diff --git a/CODEOWNERS b/CODEOWNERS
index 6d12041c3..905f0b3fe 100644
--- a/CODEOWNERS
+++ b/CODEOWNERS
@@ -68,6 +68,7 @@
 # docs
 /man/openmp-utils.Rd @Anirban166
 /Seal_of_Approval.md @tdhock
+/GOVERNANCE.md: @Rdatatable/committers
 
 # GLCI
 .gitlab-ci.yml @jangorecki @ben-schwen
diff --git a/GOVERNANCE.md b/GOVERNANCE.md
index 33449a367..6c9ce5862 100644
--- a/GOVERNANCE.md
+++ b/GOVERNANCE.md
@@ -94,8 +94,9 @@ A pull request can be merged by any committer, if there is one approving review,
 
 ## Changing this GOVERNANCE.md document
 
-There is no special process for changing this document (submit a PR
-and ask for review).
+There is no special process for changing this document. Submit a PR and ask for review; the group `@Rdatatable/committers` will automatically be assigned to ensure all current Committers are aware of the change.
+
+Please also make a note in the change log under [`# Governance history`](#governance-history)
 
 # Code of conduct
 
@@ -123,6 +124,8 @@ data.table Version line in DESCRIPTION typically has the following meanings
 
 # Governance history
 
+Jan 2025: clarify that edits to governance should notify all committers.
+
 Feb 2024: change team name/link maintainers to committers, to be consistent with role defined in governance.
 
 Nov-Dec 2023: initial version drafted by Toby Dylan Hocking and