October 2025 Videoconference (delayed to November 5)

Meeting Details

Agenda

CALL TO ORDER

Board Members

  • Ricardo Griffith
  • Steve Springett
  • Harold Blankenship
  • Sam Stepanyan
  • Ashwini Siddhi
  • Avi Douglen
  • Diego Silva Martins

Guests

  • Andrew van der Stock
  • Dawn Aitken
  • Lauren Thomas
  • Hayden Corry
  • Starr Brown
  • Christian Capellan
  • Heather Kennedy
  • Apologies from Chris Barbeau and Leea Hudson-Wilson from Charity CFO due to the rescheduling of this meeting.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND ANTI-TRUST STATEMENT

As the Board consists of individuals from many competing organizations, OWASP and its Board shall abide by all applicable anti-trust and competition laws. To avoid any perceived or actual conflict of interest, or anti-trust concerns under US federal, state, or regulations, only the published agenda shall be discussed or voted upon, or amended as below. If there are any conflicts of interest, Board members are expected to disclose the conflict of interest and must recuse themselves from discussion and voting.

CHANGES TO THE AGENDA

Changes to the agenda - unless otherwise prohibited by anti-trust or competition laws - including adding, altering, or tabling of motions is permitted by following Roberts Rules of Order (RONR 12th Ed) 41:63, which requires an affirmative two-thirds vote.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

PRE-READING MATERIAL

A video is due on Monday, 3rd November. It will be updated here once received.

Committee and Community Reports

Update from the LA Chapter, presented by Edmond Momartin.

Update on the Chapter Handbook, presented by by Edmond Momartin from the Chapter Committee.

Update on the Certification Project, presented by Shruti Kulkarni.

NEW BUSINESS

Summary of Closed Board Meeting

Background Prior to this public Board meeting, the Board met in a closed session to discuss strategic matters, such as AI policy to be created, amongst other topics. This is a chance for the Board to summarize the closed meeting outcomes for the public record.

Discussion on the Community Policy Review process

Background The Board will discuss the Community Policy Review process, including how policies are reviewed, who is involved, and how feedback is incorporated. This discussion aims to ensure transparency and community involvement in policy development. One issue that needs to be addressed is how best to move the policy through drafting, pull requests, issues, and processing feedback from the community. Another issue is replacing the policy team seating requirements with a working group model.

Discussion to modify the Membership Policy to add benefits for Distinguished Lifetime Members

Background The Board will discuss a proposal to modify the Membership Policy to add specific benefits for Distinguished Lifetime Members. This change aims to recognize and reward long-term commitment and contributions to OWASP.

Discussion on updates to the OWASP Board of Director’s Code of Conduct on election campaigning

Background A discussion needs to be had on if or to what extent the OWASP Board of Director’s Code of Conduct should be updated to include guidance on election campaigning. This follows recent events during the 2025 Director elections where some candidates engaged in campaigning activities that raised questions about fairness and adherence to ethical standards.

Discussion on proposed Director Qualification and Election Policy changes

Background Avi Douglen has led a proposed change to the Director Qualification and Election Policy for Board discussion, creating a new draft policy for consideration, replacing the old Election Policy. This policy has received feedback from the community, which has been incorporated into the current draft by the Policy Review Team. The new policy proposes stronger qualifications for candidates, conflict-of-interest clarifications, and ranked-choice voting (STV). The director qualifications in the new policy is not applicable to the 2025 elections for Director qualifications, but the new seating procedure will be used for the 2026 Directors.

Motion “Resolved, that the Board approves the Board of Directors Policy, replacing the existing Election Policy, effective immediately.”

NB: At this time, the feedback hasn’t yet been agreed by the policy review team due to the feedback closing COB Friday Oct 31, 2025. This likely means that the vote on this policy will need to be tabled until the second November Board Meeting.

Discussion chapter leader orientation course

Background Sam Stepanyan will discuss the chapter leader orientation course and training, with a view to starting a Working Group to create the course. Working group activities and proposed change to the chapters policy. Should the policy be changed to make the course mandatory for new chapter leaders?

NB: Sam to provide updated URL

COMMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND OTHER BUSINESS

ADJOURNMENT

Adjournment motion

The next general Board meeting is on November 25 2025, at 12 pm US Eastern Time.

“It is moved, and seconded to adjourn. Those in favor, say “aye””

Sponsor: Chair Second: TBA

Watch Star