The FreeBSD Core team has just finished electing their next core team. Only "significant" contributors to the project were allowed to vote, and those elected hold office for a fixed term (two years). The Core Team of nine members determine the project's goals and directions. Many open source projects seem to work in a similar manner. Announcement of the election: http://daily.daemonnews.org/view_story.php3?story_id=1263 [Old] Core Team description: http://www.freebsd.org/handbook/staff.html Contributors (e.g. Cast of Thousands): http://www.freebsd.org/handbook/staff-committers.html List of responsible parties: http://www.freebsd.org/handbook/staff-who.html Z.