diff --git a/ROLES.md b/ROLES.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..e2231143f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ROLES.md
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+# KubeSphere Community Roles
+
+This document defines a set of roles for the community individuals to join. and describes the requirements, responsibilities and privileges of each role to join or stay in.
+
+## Contributor
+
+You need to satisfy the following requirements to become a contributor.
+
+- Anyone who has at least one non-trivial PR merged into any project under [KubeSphere organization](https://github.com/kubesphere) becomes a contributor.
+
+You are also encouraged to help the community in the following ways since it is important for you to become a KubeSphere member.
+
+- Answer questions from the community users in GitHub issues, forum or any communication channels.
+- Help test the project or report bugs.
+- Write blogs or technical documents including source code analysis to help users better understand and use KubeSphere.
+- Help improve KubeSphere user guide.
+
+## Member
+
+You need to have notable contribution to the project to become a member of KubeSphere community. 
+
+- Active contribution to the project.
+- Nominated by the current member of the project and approved by the lead of the project.
+- Help review PR from other contributors.
+
+## Owner / Lead
+
+A lead is also the member of the project who is an experienced and active reviewer of the project. 
+
+- Significant contribution to the project.
+- Domain expert of any area of the project.
+- Nominated by the current member and approved by TOC.
+
+As a lead, you have the following responsibilities.
+
+- Review PR from other contributors.
+- Approve PR
+- Triage issues, set labels on issues.
+- Manage code repository and related resources.
+- Run SIG and working group.
\ No newline at end of file