[Themaintainers] Maintainers - The State of the Steer?

[Camille E. Acey]

Hi all!

I am currently working with an organization that exploring the 
possibility of transitioning to being community-run, and _I need your 
help!_

It's been a year and a month since The Maintainers transitioned into a 
network-led organization. How are things going? I note that many 
interesting events have been organized by the steering committee. One 
the other hand, I see that we are still on this Stevens.edu listserve 
(which I think the university could possibly shut off at any moment!) 
and that the website hasn't been updates since Lauren and Lilliana 
rolled off <https://themaintainers.org/blog-posts/>.

As The Maintainers, what should maintenance of this group look like now? 
Does any one have any tips for me and my client for how to successfully 
do an exit to community?

Thanks!

Camille

Camille Emefa Acey - The Wind Down <https://wind-down.org/> | Closing 
Remarks newsletter <https://www.wind-down.org/newsletter/archive/>
New York, NY (UTC -4)
"Today, I choose to close the door to yesterday and open my mind, my 
heart, and my spirit to the blessings of this moment." - Iyanla Vanzant 
<https://www.wind-down.org/2024/01/03/morning-closure-affirmation-by-iyanla-vanzant/>

On 6/5/25 11:32, Lauren Dapena Fraiz wrote:
> /
> /
> /For the website version of this announcement, as well as to see the 
> lovely faces of the Steering Committee members, please visit 
> herhttps://themaintainers.org/network-led/ 
> <https://themaintainers.org/network-led/>/
>
> Dear Maintainers' community,
>
> We’re delighted to officially introduce you to the 2025–26 Interim 
> Maintainers Steering Committee. This is a group of thoughtful, 
> experienced, and passionate individuals stepping into a shared 
> leadership role for the next phase of The Maintainers starting August 
> 1st, 2025.
>
> We intentionally convened this group, bringing together voices from 
> the early conference days to the more recent Movement Fellows. 
> Together, they combine localized practice with international 
> frameworks. And, believe it or not, are /also/ big fans and champions 
> of maintenance, repair, and care in all forms.
>
>
>       *Please join us in warmly welcoming:*
>
>
>       *Himani Kulkarni, Sam Bennett, Mathew Lubari, Nathan Proctor,
>       Purna Sarkar!*
>
> These leaders bring a rich diversity, unique perspectives, and 
> dedication to maintaining thinking and action. They represent a 
> beautiful cross-section of the broader Maintainers ethos – from 
> community organizing to policy, from repair cafes to care 
> infrastructures. They bridge both global and hyperlocal contexts. They 
> are academics /and /practitioners, collectively embodying the heart of 
> this network.
>
>
>       *A new model of governance*
>
> Over the past year, we’ve worked closely with this group to transition 
> into a *distributed leadership model* – one deeply rooted in our 
> community’s long-term vision, which we spoke to in our previous 
> communication <https://themaintainers.org/into-a-network-led-chapter/> 
> on closing our current grant chapter and transition leadership.
>
> This distributed leadership model is inspired by frameworks like the 
> /Exit to Community/ (co-developed by MEDLab at the University of 
> Colorado in Boulder) but customized to reflect the specific context 
> and history of The Maintainers. Over the past five years, the project 
> has evolved from a group of conveners to a more centralized structure 
> with co-directors and now into a distributed model of network 
> stewardship.
>
>
>       *What to expect next…*
>
> Over the past year, we’ve had the privilege of collaborating closely 
> with these folks as we shaped the transition to a distributed 
> leadership. This approach is our way of enacting a long-held vision: 
> that The Maintainers be co-governed and held by a rotating body of 
> caretakers who bring fresh energy, curiosity, and commitment to expand 
> and further amplify this evolving body of work. Our hope is that a 
> shared leadership model will provide a broader scope for maintenance 
> projects at The Maintainers over time.
>
> Soon, you’ll hear directly from them through their reflections, 
> invitations, and updates. We know you’ll greet them with the same 
> curiosity and camaraderie that has defined this network from the 
> beginning.
>
> We’re excited to see where this next chapter takes all of us!
>
> With gratitude,
>
> Lauren, Liliana, Himani, Mathew, Nathan, Purna, and Sam
>
>
>
>
>
> -- 
> *Lauren Dapena Fraiz*
> *Director of Research and Programs*
> *The Maintainers <https://themaintainers.org/>*
> Pronouns: she/her
> Twitter <https://twitter.com/the_maintainers> | Instagram 
> <https://www.instagram.com/themaintainersnetwork/> | Connect 
> <https://themaintainers.org/connect/> |
>
> _______________________________________________
> Themaintainers mailing list
> Themaintainers at lists.stevens.edu
> https://lists.stevens.edu/mailman/listinfo/themaintainers
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