ISACA members are at the forefront of some of the most consequential challenges facing the global enterprise community. As I begin my term as ISACA Board Chair, I am grateful for the opportunity to work with the Board to champion our members through diligent governance and oversight. We are energized and committed to doing our part to support this exceptional global professional community.
The Board will continue to operate with transparency and a commitment to the sound governance principles that have helped build ISACA’s outstanding reputation over more than 50 years. At the same time, a strong foundation does not mean standing still. To reach even greater heights, we must embrace continuous improvement and ensure our governance evolves alongside ISACA and the changing business technology environment.
That includes ensuring our bylaws remain effective as ISACA continues to grow and evolve.
ISACA is a much more complex and global association than it was when we began in 1969. Over time, our bylaws have evolved as well, and some inconsistencies have emerged. We are therefore proposing several governance changes designed to create a more cohesive, clear and modern framework for how ISACA operates as a global professional association.
Most importantly, these changes give our members the opportunity to help shape ISACA’s future through a member vote.
Below, I want to share some of the most significant proposed bylaw updates. Each is designed to modernize governance, enhance clarity and strengthen the member voice.
What members will be voting on
The proposed changes will be presented to members for a six-week voting period beginning 21 September and will include:
- Redefining quorum from 5% to 4% of voting members.
- Changing Board terms from one year to three years, while retaining the existing maximum of nine years of Board service.
- Redomesticating ISACA from its original state of incorporation in California to Washington, D.C.
A quorum is the minimum number of voting members who must participate, either physically or digitally, for a vote or proceeding to be valid. As ISACA continues to grow, maintaining the current 5% quorum can make meaningful member participation in governance increasingly difficult. Reducing the threshold to 4% is intended to make participation more achievable while continuing to require meaningful engagement from our membership.
The move to staggered three-year Board terms is designed to strengthen continuity and governance effectiveness. Rather than having Board members stand for election each year, the proposed structure would provide greater stability and enable directors to devote more time to long-term strategic priorities. The existing maximum of nine years of Board service would remain unchanged, while staggered terms would ensure that no more than approximately one-third of the Board rotates off in any given year. This will help preserve institutional knowledge and continuity of governance.
The proposed redomestication—changing the jurisdiction in which ISACA is legally registered—from California to Washington, D.C., would also provide several strategic advantages.
Washington, D.C. is home to a uniquely large concentration of professional associations, and its legal environment is well-suited to organizations like ISACA. The District of Columbia Nonprofit Corporation Act provides a modern and comprehensive legal framework, with clear provisions relating to board oversight and member rights. D.C. law also enables associations to separate bylaws from policies, supporting more efficient updates and more agile decision-making. Its requirements around recordkeeping, reporting and compliance further support the transparency and accountability standards our members expect.
The formal process for this redomestication would be a statutory merger, through which the existing California ISACA entity would become a newly established Washington, D.C. ISACA entity.
In addition to these three proposed changes that require member votes, the bylaws will be simplified overall to make them clearer, more accessible and better aligned with modern governance practices.
Building for ISACA’s next chapter
As a global community, ISACA has tremendous momentum on our side. We are establishing ourselves as leaders in advancing trustworthy AI, building meaningful relationships with governments around the world to advocate for our members and their professions, and providing world-class resources that strengthen our members’ leadership capabilities and career journeys.
Strong governance is an essential enabler of that work. Modernizing our bylaws will help provide the clarity, continuity and agility we need to build on ISACA’s strong foundation and continue delivering value to our members and the professions we serve.
I encourage all members to learn more about the proposed bylaw changes here and to participate in the upcoming vote. The collective commitment of our association to good governance will solidify the foundation for ISACA’s next phase of growth and impact.
