Category:Chapter Handbook

The Chapter Handbook v.2 was last revised and approved by the Global Board of Directors in 2017. Before that it was revised by the Global Chapter Committee in December 2011. If you have questions or need help: Click Here to Contact Us

The purpose of the OWASP Chapter Handbook is to provide chapter leaders with a central place to find information about starting a chapter, organizing a chapter meeting, handling their chapter finances, and many other topics that come up in the course of running a chapter. While there are a few hard and fast rules that chapter leaders must follow, this handbook is primarily composed of suggestions and best practices that have worked for other successful chapter leaders. That said, what works for some chapters may not work for others, and this handbook should not limit the scope of possibilities for running a strong and thriving chapter.

PDF of Chapter Handbook: Please note that we are in the process of developing a new version of the OWASP Chapter Handbook. This version has not been updated. Recent changes have been made to the wiki pages and documented on the Talk pages for each chapter of the handbook. Please look there for the most recent text.

Translations

 ***  These translations are of the old chapter handbook. ***

• View the Handbook in Chinese
• Spanish - in progress
• Portuguese - in progress
• Russian - in progress
• View the Handbook in Japanese
• Korean - in progress

Table Of Contents

Chapter 1: Handbook Overview

1.1 About OWASP

1.2 The Purpose of OWASP Chapters

1.3 The Purpose of the Chapter Handbook

1.4 Contact Us: Comments, Suggestions, & Questions

Chapter 2: Mandatory Chapter Rules

2.1 Organize free and open meetings

2.2 Hold a minimum of 4 local chapter meetings or events each year

2.3 Give official meeting notice through the wiki, chapter mailing list, and OWASP Calendar.

2.4 Abide by OWASP principles and the code of ethics

2.5 Protect the privacy of the chapter’s local contacts

2.6 Maintain vendor neutrality (act independently)

2.7 Spend any chapter funds in accordance with the OWASP goals, code of ethics, and principles

2.8 Chapter Oversight

Chapter 3: How to Start a Chapter

3.1 Start-up Information

3.2 New Chapter Approval Process

3.3 Chapter Naming

3.4 Geographic area

3.5 Student, University, or Academic Chapters

Chapter 4: Chapter Administration

4.1 Owasp.org Email Accounts

4.2 OWASP Wiki

4.3 Local Domain Names

4.4 Mailing Lists

4.5 Social Media

4.6 Organizing Your Contacts

4.7 Handling Money

4.7.1 Spending Guidelines

4.7.2 Additional Expense Policies

4.7.3 Reimbursement Process

4.7.4 Chapter Budgets

4.7.5 Money not Tracked by the Foundation

4.8 Charging for Events

4.9 Insurance

4.10 (Signing) Contracts

Chapter 5: Governance

5.1 Chapter Leadership

5.2 Transferring Leadership

5.3 Chapter Elections

5.4 Chapter Bylaws

5.5 Legal Entity

5.6 Disputes

Chapter 6: Chapter Activity

6.1 Chapter Activity Requirements

6.2 Inactive Chapters

6.3 Restarting an Inactive Chapter

6.4 Call for Help

Chapter 7: Organizing Chapter Meetings

7.1 Meeting Formulas

7.2 Before - Planning the Meeting

7.2.1 Getting a Speaker

7.2.2 OWASP on the Move

7.2.3 Speaker Agreement

7.2.4 Meeting Venue

7.2.5 Setting a Date and Time

7.2.6 Posting Meeting Info on the Wiki

7.2.7 Catering

7.2.8 Sponsors & Affiliates

7.2.9 Meeting Promotion

7.2.10 OWASP Calendar

7.2.11 RSVPs

7.2.12 OWASP Merchandise

7.2.13 PPT Template

7.2.14 Screening Presentations

7.2.15 Remote Participation

7.2.16 Speaker Gifts

7.2.17 Communication

7.3 During the Meeting

7.3.1 Meeting Set-Up

7.3.2 Video Recording

7.3.3 Time Management

7.3.4 Meeting Content

7.3.5 Collecting CPE Forms

7.3.6 Collecting Feedback

7.3.7 Networking/Social Events

7.4 After the Meeting

7.4.1 Meeting Minutes (and Photos)

7.4.2 Posting Presentations and Recordings

7.4.3 Follow-up Communication

7.4.4 Certificate of Attendance

Chapter 8: Organizing Local Events

8.1 Local OWASP Days

8.2 OWASP Training Days

8.3 Regional Roadshows

Chapter 9: Growing and Promoting your Chapter

9.1 Setting Goals

9.2 Surveys

9.3 Outreach

9.4 Recruiting List Members

9.5 Promotional Materials

9.6 Raising Funds

9.7 Spawning Other Chapters

Chapter 10: International Aspects

10.1 Translation

10.2 Localization

10.3 Adjusted Memberships Fees

10.4 Material distribution

Appendix

OWASP Sponsored Travel Guidelines

FAQ