Article 1. Name:
The name of this organization will be the Snow Leopard Network, hereinafter referred to as the Network.

Article 2. Mission:
To promote sound scientifically-based conservation of the endangered snow leopard through networking and collaboration between individuals, organizations, and governments.

Article 3. Composition:
The Network is open to any individual or organization, worldwide, interested or active in snow leopard conservation.

Section 1: Membership types and levels

a. Full Member - Any person can become a member who is contributing to snow leopard conservation through:

• Research
• Conservation programs
• Education
• Training
• Advocacy
• Policy and decision making
• Ex-situ conservation

b. Affiliate non-voting member – Persons interested in snow leopard conservation though not actively involved in activities specified for Full Members.

Organizations

a. Organizations, institutions and agencies that promote conservation or sustainable development of mountain environments in snow leopard range.

Section 2: Procedure for Application

Individuals and organizations must apply to become members. The Chair of the Membership Committee will review applications and make a recommendation as to acceptance and the appropriate membership level to the Steering Committee. Final action on the application will rest with the Steering Committee. Membership must be renewed every 5 years. Participants in the SLSS (May 2002) are automatically members through May 2007.

A Membership Application is available on the website or from the Membership Committee.

Article 4. Duties of Members:
Members are expected to:

• Contribute and share information within the Network
• Collaborate or correspond with other members
• Respond to specific requests from Network
• Vote in Network elections or on resolutions
• Work for the Network on various committees and projects.

Article 5. Termination of membership:
Membership can be terminated by the Steering Committee for failure to act professionally or in a manner contradictory to the goals of the Network. Membership will lapse if the member fails to renew every five years.

Article 6. Rights of Members:
Membership provides database and websites access, newsletter, and contact and opportunities for partnerships with professionals within the group.

Article 7. Officers:
June 2002 through December 2005

The Steering Committee shall be comprised of seven (7) members and one Chairperson, as elected at or immediately after the SLSS Workshop.

Commencing January 2006

There shall be one (1) Chairperson and six (6) Steering Committee members elected from and by the Network membership, and one (1) permanent position of Executive Director to be filled by a representative of the organization providing management and support services for the Network such as a website, listserv, database hosting, banking and other mechanisms. The Executive Director will initially be the Conservation Director of the International Snow Leopard Trust or his/her appointee a.

The term of office for Steering Committee members and Chairperson will be 3 years. The maximum term for any elected position is two (2) terms or six (6) consecutive years. The first election shall be held in November 2005 and every 3 years thereafter. Officers will take up positions on the 1 st day of January following the elections.

The Chairperson will preferably, but not necessarily, be a resident of a snow leopard range state. They will be able to communicate effectively in both written and spoken English. A minimum of 4 Steering Committee members must be from range states. All officers must be Network members in good standing at the time of election.

Any Officer can be removed from office by a two-thirds vote of the general membership by secret mail ballot. Such a recall election can be called by a petition signed by 20 percent of the general membership, or by a simple majority vote of the Steering Committee.

Article 8. Duties of Officers:
The Steering Committee is the executive and policy making body of the Network. They shall, among other duties, determine activities to be undertaken, adopt an appropriate budget and seek needed funds, manage the Networks finances, create committees, foster interaction among the membership, make position statements after consultation with membership and/or committees, decide upon membership applications and member expulsions, supervise the Networks communications including electronic and print media, decide on times and dates of Steering Committee meetings and those of the general membership. They will also develop Terms of Reference for the Chairman, Executive Director, any needed office staff, and committee leaders.

Article 9. Decision Making:
General MembershipIssues

Each individual member and member organization has one vote.

Steering Committee Issues

A simple majority vote of the Steering Committee is required to pass any measure under consideration.

Position statements will be prepared by the appropriate committee and voted on by the Steering Committee for approval.

The by-laws can be amended by a two-thirds vote of the available Steering Committee.

Article 10. Committees:
Committees may be established to address specific issues.

Any Network member can volunteer to be on any committee. The Steering Committee may also request an individual to serve on a committee. The Steering Committee may invite non-Network members to serve on committees as needed to gain specific expertise. Committee Chairs will initially be appointed by the Steering Committee, subsequently Chairs of committees will be determined by majority vote of committee members, and will come up for renewal concurrent with Steering Committee elections. There will be no term-limit for the Chair, however, committee members are encouraged to utilize interested and qualified members for this or other leadership positions. Terms of Reference for each committee will be decided by the Steering Committee. Committee chairs will provide a written report of activities to the Steering Committee annually.

Committee Chairs will be invited to attend meetings of the Steering Committee, as non-voting participants when their personal presence is required to guide the Steering Committee on issues and as funds allow.

Article 11. Affiliation
The SLN will apply to be anaffiliated group of the IUCN Cat Specialist Group.

a ISLT will provide core functions for the Network such as website, listserv, database hosting, banking and other mechanisms. Nominal costs of these services will be borne by the Network. If the Network gains a sustainable internal structure, it may elect to take these mechanisms over. Until that occurs, or the Steering Committee decides a change is desired, ISLT will retain the dedicated Executive Director position on the Steering Committee.