diff --git a/docs/5-extra-topics/05-governance.md b/docs/5-extra-topics/05-governance.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..0ff83cf5e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/5-extra-topics/05-governance.md
@@ -0,0 +1,110 @@
+---
+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 the project scope.
+- Setting the 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](#)
+
+### Core Contributors
+
+Core Contributors are Tempest community 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
+
+### Appointing the BDFL
+
+In principle, the BDFL stays on the project forever. A new BDFL can be appointed, though, in a limited number of cases:
+
+- When the BDFL decides to step down or retire.
+- When the 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, the BDFL will be considered inactive and replaced by the current First Officer. After another 90 days of inactivity, the inactive BDFL will be declared retired and replaced by the acting BDFL. At this point the new BDFL will assign a new First Officer and ensure a minimum of three Council Members.
+
+"Activity" is measured by:
+
+- Code contributions.
+- Community interactions (Discord, socials, etc.).
+- Issue and PR activity.
+
+The BDFL is expected to have reasonable contributions in all areas, although "inactivity" only means being inactive on all fronts. The decision to mark the current BDFL as "inactive" must be approved by a 2/3 majority vote of the Standing Council and they must take reasonable attempts to inform the inactive BDFL of this upcoming vote. The new BDFL will always be the current First Office. 
+
+### Appointing Council Members
+
+New Council Members may be put forward by an existing Council Member or the BDFL. Like the BDFL, Council Members must demonstrate benevolence. New Council Members require a 2/3 majority vote by the standing Council to be accepted. If the number of Council Members drops below the minimum threshold of three members (the BDFL included), the BDFL may appoint new members at their discretion.
+
+Council Members are bound to the same activity standards as the BDFL. They will become inactive after 90 days of inactivity and become retired after another 90 days of inactivity.
+
+### Removal of a Council Member
+
+Council Members can be removed by a 2/3 majority vote by the standing Council.
+
+### Appointment of a Core Contributor
+
+New Core Contributors may be put forward by an existing Core Contributor, Council Member, or the BDFL. Core Contributors are approved by the BDFL. 
+
+Core Contributors are also expected to be active, although their activity is only measured by:
+
+- Code contributions.
+- Issue and PR activity.
+
+When a Core Contributor has been inactive for 90 days, they may become inactive, per the Council or the BDFL's decision. A Core Contributor can be made active again per decision by the BDFL.
\ No newline at end of file