The misuse is very theoretical. The statute amendments need to be published one month prior to the GA anyway, so there is not a need for a special rule for extraordinary GAs.
| Motion | |
|---|---|
| |
| Section IX. General Assembly shall be amended as follows:
A paragraph 5a shall be inserted: (5a) If the quorum is not reached, a new General Assembly shall be convened without delay, which shall always have a quorum. The number of those present and entitled to vote (whether remotely or in attendance) constitutes the quorum for the calculation of voting majorities. | |
| Yes : 9
| |
| No : 0
| |
| Abstain : 1
| |
|
- Pirate Party of Brazil - yes
- Pirate Party of Catalonia - yes
- Pirate Party of Chile - yes
- Czech Pirate Party - yes
- Pirate Party of France - yes
- Pirate Party Germany - yes
- Pirate Party of Israel - yes
- Pirate Party of Russia -yes
- Pirate Party Switzerland - abstain
- United States Pirate Party - yes
Elections of PPI officers
This year we are electing:
- 1 Chairperson
- 4 Board members
- 1 Alternate board member
- 3 Lay auditors
- 6 Court of Arbitration members
- There is only one list of candidates proposed on Discourse by the Czech Pirates. Any other submissions are still welcome: https://ga.pp-international.net/t/nominations-for-ppi-officers/375/2
- Bailey: You can nominate someone until the last minute.
1 Chairperson
- Candidates:
- Farlistener (Cédric Levieux) (PP-FR)
- Florie (Florie Marie) (PP-FR)
- Bailey Lamon (PP-CA)
- Michal Gill (PP-CZ)
- Gregory: Since Bailey is running in the election, perhaps I should take over as the chair. I will close the candidates list since no one has provided an additional candidate. I see Cedric is at the microphone, the floor is your's.
- Florie: (He is unable to speak at the moment, but he has an issue with the microphone. He hears but he cannot talk).
- Gregory: If he will be unable to fix it in the next few minutes, I will ask you to speak since you are a candidate.
- Florie: My name is Florie. I am a spokesperson from the French party. I have been a member for 5 years, since 2017. I am the author of the present statutes of the French Pirate Party. I volunteer to be the chair of the international Pirate party if Bailey is not a volunteer, I will be a volunteer, but if Bailey is a volunteer I resign my candidacy. I want to make the Pirate party great again. If you want to communicate with me, I leave my channel open. I think we can have some evolutions. I have some IDs. I want to discuss with the new board before this proposition. Thank you. My first name is Florie. My last name is Marie.
- Gregory: Thank you for the introduction. Are there any questions?
- Cedric: Some people know me because I was a former member of the PPI board. I am also an election member of the PPEU board, and a member of French PP since it existed and a member of the technical team for 8 years, so I know all of the tech issues in France. I am concerned about tech issues in all of the pirate parties. This is one of my main goals. As a PPI member, I have some concerns about organization. It might be the same as Florie. We want to change some things. As Florie, we were very concerned that there is no other proposition. We were surprised to see that Bailey was nominated, but we asked ourselves what to do. If Bailey really wants to be the chair one more time, but if she doesn't want that. I want to be the chair to change the organization from the floor, to be more democratic, to be more in the communication, to deliver the information more easily. All of the information that I've heard about online GA and all, it is what we have heard for years and we don't try to resolve this. This is why I propose myself, and I'm here for any questions.
- Bailey: First of all, I would like to thank sincerely the Pirate Party of Germany for nominating me for chair again. I appreciate it more than you know. This may come as a shock to some of you, and I have been your chair since 2019, and I have been a member since before that. I've had my share of challenges, as PPI has had its challenges. I lost both my parents, and I have been dealing with a lot of grief and stress. I don't think I have been a great chair, I've done my best. I truly think that the best thing for PPI is to have someone else steer things for a while. Sometimes good leadership is knowing when to step down. I didn't say anything sooner. I apologize if this is shocking to anyone. I would like to thank the PPI board. I am doing this for my own health and healing.
- Alexander: May I recommend, nominate, Gregory Engels and Mike Gill, for the position.
- Gregory: This comes to me as a surprise. I have not prepared a speech or a presentation. I have been with PPI since the very beginning. Even before that, since 2009 I have been helping with the process of founding PPI. I do consider the international pirate community as a very important part of my life. I have been focused on studying, focusing on university, an international masters on association management. I just finished my thesis on the use of DAOs in international associations. I have a lot of ideas on how we can use DAOs to develop our organization. I think PPI has come a long way. We have a lot of organizational issues, such as the shop not running, problems with international mail, it is a lot slower than we would like to do it. We have been to the IGF and Eurodig. Our voice is being noticed. People refer to us and ask us for comments. This year I submitted a proposal to Rightscon, and I see that the movement is changing. I was focused on supporting Bailey for the past couple years. If you would like to have me again as a chairperson, I would like to continue working with all of you, and I would like to continue having Bailey in a consulting role, improving our membership involvement, and not just on a technical level, but also getting people to know each other better, and not to just be a bureaucratic member. This is something that is exciting, and I thank very much the nomination, and I am open to questions.
- Cedric: We spoke for one month to close. We close the nomination. Bailey as a chair, you were removed, because you were one of the nominated person. Since you withdraw, it is your right, each country needs to know. Normally with PPFR we need to know from you, which is why we didn't support you even if we wanted to. We didn't try to push at one time. This is why we have two people from France saying that we are ready to chair PPI. At the last second, someone already in the board that says that yes I can. I see this move as a trap. All the time we speak about this time to propose things, when it is not in the rice kettle (right schedule?) for some people, they can do what they want. I am not pleased this kind of move in the PPI. We nominate. Someone has nominated one person, and we can't stop the nomination. Yes people can withdraw, and we can play this game all day long if you want. It is not acceptable in this way. It is not a good way to do something.
- Gregory: In case that is a question for me. You are wondering how that could happen. I and the Pirate Party of Germany were not aware that Bailey was not available. The nominations from PPDE were made this morning. It was made only tonight and then submitted to the forum. We have a difficult process. The chairwoman of Pirate Party of Germany made the nominee. The Pirate Party of Switzerland previously asked to reopen the nominations, together with PP Russia. Our statutes allow the nomination of candidates until the election is over. This is different from PP of Europe where nominations must be made a month in advance. I think it is fair considering the circumstances, where Bailey is no longer available, I think it is fair. If this was a personal question to me, then I must have missed it.
- Joe: Bailey I want to thank you for all of the work that you have done. I am sorry for any tribulations and any drama, and I am sorry that it happened.
- Bailey: I never had any drama with the US Pirate Party. Canada has been a mess. I have no issues with the US Pirates. You have been great.
- Joe: I have a question, what is your one year goal, and what is your long term goal for the Pirate Party.
- Gregory: For the Pirate Party International. I think we need a physical meeting once a year. I want the statutes to be reformed processed, so we can vote on them. I know Michal has done a lot of prepatory work. We have done the online shop, and we need that to collect donations. I would also love to see decentralized autonomous program projects running. Since I know a lot of things about it, and we have enthusiasts on the board such as Keith, I would love to see this happen. Back in 2012 I wrote a strategy paper, some things are still on there that I would like to see... I would also think that we made a needs assessment a couple years ago and repeated that. This needs assessment has how our members told what they need from PPI and how to change that. For the long term plan I would love to see us mature as an organization, in order to hire staff at some point. We need a legal structure that supports that. We need a structure for volunteers, with a bureau. We need this for our members and a different budget, a different income. This is something that we are not ready to do this year. Perhaps in 3 years time.
- Manuel: As Gregory said, one could agree that the current rules of proceedure, the deadline for nominating officers are not the best, since the candidates are nominated at the last moment. However, one could argue that the logistic and infrastructure problems, messages are not reaching members at the right time. This is giving us flexibility to have a minimum number of candidates for the right position. For example, we don't have enough candidates to fill the CoA. There has been a debate about the participation of members and their whereabout in PPI in general. We could support a motion for modifying the rules of proceedure. Strictly speaking, and I looked at the statutes, the so-called moves that our French delegates mentioned regarding Michal and Gregory for chair, are not contrary to our laws and proceedures. They should go ahead. I give credit to those who gave their speeches earlier. Personally, I would ask the French delegates not to consider this process rigged.
- Florian: First, I'll be balanced on what Manuel just said. The French delegation is more than able to speak its own mind. The simple rule of a lack of rules is a simple fact. We can debate whether it is good or not. The question that I wanted to ask Gregory was about his view on how he can push things forward in the chairperson role as opposed to in the vice chairperson role. How do you feel accepting such a nomination on the spark of an instant.
- Gregory: Thank you for the question. I answer the second one first. I feel very surprised and honored. At least 2 parties gave my name. I was not expecting that. I am also excited and afraid that it will lead to some type of resentment from some members who... do not think that is the way to conduct business. The rules are the way they are. I remember at the founding GA in Brussels we had discussed several methods, and they have been voted down. People did not want deadlines then. It was a long time ago. From the position of chair as opposed to vice chair, the vice chair is more consultative, the position of chair is more publically interfaced. Addressing the members, I never brought any emails to the members, but I let Bailey, Mike, Keith, do that. In the position of the chair, it is more connected to communications, to the outside world and to the members. It is a task to build on the social capital that we have, to raise the engagement of the present members... it is more about internal proceedures... making sure everything is tied together. It is a different role. I am happy in whatever position PPI members would like to see me. In case you think I should remain vice chair, I am happy with that. I still have a year remaining, but if the members think that my skills would be better used as vice chair I am open to that.
- Florian: I am totally on par with you on your experience and what you can give to the organization. In my view I think you can give a lot to the organization with regards to internal proceedures. I think you would be invaluable in this manner.
- Cedric: I refer to Manuel, as this. To put aside our grief and so on. It is possible, and it is not in the rules and so on. On the other hand, Gregory said that there is no problem. We have two people in the board saying two opposite things. Who do I trust, the one that says that I am right, or the other person. It is upsetting to see that the person who is chairing becomes the candidate, and how not to be surprised, and sorry if it is not for me to speak, and... he's surprised. Yes, it is very difficult to put this grief aside, because I was a former member of the board, and everytime you want to do something besides the statutes, you have Gregory saying that the statutes are there and you cannot do what you want . The rules can be bent from time to time, and it is always to the benefit of Gregory. We need to understand that, even if you don't want to hear that. Right now we are assisting to a robbery. We need to recognize that. Every country has a time to nominate people. They have the time to nominate several people. We have many people, Florie, me. This is a surprise that Bailey is tired for 6 years, because you don't search how she feeled, and no this is a surprise. This is a surprise that she didn't want to go to another term. I am not surprised that Bailey withdrew. I want you to know. At every moment you were in control of this decision.
- Gregory: I am surprised. I knew how Bailey felt.. and the many challenges. We had many one on one calls. These slipped. I have been very busy writing and finishing my masters thesis. I might say that we had a very productive partnership. From my point of view, I am very sad that Bailey is no longer available. I would love to see Bailey doing this for the next several years. I would be here as a candidate, and I would not have stepped in and tried to chair the election part. We had discussed in the last board meeting that I should step in and chair the elections, because I am not a candidate, so I am totally unprepared. I am prepared in that I know what I want to do, and PPI have been involved for a long time.
- Florie: I think the first person for saying that she had your help is Bailey. If we ask Bailey maybe she will answer to us, I think. I'm not prepared for chairing the PPI, because I wasn't the PPI vice chair for several years. I take it as an attack. We are volunteers. I think we have the experiment from the new. We want to change things in the PPI. We want to change things in the PPEU. We have worked with Gregory and other people I will not nominate here. We have worked with you Gregory, and I don't think it is easy. It is a lot of conflict, and I think it is needed for new people. And I think it is needed for changing the rules. If you open and close the nominations, then it is a problem. These problems will not disappear with you as the head of PPI. It wasn't a question. It is just a remark and doesn't need a response. I don't think you will be the greatest person in the world as the head of PPI. Make an organization that is not organized. It will be better to have you as a vice chair explaining as a new chair about how to use the statutes and work with the members. As a chair I don't think you will be the better one.
- Keith: Thank you Bailey. I want to ask if you are willing to serve on another board position still, and I want to ask all of the candidates about how much time you will have to commit to this position.
- Gregory: I finished writing my thesis, and I have more time. I am self employed and have a small hotel, so I am financially independent and don't need client work. At the moment I am able to dedicate 20 to 30 hours a week, which will not be sustainable in the long term. Usually I foresee about 10 hours a week, which I remember as my prior time as chair. I can spend as much time as needed.
- Cedric: I am in a stable situation right now, and it does not need to change for 4 years. I have remote situation for work, without transportation, so I have 10 to 20 hours a week, and a simple family situation without kids. I am mid-age, and if PPI would like to make some sort of automation, then in the long term process, in France for the long term things, we don't ask for titles. It is not for the position of title, it is only for the work. There is a lot of work to do. When you want to make some sort of evolution... you need to spend a lot of time. I am aware of how much time it takes for the board process. Don't worry for that. I am totally prepared. I have time to ask myself if I can and do have the time for that. I want to do things.
- Florie: As Cedrice, I don't have any family, and I have a stable situation. I used to work for a year and a half in an enterprise in the city I live. I move a lot of time before. My own apartment, a professional situation. I don't have any time giving for the pirate things and the political things. The French party is stable for many months, because we work. I am someone who is really organized. I used to organize the French pirates, having time for me, making all people work and not just one person. It is my goal to make other people work, share, and making the organization involved with everyone participating. I have time, and I want to give.
- Manuel: I wanted to apologize to Florian the French delegate. I didn't want to hijack the right to speak to the French party. I wasn't trying to coopt their right to speak.
- Bailey: My decision was not intended to cause more drama or complications. I didn't think it would be as much as a shock to everyone. I didn't think it would be this much of a surprise. I didn't intend for it to be such a surprise. Regarding Keith's comment, I am open to a board position. I'm not saying that I don't want to have any involvement in PPI. I just want to step back in a leadership position. I just wanted to make the right choice for me, and I think it is the right decision for PPI.
- Cedric: In all the discussion about your resigning.. You mentioned that you don't want to disappear, and everyone feels that they don't want you to disappear. Do you agree to be nominated only as a board staff, to be with us in the.. and not in the responsibilities.
- Bailey: I am open to a board position. If someone wants to nominate me, feel free to do so.
- Manuel: I indicate that the Russian delegation nominated me to speak, and they indicated that Mike Gill would also be nominated. Since he is not available, I think we should assume it as rejected.
- Veronika: I just called Mike. He just finished counting the votes and will be online in 3 minutes. Sorry he was in the election polls. If we can give him a couple minutes, he will decide whether to accept the nomination.
- Cedric: I totally agree we can wait for him at this stage.
- Mike: I just came in, who are the other options? Then Gregory has my support, and I withdraw (from the chairperson election only). I don't need any other work at the moment. Thank you to whoever nominated me.
| Motion | |
|---|---|
| |
Which candidates do you vote for for the PPI chairperson (multi-option)?
| |
| Yes : {{{Yes}}}
| |
| No : {{{No}}}
| |
| Abstain : {{{Abstain}}}
| |
|
- Cedric: We should allow the change of votes.
- Mike: We cannot just change votes after the fact. That is a discussion, not a vote.
- Vincent: We need to have another vote, and we can direct the conversation to the next vote.
- Joe: I didn't try to cause any drama by changing my vote. It seemed like an option.
- Gregory: It was said again that I'm not civilized. There's only an option to recount the vote. PPUS can announce how it's going to vote in the next round but they can't change a vote already cast.
- Mike: I ask for a ten minute recess so my delegation get decide on the next vote?
- Bailey: we will take a break until 15:30 UTC.
- Mike: Any chance to speak before the vote. I apologize for not being present earlier, and I am a bit mesmerized about the direction things took. I don't understand how everyone is considering about voting for the French candidates after years of the French being inactive in the PPI. And how they can go for the chair when they have been inactive. I don't have the balls of going for the chair after 4 years of being on the board. That is my question.
- Cedric: Yes, this is a real question and we ask ourselves the same question. How can we go to the board and the chair without saying lovely that we don't want to pay for not this mess, but how things are ruled in the PPI. In the past years we had Etienne, and I was a board member one year later, and we were after one year of service, astonished. Because there is no real organization to the PPI. It is what we said earlier in our presentation. We say that the PPI is lacking in organization. It is the same thing at all levels. Because we have some affairs, we change the treasurer. It is not because we don't care about PPI that we don't go about it. We are frustrated. We are sad how the PPI is ruled. We try to detach ourselves from the PPI. We had it on the table to quit the PPI. We were upset about the management of the PPI, and right now it is that we trust Bailey. We will support her if she wants to run. We want to change the PPI. We were not there in the past. You said I need to speak. Yes, there are some conflicts, and we must acknowledge, and there are some conflicts in the PPI. We heard that PPI is doing some shit. Their tools are literally shit. If you trust PPFR, PPI will be dismantled. There is a lot of discussing... we don't care about some parties having some great result. Some ballots are paid from the states. We need to pay our ballots ourselves. If you try to judge PPFR from this point of view, you are wrong. We are back from PPI in the past. We don't agree with this rule. Yes, you are right, we are back of the PPI. We want to quit, and we rule from that. There is no paradox in our position. It is one way or another, quitting or ruling. It seems that we need to rule to change, so why not.
- Mike: You can truly be a professional politician. Your art of putting something in someone's mouth that they didn't say is... Judging your party because it is something worse, because the conditions for a small party are worse. I never in my life spoke about the situation in France because I have no idea. What I said is that the French didn't have any involvement in the past 2 years, and now that they have because they don't have kids and lots of time. Yesterday we said at the Pirate beer that neither Bailey is perfect, no one is perfect. My experience of working with you and Etienne is that no one enjoyed working with you when you were on the board. My opinion is that... I am thinking of not running for the board if you are elected. I remember from my participation in the board when you were on the board, and it sucked.
- Florian: Please stop...
- Cedric: Someone is running this show. We are all shocked that the nomination came from nowhere... I really need to answer...
- Bailey: Everyone take a breath. I think we are just going to proceed.
- Cedric: We can't. There are allegations that nobody can work for me.
- Mike: I said that I can't.
- Cedric: You are saying that you want to withdraw if such people are elected.
- Mike: I said that I am considering it.
- Cedric: Yes, it is not nice working with Cedric, because there are nasty people in PPI. You know normally what I am speaking about. You know what I am speaking about. Yes, in PPFR we stand against this position. Because we are in PPI, and because we don't like conflict. Because of that, we try not making waves. Because of that, people like Bastian is still in there. Because he is still there, I am still there. I will be very happy of not working with him in any instance. Yes, it is difficult to work with people who don't agree with you. When you have some problems you need to stand against them. I didn't say. you said that PPFR have some problems. You take all of the audience of the people who vote the next time. This is a running show. I am very upset about that. It is the same thing, years and years. You want to keep things as they were in the past. I propose as a French member to change this way. It is your choice. You don't have the right to say you didn't care. We didn't pay, because we didn't... we have the right to vote. We can't know who is part of PPI. We tried to alert this problem, and the thing you say is we don't care. We do care, and we want to change.
- Bailey: We have Carlos and Vincent, and then we need to vote.
- Mike: I want to speak as well.
- Bailey: OK, but then we need to vote
- Vincent: I'm a bit shocked about the procedure. It seems to be a discussion between two people, ignoring the speakers' list. I'm shocked about this debate culture.
- Mike: I waited my turn and only responded immediately when I was lied about. Cedric is a pathological liar, and he can take a sentence that I just said and turn it on its head. In my opinion Cedric is a liar and not someone I can work with on anything. If he was part of my party, we couldn't handle this sort of behavior.
second round
- Art.6a ROP
- 6 Election Method
- a) Before the voting, the number of elected positions should be decided, if Statutes require to do so.
- b) Every Ordinary Member may vote "yes" for any number of candidates.
- c) The candidates that has achieved a simple majority of the "yes" votes from Ordinary Members present or represented and voting on them(St X(1)) are elected in the order determined by number of "yes" votes accumulated. Abstentions are not taken into account. In event of a tie where order matters, deciding elections are held, where only one "yes" vote per Ordinary Member can be cast.
- d) If the decided number(Art. 6a(6a)) of positions is not filled, additional round of elections is held unless decided otherwise.
| Motion | |
|---|---|
| |
Which candidates do you vote for for the PPI chairperson ?
| |
| Yes : {{{Yes}}}
| |
| No : {{{No}}}
| |
| Abstain : {{{Abstain}}}
| |
|
- Florie: I'm speechless. It's a huge surprise and thank you very much. I can't make any promises. I'm gratefuly for the confidence. I'll prepare some statement for later.
4 Board Members and 1 Alternate Board Member
- Board member candidates
- Roscoe (Jérome North) PP-FR
- Emerodh (Florian Roussel) PP-FR
- Michal Gill (PP-CZ)
- Raman Ojha (PP-CZ)
- Zbyněk Mucha (PP-CZ)
- Julian Häffner (PP-DE)
- Sebastian Krone (PP-DE) (withdrawn)
- Maycow Toledo (PP-BR)
- Bailey Lemon (PP-CA)
- Manuel Caicedo (PP-CL) (withdrawn)
- Bailey: Our first board member candidate is Jerome from PPFR.
- Emerodh: Jerome is absent at the moment. He's currently treasurer of the PPFR and wants to donate his energy towards the PPI. I'm (Florian Roussel) also a candidate. I'm involved with the intl. cooperation, supervise the treasury and would like to donate my skills, maybe run the treasury. I'm looking forward to learning from you, guys. I'm also very aligned with Florie's view of the PPI.
- Mike: I am currently the international coordinator for the Czech pirates. I am also working in the city hall. I served as treasurer, not very well, and I am the general secretary, which is a position that I would like to end, because it takes a lot more time than i would like to take. I would be glad to serve on the board again.
- Bailey: We're electing four board positions. Gregory should take over as chair, since I am running for board.
- Mike: Since Bastian is running as a board member and he is an alternate, then we would have an open alternate position, and I think we should then elect the next alternate if he is elected for 2 years. Just a proposal if it happens.
- Gregory: We can deal with that if it happens.
- Raman: Hi, I'm Raman, I'm 20yo, I live in the Netherlands studying the law. I've been engaged in the foreign and European dept. of the PPCZ since 2021. I'm a coordinator for digital human rights for the program for the common PPEU program for the next election. I'd like to do all I can to make sure we succeed in the global community. Unfortunately I've only joined the PPCZ during COVID, so I don't have much physical experience with you. We need to include more the Young Pirates of Europe to establish further the communication. I'd like to contribute to the potential rewriting of the statutes, as we've seen today the current one tend to create frition between people. We need to get over internal challenges and I'd like to help create unity. I thank to the PPCZ for my nomination.
- Zbyněk: Hi. My name is Zbyněk, I'm a vice chair of a local organisation and member of a group dealing with Europe and defence. I'm running because PPI is important to furthering the Pirate movement. I'd like to sta as a candidate for the board and if not elected, then remain a candidate for other positions.
- Anne: Julian is a member of PPDE, fresh 19yo, studying teaching English, history and economics. Deputy chairmen of the PPDE Mittle Franken. He's experienced, learning to teach and he wrote about the Pirate Parties and is running for the board to gain intl. experience and bring in some fresh new ideas. I can try to answer questions if you have some.
- Sebastian: I will make it easy I withdraw my candidacy. I can do without the rude treatment of being insulted by other candidates. BASTIAN WITHDRAWS
- Mtoledo: I have been a member of the Brazilian pirate party for over ten years, where I have served as communications coordinator, treasurer and chairperson. I currently cooperate with other international organizations and now I am chairperson of the Aaron Swartz Institute, which was born as a legacy of the Brazilian Pirate Party and I invite everyone to get to know it.so I believe I can contribute to the board.
- Bailey: I think we all know each other at this point. I'm from London, Ontario, Canada. I was involved in PPCA while it existed. I used to be a vice-chair and then chair of the PPI. I now stepped away from the leadership and would like to help in any way I can. I work at a women shelter and been an activist my entire adult life. I'm passionate about the Pirate movement and would love to stay on as a board member.
- Manuel: First of all I wanted for the confidence of the PPDE for nominating me to the board. I appreciate that very much, however I believe that both personal, geographical circumstances, I believe I can't fulfill duties on the board for the next period. I'm still in the university and I have little time for the extracurriculars. Running the treasury for half a year, I realised that being the intermediary between the European "holder of the keys" to the treasury isn't either optimal or a solution for our organization problems. Also the interaction between members of some parties here make me feel like an outsider. So I'm unable to fulfill the duties and I reject the nomination by the PPDE, though thankful for it. Personally Julian has my confidence and would urge them to vote for the nominee of PPDE.
- Gregory: ROP says only yes votes count and everyone can vote for as many as they want, but candidates have to have more than half of the support of all voting parties. In case of a tie we have a second round. There are no "no" votes.
- Gregory during the course of the voting we received a message from Pirate Party of Ukraine to transfer their vote to me. "Pirate Party Ukraine is regretting not be able to participate in person and would like to delegate the vote of PPUA to Gregory Engel
With best regards,Sergiy Yarygin.Head of the PPUA"
| Motion | |
|---|---|
| |
Which candidates do you vote for for the board (multi-option)?
Result
| |
| Yes : {{{Yes}}}
| |
| No : {{{No}}}
| |
| Abstain : {{{Abstain}}}
| |
|
- Alternate Board Members candidates
- Raman Ojha (PP-CZ)
- Zbyněk Mucha (PP-CZ)
- Carlos Polo (PP-CH)
- Mia Utz (PP-DE)
- Carlos:
- Carlos Polo, living in Nyon 30 mins. fron Geneva, i have been PPI main represntative in Geneva since 2017, doing my job to introduce PPI at UN level, we have presented on a big number of events in 2022 as PPI web page was updated.
- All done as a volunteer, as I'm a father of two and run a job at 100% in IT. (from Mumble Chat)
- Mia: (as read by Gregory): I am Mia Utz from PPDE. Member since 2011, Working for the founding process of PPEU since 2012. I am one of the 2 awareness pirates in PPDE and I am member of the Berlin Board of PPDE/Piratenpartei Berlin. I would like to be more involved in PPI. I working as a film translator and voice over author. My filmography contains almost 40 thousand works. My language from and into : English, French, Chinese. The last one more into than from 😂 Must say, that I had been member of the PPEU Board. Made a pause/ my choice. And want to be candidate again....Thank you! Marianne Utz
| Motion | |
|---|---|
| |
Which candidates do you vote for for the alternate board (multi-option)?
Result:
| |
| Yes : {{{Yes}}}
| |
| No : {{{No}}}
| |
| Abstain : {{{Abstain}}}
| |
|
Stroll poll: finish today or continue on Sunday?
Decision: We contine today.
Vote to decide on the order of alternates; we have a tie between Raman and Carlos.
Catalonia delegates its vote to France.
| Motion | |
|---|---|
| |
we have a tie between Raman and Carlos
| |
| Yes : {{{Yes}}}
| |
| No : {{{No}}}
| |
| Abstain : {{{Abstain}}}
| |
|
6 Court of Arbitration Members
- Candidates:
- Michal Gill (PP-CZ) (withdrawing due to being elected to the board)
- Zbyněk Mucha (PP-CZ)
- Enrique Herrera Noya (PP-CL)
- Manuel Caicedo (PP-CL)
- Raman Ohja (PP-CZ) (withdrawing due to being elected as alternate board member)
- Vincent Douroux (PP-FR)
- Cédric Levieux (PP-FR)
- Joseph Onoroski (PP-US)
- Manuel: We accept that Raman couldn't accept our nomination due to conflict with the Czech primaries.
- Florian: I would like to nominate Cedric and Vincent Douroux for the CoA.
- Keith: We previously only allowed four alternates and approved a proposal that we have unlimited number of alternate board members. It's not entirely clear how that works. So people from the last GA are first in line, people from the current one are next.
The following is the statute change that removed the number of alternates: https://wiki.pp-international.net/wiki/index.php?title=PPI_Minutes_2020_05_30#Alternate_Board_Member_Replacement_(If_necessary)
"Proposal 5a
(7) There shall be four Alternate Members of the Board. If one seat of the Board becomes vacant, one of the Alternate Members shall follow-up according to an ordered list. The position of the Alternate Members on the list shall be determined by approval voting. If Alternate Member follows-up to a position, they do so for the remainder of the term of the position."
"Vote on proposal 5ACZ Proposal 5: Art. XII. Board of the Statutes (7) to (7) There shall be Alternate Members of the Board. If one seat of the Board becomes vacant, one of the Alternate Members shall follow-up according to an ordered list. The position of the Alternate Members on the list shall be determined by approval voting. If Alternate Member follows-up to a position, they do so for the remainder of the term of the position.
- Yes : 10
- No : 2
- Abstain : 0
- Gregory: Zbyněk, what would you like to do?
- Zbyněk: I would like to resign as an alternate board member if elected for the CoA.
- Gregory: That will happen automatically.
| Motion | |
|---|---|
| |
Which candidates do you vote for CoA
| |
| Yes : {{{Yes}}}
| |
| No : {{{No}}}
| |
| Abstain : {{{Abstain}}}
| |
|
- Gregory: Do the candidates accept?
- Everyone accepts.
3 Lay Auditors
- Candidates:
- Zbyněk Mucha (PP-CZ)
- Wolf Vincent Lübcke (PP-DE/PP-LU)
- Noam Kuzar (PP-IL)
- Florian Roussel (PP-FR)
- Oscar Fernández (PP-CL)
- Wolf Vincent: I'm the treasuer of the Lower Saxony Pirates; member of the board of PPDE formerly. Open to questions.
- Keith on behalf of Noam: He is a leader of multi-million dollar NPO and -savy at finances. He has also served as chair of PPIL.
- Florian, I am basically the treasurer for the French Pirate Party. I also like auditing.
- Manuel on behalf of Oscar: He's the treasurer of PPCL; previously national secretary of PPCL. He has been involved for the past three or four years in the leadership of the party.
| Motion | |
|---|---|
| |
: Pirate Party of Brazil - Oscar
| |
| Yes : {{{Yes}}}
| |
| No : {{{No}}}
| |
| Abstain : {{{Abstain}}}
| |
|
Motions
Topic: Support for Z-Library owners arrested in Argentina over US request
- Proposed by cwiz on Discourse in November. Is here anyone willing to speak on behalf of this motion?
- Gregory: This motion was proposed by a Russian Pirate. Is it an official PPRU motion or is there another party that would like to adopt this motion? (PPRU is sponsoring it, but notes that the motion is not worded well atm)
text: Two individuals arrested in Argentina for running a Pirate project Z-Library. They are now detained in Cordoba and facing an extradition to US. Z-Library mission is to collect all human knowledge, despite of copyright. Here’s some additional info how to access Z-Library: https://annas-blog.org/blog-introducing.html
Can we provide them support and to condemn the extradition to the United States ?
- Bastian: I think the German Pirates could adopt this motion and fix it a bit.
- Gregory: Is anyone willing to rephrase the motion?
- Manuel: First, Chillean delegation supports the motion. The notion that someone would be extradited from Europe to China, the notion that a country is going to the other side of the globe to catch someone abusing those laws, that is not the purpose of copyright protection.
If there is something all Pirates can agree on is the humanisation of the copright system. But we wanted to ask if the only question is the
- Joe: There were some money laundering charges too but it might be just a ploy to get them extradited easily. I would be interested what the other charges are.
- Gregory: The Z-Library is an advertisement free project. I can't imagine what money they could've laundered as they haven't touched any money.
Improved Motion (Sponsor PP-DE) The PPI is strictly against extraditing the two people interned in Cordoba (Argentina) to the United States because of their involvement with the platform Z-Library.
Z-Library mission is to collect all human knowledge, despite of copyright.
- Joe: Copyright is a hindrance to innovation and we can use this as an opportunity to further our stance on copyright.
- Mike: The Czech delegation will abstain on this. We don't know nearly enough about the case based on this discussion and I can't support a motion condemning an act I know next to nothing about.
| Motion | |
|---|---|
| |
| PPI GA issue following statement: "The PPI is strictly against extraditing the two people interned in Cordoba (Argentina) to the United States because of their involvement with the platform Z-Library.
Z-Library mission is to collect all human knowledge, despite of copyright." | |
| Yes : 7
| |
| No : 0
| |
| Abstain : 4
| |
|
Pirate Party of Brazil - yes
Pirate Party of Catalonia - abstain
Pirate Party of Chile - yes
Czech Pirate Party - abstain
Pirate Party of France - yes
Pirate Party Germany - yes
Pirate Party of Israel - yes
Pirate Party of Russia - yes
Pirate Party Switzerland - abstain
United States Pirate Party - yes
Ukrainian Pirate Society - abstain
Topic: Support of Ukraine
- Proposed by PPUA this morning
- Gregory: PPI Have received a motion for the PPI GA from PPUA:
Dear Friends and Colleagues of PPI! The Pirate Party of Ukraine is calling the PPI GA to adopt the following resolution:
"Due to the military actions of the Russian and Belarusian regimes against the democratic state of Ukraine and its citizens, PPI expresses with this open letter its full support, sympathy and solidarity with our friends, colleagues, and the people of Ukraine. Cooperation, dialogue, tolerance, mutual support, and democracy are firmly believed in within our community of pirates. We condemn the brutal invasion of Ukraine, the killing of its citizens, and the imprisonment of protestors in Russia and Belarus. As a global community committed to fully developing human freedoms, we stand for human rights, freedom, and democracy and call on all parties concerned to do the same. We offer all possible assistance in this situation to the Ukrainian pirates, as well as to all people of Ukraine who are suffering from war and fighting for freedom. Our thoughts are also with our colleagues in Russia and Belarus, who are forced to watch but are powerless to help in the face of government-initiated aggression against their and our principles. We are free people, but the current situation affects all of us, both citizens of Europe and members of the PPI family. Sadly, we have to admit that the current situation does not allow us to continue our activities in cooperation with Russia and Belarus at the national representative level. PPI will no longer organize events in Russia or Belarus, and PPI board members will not accept invitations to speak or participate in events in these countries. As a democratic organization, PPI understands that Russian/Belarusian aggression causes collateral damage to all people of goodwill worldwide. Therefore, PPI will not hinder individual assistance to Russian and Belarusian colleagues in accessing critical information or freely sharing knowledge. We trust that our friends and colleagues in Russia and Belarus who condemn this war will understand and support PPI’s approach. With this statement and our actions, we show solidarity with friends, colleagues, and families affected by this terrible humanitarian tragedy. We join others in calling for an end to this war and respect for democracy and international humanitarian law."
- alexander: As PPRU I suggest to modify for adding “official government” to representatives and events. PPRU organises and participate in anti war and freedom events.
- Mike : I agree with Alexander, we should not limit the possibility of opposition in Russia to work, they already have enough difficulties.
- Manuel: I would like to ask to change the wording against PPI organising events within Russia. Putin's regime is attacking Ukraine but we know the civil society isn't standing behind him as a whole. These people are not Putin's proxies and we should not treat them as such. When the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Ukranian, Belarussian and Russian individuals some Ukrainian supporters wanted them to reject the prize as a sign of denying the invaders the prize. That is not the mindset we should adhere to. We wholeheartedly support this motion, with the exception of the boycott of non-gubermental events.
- Joe: Mike and Manuel said it well. We should be organising more events in these countries, not fewer. In showing solidarity with our Pirate family in these countries, we will organise more events in these countries.
- Mike: I would be fine with any text that the Russian Pirates are fine with. Let's not limit them any further than they already are.
Suggestion Russia: PPI board members will not accept invitations to speak or participate in events organized by governments in these countries.
The Pirate Party of Ukraine is calling the PPI GA to adopt the following resolution:
"Due to the military actions of the Russian and Belarusian regimes against the democratic state of Ukraine and its citizens, PPI expresses with this open letter its full support, sympathy and solidarity with our friends, colleagues, and the people of Ukraine.
Cooperation, dialogue, tolerance, mutual support, and democracy are firmly believed in within our community of pirates. We condemn the brutal invasion of Ukraine, the killing of its citizens, and the imprisonment of protestors in Russia and Belarus. As a global community committed to fully developing human freedoms, we stand for human rights, freedom, and democracy and call on all parties concerned to do the same.
We offer all possible assistance in this situation to the Ukrainian pirates, as well as to all people of Ukraine who are suffering from war and fighting for freedom. Our thoughts are also with our colleagues in Russia and Belarus, who are forced to watch but are powerless to help in the face of government-initiated aggression against their and our principles.
We are free people, but the current situation affects all of us, both citizens of Europe and members of the PPI family. Sadly, we have to admit that the current situation does not allow us to continue our activities in cooperation with Russia and Belarus at the national representative level. PPI will no longer organize events in Russia or Belarus, and PPI board members will not accept invitations to speak or participate in events organized by governments of these countries.
As a democratic organization, PPI understands that Russian/Belarusian aggression causes collateral damage to all people of goodwill worldwide. Therefore, PPI will not hinder individual assistance to Russian and Belarusian colleagues in accessing critical information or freely sharing knowledge. We trust that our friends and colleagues in Russia and Belarus who condemn this war will understand and support PPI’s approach.
With this statement and our actions, we show solidarity with friends, colleagues, and families affected by this terrible humanitarian tragedy. We join others in calling for an end to this war and respect for democracy and international humanitarian law."
- pr02: Maybe we can go a bit softer in order not to endanger our people.
- Gregory: Already calling the war "a war" twice in the text is a pretext enough for the Russian government. We can either take no stance at all or bring some small risk. And as Alex pointed out, Russia aready denounced the Russian agression.
- Mike: I don't see any point why this sentence is in the text: "PPI will no longer organize events in Russia or Belarus,..."
- Bastian: Russian Pirates are either in jail or well known to the regime.
- Mike: I would really love to hear what Alex thinks of that sentence.
- Alexander: I think I will organize eman event in name of PPRU, not in PPI.
| Motion | |
|---|---|
| |
| Do we support the motion as stated above in the last version? | |
| Yes : 10
| |
| No : 0
| |
| Abstain : 1
| |
|
- Pirate Party of Brazil - yes
- Pirate Party of Catalonia - yes
- Pirate Party of Chile - yes
- Czech Pirate Party - yes
- Pirate Party of France - yes
- Pirate Party Germany - yes
- Pirate Party of Israel - yes
- Pirate Party of Russia - yes
- Pirate Party Switzerland - abstain
- United States Pirate Party - yes
- Ukrainian Pirate Society - yes
The last version of the text:
"Due to the military actions of the Russian and Belarusian regimes against the democratic state of Ukraine and its citizens, PPI expresses with this open letter its full support, sympathy and solidarity with our friends, colleagues, and the people of Ukraine.
Cooperation, dialogue, tolerance, mutual support, and democracy are firmly believed in within our community of pirates. We condemn the brutal invasion of Ukraine, the killing of its citizens, and the imprisonment of protestors in Russia and Belarus. As a global community committed to fully developing human freedoms, we stand for human rights, freedom, and democracy and call on all parties concerned to do the same.
We offer all possible assistance in this situation to the Ukrainian pirates, as well as to all people of Ukraine who are suffering from war and fighting for freedom. Our thoughts are also with our colleagues in Russia and Belarus, who are forced to watch but are powerless to help in the face of government-initiated aggression against their and our principles.
We are free people, but the current situation affects all of us, both citizens of Europe and members of the PPI family. Sadly, we have to admit that the current situation does not allow us to continue our activities in cooperation with Russia and Belarus at the national representative level. PPI will no longer organize events in Russia or Belarus, and PPI board members will not accept invitations to speak or participate in events organized by governments of these countries.
As a democratic organization, PPI understands that Russian/Belarusian aggression causes collateral damage to all people of goodwill worldwide. Therefore, PPI will not hinder individual assistance to Russian and Belarusian colleagues in accessing critical information or freely sharing knowledge. We trust that our friends and colleagues in Russia and Belarus who condemn this war will understand and support PPI’s approach.
With this statement and our actions, we show solidarity with friends, colleagues, and families affected by this terrible humanitarian tragedy. We join others in calling for an end to this war and respect for democracy and international humanitarian law."
Any Other Business
- PPI Needs Assessment Summary
- In past GAs we collected information from everyone about PPI needs. We just announce that your needs have been documented and can be reviewed here:
https://nextcloud.ppi.rocks/s/55eBJt9ko2b74j8
- Bastian: We can send this to our members so we have all information of our members. It's very important so we collect the data. Please, give us the information you have. This includes also any office holders.
- Bailey: It was a surwey headed by Linda from PPNO. We got input with a lot of interesting information and I encourage you to have a look. Any questions?
- Manuel: On behalf of Keith, we wanted to present the needs assessment to show we've been collecting information on needs of our members, so we can support the members in any way we can. It was also a way to remind the member parties that PPI exists. You know how to reach to the PPI. If you have time to help with these projects, feel free to partake. Let the board know your basic information so the PPI organs can work as intended ASAP.
- Florie: I wanted to ask every member of the board to send me a message, so we can speak and work together. If it's possible to have a meeting with every member of the board. I want to thank everyone for this day and thank you Bailey for all that you have done in the past years and I hope I'll be as strong as you were while leading this organisation.
- Bailey: Thank you, Florie. I'm grateful for the opportunity and look forward to continue serving on the board.
- Bastian: It's my duty normally to change all the information on the wiki but I sense a turning point in the direction of the PPI, so I want to be sure I still have the confidence to do so.
- Bailey: I personally say go for it.
- Mike: As the secretary I also think it's my duty to ammend all the information, so I will definitely help Bastian with fixing everything to reflect the reality after this day.
- Manuel: Congratulations to all those elected. I have full confidence in you in your new posts and I look forward to see members participating today to participate further. So very much welcome back PPFR.
- Bailey: Have a nice rest of the weekend, thanks to everyone, keep in touch with the board and participate. I'd love to see all the members being involved and do awesome things together.
- GA closed by Bailey at 18:35 UTC
