Chapter 1. General Provisions

1.1. These Articles of Association establish the rules and procedures of E-COMMERCE & DIGITAL MARKETING ASSOCIATION (hereinafter referred to as the Association or ECDMA).

1.2. The purpose of the Association is to create a favorable environment for the exchange of experience, knowledge, and establishment of business relations among all professionals contributing to the e-commerce and digital marketing industry, including but not limited to marketing, operations, IT, HR, PR, training, and commercial roles.

1.3. The Association operates based on the principles of mutual assistance, mutual respect, and mutually beneficial cooperation.

Chapter 2. Objectives and Activities of the Association

2.1 Objectives

The Association has the following objectives:

2.1.1. To create favorable conditions for the development of e-commerce, digital marketing, marketing technology, and related professional fields;

2.1.2. To promote professional standards, innovation, knowledge exchange, mentoring, and positive economic and social change through the development of e-commerce and digital marketing;

2.1.3. To support professional, educational, cultural, charitable, and socially beneficial initiatives consistent with the purposes of the Association;

2.1.4. To promote education in e-commerce and digital marketing and to improve digital, business, and financial literacy;

2.1.5. To recognize professionals who have made significant contributions or demonstrated outstanding achievements in e-commerce, digital marketing, marketing technology, or closely related fields, including through selective professional membership categories;

2.1.6. To facilitate cooperation among professionals, companies, educational institutions, experts, and industry organizations;

2.1.7. To contribute to the development and professionalization of the e-commerce and digital marketing industries;

2.1.8. To support research, innovation, professional recognition, and the exchange of best practices within the fields represented by the Association.

2.2 Activities

To achieve its objectives, the Association may conduct the following activities:

2.2.1. Create and support professional communities, initiatives, and platforms relating to e-commerce, digital marketing, marketing technology, and related disciplines;

2.2.2. Develop, implement, finance, and support programs, projects, competitions, awards, research initiatives, and other activities consistent with the objectives of the Association;

2.2.3. Provide professional, educational, informational, analytical, socially useful, and advisory services;

2.2.4. Organize conferences, forums, seminars, round tables, lectures, training programs, professional courses, mentoring programs, and other educational activities, including through the use of internet technologies;

2.2.5. Conduct consulting, analytical, expert, research, and professional evaluation activities consistent with the objectives of the Association;

2.2.6. Create and maintain websites, electronic publications, databases, professional directories, educational materials, and other information resources;

2.2.7. Support mentoring, volunteer activities, professional development, and the exchange of experience among members;

2.2.8. Cooperate with recognized professionals and experts for the evaluation of candidates, professional projects, publications, competitions, awards, and other initiatives;

2.2.9. Conduct public-facing activities, including conferences, publications, awards, research initiatives, educational programs, and other professional activities intended to contribute to industry development and maintain the professional reputation of the Association.

2.3. All activities of the Association shall be directed toward achieving the objectives established by this Charter.

Chapter 3. Membership in the Association

3.1. Membership in the Association is voluntary.

3.2. Members retain their professional and organizational independence, except for the obligations expressly established by this Charter and other duly approved rules of the Association.

3.3. Individuals working, studying, conducting research, or possessing relevant professional experience in e-commerce, digital marketing, marketing technology, or closely related fields may be eligible for membership.

3.4. The membership categories, eligibility requirements, admission procedures, rights, and benefits are established by this Charter.

3.5. Admission to membership shall be based solely on the candidate’s compliance with the requirements applicable to the relevant membership category, as evaluated under the procedures established by this Charter.

Payment of any fee shall not influence the substantive evaluation of a candidate’s qualifications.

3.6. Admission to one membership category does not create an automatic right to admission to a higher membership category.

3.7. Payment of an entrance fee or membership fee does not by itself establish eligibility for membership and shall not substitute for satisfaction of the applicable professional requirements.

3.8. Information concerning each admitted member shall be entered into the Association’s membership register.

3.9. The amount, timing, and procedure for payment of entrance fees and membership fees shall be determined by the Association Council.

3.10. The Association may establish additional administrative rules concerning membership, provided that such rules do not reduce or replace the eligibility requirements established by this Charter.

Chapter 4. Membership Categories

4.1 Student Member

Eligibility Requirements

A candidate must:

1. Be currently enrolled in, or have graduated within the preceding two years from, an accredited educational institution or recognized training program relating to e-commerce, digital marketing, business, marketing technology, communications, or a closely related field; and 2. Provide verification of current student or recent graduate status.

Rights and Benefits

A Student Member may:

1. Access ECDMA educational resources; 2. Receive discounts for Association events and programs; 3. Participate in internship, mentoring, and educational programs; 4. Attend open Association events; and 5. Propose professional or educational initiatives for consideration by the Association.

4.2 Associate Member

Eligibility Requirements

A candidate must:

1. Have at least one year of professional experience in e-commerce, digital marketing, marketing technology, or a closely related field; and 2. Provide documentary verification of relevant professional experience.

Rights and Benefits

An Associate Member shall receive the benefits available to Student Members and may also:

1. Participate in professional working groups; 2. Contribute to proposed industry recommendations, standards, and educational initiatives; and 3. Participate in Association research, surveys, professional programs, and industry projects.

4.3 Professional Member

Eligibility Requirements

A candidate must:

1. Have at least five years of professional experience in e-commerce, digital marketing, marketing technology, or a closely related field; and 2. Provide documentary evidence of relevant professional experience and professional activity.

Rights and Benefits

A Professional Member shall receive the benefits available to Associate Members and may also:

1. Participate in the development of educational materials and professional certification programs; 2. Serve in professional working groups and project committees; 3. Participate as a speaker, mentor, reviewer, or contributor in Association programs; and 4. Be considered for appointment to Association committees.

4.4 Master Member

Eligibility Requirements

A candidate must:

1. Have at least ten years of professional experience in e-commerce, digital marketing, marketing technology, or a closely related field; 2. Provide documentary verification of relevant professional experience; and 3. Demonstrate recognized professional activity, which may include professional publications, leadership responsibility, participation in major projects, teaching, mentoring, public speaking, awards, or comparable professional contributions.

Rights and Benefits

A Master Member shall receive the benefits available to Associate and Professional Members and may also:

1. Serve on ECDMA committees and professional working groups; 2. Participate in the evaluation of applications for Professional and Master Membership; 3. Mentor less experienced members; and 4. Represent the Association at professional events when authorized by the Association Council.

4.5 Senior Member

4.5.1 Nature of Senior Membership

Senior Membership is the Association’s highest level of selective professional membership and is awarded through a rigorous application and substantive evaluation process.

Senior Membership is reserved for individuals who have demonstrated outstanding achievements in e-commerce, digital marketing, marketing technology, or a closely related discipline or field.

Admission to Senior Membership is selective and is based exclusively on the quality, significance, recognition, and documented impact of the candidate’s professional achievements rather than the number of available membership positions.

4.5.2 Eligibility Requirements

A candidate for Senior Membership must:

1. Ordinarily possess at least ten years of relevant professional experience; 2. Provide documentary verification of relevant professional experience; 3. Submit objective and verifiable documentary evidence demonstrating outstanding achievements in the relevant discipline or field; 4. Submit at least two professional recommendation letters from ECDMA Senior Members, members of the Association Council, or other recognized national or international experts in the relevant discipline or field; and 5. Receive approval through the Senior Membership evaluation procedure established by this Charter.

Applications for Senior Membership shall be accepted for substantive review only upon submission of sufficient documentary evidence to permit a meaningful evaluation of the candidate’s achievements.

Incomplete applications may be returned to the candidate without substantive review.

4.5.3 Outstanding Achievements

Outstanding achievements may be demonstrated through one or more forms of documented professional accomplishment, including, but not limited to:

1. Recognized professional leadership, including leading roles in distinguished organizations, companies, professional bodies, or major projects; 2. Significant contributions to the development of an industry, organization, professional community, or field; 3. Development or implementation of innovative strategies, technologies, products, methodologies, systems, or professional practices; 4. Measurable commercial, organizational, educational, social, technological, or industry impact; 5. Nationally or internationally recognized awards, honors, or professional distinctions; 6. Authorship of scholarly, professional, technical, or industry publications in recognized outlets; 7. Independent published material concerning the candidate or the candidate’s work in professional publications, major trade publications, or other recognized media; 8. Service as a judge, evaluator, reviewer, or expert assessing the work of others, including participation on panels, juries, editorial boards, professional committees, or competition juries; 9. Leadership or essential participation in major professional programs, projects, initiatives, competitions, or organizations; 10. Recognition by professional associations, experts, businesses, educational institutions, government bodies, media organizations, or other reputable entities; 11. Significant teaching, mentoring, speaking, research, advisory, or professional development activities recognized within the relevant field; or 12. Other documented accomplishments substantially beyond ordinary professional participation in the relevant discipline or field.

4.5.4 Insufficient Grounds Standing Alone

Length of professional experience, academic qualifications, employment title or position, payment of membership fees, recommendation letters, or prior membership at another ECDMA level shall not, individually or collectively, be sufficient to qualify a candidate for Senior Membership.

The candidate must independently demonstrate outstanding achievements in the relevant discipline or field through objective and verifiable evidence.

4.5.5 Expert Evaluation

Each application for Senior Membership shall undergo a substantive evaluation of the candidate’s documented professional achievements.

The evaluation shall be conducted by an evaluation panel appointed by the Association Council.

The evaluation panel shall consist of no fewer than three eligible voting evaluators.

Evaluators may be selected from among qualified members of the Association Council, ECDMA Senior Members, or external professionals appointed by the Council.

Only individuals who are recognized national or international experts in e-commerce, digital marketing, marketing technology, or closely related disciplines or fields may participate as voting evaluators of a Senior Membership application.

The Association Council may appoint external experts whenever it determines that additional or specialized expertise would assist in the evaluation.

4.5.6 Recognized Experts

For purposes of Senior Membership evaluation, recognized national or international experts include professionals whose expertise and professional standing are demonstrated through objective evidence, including one or more of the following:

1. Leadership roles in distinguished organizations, businesses, professional associations, educational institutions, or major projects; 2. Nationally or internationally recognized awards, honors, or professional distinctions; 3. Authorship of influential scholarly, professional, technical, or industry publications; 4. Service as a judge, reviewer, evaluator, or member of professional or academic panels; 5. Significant original professional, scientific, technical, commercial, or educational contributions; 6. Executive, academic, research, or senior professional responsibility; 7. Public or professional recognition within the relevant discipline or field; 8. Participation in major professional, industry, academic, or international initiatives; or 9. Other objective evidence demonstrating recognized standing in the relevant discipline or field.

4.5.7 Admission Standard

Admission to Senior Membership requires an affirmative determination that the candidate has demonstrated outstanding achievements in the relevant discipline or field, as judged by recognized national or international experts in their disciplines or fields.

The evaluators shall consider:

1. The quality and significance of the candidate’s achievements; 2. The level of professional recognition associated with those achievements; 3. The documented impact of the candidate’s work; 4. The scope and duration of the candidate’s professional contributions; 5. The reliability and independence of the submitted evidence; and 6. The candidate’s overall professional record.

The evaluation standard for Senior Membership shall be substantially higher than the standard applied to ordinary professional participation or admission to the Association’s other membership categories.

4.5.8 Decision

Admission to Senior Membership requires approval by a simple majority of the eligible voting evaluators participating in the review.

The Association Council may establish a higher voting threshold for Senior Membership by separate resolution.

The decision shall be based on the documentary evidence, recommendation letters, professional record, and other relevant materials submitted for evaluation.

The Association may request additional information, supporting evidence, professional references, written explanations, or an interview where necessary to complete the evaluation.

No individual officer, Council member, evaluator, Senior Member, or candidate may independently determine the outcome of a Senior Membership application.

4.5.9 Records of Evaluation

The Association shall maintain a written record of each Senior Membership evaluation, including:

1. The candidate’s application; 2. Documentary evidence submitted by the candidate; 3. Recommendation letters; 4. The names and professional qualifications of the evaluators; 5. The evaluation or decision summary, including the principal substantive reasons supporting the decision; 6. The voting result; 7. The voting threshold applied; and 8. The effective date of admission or rejection.

These records shall be maintained for governance, historical, auditing, membership verification, and administrative purposes in accordance with applicable law and Association policies.

4.5.10 Periodic Review

The Association Council may periodically review Senior Membership records and procedures to ensure continued compliance with the standards established by this Charter.

Where appropriate, the Council may request updated professional information from a Senior Member for membership verification, Association records, or public professional profiles.

4.5.11 Rights and Benefits

A Senior Member shall receive the benefits available to all preceding membership categories and may also:

1. Use the professional designation “ECDMA Senior Member”; 2. Serve on ECDMA committees, councils, working groups, and evaluation panels; 3. Participate in the evaluation of applicants for Professional, Master, and Senior Membership where authorized by the Association Council; 4. Recommend qualified candidates for Senior Membership; 5. Represent the Association at professional events when authorized by the Association Council; 6. Participate in the development of professional standards, educational programs, research initiatives, awards, publications, and other Association activities; and 7. Receive professional recognition through the Association’s publications, website, directories, events, and other communications where authorized by the Association.

4.6 Honorary Member

Eligibility Requirements

Honorary Membership may be awarded to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding or exceptional achievements in e-commerce, digital marketing, marketing technology, or a closely related field, or who has made a significant contribution to the purposes or development of the Association.

Honorary Membership requires approval by the Association Council.

Rights and Benefits

An Honorary Member may:

1. Use the designation “ECDMA Honorary Member”; 2. Participate in Association events, initiatives, advisory activities, and professional programs; and 3. Receive other rights or privileges established by the Association Council.

Honorary Membership may be granted without requiring the individual to complete the ordinary membership application process.

Honorary Membership is a distinct recognition category and is not equivalent to Senior Membership unless the individual separately satisfies the Senior Membership requirements and completes the evaluation procedure established in Section 4.5.

Chapter 5. Procedure for Admission to the Association

5.1 Application

A person seeking admission shall submit an application containing:

1. Personal and contact information; 2. Information concerning education and professional experience; 3. The requested membership category; 4. A description of professional activity and motivation for joining the Association; and 5. Supporting documents required for the relevant membership category.

5.2 Review of Applications

Applications for Student, Associate, Professional, and Master Membership shall be reviewed for compliance with the eligibility requirements established in Chapter 4.

The Association Council may conduct such review directly or delegate the review to an authorized committee, working group, or qualified member.

5.3 Senior Membership Applications

Applications for Senior Membership shall be reviewed under the heightened substantive evaluation procedure established in Section 4.5.

A candidate shall not be admitted as a Senior Member merely because the candidate has completed the required years of professional experience, received recommendation letters, paid a membership fee, or previously held another ECDMA membership category.

5.4 Additional Evidence and Interviews

The Association may conduct an interview or request additional evidence where necessary to evaluate the candidate’s qualifications, achievements, professional experience, or eligibility.

Failure to provide requested evidence within the established period may result in suspension or termination of the application review.

5.5 Decision and Notification

Upon completion of the review, the candidate shall receive written notification of acceptance or rejection.

Where the candidate is accepted, the notification shall identify:

1. The approved membership category; 2. The effective date of membership; and 3. Any administrative requirements necessary to activate the membership.

5.6 Membership Register

Following admission and completion of any required administrative formalities, the member’s information shall be entered into the Association’s membership register.

The register may contain the member’s name, membership category, admission date, membership status, and other information necessary for membership administration and verification.

5.7 Membership Fees

Any required entrance fee or membership fee shall be paid only after or in connection with approval of the application.

Payment shall not influence the substantive evaluation of the candidate’s qualifications.

Failure to pay an applicable fee may prevent activation or continuation of membership but shall not retroactively alter the substantive admission decision.

5.8 Transparency and Public Information

The Association may, in its sole discretion and in compliance with applicable law, publish non-confidential information concerning its members.

With respect to Senior Members, such information may include names, biographies, professional profiles, membership appointments, professional distinctions, awards, publications, or other non-confidential professional information.

Publication of such information is intended to promote professional recognition, transparency, industry development, and public understanding of the Association’s membership standards.

Chapter 6. Association Council

6.1. The governing body of the Association is the Association Council, hereinafter referred to as the “Council.”

6.2. The Council shall ensure that the activities of the Association are consistent with the purposes, objectives, and provisions of this Charter, including the maintenance of rigorous, consistent, and objective membership standards for Senior Membership.

6.3. The Council shall consist of no fewer than five and no more than ten members.

6.4. The term of office of Council members shall be two years.

The subsequent composition of the Council shall be approved no later than fourteen calendar days before the expiration of the term of the current Council.

Council members may be reappointed.

6.5. Admission of a new member to the Council shall be made by decision of the Council based on the candidate’s professional qualifications, experience, reputation, and ability to contribute to the objectives of the Association.

6.6 Authority of the Council

The competence of the Council shall include:

6.6.1. Determining the strategic and priority directions of the Association;

6.6.2. Approving the Association’s programs, projects, initiatives, awards, educational activities, publications, research initiatives, and professional standards;

6.6.3. Approving amendments and additions to this Charter;

6.6.4. Reviewing and deciding membership applications or delegating such review as permitted by this Charter, without permitting any single officer, member, evaluator, or candidate to determine the outcome of the evaluation;

6.6.5. Appointing qualified evaluators and evaluation panels for Senior Membership applications;

6.6.6. Determining whether proposed evaluators possess the necessary professional expertise and recognized standing to evaluate Senior Membership candidates;

6.6.7. Approving or confirming admission to Senior Membership based on the substantive expert evaluation required by Section 4.5;

6.6.8. Appointing committees, expert groups, working groups, evaluation panels, and advisory bodies;

6.6.9. Making decisions concerning the composition of the Council;

6.6.10. Approving annual reports and annual financial statements of the Association;

6.6.11. Establishing entrance fees, membership fees, and related administrative procedures;

6.6.12. Maintaining or supervising the Association’s membership register and records;

6.6.13. Approving internal policies and procedures consistent with this Charter;

6.6.14. Representing the Association or authorizing other persons to represent the Association; and

6.6.15. Resolving matters not expressly regulated by this Charter.

6.7. The authority and voting rights of a Council member may not be transferred to a third person or another Council member by proxy.

6.8. Council decisions shall be made collectively by a majority of the Council members participating in the relevant meeting or written decision process, unless this Charter or a duly approved Council resolution requires a higher voting threshold.

6.9. Council decisions may be adopted at an in-person meeting, by electronic meeting, or through another documented written voting process approved by the Council.

Chapter 7. Records, Termination, and Final Provisions

7.1 Termination of Membership

7.1.1. Membership may be terminated:

1. At the member’s written request; 2. Upon failure to comply with membership obligations; 3. Upon material violation of this Charter or duly approved Association rules; 4. Upon conduct materially damaging to the professional reputation or lawful interests of the Association; 5. Upon submission of materially false or misleading information in connection with a membership application or continuing membership; or 6. By decision of the Council where the member no longer satisfies the conditions applicable to the membership category.

7.1.2. The termination decision shall be made by the Council and communicated to the member in writing.

7.1.3. Upon termination, the former member shall cease using any active ECDMA membership designation and shall not be entitled to reimbursement of paid membership fees or other payments.

7.2 Amendments and Additions

7.2.1. Amendments and additions to this Charter may be adopted by decision of the Council.

7.2.2. Amendments and additions shall enter into force upon approval by the Council unless the approving resolution establishes a later effective date.

7.2.3. The Association shall retain prior approved versions of this Charter and records identifying the approval and effective dates of amendments.

7.3 Final Provisions

7.3.1. This Charter shall enter into force upon approval by the Council.

7.3.2. Disputes and disagreements arising in connection with the activities of the Association should first be resolved through negotiation and mutual agreement.

7.3.3. Matters not regulated by this Charter shall be resolved by the Council in a manner consistent with the purposes and provisions of this Charter.

7.3.4. If any provision of this Charter is determined to be invalid or unenforceable under applicable law, the remaining provisions shall continue in effect to the fullest extent permitted by law.

7.4 Records and Documentation

The Association shall maintain records necessary to document:

1. Its professional and public activities; 2. Membership applications and admission decisions; 3. Senior Membership evaluations; 4. Governance actions and Council decisions; 5. Approved versions of this Charter; 6. Membership registers and membership status; 7. Professional programs, awards, publications, events, and initiatives; and 8. Other matters necessary to demonstrate the proper administration and implementation of this Charter.

Records concerning Senior Membership shall be sufficient to establish that admission requires outstanding achievements in the relevant discipline or field and that such achievements are substantively evaluated by recognized national or international experts in their disciplines or fields.

Records shall be maintained in accordance with applicable law and the internal policies of the Association.

Approval and Effective Date

Adopted by the Association Council on January 9, 2023.

Effective as of January 9, 2023.

Members of the Association Council

• Eugene Mishchenko, President and Founder of ECDMA
• Leonid Gladilin, Partner and Co-Founder of ECDMA
• Aleksandra Tsygankova, Council Member
• Alexey Taranov, Council Member
• Tatiana Sokolova, Council Member

Charter V1, 2023