docs: add a simple inactivity measure and process for removal

The ROLES.md document was recently updated to more accurately reflect
how the Knative organization should work with regards to a "contribution
ladder" and methods of moving up and down that latter based on project
contributions. What was not addressed in those changes was how to handle
stepping away from the project or being removed for some reason.

This change is meant to address that omission. The text is
taken from the CNCF contribution ladder template located here:

https://github.com/cncf/project-template/blob/main/CONTRIBUTOR_LADDER.md#inactivity

When members step away from the project or step away from leadership roles, they
should be removed from teams that have elevated priviledges (writers,
reviewers, admin, etc).

When members choose to leave the project entirely due to changing
employment of life events, they should be removed from the knative and
knative-sandbox

When members fail to contribute for a period of one year, they may be
involuntarily removed from the knative and knative-sandbox GitHub organizations.

Signed-off-by: Lance Ball <[email protected]>

ROLES.md

@@ -276,6 +276,26 @@ The following apply to the area / component for which one would be a lead.
 
   - Mentoring and guiding approvers, members, and new contributors.
 
+## Stepping Down/Emeritus Process
+If and when contributors' commitment levels change, contributors can consider stepping down (moving down the contributor ladder) or moving to emeritus status (completely stepping away from the project).
+
+Once a member has decided to move to emeritus or step down the contributor ladder, their entries in Peribolos should be removed or modified according to the specific change. Members moving to emiritus status should be removed from the Knative GitHub organization in Peribolos through a PR submitted by the member or a member of the Steering Committee.
+
+## Inactivity
+It is important for contributors to be and stay active to set an example and show commitment to the project. Inactivity is harmful to the project as it may lead to unexpected delays, contributor attrition, and a lost of trust in the project.
+
+* Inactivity is measured by:
+    * Periods of no contributions for longer than 12 months
+    * Periods of no communication for longer than 12 months
+* Consequences of being inactive include:
+    * Involuntary Removal or demotion
+
+## Involuntary Removal or Demotion
+
+Removal or demotion of a contributor happens when responsibilities and requirements aren't being met. This may include repeated patterns of inactivity, extended period of inactivity, a period of failing to meet the requirements of your role, and/or a violation of the Code of Conduct. This process is important because it protects the community and its deliverables while also opens up opportunities for new contributors to step in.
+
+Involuntary removal or demotion is handled through a vote by a majority of the current Steering Committee members.
+
 # Notes
 
 Within this section "manager" refers to a Member who is a Working Group Lead or

peribolos/knative-OWNERS_ALIASES

@@ -34,6 +34,9 @@ aliases:
   - retocode
   - skonto
   - snneji
+  emeritus:
+  - abrennan89
+  - jcrossley3
   eventing-reviewers:
   - aslom
   - creydr

peribolos/knative-sandbox-OWNERS_ALIASES

@@ -18,6 +18,9 @@ aliases:
   - csantanapr
   - psschwei
   - snneji
+  emeritus:
+  - abrennan89
+  - jcrossley3
   eventing-autoscaler-keda-approvers:
   - zroubalik
   eventing-awssqs-approvers:

peribolos/knative-sandbox.yaml

@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ orgs:
     - upodroid
     members:
     - aavarghese
+    - abrennan89
     - aliok
     - andrew-su
     - AngeloDanducci
@@ -848,6 +849,13 @@ orgs:
         members:
         - lberk
 
+      Emeritus:
+        description: Project members who are no longer contributing
+        privacy: closed
+        members:
+        - jcrossley3
+        - abrennan89
+
       eventing-autoscaler-keda Approvers:
         description: Approver group for eventing-autoscaler-keda - to be used in CODEOWNERS file
         privacy: closed

peribolos/knative.yaml

@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ orgs:
     - upodroid
     members:
     - aavarghese
+    - abrennan89
     - aliok
     - andrew-su
     - AngeloDanducci
@@ -668,7 +669,7 @@ orgs:
             members:
             - nak3
             - skonto
-            - psschwei            
+            - psschwei
             privacy: closed
           Serving WG Leads:
             description: The Working Group leads for Serving