[WIP] doc: adding doc describing contribution ladder

CONTRIBUTION_LADDER.md

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+# Contribution Ladder
+
+---
+
+* [Roles](#roles)
+* [Community Member](#community-member)
+* [Contributor](#contributor)
+  * [How to become a contributor](#how-to-become-a-contributor)
+* [Maintainer](#maintainer)
+  * [How to become a maintainer](#how-to-become-a-maintainer)
+  * [Involuntary Removal or Demotion](#involuntary-removal-or-demotion)
+  * [Stepping Down/Emeritus Process](#stepping-downemeritus-process)
+---
+
+Our ladder defines the roles and responsibilities for this project and how to
+participate with the goal of moving from a user to a maintainer. You will need
+to gain people's trust, demonstrate your competence and understanding, and meet
+the requirements of the role.
+
+## Roles
+
+* Community Member
+* Contributor
+* Maintainer
+
+## Community Member
+
+Everyone is a community member! 😄 You've read this far so you are already ahead. 💯
+
+Here are some ideas for how you can be more involved and participate in the community:
+
+* Comment on an issue that you’re interested in.
+* Submit a pull request to fix an issue.
+* Report a bug.
+* Come chat with us in [Slack][slack].
+
+They must follow our [Code of Conduct](CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md).
+
+[slack]: https://communityinviter.com/apps/openpolicyagent/signup
+
+## Contributor
+
+[Contributors][contributors] have the following capabilities:
+
+* Have issues and pull requests assigned to them
+* Apply labels, milestones and projects
+* [Mark issues as duplicates](https://help.github.com/en/articles/about-duplicate-issues-and-pull-requests)
+* Close, reopen, and assign issues and pull requests
+
+They must agree to and follow this [Contributing Guide](CONTRIBUTING.md).
+
+### How to become a contributor
+
+To become a contributor, the maintainers of the project would like to see you:
+
+* Comment on issues with your experiences and opinions.
+* Add your comments and reviews on pull requests.
+* Contribute pull requests.
+* Open issues with bugs, experience reports, and questions.
+
+## Maintainer
+
+[Maintainers][maintainers] are members with extra capabilities:
+
+* Be a [Code Owner](.github/CODEOWNERS) and have reviews automatically requested.
+* Review pull requests.
+* Merge pull requests.
+
+Maintainers also have responsibilities beyond just merging code:
+
+* Help foster a safe and welcoming environment for all project participants.
+  This will include understanding and enforcing our [Code of Conduct](CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md).
+* Organize and promote pull request reviews, e.g. prompting community members,
+  contributors, and other maintainers to review.
+* Triage issues, e.g. adding labels, promoting discussions, finalizing decisions.
+* Help organize our community meetings, e.g. schedule, organize and
+  execute agenda.
+* Organize timely release for new changes in the project by following [release guidelines](docs/RELEASE.md).
+
+### How to become a maintainer
+
+To become a maintainer, we would like you to see you be an effective
+contributor, and show that you can do some of the things maintainers do.
+Maintainers will do their best to regularly discuss promoting contributors. But
+don’t be shy, if you feel that this is you, please reach out to one or more of
+the maintainers. Here are the foot steps to follow for maintainer path:
+
+- Contributor for at least 3 months
+- Contributed in developing new features
+- Must remain an active participant in the community by contributing code, performing reviews, triaging issues, etc.
+- Knowledgeable about the codebase
+
+## Inactivity
+
+It is important for maintainers to 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 a year, where contributions must include maintainer-level tasks:
+      reviewing and merging others pull requests, project administration, release management, mentoring, etc.
+      Code contributions are not strictly required to be considered active.
+  * Periods of no communication for longer than a year.
+* Consequences of being inactive include:
+  * Involuntary removal or demotion.
+  * Being asked to move to Emeritus status.
+
+## Involuntary Removal or Demotion
+
+Involuntary removal/demotion of a maintainer 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.
+
+Removal or demotion is handled first by attempting to contact the maintainer in question to suggest stepping down.
+If they cannot be reached, or will not resume their maintainer responsibilities, involuntary removal is initiated through a vote by a majority of the other current Maintainers.
+
+## Stepping Down/Emeritus Process
+
+If and when contributors' commitment levels change, contributors can consider stepping down (moving down the contributor ladder) instead of moving to emeritus status (completely stepping away from the project).
+
+Contact the Maintainers about changing to Emeritus status, or reducing your contributor level.
+When an Emeritus Maintainer has been an active contributor for 1 month, they can reapply to be considered for the Maintainer role again.