05-06-2026 WG-BEAR Regular Meeting

Why It Matters

Expanding paid mentorships and post‑event onboarding will deepen the OpenSSF talent pool, while interim leadership ensures program continuity during parental leave.

Key Takeaways

• OpenSSF will have a booth and community day at Prague summit.
• Mentorship program launches eight paid mentees, each receiving $6,000 stipend.
• Interim co‑chairs appointed; July‑August working group meetings cancelled.
• Mentor scope must stay project‑specific to avoid LF paid‑role conflicts.
• Post‑Cyberfest onboarding webinar planned to engage new community members.

Summary

The WG‑BEAR regular meeting focused on upcoming OpenSSF activities, scheduling adjustments, and the status of its mentorship program. Participants confirmed OpenSSF’s booth and a new community‑day track at the Open Source Summit in Prague, while also noting the release of the EU6 CFP and the need to shift meeting times due to recurring conflicts. Key updates included the mentorship program’s expansion to eight paid mentees, each receiving a $6,000 stipend for a 12‑week engagement. With Denny and another lead on parental leave, interim co‑chairs were appointed and several working‑group meetings in July‑August were cancelled, though mentorship support remains a priority. Notable details featured a discussion on keeping mentorship projects narrowly scoped to avoid violating Linux Foundation paid‑role policies, and a recap of the Cyberfest event where the team attracted many university students, shared resources, and planned an onboarding webinar to convert interest into active participation. The implications are clear: a stronger talent pipeline for open‑source security, sustained community momentum despite leadership gaps, and targeted outreach that could translate event buzz into lasting contributions to OpenSSF initiatives.

Original Description

OpenSSF BEAR Working Group Regular Meeting

05-06-2026