Article 1: Mission and Objectives

• The International Association for the Study of Silk Roads Textiles (hereinafter referred to as the “Association”) is an international association jointly established by organizations (including universities, museums, libraries, archaeology institutes, research institutes or groups) related to the studies of the Silk Roads. The mission of the Association is to:
• Establish a platform for cooperation in research and for general benefits of all participants;
• Share scientific and technological resources for research and conservation;
• Promote the adaptation and application of relevant technologies;
• Enhance the dissemination and utilization of research findings.

2. To fulfill the mission, the Association sets the following objectives:

• Investigation into cultural heritage resources related to the Silk Roads textiles and construction of a database for such resources;
• Study of the key technologies for identification and protection of cultural relics related to Silk Roads textiles;
• Exchange of human resources and the establishment of laboratories for cooperative protection of textiles;
• Cooperative exhibitions related to Silk Roads textiles;
• Inheritance and innovation of traditional textile techniques.

3. In order to fulfill the objectives of the Association, the members of the Association shall respect each other’s customs and abide by relevant laws and regulations.

Article 2: Members of the Association and Qualifications 
1. Members of the Association 
The members of the Association are collection and research organizations located along or related to the Silk Roads (including Silk Roads through the steppe, oasis, desert, ocean, mountains, etc.), including universities, museums, libraries, archaeology institutes, research institutes and research groups, etc.
2. Founding members 
The founding members of the Association refer to the organizations that have formally agreed to join in the Association before the formal establishment of the Association on Oct. 12th, 2015, and have formally approved the Statutes of the Association. 
3. Qualifications

• The members of the Association shall be related groups or organizations.
• The Executive Committee of the Association will regularly review those applications submitted by groups or organizations under their own initiative, or submitted by the groups or organizations at the invitation of members of the Association, and those approved will become new members of the Association.
• Individuals with significant achievements in and contributions to the protection and study of Silk Roads textiles may apply to join the Association, or be nominated by Executive Committee Members of the Association. They will become Professional Members of the Association with the approval of the Executive Committee.
• Individuals with outstanding contributions to the Association may be appointed as Honorary Members of the Association through the nomination of Executive Committee Members of the Association and with the approval of the Executive Committee.

4. Cancellation of membership
Members of the Association must inform the Secretariat of the Association of any intent to cancel membership in written form at least six months in advance.

Article 3: Organizations
1. The Committee of the Association has the highest power. Every member institution of the Association shall assign one representative to the Committee. The Committee has the following powers:

• Making and amending the Statutes;
• Electing the President, Vice-Presidents and Members of the Executive Committee of the Association;
• Reviewing the working reports of the Executive Committee;
• Making other important decisions relevant to the Association.

2. A quorum of the Committee shall consist of representatives of at least two thirds of the members (inclusive). Any decision shall be taken into effect with the approval of more than half of the numbers of representatives attending the Committee meeting. 
The tenure for members of the Committee is five years. Any curtailment or extension of the term of office shall be approved by the vote of the Executive Committee. Any extension shall not exceed one year. 
3. The Association shall have an Executive Committee, which serves as the executive body of the Committee and deals with the related work of the Association. The Executive Committee answers for the Committee. 
The Executive Committee consists of nine members, including the President and up to three Vice Presidents. The members of the Executive Committee shall be recommended by the members of the Association and elected at the Committee meeting.
4. Responsibilities of the Executive Committee:

• Making decisions related to the holding of the Committee meetings;
• Making reports to the Committee about the work and plans of the Association;
• Executing the decisions of the Committee;
• Making decisions on admission of members;
• Establishing internal management systems;
• Conducting management, organization and coordination for various tasks of the Association;
• Making decisions on appointment of Honorary Members;
• Making other important decisions relevant to the Association.

A quorum of the Executive Committee meeting shall consist of two thirds (inclusive) of the Executive Committee Members present in person or through online attendance. Any decision shall become effective with the approval of more than two thirds (inclusive) of the Executive Committee Members in attendance. The Executive Committee shall meet at least once each year. In principle, the Executive Committee meeting will be organized in turn by the member units of the Executive Committee. Under special circumstance, it may be held through video conferencing or similar online communication. 
5. Requirements for eligibility of President and Vice Presidents of the Association:

• With significant achievements in the protection and study of Silk Road textiles;
• In good physical health.

The term of office for the President and Vice Presidents of the Association is five years. Each President or Vice President shall not serve more than two terms. Any extension of reappointment under special circumstance shall be voted and approved by more than two thirds(inclusive) of the representatives at the Committee meeting. 
6. The President of the Association has the following responsibilities:

• Convening and presiding over the Committee and Executive Committee meetings;
• Monitoring the execution of the decisions of the Committee and the Executive Committee;
• Signing related documents on behalf of the Association.

7. The Secretariat of the Association is located at the China National Silk Museum, and deals with the daily work of the Association.

Article 4: Funding Sources
1. The daily expenses of the Secretariat of the Association are borne by the China National Silk Museum.
2. Committee Members shall bear their own travel and accommodation expenses to attend the Committee and Executive Committee meetings as well as other regular activities of the Association, unless otherwise agreed upon under special circumstances. 
3. In principle, the organizers of the Committee and the Executive Committee meetings shall bear related expenses for the meetings.
4. Expenses for specific projects of the Association shall be jointly applied and raised through various channels by members participating in these projects.

Article 5: Procedures of Amendment
1. Proposals for any amendment of the Statutes shall be first reviewed and adopted by the Executive Committee and then reviewed by the Committee. The amendment shall be made with the approval of at least two thirds (inclusive) of the representatives of the Committee.

Article 6: Term of Operation
1. There is no limit on the term of the operation of the Association. The power and responsibilities of the Association shall be canceled when the Association is disbanded.
2. In the event that a minimum of three quarters (inclusive) of the members of the Association make a written appeal to the President of the Association, expressing the strong intention to disband the Association, the appeal shall be automatically deemed as effective. In that case, the Executive Committee of the Association is responsible to announce the disbandment of the Association.

Article 7: Supplementary Articles
1. The Statutes shall take into effect as of October 12, 2015, on which the Association is established. 
2. The Executive Committee of the Association reserves the right of interpretation of the Statutes.