[Owasp-wash_dc_va] OWASP NoVA Chapter Election

[John Steven]

All,

As per discussion I've been having with some more active members of
our chapter, I'd like to appoint a board to our chapter to aid in
distributing leadership and bolstering governance. As per the previous
meeting's discussion, and election seems to be the best way to
facilitate this.

I've written a letter to the chapter characterizing my thoughts (see:
http://www.owasp.org/index.php/Virginia#tab=.2711_Election )  Please
refer to our chapter page on the topic and this mailing list for
information over the coming week on this topic. In the meantime, I've
copied the chapter letter here:

--------------
All,

I'm proud of how much the Northern Virginia OWASP Chapter has grown in
the past two years. We've increased membership and attendance, and
been able to provide you, our constituency, some interesting speakers,
panels, and presentations. A single chapter lead has always headed our
chapter but last year we saw enough participation and activity we felt
the need to add a program committee. Now, we've reached a size where
we'd benefit from more leadership and governance.

As you familiarize yourself with OWASP you'll notice two principal memes:

 *   Conduct operations in as open, transparent, & democratic a manner
as possible
 *  Prefer progress to discussion--support engaged participants that
produce results over promise

To provide better leadership and governance within the two principals'
vein, I'm establishing a chapter board to be made of three (3)
individuals that share responsibilities described below by the
"Chapter Board Responsibilities" section. A fourth chair-person of the
board position will be established as well to facilitate overall
chapter direction and chapter interaction with global OWASP governing
bodies. This chair-person position will replace my current position
and as such I will step down and stand for election myself.

I'm going to restrict board membership to verified OWASP Members but
otherwise anyone and everyone should feel free to run. Procedures for
candidacy and election are described by the "Election Procedures"
section below. We plan to organize a campaign period in April and
conduct the board election during our May chapter meeting. Board
members make a special commitment to facilitate the chapter's
logistics, while growing its membership and attendance.

Beyond elected board members, everybody and anybody should feel free
to participate in our Northern Virginia OWASP chapter in any capacity
they seem beneficial. I encourage individuals to attend chapter
meetings, network, explore and consume OWASP resources voraciously.
Likewise, I encourage anyone to "take the reigns" and speak, organize,
contribute, and direct our chapter as they see fit. As a open,
transparent, and member-driven community, OWASP does not require
individuals to attain any status or rank before contributing, as long
as contributions meet our code of ethics. Indeed, OWASP strives to be
a meritocracy. Our new board, once elected, will strive to provide an
environment in which all members feel welcome, able, and supported in
providing what contributions they can.

So, please join me in participating in our up-and-coming campaign and
election proceedings. With your help, I am confident that the Northern
Virginia Chapter can take even greater strides towards helping this
area's professionals better address our application security
challenges,

-jOHN
John.Steven at owasp.org
Northern Virginia OWASP Chapter President,
Phone: 703.727.4034
Web: http://goo.gl/Y5d2y