diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index 3021212161b..e57b56df9d0 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -95,20 +95,23 @@ Check the [GitHub Issues](https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/issues) for "good
 
 ## Maintainers
 
-We're looking for dedicated people that want to help maintain OpenClaw.
-If you are interested, send an email to contributing@openclaw.ai with the following info:
+We're selectively expanding the maintainer team.
+If you're an experienced contributor who wants to help shape OpenClaw's direction — whether through code, docs, or community — we'd like to hear from you.
 
-- Link to existing PRs on OpenClaw
-- Link to your existing open source projects
-- X/Twitter, GitHub and Discord usernames
-- Explain your current situation, background, experience, areas of interst
-- What languages you speak, what's your current location
-- How much time are you willing to spend on this project
+Being a maintainer is a responsibility, not an honorary title. We expect active, consistent involvement — triaging issues, reviewing PRs, and helping move the project forward.
 
-We are not necessarily looking only for people that can program;
-folks that want to help with docs or even community management are also welcome.
+Still interested? Email contributing@openclaw.ai with:
 
-Given the massive popularity of this project, adding maintainers is a slow process.
+- Links to your PRs on OpenClaw (if you don't have any, start there first)
+- Links to open source projects you maintain or actively contribute to
+- Your GitHub, Discord, and X/Twitter handles
+- A brief intro: background, experience, and areas of interest
+- Languages you speak and where you're based
+- How much time you can realistically commit
+
+We welcome people across all skill sets — engineering, documentation, community management, and more.
+We review every human-only-written application carefully and add maintainers slowly and deliberately.
+Please allow a few weeks for a response.
 
 ## Report a Vulnerability