SWPACC Elections – 2025
Congratulations, New Board Members!
Congratulations to the new board members!
Eli Boley
Caleb Hills (returning board member)
Valerie Kramer (returning board member)
Meredith Soeder
Mike Varlotta (returning board member)
Jacob Zarick
These individuals were voted to serve on the SWPACC board of directors by well over a majority of joint Access Fund/SWPACC Members during our annual meeting/social. Congratulations!
Thank you to our departing board members!
We sincerely thank Joel Brady (founding board president), Mak O’Conner, and Marcus Shoffner for their service to the organization as board members. Thank you for your contributions!
Important Dates
Sunday, October 26 (extended from 10/19): Deadline to Submit a Nomination
Monday, November 17: Annual Meeting & Elections – In-person, 7pm – 9pm at Velum Fermentation, South Side, Pittsburgh, PA. RSVP / ADD TO YOUR CALENDAR
Eligibility
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.
Commitment
Historically, board terms lasted for two years, but we are shifting to three year terms. This is in an effort to give an appropriate amount of time for new board members to acclimate, learn, settle in, and get to work. In order to complete the transition from two to three year terms, four of the six newly elected board members in 2025 will be for three year terms, whereas two of the six will be for one year terms. All candidates who seek nomination must agree to accept either a one or three year term. The current board members will work with the incoming board members to settle these terms.
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.
Get Involved!
If you’re not ready to join the board yet, but still would like to contribute, join one of SWPACC’s four committees! Email us your interest and we will get you connected.
- 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.