diff --git a/CHANGELOG-3.5.md b/CHANGELOG-3.5.md
index e9f815e12..656679a7e 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG-3.5.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG-3.5.md
@@ -102,6 +102,9 @@ Note that any `etcd_debugging_*` metrics are experimental and subject to change.
- Require [*Go 1.13+*](https://github.com/etcd-io/etcd/pull/11110).
- Compile with [*Go 1.13*](https://golang.org/doc/devel/release.html#go1.13)
+### Project Governance
+
+- The etcd team has added, a well defined and openly discussed, project [governance](https://github.com/etcd-io/etcd/pull/11175).
diff --git a/GOVERNANCE.md b/GOVERNANCE.md
index b7d10081f..a0a6a290e 100644
--- a/GOVERNANCE.md
+++ b/GOVERNANCE.md
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ below.
Contributors who are interested in becoming a maintainer, if performing these
responsibilities, should discuss their interest with the existing maintainers. New
maintainers must be nominated by an existing maintainer and must be elected by a
-supermajority of maintainers. Likewise, maintainers can be removed by a supermajority
+supermajority of maintainers. Likewise, maintainers can be removed by a supermajority
of the maintainers and moved to emeritus status.
Life priorities, interests, and passions can change. If a maintainer needs to step
@@ -51,22 +51,14 @@ to pick up the related work. At the very least, ensure the related work can be c
Afterward, create a pull request to remove yourself from the [MAINTAINERS](./MAINTAINERS)
file.
-## Approvers
-
-[Approvers](./MAINTAINERS) are contributors with merge rights. They are active reviewers
-and have created significant numbers of PRs in the various code areas to add new features,
-fix bugs and improve code. New approvers must be nominated by an existing maintainer
-and must be elected by a supermajority of maintainers. Likewise, approvers can be removed
-by a supermajority of the maintainers or can resign by notifying the maintainers.
-
## Reviewers
[Reviewers](./MAINTAINERS) are contributors who have demonstrated greater skill in
reviewing the code contribution from other contributors. Their LGTM counts towards
-merging a code change into the project. New reviewers must be nominated by an existing
-maintainer and must be elected by a supermajority of maintainers. Likewise, reviewers
-can be removed by a supermajority of the maintainers or can resign by notifying the
-maintainers.
+merging a code change into the project. A reviewer is generally on the ladder towards
+maintainership. New reviewers must be nominated by an existing maintainer and must be
+elected by a supermajority of maintainers. Likewise, reviewers can be removed by a
+supermajority of the maintainers or can resign by notifying the maintainers.
## Decision making process
diff --git a/MAINTAINERS b/MAINTAINERS
index fd85ff1e2..b42a28e53 100644
--- a/MAINTAINERS
+++ b/MAINTAINERS
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-# The official list of maintainers, approvers, and reviewers for the project maintenance.
+# The official list of maintainers and reviewers for the project maintenance.
#
# Refer to the GOVERNANCE.md for description of the roles.
#
@@ -21,9 +21,5 @@ Xiang Li (@xiang90) pkg:*
Ben Darnell (@bdarnell) pkg:go.etcd.io/etcd/raft
Tobias Grieger (@tbg) pkg:go.etcd.io/etcd/raft
-# APPROVERS
-Anthony Romano (@heyitsanthony) pkg:*
-Fanmin Shi (@fanminshi) pkg:*
-
# REVIEWERS
Wenjia Zhang (@wenjiaswe) pkg:*