diff --git a/RELEASING.md b/RELEASING.md
index 3ba53ed0a..6a2d5b21d 100644
--- a/RELEASING.md
+++ b/RELEASING.md
@@ -34,7 +34,8 @@ Repositories create consistent release labels, such as `v1.0.0`, `v1.1.0` and `v
 The release process is standard across repositories in this org and is run by a release manager volunteering from amongst [maintainers](MAINTAINERS.md).
 
 1. Create a tag, e.g. v2.1.0, and push it to the GitHub repo.
-1. The [release-drafter.yml](.github/workflows/release-drafter.yml) will be automatically kicked off and a draft release will be created.
+1. The [release-drafter.yml](.github/workflows/release-drafter.yml) will be automatically kicked off and is responsible for drafting a new release on GitHub.
+1. Before creating a draft release, this workflow creates a GitHub issue asking for approval from the [maintainers](MAINTAINERS.md). See sample [issue](https://github.com/gaiksaya/opensearch-js/issues/1). The maintainers need to approve in order to continue the workflow run.
 1. This draft release triggers the [jenkins release workflow](https://build.ci.opensearch.org/job/opensearch-js-release/) as a result of which opensearch-js client is released on [npmjs](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@opensearch-project/opensearch).
 1. Once the above release workflow is successful, the drafted release on GitHub is published automatically.
 1. Increment "version" in package.json to the next patch release, e.g. v2.1.1. See [example](https://github.com/opensearch-project/opensearch-js/pull/318)