In other words, this is a request for every repo to list former maintainers. Not sure this actually needs a specific title or role. Simply:

Former maintainers

• John Doe
• Sue Smith

In other words, this is a request for every repo to list former maintainers. Not sure this actually needs a specific title or role. Simply:

Former maintainers

• John Doe
• Sue Smith

Technically, yes. There is the point if we use the term "Emeritus" or not.

+1 to this to recognize these people along with their github handle.

I think the term emeritus isn't as universally accessible. For example, it's not a term you would encounter if you didn't attend formal university education (especially in English).

Let's call it something else like Former maintainers -- even the word alumni (maintainer alumni) is less accessible (though still better than emeritus).

As an aside,

If someone decides to remain an approver but steps down from their maintainer role, I think we should still consider them both a former maintainer and an approver at the same time.

It depends on the degree to which they wish to stay involved in the project (and whether their activity justifies them keeping the lower privilege role)

Will need a short process on how/when to mark folks as emeritus voluntarily or involuntarily (say no activity for a year?) etc. Also how folks can be welcomed back if they choose to reengage etc. please see how other projects in CNCF do it.

xref: cncf/toc#1354

cc @msfussell