Open Boards Summits

The Open Boards Summit series exists to connect and support board members of Open projects and organizations, as well as the project leaders with whom they directly interact.

Each Open Boards Summit is an opportunity to strengthen ties and deepen trust between open leaders, while collaboratively solving problems and co-creating resources that can be of use in governing open endeavors and enterprises.

The next Open Boards Summit will take place online on

Wednesday 12 November, 2025
16h to 19h UTC

The event will serve to both explore needs and opportunities, while also continuing this ongoing community effort and considering the potential for a potential in-person convening.

Convening board members and project leaders

“Open” initiatives, in practical terms, are organizations that: Openly license intellectual property, include Open as a key approach to the governance of the organization and community, and/or center their strategies and practices on Open values and norms in realizing their mission.

We interpret Open medium-broadly: there is not a purity test to participate, but we do not welcome “fauxpen” participation by organizations that assert Open only in words and not in deeds.

Mindful of the complex and varied power dynamics that exist between Open boards and other leaders in their respective communities, we hope to convene a healthy balance of those who sit on boards and those who work directly with them.

A co-created program

The agenda for each Summit is co-created with confirmed participants in the time leading up to the event.

Each program strives to address a range of outcomes and issues.

How to participate

To express interest in joining the Open Boards Summit please send an email to: summit@openboardssummit.org. Please include the following information:

• What specific goals would you have in joining the next Open Boards Summit, and what would be your ideal outcome(s)?
• Geographic region(s) where your org or project is based and/or operates
• Your relevant role(s) or title(s) in your organization or project
• We also welcome you to share anything about yourself, your background, how you identify, or your passions and motivations relating to Open boards.