ACE's Constitution & Bylaws
ARTICLE I-Name
The name of this organization shall be the AMERICAN
COASTER ENTHUSIASTS WORLDWIDE, INCORPORATED, hereafter referred to as
ACE, a not-for-profit corporation.
ARTICLE II-Purpose
The purpose of ACE shall be to foster and promote the
conservation, appreciation, knowledge and enjoyment of the art of the
classic wooden roller coaster and the contemporary steel roller
coaster; to create and promote among and between its members a tie of
fellowship while striving to maintain good working relations with the
outdoor amusement business and operate in harmony with its policies;
to foster and promote the preservation and continued operation of
roller coasters; and to perform any other functions of a
not-for-profit corporation.
ARTICLE III-Membership
Membership shall be open to any person or corporation
who supports the purpose of ACE and who meets the requirements set
forth in the Bylaws.
ARTICLE IV-Officers
Section 1. The officers of ACE shall be the
President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and the Immediate Past
President of ACE. Officers shall perform the duties prescribed by this
Constitution and its Bylaws. To be nominated or elected, a member must
be in good standing for a period of at least three years prior to being
nominated or elected. A member may be elected to only one office.
Amended 1/31/2000
Section 2. The President shall be responsible
for the overall direction of the affairs of ACE, shall appoint all
directors with approval by majority vote of the officers, and shall
supervise the performance of the other officers, directors, committee
members and other appointees. The President shall preside at the annual
convention, shall chair the business and Executive Committee meetings,
shall authorize all disbursements of funds and shall ensure that the
intent and purpose of this Constitution and its Bylaws are met.
Amended 1/31/2000
Section 3. The Vice President shall assist
the President in the performance of his or her duties, shall perform
such other duties as may be assigned by the President, and shall serve
as President until the next election should the President be unable to
continue in office for any reason.
Section 4. The Secretary shall produce and
maintain minutes of the annual business meeting and all Executive
Committee meetings and distribute said minutes to the members of the
Executive Committee within a reasonable time as directed by the
President, and shall perform such other duties as may be assigned by
the President.
Section 5. The Treasurer shall maintain all
of ACE's financial records, shall supervise all deposits and
disbursements of funds at the direction of the President, shall report
all financial transactions in writing to the President on a monthly
basis, shall ensure that all Officers and Directors prepare an estimate
of their expenses to assist in the preparation of the annual budget,
shall prepare the annual financial statement and shall assist the
President in all financial planning.
Section 6. The Immediate Past President shall
perform such duties as may be assigned by the President.
ARTICLE V-Elections
Section 1. No later than February 1 of each even
numbered year (hereafter referred to as the election year) the President
shall appoint a Nominating Committee consisting of three members in
good standing. The Nominating Committee shall promptly select one of
its members to serve as Chairperson.
Section 2. From February 2 through March 31
of the election year, any member in good standing, including members
of the Nominating Committee, may submit nominations to said committee.
On April 1, the Chairperson shall submit to the President the list of
nominees decided upon by majority vote of the Nominating Committee.
The Nominating Committee may exclude nominees only for due cause
consistent with the Constitution and its Bylaws.
Section 3. On or about June 15 of the
election year, ballots reflecting the nominations, and providing for
write-in votes for alternate candidates, shall be mailed to all members
in good standing. Returned ballots shall be postmarked no later than
July 15 and received no later than August 1 to be valid.
Section 4. The candidate receiving the most
votes for each respective office shall be declared elected. In case of
a tie among those receiving the highest number of votes for any office,
a run-off election shall be held immediately between those candidates
who tied for the highest number of votes for that office.
Section 5. The term of office shall be for
two years commencing September 15 of the election year. No person shall
serve more than two consecutive terms in the same office.
Section 6. The elected officers shall serve
for two years or until their successors are elected.
Section 7. A President who fails to complete
a term of office is ineligible to be Immediate Past President.
ARTICLE VI-Meetings
Section 1. There shall be an annual convention.
Section 2. There shall be a business meeting
held during the annual convention.
ARTICLE VII-Executive Committee
Section 1. The affairs of ACE shall be under
the general direction of the Executive Committee, the sole policy
making body of ACE. The Executive Committee shall work with the
President to provide for the administration, management, preservation
and protection of the property, good will and reputation of the
corporation; shall fix the date and place of the annual convention and
conferences, and shall exercise its power to the extent allowed in this
Constitution and its Bylaws to administer, direct, manage and conduct
the affairs of ACE through the President and such other officers or
persons as may be designated by the President.
Section 2. Meetings of the Executive Committee
shall be called by the President and may utilize mail or electronic
communications when specified by the President. There shall be a
minimum of one (1) Executive Committee Meeting per year. Meetings of
the Executive Committee may also be called by a majority of the
Committee as provided for in the Bylaws.
Section 3. Those persons constituting the
Executive Committee, excluding officers, shall be as enumerated in the
Bylaws.
ARTICLE VIII-Amendments
Section 1. An amendment to the Constitution may
be proposed by a petition signed by no less than five percent (5%) of
the current voting membership.
Section 2. An amendment to the Constitution
may be proposed by a majority vote of the Executive Committee.
Section 3. The Constitution may be amended if
a proposed amendment, after having been presented to all members in
good standing for a mail vote, is approved by two-thirds or more of
those voting.
BYLAWS
Bylaw One: Executive Committee
Section 1. The Officers and Directors of ACE
shall constitute the Executive Committee, hereafter referred to as the
Committee.
Section 2. Except for the President and the
Immediate Past President, if an elective office becomes vacant, the
remaining members of the Committee may elect a replacement to serve
until the next regular election. Such service shall not count as a full
term for the purpose of the two-term limitation.
Section 3. In the event of the dissolution of
ACE, the Committee shall, after paying or making provisions for the
payment of all liabilities of the organization, dispose of all assets
of the organization in accordance with the United States Internal
Revenue Code.
Section 4. The Committee shall advise and
assist the President in the direction of ACE's affairs, ratify or
reject by majority vote those proposals presented for action by the
President and undertake such other duties as the President may direct.
Section 5. The Committee shall be authorized
and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and
to make payments and distribution to ensure the objectives and
furtherance of ACE.
Section 6. The Committee shall approve the
guidelines for reimbursement for travel and other expenses incurred by
officers and directors for attending Committee meetings and in
performing their duties.
Section 7. By a two-thirds vote, and after
due notice, the Committee may request the resignation of or may
terminate the term of any officer or director for any act or omission
which it deems to be inconsistent with or harmful to ACE's purposes,
objectives, property, good will or reputation. Once so removed, that
officer or director may not hold office or serve on the Executive
Committee for a period of ten (10) years.
Section 8. Upon the written request of a
majority of the members of the Committee, the President shall call a
Committee Meeting within thirty (30) days of receipt of the request.
Bylaw Two: Directors
Section 1. The Information Services Director shall
oversee the management of the membership records, manage the
organization's Internet activity; and manage all computer databases
that are integral to the organization. Amended 06/18/2002
Section 2. The Public Relations Director shall plan and execute a
program to publicize ACE's goals and objectives to new and prospective
members, to the media, to members of the amusement industry and to the
general public.
Section 3. The Publications Director shall
supervise the preparation of RollerCoaster! and ACE News,
undertake correspondence necessary for the completion of each issue
and appoint staff with the approval of the President.
Section 4. The Preservation Director shall
assist in the identification, preservation, and conservation of roller
coasters, shall assist in the collection and dissemination of
information regarding the history of the roller coaster, and shall
assist in acquiring coaster exhibits, photographs, records and related
equipment. Amended 6/24/1998
Section 5. The Legal Affairs Director, who
shall be a member of the bar of any state or territory of the United
States, shall prepare, review and safeguard all of ACE's legal documents,
provide legal advice and guidance to the President and Committee and
undertake necessary legal correspondence.
Section 6. The Merchandise Director shall be
responsible for overseeing the purchase, marketing, distribution, and
financial reporting of ACE's merchandise items.
Amended 06/18/2002
Section 7. The Regional Representative
Director shall supervise the performance of all Regional Representatives
and appoint Regional Representatives with the approval of the President.
Section 8. The Historian shall collect and
disseminate information regarding the history of the roller coaster.
Section 9. The Archivist shall maintain
records of ACE's activities and undertake correspondence necessary for
the collection of related materials, documentation, and photographs;
shall maintain ACE's archives and undertake correspondence necessary
for the collection of materials, documentation, and photographs related
to roller coasters; shall assist in the establishment of a museum and
archives; shall acquire coaster exhibits, photographs, records and
related equipment; and shall collect and disseminate information
regarding the historical background of ACE. Amended 6/24/1998
Section 10. The Events Director shall plan
the annual convention and all ACE conferences with the President
Section 11. The Registration Director shall
oversee the processing and execution of event registrations for the
annual convention, all ACE conferences and other approved activities.
Amended 06/18/2002
Section 12. The Census Director shall
maintain and publish a census of all known roller coasters in operation
or intact, including information as their characteristics, conditions,
and locations.
Bylaw Three: Standing or Special Committees
Section 1. Standing or Special Committees may
be appointed by the President. The President shall be an ex-officio
member of all committees except the Nominating Committee.
Bylaw Four: Membership
Section 1. Types of membership shall be:
- Individual. Memberships are extended to
any individual.
- Couple. Memberships are extended to any
couple with the same mailing address.
- Family. Memberships are extended to
three (3) or more individuals with the same mailing address.
- Corporate. Memberships are extended to
any business entity.
- Honorary. Honorary memberships are
awarded to individuals or organizations who have made exceptional
contributions to the fulfillment of ACE's purposes, upon election by
a two-thirds vote of the Committee, and are not required to pay dues.
Registration fees for all ACE's activities shall be waived for one
(1) year after receiving Honorary Membership.
Section 2. The number of votes for each type
of membership shall be: Individual (1); Couple (2); Family (2);
Corporate (1) and Honorary (1).
Section 3. Membership dues shall be determined
by a majority vote of the Committee.
Section 4. The membership year shall begin
upon receipt of complete, paid dues.
Section 5. A member in good standing is one
who is not in arrears and is not on probation or suspension.
Bylaw Five: Activities
Section 1. Convention and conference site
proposals shall be submitted to the President and approved by the
Committee.
Section 2. All other activities designated as
ACE events shall be at the discretion of the President, Events Director
and Regional Representative Director.
Bylaw Six: Regional Representatives
Section 1. Regional Representatives, hereinafter
referred to as Representatives, are appointed by the Regional
Representative Director, with the approval of the President.
Section 2. Regions for each Representative
must be approved by the Committee.
Section 3. Within their respective regions,
Representatives are required to communicate with members, welcome new
members, maintain good relations with parks, recruit new members and
communicate with the Regional Representative Director.
Section 4. Representatives are urged to
develop camaraderie with assigned local members by creating a local
newsletter and planning activities for members in their region,
including coaster riding, under guidelines established by the Committee.
Bylaw Seven: ACE Property
Section 1. Control of ACE's copyright in
materials published by it is vested in the Committee. No material
copyrighted by ACE shall be released for use by others without prior
approval of the Committee and subsequent authorization in writing by
the President.
Section 2. The use of ACE stationery, the
names "American Coaster Enthusiasts", "ACE", and "A.C.E." and/or any
of ACE's logos without the prior consent of the Committee is prohibited.
Section 3. Individuals or firms granted
permission to use ACE's logos, copyrights, trademarks or service marks
may be required to pay a fee to ACE. The fee shall be determined by
the Committee.
Bylaw Eight: Membership Benefits
Section 1. ACE publications shall be distributed
to current members on the following basis:
- RollerCoaster! Magazine: one copy to each
type of membership.
- ACE News: one copy to each type of
membership.
Bylaw Nine: Legal Principles
Section 1. The rules contained in the latest
revised edition of Robert's Rules of Order shall govern ACE in all
cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not
inconsistent with ACE's Constitution and Bylaws.
Bylaw Ten: Amendment of Bylaws
Section 1. An amendment to the Bylaws may be
proposed by a petition signed by no less than five percent (5%) of the
current voting membership and received by the Secretary no less than
sixty (60) days prior to the annual business meeting.
Section 2. The Committee may implement an
amendment if it deems such action to be in ACE's best interest.
Section 3. All amendments must be ratified by
a majority of those members voting if voted on by a mail ballot or by
two-thirds of those voting if brought before a duly constituted quorum
at the next annual business meeting.
Bylaw Eleven: Quorums
Section 1. An Executive Committee quorum shall
be a majority of the total number of Officers and Directors.
Section 2. A quorum at the annual convention
shall be the number of members present at the annual business meeting.
-- Last amended 06/18/2002
|