- Last amended June 202 -

ARTICLE I-Name

The name of this organization shall be the AMERICAN COASTER ENTHUSIASTS, 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 consecutive years immediately prior to being nominated or elected. A member may be elected to only one office. Amended 9/15/2020

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 sent to all members in good standing. Returned ballots shall be received or completed online no later than July 15 to be valid. Amended 8/2/2018

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.

Section 8. In the event the Nominating Committee submits a list decided upon pursuant to Section 2 which presents not more than one person running as a candidate for each of the four respective elected offices, so that no competitive election is required for any office, then, and not otherwise, by not less than two-thirds vote, the Executive Committee may vote to declare the proposed slate of officers elected by acclamation, without formal election by the members in good standing pursuant to Section 3. Amended 8/15/2012

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 vote, is approved by two-thirds or more of those voting. Amended 8/4/2010

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 Membership Director shall oversee the recruitment and retention efforts for all ACE members; resolution of member issues; recruitment and management of volunteers; solicitation and maintenance of ACE member benefits and discounts; and purchasing, marketing, distribution, sale and reporting of ACE branded merchandise. Amended 9/15/2020

Section 2. The Communications Director shall oversee the management of publicity of ACE's goals and activities to new and prospective members, media, amusement industry and general public; coordination of media interactions; promotion of ACE and its brands and offerings to prospective members, media, and amusement industry; and creation of online content such as ACE websites and social media. Amended 8/1/2014

Section 3. The Publications Director shall supervise the preparation and publication of RollerCoaster!, ACE News and the annual calendar; undertake correspondence necessary for the completion of each issue; and oversee the maintenance of the ACE photo archive. Amended 9/15/2020

Section 4. The History and Preservation Director shall lead ACE efforts to identify, conserve, and preserve roller coasters; document and maintain historic collections, materials, documentation, photographs and records related to roller coasters and ACE’s activities and archives; research and promote the history of roller coasters, ACE, and amusement parks; acquire coaster exhibits, photographs, records and equipment; assist in the establishment of a museum and archive facility; and maintain and publish a census with characteristics, conditions, and locations of operating and non-operating roller coasters. Amended 8/1/2014

Section 5. The Region Director shall supervise the performance of all Regional Representatives and appoint Regional Representatives with the approval of the President. Amended 9/15/2020

Section 6. The Events Director shall plan and execute the annual convention and all ACE conferences with the President and oversee the processing and execution of event registrations for all ACE national and international events and other approved activities. Amended 8/1/2014

Section 7. The Operations Director shall oversee the management of membership records; the organizations’ information technology components, including systems, website architecture, development, email and databases; and support the efforts with the implementation of tools and technology for the benefit of the club. Amended 9/15/2020

Section 8. Directors shall appoint staff to perform responsibilities within his or her area with the approval of the President. Amended 9/15/2020

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:

1. Individual: Extended to any one (1) individual who will hold a primary membership.
2. Couple. Extended to any two (2) individuals with the same mailing address. The initial member individual applying will hold a primary membership and the other applicant will be classified as secondary. 
3. Family. Extended to three (3) or more individuals with the same mailing address. The initial member will be classified as primary, with a separate member classified as secondary.
4. Corporate. Memberships are extended to any business entity.
5. 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.
6. Associate. Memberships are extended to any individual with all membership benefits, except Associate memberships do not receive printed copies of ACE publications. Amended 6/18/2024

Section 2. The number of votes for each type of membership shall be: Individual (1); Couple (2); Family (2); Corporate (1); Honorary (1); Associate (1); and Trial (0). Amended 8/1/2014

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 Region Director. Amended 8/1/2014

Section 3. Funds will be distributed by a majority vote of the Executive Committee to a qualifying park/organization(s) in accordance with ACE’s Fund Distribution Policy. Amended 6/16/2024

Bylaw Six: Regional Representatives

Section 1. Regional Representatives, hereinafter referred to as Representatives, are appointed by the Region Director, with the approval of the President. Amended 8/1/2014

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 Region Director. Amended 8/1/2014

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. For membership types that receive printed copies of ACE publications, RollerCoaster! shall be distributed to current members, one copy to each type of membership. Amended 8/2/2018

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 ballot presented to all members in good standing or by two-thirds of those voting if brought before a duly constituted quorum at the next annual business meeting. Amended 8/4/2010

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.