General: The GOTC Board was formed by interested individuals within the tree climbing community to steer the beginnings of the organization. The Board meets regularly to act on agenda items, discuss and formulate policy, and reach consensus and affirm by vote. A minimum of three Board members are required at a Board meeting to hold a vote. Board members use a mailing list to communicate with the Board and the Council. Board members may use the GOTC mailing list to seek input, feedback, and consensus on matters before it. Board members are free to discuss GOTC agenda items individually with Board and Council members. Board members are encouraged to take on GOTC projects and individual Board members are encouraged to initiate projects. All Board meeting minutes are posted to the Board and Council email list.

Officers, elections, terms: There are six members of the GOTC Board. Board members are elected by vote of the general membership, including the existing Board and Council members. Board members must be GOTC-recognized facilitators or instructors, and have served at least one term on the Council.

Potential candidates can nominate themselves or have others nominate them, with their consent, and subject to eligibility as determined by consensus of the existing Board. Board members serve for a period of two years. Terms are staggered so that half the Board members will stand for election in each calendar year. (For the first election year, 2010, the Board will consense at least two months before the date of elections on which Board members will stand for election, and which will stand in 2011.) Elections will be held each year at the annual Gathering/Rendezvous (or October 1, if no annual Gathering/Rendezvous is held that year). Voting will be done by secret ballot by those members voting at the annual gathering, or via email received prior to the voting date, with results announced within 48 hours of the election to the assembled Gathering/Rendezvous and via both Board/Council and general membership email lists.

Board members may be removed for actions deemed significantly harmful or counter to the mission of the GOTC, or by non-participation in Board activities and phone meetings for a consecutive period of at least 30 days, by a unanimous vote of all other current Board members. In such an instance, a special election will be held within 30 days, via email if no annual Rendezvous/Gathering falls within that period, following the above specifications.

General: The GOTC Board invited leaders from the tree climbing community to serve on the GOTC Council. The Council members advise the Board on their own initiative and may be requested to offer advice by the Board or individual Board members. Council members may request that agenda items be added to GOTC Board meetings. Council members may request to attend Board meetings or the Board may request that a Council member attend a meeting for direct input on an agenda item. Council members do not have a vote on the Board but their input has a strong influence on Board decisions. The Board may request that Council members take on GOTC projects and the Board encourages Council members to initiate projects. Council members receive all communications posted to the GOTC email list and may in turn post to the mailing list.

Officers, elections, terms: There are ten members of the GOTC Council. Council members are elected by vote of the general membership, including the existing Board and Council members. Council members must be current members of the GOTC.

Potential candidates can nominate themselves or have others nominate them, with their consent, and subject to eligibility as determined by consensus of the existing Board. If a Council member chooses to run for the Board, his/her Council seat will become vacant and subject to filling at the next election. Council members serve for a period of two years. Terms are staggered so that half the Council members will stand for election in each calendar year. (For the first election year, 2010, the Council will consense at least two months before the date of elections on which Council members will stand for election, and which will stand in 2011.) Elections will be held each year at the annual Gathering/Rendezvous (or October 1, if no annual Gathering/Rendezvous is held that year). Voting will be done by secret ballot by those members voting at the annual gathering, or via email received prior to the voting date, with results announced within 48 hours of the election to the assembled Gathering/Rendezvous and via both Board/Council and general membership email lists.

Council members may be removed for actions deemed significantly harmful or counter to the mission of the GOTC, by a 2/3 vote of all other current Board and Council members. In such an instance, a special election will be held within 30 days, via email if no annual Rendezvous/Gathering falls within that period, following the above specifications.