governance

GOVERNANCE.md

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+# PieFed Governance
+
+The PieFed project uses a governance model commonly described as Benevolent Dictator For Life
+([BDFL](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benevolent_dictator_for_life)). This document outlines our implementation of
+this model.
+
+## Terms
+
+- user: anyone who interacts with the project.
+
+- contributor: anyone who has contributed to the project in any way and to any degree. Contributions may include code, 
+documentation, reviews, manual testing, etc.
+
+- core contributor: anyone who has contributed repeatedly and significantly to the project. Core contributors are 
+recognized by Codeberg "Member" badges.
+
+- Benevolent Dictator For Life (BDFL): the person who makes decisions when consensus cannot be reached. The project’s current BDFL is Rimu Atkinson.
+
+## Decision Making Process
+
+Contributors try to reach consensus via discussion. When consensus cannot be reached in a reasonable time, the BDFL 
+takes the following steps:
+
+- Creates an issue in [the project's Codeberg repository](https://codeberg.org/rimu/pyfedi) labeled "governance" or
+what ever is suitable.
+
+- Waits at least 48 hours for contributors to add comments to the issue.
+
+- Adds a comment with the final decision and closes the issue.
+
+## Changing Governance
+
+The BDFL may choose a replacement at any point and cede authority to them. If this happens, the 
+decision must be announced and recorded in the manner described above for decisions in the absence 
+of consensus.
+
+The new BDFL must clearly state that they accept their new responsibilities.
+
+The time at which the new BDFL assumes their responsibilities must be clearly stated.
+
+The BDFL may alternatively decide to move to a Steering Committee governance model, 
+[or any other model](https://communityrule.info/templates/), in which case this document must be replaced 
+with a new description of roles and responsibilities.