[VOL-5009] - Update release notes

config.mk
makefiles/*
-----------
  o Refresh library makefiles from https://github.com/opencord/onf-make.
  o More lint targets added with exclusions in config.mk

makefiles/virtualenv.mk
patches/lib/python3.10/site-packages/robot/utils/normalizing.py/patch
patches/lib/python3.10/site-packages/robot/utils/robottypes3.py/patch
patches/python_310_migration.sh
---------------------------------------------------------------------
  o Continue normalizing virtualenv install directory.
  o Update patches to modify .venv VS vst_venv [, vdoc_venv, vfoo_venv, vbar_venv, ...)
  o virtualenv.mk now defines named targets for patching-up-to 3.10 installs.

release_notes/voltha_2.12.rst
-----------------------------
  o Update version string info.
  o Onos component table condensed and populated with versioned urls.
  o voltha components table is a WIP.

howto/release/repositories/
---------------------------
  o Begin capturing repo-specific activities for release.
  o Silly having to figure this out each release cycle.
  o Automation and release helper scripts can be found here:
    - https://github.com/joey-onf/voltha-release

sphinx_conf/exclude_patterns.py
-------------------------------
  o Roach squashing exercise, external repos pulled in as git-submodules.
  o New repository files appear as problems when running 'make reload'
  o Exclude files to squelch messages.

Change-Id: I7adf7b84498511f5cde1e43ad304f9e33283241e
diff --git a/howto/release/checklist.rst b/howto/release/checklist.rst
index 206ac9d..4c9c265 100644
--- a/howto/release/checklist.rst
+++ b/howto/release/checklist.rst
@@ -7,6 +7,20 @@
 - Create release notes
 - Review core contributors
 
+VOLTHA Repositories (special snowflakes)
+----------------------------------------
+
+- voltha-helm-charts
+- voltha-system-tests
+
+  - Create branch voltha-2.12
+  - Update Chart.yaml in v-h-c to version 2.12
+  - Create tag 2.12.0 on branch voltha-2.12
+
+    - v-h-c and v-s-t are the only repositories to receive this tag.
+    - `creating-initial-release <https://docs.voltha.org/master/release_notes/release_process.html#creating-the-initial-release>`_
+
+
 VOLTHA Repositories
 -------------------