Section 2. Election Notice: Notification of elections for membership to this body shall be made to recognized climbing societies (see Section 3 of this Article) and to the ERSNA superintendent prior to February 15 of each election year, and such notification shall be posted at ERSNA.
Section 3. Eligibility and Nomination: Any adult resident of the state of Texas shall be eligible for membership, provided that such resident shall be nominated by another such resident, and seconded by a third, within the period of March 1 through March 31 of an election year. There shall be two methods of nomination. The primary nomination process shall be through climbing societies, and society nominations shall be signed by the presiding officer of the climbing society meeting at which the nomination was made. The following societies shall be recognized as endorsing bodies for this purpose:
In addition, at-large nominations shall be accepted, if signed by two endorsers and the nominee. Nominations shall be accepted between March 1 and March 31 of an election year at this address: Superintendent, Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, Rte. 4, Box 170, Fredericksburg, TX 78624.
Section 4. Balloting: CTCC shall provide the ERSNA superintendent with a list of valid nominations in the form of a ballot, showing the name and city of residence of each nominee. The ballot shall be posted near the election notification (see Section 2 of this Article) at ERSNA.
Section 5. Voter Eligibility: Any ERSNA user is eligible to vote in a CTCC election.
Section 6. Voting Period and Location: Voting for membership shall take place using the ballot form provided by CTCC (see Section 4 of this Article) during the period of April 15 through May 31 of an election year at ERSNA. Ballots received outside of this period, or submitted by any means other than in person, by the individual voter, at ERSNA, shall not be accepted.
Section 7. Voter Identification: Voters shall be required to present valid photo identification, and only one ballot per voter shall be accepted. If multiple ballots are received from any individual, all ballots received from that individual shall be considered null and void. To maintain voter privacy, identification shall be recorded separately from ballots, each of which shall be marked with a unique identifier. Voter identification shall be used only to prevent multiple voting, and for no other purpose.
Section 8. Tallying of Votes: Ballots shall be counted and the votes tallied by the ERSNA superintendent or person(s) authorized by the ERSNA superintendent, and the results posted at ERSNA and forwarded to CTCC as soon as possible after the close of voting.
Section 9. Election Winners: The top seven (7) vote-getting candidates in a given election shall be deemed elected to CTCC membership for the next term. In the event of a tie leading to a situation in which seven winners are not exclusively selected by the popular vote, such tie shall be resolved by a game of chance chosen and executed at the discretion of the ERSNA superintendent.
Section 10. Termination of Membership: CTCC members may be terminated by virtue of:
CTCC shall designate from its membership one individual who shall serve as the primary point of contact between CTCC and TPWD. This "designated CTCC point of contact," or POC, shall be the only person from which TPWD shall receive official communications, such as applications for fixed protection, from CTCC.
Meeting locations shall be chosen by CTCC members, and shall approximate as closely as reasonably possible the geographical distribution of CTCC membership. Meetings shall be open to official TPWD representatives on request, and to other individuals outside CTCC at the discretion of CTCC. Reasonable advance notification of meeting times and locations shall be given to all available CTCC members.
A quorum meeting shall consist of a minimum of five (5) CTCC members. Working sessions may be held if fewer members are present, but official action may not occur at such working sessions. A permanent written record, including date, time, location, and list of attendees, shall be kept of all meetings at which any official action occurs. Member proxies are not allowed at CTCC meetings (see Article VI for a discussion of absentee voting).
Many CTCC actions, such as voting on applications for fixed protection, require a vote of some portion of the current membership, rather than of those present at a meeting. Written absentee votes on specific issues shall be acceptable at a quorum meeting if: (1) a member voting absentee identifies clearly in writing the issue being voted on, and their vote, and (2) such a written absentee vote includes the signature of the absentee-voting member.
All CTCC actions not otherwise restricted by these Bylaws may be remanded to written vote outside of CTCC meeting context, given a majority vote of those present at a meeting. Such written votes must be submitted to the designated POC (see Article IV herein), in a form that clearly identifies the issue being voted on, and must include the signature of the voting member.
Selected CTCC actions may, only as specified within these Bylaws and following a majority vote to do so by the members present at a CTCC meeting, be voted on outside of CTCC meetings by voice, either in person or via telephone. Such votes must be received by the designated TPWD contact (see Article IV herein), and must be submitted directly by each voting member. In particular, votes to approve or disapprove applications for fixed protection (see Article VIII herein) may be accepted in this manner.
No vote on CTCC action may be taken outside of a CTCC meeting, unless CTCC has passed a motion to accept such a vote (as described in one of the preceeding two paragraphs) at a CTCC meeting at which a quorum is present.
The first item of new business at any CTCC quorum meeting shall be the consideration of pending applications for placement of fixed protection. An application shall be pending if it was submitted in acceptable form (see preceeding portion of this Article) to CTCC a week or more before the meeting, and it has not yet been approved or disapproved.
CTCC approval of an application requires a vote of two-thirds of the CTCC membership, which may be collected outside of CTCC meetings, either in writing or by voice, as specified by Article VI herein. Submission of CTCC-approved applications shall made by the designated contact (see Article IV herein), to the superintendent of ERSNA as soon as possible. Upon receipt of a final decision from TPWD, CTCC shall notify the applicant(s) of the decision as soon as possible. This notice shall include a written authorization to place fixed protection, naming the applicant(s), if the TPWD decision was for approval.
CTCC may develop a set of guidelines, subject to TPWD approval, to define specifics of operational policy which are not in conflict with in these Bylaws or with the CTCC Charter.
belay anchor - Fixed protection, usually in pairs, intended to be used primarily for belay purposes, i.e. to attach climbers and equipment involved in protecting other climbers while they climb.
Bylaws (of CTCC) - This document, which constitutes the primary written authority regarding the makeup and activities of the Central Texas Climbing Committee. Subordinate to the Charter of the Central Texas Climbing Committee.
Central Texas Climbing Committee - The body which maintains and operates under these Bylaws; an advisory body to TPWD regarding climbing-related issues.
climbing - In precise terms, ascent of the rock. Generally used herein to encompass any activity that involves ascending or descending the rock by any means.
climbing equipment - Any item not occurring naturally which is used in the process of ascending or descending the rock; for example: bolts, pitons, slings, carabiners, and ropes.
CTCC - The Central Texas Climbing Committee.
CTCC Charter - the Charter of the Central Texas Climbing Committee, a document which governs the existence of this body and these Bylaws.
designated POC, designated CTCC point of contact - CTCC member who acts as the sole official point of contact between CTCC and TPWD.
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area - A TPWD facility located southwest of Llano, Texas.
ERSNA - Enchanted Rock State Natural Area.
ERSNA superintendent - TPWD official who manages the operations of TPWD at ERSNA.
ERSNA user - Any visitor to ERSNA.
election year - A year in which a CTCC election is held.
fixed protection - Any item of climbing equipment which remains in place, or which in any way permanently alters natural formations by its presence or placement.
rappel - Descending on an anchored rope, using friction to control the rate of descent.
rappel anchor - Fixed protection, usually in pairs, intended to be used primarily for rappeling purposes, i.e. to attach equipment involved in supporting ropes used to descend.
removal (of fixed protection) - Removal from the rock of anchors, usually followed by application of sealant.
replacement (of fixed protection) - Removal of fixed protection, followed by placement of new fixed protection in nearly the same location.
retro - Addition of new fixed protection to an existing climbing route.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - The branch of the Texas state government which manages the acquisition, development and operation of Texas state parks and natural areas.
TPWD - The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.