What do you do when you find your chapter is unable to accommodate its membership because of size or distance? How do you decide when it makes sense to split into two or more local chapters?
Several country level chapters currently are in the process of splitting into local city chapters. This often happens when AppSec professionals in a city that is far from the main chapter's activities wishes to host their own events. Breaking into subchapters is not only possible, but is encouraged when a country or large metropolitan area exhibits local activity that warrants it's own chapter. Section 5.02 of the OWASP Bylaws (PDF) explicitly allows country and city level chapters to break into smaller, local chapters. The Chapter Leader Handbook further qualifies this allowance, as long as the new chapters do not overlap boundaries.
It is important to work with the current chapter leader when requesting to create a new chapter within an area that is already represented at the country or metro level. This can be a difficult and occasionally uncomfortable process, particularly if the issue is that the current chapter is not serving your local area adequately.
This is really OK. Chapters grow. At the country level, it may be difficult for a country leader to host meetings in every city where there is interest. In most cases the chapter leader will welcome the expansion and appreciate offsetting some activity to a local chapter. Also, the closer a chapter is to a prospective member, the more likely that person will pay for a membership, which is good for each chapter's bottom line.
When does it NOT make sense to split a chapter? Issues such as inactivity at the country level can be resolved by having alternate localities host chapter events on behalf of the country leader. It is difficult to justify splitting an inactive chapter into multiple chapters if participation overall is low.
There may also be personal and political reasons for creating a new chapter which need to be examined as well. Such disputes, for financial and operational reasons, may not warrant splitting a chapter. Our dispute resolution process is available for addressing these kinds of disagreements.
Another big issue to address is funding. When joining OWASP, members self-select which chapter they identify with, and have the option to move their allocation to a new chapter upon renewal. In most cases, funding is available in the existing chapter's account that accrued from a share of revenue from events or membership dues.
So, what happens to this funding when a new chapter splits off? Chapter leaders may need to negotiate an equitable split of the available funding or hold a vote among its dues-paying members. New chapters also have the option to request engagement funding which may make more financial sense if overall funding is low. We can help to guide and facilitate funding decisions.
Country level oversight may be desirable in some cases. We have a few country chapters that operate centrally, overseeing subchapters that share funding in a common, country level allocation. Korea and China are examples of centrally operated chapters. Both maintain external, common language websites and oversee regional activities from a central coordinating committee. Atlantic Canada, a new chapter covering Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick will operate this way. Other chapters such as Sweden and South Africa have opted instead to break into separate city level chapters. We have facilitated those changes in Sweden and are in the process of helping South Africa do the same.
If you are exploring chapter changes that require either a consolidation or splitting of an existing chapter,
please let me know. I can help make the process a smooth one.
Do you know someone who does great things for OWASP, but never seems to receive the recognition they deserve? Why not nominate them for the WASPY awards!! The deadline to submit your nominees is July 29, 2015. To learn more about the award including a list of rules and how to submit your nominees, please visit
Time is running out! Please consider running for one of the four seats that are available in this years election. More information can be found here. Submit your candidacy today!
OWASP Board elections are coming up soon, and individuals have submitted their candidacy. In order to hear what our candidates think about OWASP priorities, please submit your questions that you would like asked of each candidate. The candidates will be asked the top 4-5 questions during their interviews. The full cycle of activities and schedule can be found here.
Remember, to vote for the WASPY Awards your membership (paid or honorary) must be on file with the foundation no later than July 26, 2015. To cast a vote in the 2015 Election, your membership (paid or honorary) must be on file with the foundation no later than Sept 30, 2015.
