[meta] add project charter and governance
diff --git a/GOVERNANCE.md b/GOVERNANCE.md
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+# `nvm` Project Governance
+
+## Maintainers
+  - [@ljharb](https://github.com/ljharb)
+
+Maintainers are responsible for issue/PR triage, feature additions, maintenance, bugfixes, security fixes, releases, promoting existing contributors to maintainers, managing repo and CI configuration, etc.
+
+## Contributors
+
+Anyone who contributes code or content or time, via issues or pull requests or otherwise. Contributors do not have any additional permissions on the project.
diff --git a/PROJECT_CHARTER.md b/PROJECT_CHARTER.md
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+# `nvm` Charter
+
+nvm is a version manager for Node.js, designed to be installed per-user, and invoked per-shell. nvm works on any POSIX-compliant shell (sh, dash, ksh, zsh, bash), in particular on these platforms: unix, macOS, and Windows WSL.
+
+## Section 0: Guiding Principles
+
+The `nvm` project is part of the [OpenJS Foundation][openjs foundation], which operates transparently, openly, collaboratively, and ethically. Project proposals, timelines, and status must not merely be open, but also easily visible to outsiders.
+
+## Section 1: Scope
+
+`nvm` is a node version manager, focused on making it easy to install and manage multiple Node.js versions. Any features related to managing the installation and removal of Node.js on any node-supported platform are potentially in scope.
+
+## Section 2: Relationship with OpenJS Foundation CPC.
+
+Technical leadership for the projects within the [OpenJS Foundation][openjs foundation] is delegated to the projects through their project charters by the [OpenJS Foundation Cross-Project Council](https://openjsf.org/about/governance/) (CPC). In the case of the `nvm` project, it is delegated to the [`nvm` Maintainers](README.md#maintainers) (the “Maintainers”). The OpenJS Foundation's business leadership is the Board of Directors (the “Board”).
+
+This `nvm` Charter reflects a carefully constructed balanced role for the Maintainers and the CPC in the governance of the OpenJS Foundation. The charter amendment process is for the Maintainers to propose changes using simple majority of the full Maintainers, the proposed changes being subject to review and approval by the CPC. The CPC may additionally make amendments to the project charter at any time, though the CPC will not interfere with day-to-day discussions, votes or meetings of the Maintainers.
+
+### 2.1 Other Formal Project Relationships
+
+Section Intentionally Left Blank
+
+## Section 3: `nvm`'s Maintainers Governing Body
+
+`nvm` is governed by its [maintainers](README.md#maintainers).
+
+## Section 4: Roles & Responsibilities
+
+The roles and responsibilities of `nvm`'s Maintainers are described in [GOVERNANCE.md](./GOVERNANCE.md).
+
+### Section 4.1 Project Operations & Management
+
+Section Intentionally Left Blank
+
+### Section 4.2: Decision-making, Voting, and/or Elections
+
+Section Intentionally Left Blank
+
+### Section 4.3: Other Project Roles
+
+Section Intentionally Left Blank
+
+## Section 5: Definitions
+
+  - *Contributors*: contribute code or other artifacts, but do not have the right to commit to the codebase. Contributors work with the project’s maintainers to have code committed to the code base. A Contributor may be promoted to a Maintainer by the Maintainers. Contributors should rarely be encumbered by the Maintainers and never by the CPC or OpenJS Foundation Board.
+
+  - *Maintainers*: Contributors with any kind of decision-making authority in the project.
+
+[openjs foundation]: https://openjsf.org
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 7df2c2c..fbd0ef4 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -49,6 +49,7 @@
 - [Docker For Development Environment](#docker-for-development-environment)
 - [Problems](#problems)
 - [macOS Troubleshooting](#macos-troubleshooting)
+- [Maintainers](#maintainers)
 - [License](#license)
 - [Copyright notice](#copyright-notice)
 
@@ -511,9 +512,9 @@
 
 ### Deeper Shell Integration
 
-You can use [`avn`](https://github.com/wbyoung/avn) to deeply integrate into your shell and automatically invoke `nvm` when changing directories. `avn` is **not** supported by the `nvm` development team. Please [report issues to the `avn` team](https://github.com/wbyoung/avn/issues/new).
+You can use [`avn`](https://github.com/wbyoung/avn) to deeply integrate into your shell and automatically invoke `nvm` when changing directories. `avn` is **not** supported by the `nvm` maintainers. Please [report issues to the `avn` team](https://github.com/wbyoung/avn/issues/new).
 
-If you prefer a lighter-weight solution, the recipes below have been contributed by `nvm` users. They are **not** supported by the `nvm` development team. We are, however, accepting pull requests for more examples.
+If you prefer a lighter-weight solution, the recipes below have been contributed by `nvm` users. They are **not** supported by the `nvm` maintainers. We are, however, accepting pull requests for more examples.
 
 #### bash
 
@@ -924,12 +925,16 @@
 Now using node v14.15.4 (npm v6.14.10)
 ```
 
+## Maintainers
+
+Currently, the sole maintainer is [@ljharb](https://github.com/ljharb) - more maintainers are quite welcome, and we hope to add folks to the team over time. [Governance](./GOVERNANCE.md) will be re-evaluated as the project evolves.
+
 ## License
 
 See [LICENSE.md](./LICENSE.md).
 
 ## Copyright notice
 
-Copyright [OpenJS Foundation](https://openjsf.org) and [project name] contributors. All rights reserved. The [OpenJS Foundation](https://openjsf.org) has registered trademarks and uses trademarks.  For a list of trademarks of the [OpenJS Foundation](https://openjsf.org), please see our [Trademark Policy](https://trademark-policy.openjsf.org/) and [Trademark List](https://trademark-list.openjsf.org/).  Node.js is a trademark of Joyent, Inc. and is used with its permission.  Trademarks and logos not indicated on the [list of OpenJS Foundation trademarks](https://trademark-list.openjsf.org) are trademarks™ or registered® trademarks of their respective holders. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by them.
+Copyright [OpenJS Foundation](https://openjsf.org) and `nvm` contributors. All rights reserved. The [OpenJS Foundation](https://openjsf.org) has registered trademarks and uses trademarks.  For a list of trademarks of the [OpenJS Foundation](https://openjsf.org), please see our [Trademark Policy](https://trademark-policy.openjsf.org/) and [Trademark List](https://trademark-list.openjsf.org/).  Node.js is a trademark of Joyent, Inc. and is used with its permission.  Trademarks and logos not indicated on the [list of OpenJS Foundation trademarks](https://trademark-list.openjsf.org) are trademarks™ or registered® trademarks of their respective holders. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by them.
 
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