2026 Board Elections & Year End Celebration
This page was last updated on November 4, 2026.
ATTENTION SWPACC MEMBERS!
The 2026 Board Elections are upon us! In mid-November, we will elect four members to serve on the board. This also coincides with our annual Year End Celebration!
See below for more information.
Important 2026 Dates
Sunday, October 25: Deadline To Submit A Nomination. NOMINATIONS CLOSED. View the Board candidates HERE.
Tuesday, November 17: Year End Celebration | 7 – 9pm | Dive Bar & Grille (South Side). RSVP BELOW.
Tuesday, November 17: In-person board election ratification will occur during the Year End Celebration. We needed four new board members and received exactly four qualified nominations. Therefore, there will be no vote, but instead the present members will ratify the Board’s recommend slate of candidates.
Year End Celebration
The SWPACC climbing community (members and non-members) is invited to our annual year end celebration!
The purpose of this event is to gather and spend time together, and for SWPACC leadership to share past achievements, upcoming projects, other notable updates. Additionally, we will introduce the board candidates and ratify the upcoming board.
SWPACC will provide limited appetizers for all to enjoy, as well as one drink ticket to the first 25 SWPACC Members to arrive. Additional food and beverages may be purchased. Dive is graciously providing the 2nd floor to us free of charge, so let’s return the favor by showing them some love.
Please share this invite with others in the community and RSVP accordingly. Having a rough idea of the number of people attending will be a big help in ensuring a well run event. Thank you!
About The Board
The board acts as the guiding force for SWPACC. It oversees and contributes to the committees, makes strategic decisions regarding the organization’s trajectory and resources, and manages relationships with all critical stakeholders, including land owners, government officials, relevant institutions, and of course, the regional climbers SWPACC serves. The board is comprised of 11 individuals, each serving three year terms. Elections are held annually in November, coinciding with the Year End Celebration.
Eligibility To Serve
Candidates for the Board must be current joint members of Access Fund and SWPACC. All current joint members of Access Fund + SWPACC are eligible to vote in the election process. If you are unsure of your membership status, email info@swpacc.org.
Ideal board members are…
- Passionate about climbing
- Eager to serve the climbing community
- Interested in hands-on experience with a nonprofit
In particular, we are keen on hearing from folks who have experience with:
- non-profit strategic planning
- accounting or finance
- community organizing
- marketing or communications
Commitment
Board terms are for three years. Board member responsibilities include:
- Attending (in-person or virtually) 75% of board meetings each year. Currently, the board has been meeting every other month/six times a year (approximately 2-hour meetings).
- Participating in decision-making and discussion.
- Engaging in mission-driven projects and events hosted by SWPACC, this includes serving on relevant committees.
- Occasionally attending workday events and assisting with tabling efforts throughout the year.
- Staying informed regarding the organization’s work and finances.
- Supporting the mission of SWPACC, which is “to promote the responsible development of climbing and bouldering in southwestern Pennsylvania, to disseminate information about development and conservation of the resource, and to gain and preserve access.”
View the full board member agreement here.
Be Part of Something Bigger
SWPACC is your Local Climbing Organization. We are:
- Working behind the scenes, talking with land managers to regain and protect access to the places we love
- Hosting stewardship days that involve activities like installing stone steps on steep hillsides, repairing trails, and removing litter & graffiti
- Helping to break barriers for individuals who have historically been left out or who do not have the means to experience rock climbing
We are a passionate group of individuals who are committed to SWPACC’s mission to promote the responsible development of climbing and bouldering in southwestern Pennsylvania, to disseminate information about development and conservation of the resource, and to gain and preserve access. Please join us!
Questions?
Email us at info@swpacc.org.
Join A Committee
If you’re not ready to join the board yet, but still would like to contribute, join one of SWPACC’s committees! SWPACC operates via working committees that fuel SWPACC’s work. Committees are comprised of board members, committee chairs, and local climbers, like you! They meet virtually and in person throughout the year and are always looking for more participation from the community.
Interested in joining a committee? Join our Slack Workspace and reach out!
- Communications – Disseminates publicly the mission and identity of SWPACC and provides information to, dialogues with, and generates engagement from community members at large.
- Access+Stewardship – Facilitates stewardship of, access to, and communication of information regarding outdoor climbing spaces.
- Community – Responsible for organizing and sponsoring community initiatives and events, and fostering a positive social environment in which all climbers can take part, contribute, and benefit as active members.