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99 changes: 99 additions & 0 deletions docs/5-extra-topics/05-governance.md
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---
title: Governance
keywords: "governance"
---

## Overview

Tempest, being an open-source project, recognizes the need for a clear governance model to:

- Provide clarity surrounding how project decisions will be made.
- Ensure a safe, fun, and encouraging community.
- Ensure the longevity of the project.

This document defines the governance process for the Tempest project and community.

## Roles & Responsibilities

### Benevolent Dictator for Life

The Benevolent Dictator for Life (from here on, BDFL) is ultimately responsible and has final say for project decisions. The BDFL’s responsibilities include:

- Setting project scope.
- Setting project timeline.
- Approving releases.
- Approving new Team Members, Core Contributors, or Moderators.
- Suggesting changes in governance to the Council Members.

Current BDFL: [Brent Roose](http://github.com/brendt)

### Council Members

Council Members are appointed delegates who are responsible for helping in governance decisions and ensuring fair decisions are made regarding project governance rules and the BDFL role. The Council Members responsibilities include:

- Suggesting new Team Members, Core Contributors, or Moderators.
- Suggesting and approving new Council Members.
- Ratifying governance laws.
- Appointing a new BDFL, see [here](#appointment-of-the-bdfl).
- Three standing Council Members must always exist (including the BDFL). If the number of Council Members drops below this minimum count, the BDFL is responsible for appointing new members.

Current Council Members: [Aidan Casey](https://github.com/aidan-casey), [Enzo Innocenzi](https://github.com/innocenzi), and [Brent Roose](http://github.com/brendt).

### First Officer

The First Officer is a Council Member, appointed by the BDFL, as successor in the case of their prolonged or permanent absence.

Current First Officer: [TODO](#)

### Team Members

Team Members are members of the project who have volunteered for specific teams and are consistent contributors. See [here] for the current Teams and members.

TODO: link to team members. Also unclear to me what "teams" are?

### Core Contributors

Core Contributors are Team Members who have shown wisdom, discretion, and provide consistent and prolonged contributions to the project. Core Contributors are appointed by the BDFL and must be active members of the project. Core Contributors responsibilities include:

- Promoting Tempest Core Values.
- Collective care for the Tempest project.
- Feedback and collaboration on issues.
- Review, approving, and merging of pull requests.
- Notification of fellow Contributors before periods of inactivity when possible.
- Core Contributors must have quorum.

Current Council Members: [Aidan Casey](https://github.com/aidan-casey), [Enzo Innocenzi](https://github.com/innocenzi), and [Brent Roose](http://github.com/brendt).

### Moderators

TODO: link to core values — can be on the same page.

Moderators hold a special role amongst the Tempest community, ensuring its tone is consistent with the Tempest core values [link to core values here]. Moderators are appointed by the BDFL and must be active members of the community Discord. Moderators’ responsibilities include:

- Promoting Tempest Core Values.
- Collective care for the Tempest community through editing and removal of messages.
- Collective care for the Tempest community through removal of spam, promotions, and banning of such members.

Current Moderators: [iamDadmin](https://github.com/iamdadmin), [Aidan Casey](https://github.com/aidan-casey), [Enzo Innocenzi](https://github.com/innocenzi), and [Brent Roose](http://github.com/brendt).

## Governance

### Appointment of the BDFL

The successor to the BDFL is appointed by the standing BDFL as First Officer.

A new BDFL can be appointed in a limited number of cases:

- When the current BDFL decides to step down.
- When the current BDFL fails to perform their duties or ceases to perform their duties in a manner of benevolence. (TODO: must be clarified what this means)
- When the BDFL has been inactive for a prolonged period of time. (TODO: must be clarified how long exactly this is)

The decision to appoint a new BDFL must be approved by a 2/3 majority vote of the Standing Council. The new BDFL will always be the current First Office.

### Appointment of a Council Member

New Council Members may be put forward by an existing Council Member or the standing BDFL. Council Members must demonstrate benevolence. New Council Members are ratified by a 2/3 majority vote by the standing Council. If the number of Council Members drops below the minimum threshold of three members, the BDFL may appoint new members at their discretion.

### Removal of an Active Member

Council Members can be removed by a 2/3 majority vote by the standing Council.