Questions we are asked most
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The organization
What is the Government Blockchain Association?
The Government Blockchain Association (GBA) is a non-profit, non-partisan professional association of individuals and organizations interested in promoting blockchain and other emerging technology-related solutions to challenges faced by governments and public institutions.
GBA is a 501(c)(6) professional association registered in the United States, with members and chapters around the world.
What does GBA actually do?
GBA connects people and organizations that have solutions with the public institutions that have problems. It does that through working groups that produce models, use cases, best practices and standards; through chapters that convene practitioners locally; through public events; and through the Blockchain Maturity Model, an independent standard for assessing blockchain solutions.
Is GBA a vendor or does it endorse products?
No. GBA is a professional association, not a vendor or reseller. It does not sell technology and does not endorse specific products. The Blockchain Maturity Model assesses a solution against a published standard; a rating is a measure of maturity, not a recommendation to buy.
Membership
Who can join GBA?
Anyone with a professional interest in how blockchain and emerging technologies serve the public interest — civil servants, elected officials, technologists, academics, students, consultants and vendors.
Do civil servants pay?
GBA maintains a dedicated membership route for civil servants and public employees so that government participation is never limited by an individual's ability to pay. Current terms and pricing are published on the membership pages.
What do members get?
Participation in working groups, access to member resources and forums, chapter membership, the member directory, discounted or complimentary event access, and the ability to contribute to GBA standards work.
Chapters, working groups and communities
What is a chapter?
Chapters are the grassroots communities of GBA. They are localized groups that meet at least once a month, usually with a high-level presentation designed to keep attendees up to date with the latest developments.
Chapter meetings are almost always free unless there is a cost for the venue.
What is a working group?
A working group is a group of members focused on a specific domain — health, defence, identity, finance, education and many more. Working groups meet on their own cadence and produce practical output: use cases, reference models, best practices and standards.
What is a community of interest?
A community of interest is a lighter-weight group for members who share a common interest but are not yet producing formal deliverables. Communities often become working groups as they mature.
Can I start a chapter or working group?
Yes. GBA actively encourages members to start new chapters and working groups where there is local or subject-matter demand. Tell us about the group you would like to convene and the operational team will follow up.
Speaking and participation
Can I speak at a GBA event?
Yes. GBA is always looking for practitioners with real experience to speak at chapter meetings, working group sessions and conferences. Submit your topic and background and the programme team will be in touch.
Can my organization sponsor or partner with GBA?
Yes. Organizational membership, event sponsorship and standards partnership are all available. Contact GBA and describe what you have in mind.
How do I follow GBA's work without joining?
Public events, published BMM results, the newsfeed and the press room are all open. Membership is required for working group participation, the member directory and the member forums.
Ethics and conduct
Does GBA have an ethics policy?
Yes. GBA publishes an ethics statement and a code of conduct that apply to all members, chapter and working group leaders, speakers and staff.
How do I raise an ethics concern?
Ethics concerns and complaints are received in confidence and reviewed by the GBA leadership. Use the ethics complaint route published on the ethics page.
Still unanswered?
Contact GBA