Charter of the Edge Computing Consortium

Section 1 General Principles

1. The name of the consortium is theEdge Computing Consortium (ECC); in Chinese, the name is 边缘计算产业联盟. The ECC was established on November 30, 2016.

2. The ECC is an open, interdisciplinary, non-profit organization made up of companies, public institutions, community organizations, institutes of higher education, research institutions and other organizations involved with the edge computing industry, which voluntarily associate together in the spirit of equality, collaboration, and mutual benefit.

3. The goals of the ECC are: to coordinate the strength of the industry; to promote broad engagement and collaboration amongst its members; to encourage the sharing of knowledge and the connecting of suitable buyers with suppliers; the joint creation of an edge computing ecosystem; to promote the development of a prosperous edge computing industry.

4. The ECC shall be a registered sub-group of the China Communications Standards Association (CCSA).

Section 2  Mission and Work

5. The ECC exists to promote collaboration and to advance edge computing. It focuses its efforts to support a prosperous edge computing industry on building a positive climate and mechanisms for collaboration, and aligning the resources of all participants within the industry so that they can jointly address edge computing demand and architectures, and promote standards, products, solutions, and applications. The ECC offers vital support to the advancement of the digitization of industries in China and worldwide.

6. The duties of theECC are to align the efforts of all participants in the industry ecosystem so that they can jointly engage in research into edge computing technologies, standards, and business models; and jointly explore new models and new mechanisms for edge computing. The ECC encourages the research and development of technologies, industries, and applications; organizes showcase projects; organizes wide-ranging international cooperation; and serves as a platform for global cooperation.

7. The work of the ECC mainly consists of:

7.1 Market research for edge computing applications. The ECC compiles information from the industry, analyzes the key requirements across various edge computing use cases, and recommends technology frameworks to meet these requirements.

7.2 Early-stage research on edge computing standards and norms, and promoting standardization. The ECC helps to build consensus on technical standards; and to keep standards in step with technological advances, by conveying the latest research developments to Chinese and international standards organizations.

7.3 Edge computing testing and validation. The ECC promotes innovation in products and applications by developing test procedures and standards for product compatibility; hosts events to discuss testing scenarios; organizes joint testing with resources contributed by multiple members; and promotes testing.

7.4 Marketing activities. The ECC encourages members to coordinate on market development and brand promotion, to publicize the value of edge computing through joint marketing activities, raise awareness of edge computing in the broader industry, and expand the market space for edge computing.

7.5 International engagement and collaborative projects. The ECC encourages collaboration between the ECC and counterpart organizations in other countries.

Section 3  Membership

8. Members of the ECC shall be organizations.

9. Organizations which wish to join the ECC must meet the following conditions:

9.1 Must be a properly organized company, public institution, community organization, institute of higher education, or research institute.

9.2 Must support the goals of the ECC as expressed in this Charter.

9.3 Must enjoy a level of recognition in the ECC's area of focus (industry or research).

9.4 Must carry out its duties as a member, and actively engage in the programs of the ECC.

10. Procedure for joining the ECC:

10.1 Applicant submits an application to the ECC secretariat.

10.2 The ECC secretariat reviews application and conveys it to the ECC Board.

10.3 The ECC Board decides whether to accept the application.

10.4 Applicant completes any further administrative procedures, and becomes an ECC member.

11. Levels of membership:

Founding member (Diamond): A Founding member is a founder of the ECC. Members which commit to three years of membership of ECC may become Founding members after the end of their three-year commitment. Other new Founding members must be approved unanimously by existing Founding members.

Contributing member (Platinum): Must be nominated by two Founding members, and approved by at least 2/3 of Board members. Contributing member terms are for two years. In any year, no more than two new Contributing members may be added.

Senior member (Gold): New Senior member may be appointed if approved by at least half of existing Board members.

Ordinary member (Silver): Any organization may apply to join ECC. On approval by the secretariat, the organization becomes an ordinary member.

12. Privileges of membership:

Ordinary members

i. Free participation in conferences organized by ECC

ii. Participation in working groups

iii. Access to milestone working documents and published standards

Senior members

All of the privileges available to Ordinary members, and

i. May submit applications to ECC Board to launch testbed projects

ii. May propose working group topics, and submit draft standards

iii. Free participation in ECC seminars and workshops

iv. Reduced rates for participation in ECC marketing activities

Contributing members

All of the privileges available to Senior members, and

i. May nominate one person to sit on ECC Board

ii. May nominate chairs of working groups

iii. May propose and organize ECC seminars

iv. Free participation in ECC marketing activities

Founding members

All of the privileges available to Contributing members, and

i. May nominate candidates for chair/deputy chair of ECC Board, and general secretary/deputy general secretary of the secretariat

ii. May propose establishment of new working groups

iii. Priority nomination of chairs for working groups

13. All ECC members should nominate an individual or individuals to represent them in ECC activities. At least one representative must be fully authorized to represent the member organization. In the event of significant organizational change to an ECC member as a result of merger, acquisition, or similar event, such that member needs to revise its status, the member should send notice to ECC Board explaining the changes, and ECC Board will take appropriate action.

14. Obligations of ECC members:

14.1 Members shall respect ECC Charter and comply with ECC resolutions.

14.2 Members shall participate in ECC activities, assume responsibilities during these activities, and complete any work assigned to them by ECC.

14.3 Members shall make an effort to maintain positive relations within ECC, to attract more members, and to maintain ECC's reputation.

14.4 Members shall ensure confidentiality, and protect the technical and commercial secrets of ECC members.

14.5 Members shall nominate a contact person to be responsible for communication with ECC secretariat, to support day-to-day operations.

14.6 Members shall pay ECC dues in full and on time.

15. If a Founding member or Contributing member leaves ECC, it should submit written notice to the Board 60 days in advance. If any other member leaves ECC, it should submit written notice to the secretariat 60 days in advance. On leaving ECC, members must also destroy all documents or information they obtained from ECC containing confidential information and return all tangible assets belonging to ECC. After leaving ECC, past members will continue to be bound by the rules of confidentiality.

16. Any member which is found to have seriously breached this Charter may be expelled from ECC by resolution of ECC Board.

17. Within 30 days of an expulsion resolution, the expelled member may appeal. Following a review, the Board may reinstate the member or confirm the expulsion.

Section 4  Organization Structure

18. The structure of ECC includes the following bodies: Full Membership; ECC Board; Advisory Council; Working Groups; and the ECC Secretariat serving the ECC Board. The ECC Board is the ECC's highest decision-making body.

19. As a body, the Full Membership of the ECC has the following authority:

19.1 Reviewing the ECC Charter

19.2 Reviewing ECC development plans and strategies

19.3 Reviewing ECC Board reports

19.4 Decisions on changes to the structure of the ECC or the dissolution of the ECC

20. A meeting of the Full Membership shall be quorate if 2/3 or more of members (or members' representatives) are present; resolutions may be passed by more than half of members present at a meeting.

21. The ECC Board shall hold two regular meetings every year. If necessary, Founding members may call special meetings of the ECC Board. A meeting of the ECC Board shall be quorate if 2/3 or more of board members are present. Under exceptional circumstances, meetings may be held remotely. The ECC Board resolutions must be passed by more than half of the ECC Board members.

22. The ECC Board has the following authority:

22.1 Responsible for the planning and execution of ECC strategy and other key work

22.2 May nominate, appoint, and remove the chair and deputy chairs of the ECC Board, general secretary, and deputy general secretary

22.3 May appoint the chair and deputy chair(s) of the Advisory Council

22.4 Discusses, proposes, and decides upon key tasks for the ECC every year

22.5 Discusses, takes decisions, and passes resolutions upon: the establishment of working groups, selection of working group personnel, and major proposals submitted by members and working groups

22.6 Reviews and takes decisions upon ECC annual budgets and budget reviews; determines annual membership fees

22.7 Monitors and directs the work of the secretariat; assesses its work on the basis of regular reports

22.8 Discusses and takes decisions on other major issues

23. The ECC Board is made up of the representatives of the Founding members and Contributing members. The chair and deputy chairs are elected by the ECC Board. The number of deputy chairs and ECC Board members may be increased as ECC grows, with the number of additional members to be decided by the ECC Board.

24. Advisory Council members are selected and appointed by the ECC Board. The Advisory Council shall be made up of respected international researchers in edge computing, in relevant areas of technology, management, economics, and policy. The Advisory Council shall have the following authority:

24.1 Giving expert advice on major issues to support the development and key work of the ECC

24.2 Making recommendations on the major projects which the ECC should undertake; ensuring the technical accuracy of targets and assessment protocols for major projects

24.3 Giving advice to inform ECC Board resolutions

24.4 Offering expert support and advice to ECC members

25. The secretariat supports the day-to-day work of the ECC. It is headed by the general secretary and deputy general secretary; the general secretary is accountable for the work of the secretariat and reports directly to the chair of the ECC Board. The secretariat has the following authority:

25.1 Executing the resolutions of the Board; organizing, managing, and coordinating the work of the ECC

25.2 Preparation for and management of ECC Board meetings and ECC general meetings

25.3 Drafting annual work plans for the ECC and managing their execution

25.4 Managing applications to join and leave the ECC

25.5 Managing joint projects with similar associations, governments, companies, and other organizations

25.6 Working with marketers and partners to carry out marketing via the media, expos, and events

25.7 Handling other issues as requested by the ECC membership or the ECC Board.

26. The ECC may set up other branches and representative organizations as necessary. These organizations shall be monitored and managed by the ECC.

Section 5  Principles for Financial Management

27. The ECC's financial resources shall come from:

27.1 Membership fees

27.2 Private donations or sponsorship

27.3 Revenue from approved technical activities or services

27.4 Interest

27.5 Other legitimate income

28. Membership fees shall be reviewed by the ECC Board on an annual basis. Members must pay membership fees in full and on time. The current fee schedule is as follows:

Founding member: RMB 500,000/year

Contributing member: RMB 100,000/year

Senior member: RMB 20,000/year

Ordinary member: Free

29. The ECC shall use its funds to pay day-to-day administrative costs of the secretariat and the expenses of other ECC activities.

30. The ECC budget shall be managed by the secretariat. The secretariat shall establish an independent account under the name of the organization to which the secretariat belongs; it shall disburse ECC funds for specified purposes only, and shall not use ECC funds for any activities beyond those approved by the ECC.

31. The ECC shall comply with Chinese legal requirements in the management of ECC assets. It shall be monitored by the ECC Board, and Chinese finance and audit departments/agencies.

32. No organization or individual may hold, take, or otherwise use assets belonging to the ECC.

33. The secretariat shall submit a list of uses of funds and a finance audit report to members annually.

34. The ownership and usage of all intellectual property and standards generated through the activities of the ECC shall comply with relevant Chinese law and regulations, and with resolutions passed by the ECC Board.

Section 6  Intellectual Property

35. The ECC respects the intellectual property of its members, and understands and supports members' efforts to protect their intellectual property rights. Participation in ECC activities implies no obligation on members to transfer intellectual property to the ECC, its members, or any third party, without the explicit written agreement of the owner of the IP and the formation of a written agreement with its counterparts.

36. The name, logo, URL, and website of ECC are the property of the ECC, and may be used by its members. When making use of these intangible assets, members should comply with the ECC regulations.

Section 7  Dissolution and Disposal of Assets

37. The ECC will be dissolved once its mission has been achieved. The dissolution of the ECC will be proposed by the ECC Board.

38. The dissolution of theECC must be passed by a vote of the Full Membership.

39. Before dissolution, the ECC must establish a dissolution team under the direction of the relevant authority to properly terminate all of the ECC's debt and credit relations and handle any remaining issues. During the dissolution process, no other activities may be conducted.

40. The ECC Board shall determine how to dispose of any excess assets.

Section 8  Others

41. This Charter was approved at the first meeting of ECC members.

42. This Charter may be altered only by a resolution passed by a 2/3 majority of ECC Board members.

43. This Charter shall be interpreted by the ECC Board.