Last ACE Publication Date

I joined ACE in May and I got 5 newletters and 2 rollercoaster magazines.

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-Sean Newman

While i dont like the lateness of some of the publications i have no problems with the group as a whole and believe they are doing a good job, escpecially when most work is done on a volunteer basis. As for who runs the group, im not knowlegable about the inner workings but would say if someone like Shaggy wants things changed he should make his platform and run to be a leader in the organization. The events i have been too were well done and wish i had time to attend more. And i would agree that the membership would be an older group based on who i have seen at ACE events. And while i go on the internet i like receiving the publications via mail and have no problem with that aspect and didnt join to use their newsletters to get the newest info as any publication, be it time magizene is dated by time you get it in the mail. I find the publications to be enjoyable to read.

I think ACE is still doing a good job. Actually, does anyone actually know how much trouble ACE had back in the 80s compared to today. My dad was a member in about '82. As I read through some of the publications from '82 they were extremely late. They were sometimes a whole year late. Since the club has grown to over 8,000 members I think ACE should start putting some money towards publishing the magazines on time while still have some volunteer effort. Unfortuately not everyone has the time to volunteer. I would like to myself, but of course with the time on my hands it's not really possible for me to do that. Just wait. ACE will get back on track somehow. This is hopefully just a minor inconvienance for them.

I joined ACE for the first time in the late 80s, and I was about 10 years old. The membership was cheaper (I think it was $30), and all of the information came on time. It was probably a year before Viper was built at SFMM.

I stayed in the club for 2 years with my parents money, and it was great. Then, they had an election, and raised their member rate to $50. My parents didn't see this as one of my necessities, so I didn't renew. I never attended the events, and I'd moved to FL where there was no sign of any forthcoming roller coasters anytime soon.

Time passes, I go to college, party, then finally get married and realize that I still like coasters! So, at the 2001 IAAPA show I rejoined ACE now that I was old enough to afford it and possibly attend some events.

Here are some of my issues regarding ACE:

1) I live in FL, and there are NO events anywhere near here. The only remotely close event was the recent WA event. I've discussed this with the regoinal rep, and was informed that ERT is VERY expensive at all the big parks. Even so, it would be nice to actually see the FL Acers come out of the dark and maybe meet at a park for the day. I'm sure they all have season passes, and Feb = ERT at all the parks here anyways.

2) The publications are always late and outdated. I can understand the volunteer issue, but does anybody ever see ACE asking for people to volunteer? There is no information on the website or in their publications about what type of volunteers they need. Who knows, they may need someone like me, who wouldn't bother giving up the time. But instead, they leave it to the inner circle.

3) The divide betwen old & young. This was VERY obvious while at the recent IAAPA show. All of the "younger" ACE A-listers were extremely friendlyand open to ideas, while the "older" A-listers sat in the booth ignoring people. I have to give mad props to Sean F and Marlon for going out of their way to being friendly to my wife and I.

4) The use of funds. It seems odd to me the officers of ACE, donated a lot of money to the preservation fund, whom most of them sit on the board of as well. I don't know all of the details of this, but have seen all the rantings of Rastus on RRC to gather a little info.

Well, I'm done venting. I love being a part of ACE, and wish that it was perfect. Fortunately, I know nothing in this world is, so I have lowered my expectations and decided just to ride coasters and have fun!

-Matt

I joined ACE for the preservation efforts. I saw how they put Leap the Dips back together and figured that is was and is a good cause.

I too have problems with the publications being so late all the time. Shaggy's idea is great, why not make the newsletter online, and thus it can be kept up to date and save a bundle of money. The way I figure they could do that, switch to a monthly newletter via the website and e-mail, and make RollerCoaster a bi-monthly deal, so people that have joined ACE for the publications still do not feel too left out.

The website is should be Ace's future. It should have members only content and members only forums. There really is no reason not to. Even the folks in ACE that don't have internet access at home (and that can't be that many) can get online elsewhere, like the local library or even just about any computer store, and it costs them nothing to get online there. The leadership really needs to think about the future of the club and how to make it grow and expand if they ever really want to get any of their other ideas off the ground, like the museum.

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"If you make it too smooth, it'll be like sitting in your living room."
-Bill Cobb - Designer, Texas Cyclone

ACE Elections just took place last year. Let's give the new folks time to make some changes. They've already updated the website to sell merchandise, perhaps more updates could be in the works?

Its by no means a perfect club but I've yet to find one that is. Fact remains there are many other clubs a person can join [Coasterbuzz, Coaster Zombies, Greater Ohio Coaster Club, and the Florida Coaster Club are four that come immediately to mind] and they all organize events.

Find the one that is right for you and join.

Moosh - ACE member since 1992

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Humor Ingredients: all natural flavors, some artificial additives. Sold by weight, not volume. 100% satisfaction not guaranteed. Void in Texas and Puerto Rico.

I do not agree with removing ACE news. It is darn near impossible to DL or let alone print PDF files and many people are not even on the net or have limited access to it.

I do want ontimelyness of Flyers and event information.

I also can't understand why OHIO is divided into a northern and southern region when it is very feasable from someone from Cincy to attend a event at CP or SFWOA or even one of the smaller NE Ohio parks and for them to attend our parks. Judging by the attendence of some special filming events, THE SW OHIO region could use all the help they could get.

I do think as far as online services, ACE could be much more prompt on updates and could work to make it fun like having the Coaster Guide included for members only. A simple members section could support that.

I do not take stabs at the many people who work and donate their time, In fact I thank them. As in the case of CB NOBODY HAS TO DO ANYTHING but some souls work had to make things work and enjoyable and I THANK THEM.

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Charles Nungester.
Confirmed, Lesourdsville Lake opening for 2003 details soon at Lesourdsville.com

While moving all the ACE publications to online format may help them, I don't think it will happen and don't think it's a good idea. As mentioned some members don't have internet access and rely on the publications. There is also a few people out there who still prefer the publications in the mail.

The other problem I have with ACE is in regards with their events. No complaints with the actual events themselves but ACE really needs to do a better job at spreading the word across on the smaller, regional events. Why is it that only flyers will be sent out to ACE members residing in such and such an area? There are a few events that I didn't even know about that I would have attended in a second, but didn't even hear about it till I read the reports in ACE News. I didn't even see it mentioned online or anything. They need to do a better job of informing everyone of all the ACE events, even the small ones and have it set up so that everyone can attend, not just the members residing in the region.

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needless quotation removed

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Exactly what I meant about the Southern Ohio/Northern Ohio split. I didn't even see the event posted for SFWOA until a week before the happening, Hardly enough time for planning let alone printing and sending a registration.

Once again, Not trying to put down anyone but there are a lot of benifits that are on way short notice, If any notice at all for non region members.

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Charles Nungester.
Confirmed, Lesourdsville Lake opening for 2003 details soon at Lesourdsville.com

*** This post was edited by Jeff 2/15/2003 12:55:08 AM ***

I will agree that ACE needs to do a better job of alerting members to upcoming events and due to the lateness of the news coming in the mail i often receive notices on an event with little time to plan or to get money sent in by the registration date. As an example they have coastercon coming and other than dates they have yet to even have an update on the site letting us know what is happening. And im not overly upset because it is run by volunteers who i do think do a great job but i would think a premier event would have a flyer out by now when the event is about 4 months away.

And i see no reason to remark that someone is homosexual unless for some reason it matters and i failed to see why it would.

But what does matter is that I believe he is the person in charge of the newsletter. I can't remember his name, but he did say that it was going to be on time.

Anyway, Shaggy if you ever decide to run for office in ACE you have my vote. The only way to get it to change is to bring in new members and to get involved.

While I'm not particularly bothered by late publications, I am concerned that I have yet to see the flyer for this year's convention. It's time for me to start planning vacation, and it hasn't arrived yet. The most recent update on the website is dated October 2002. Is there an organiztional problem here?
*** This post was edited by Jim Fisher 2/15/2003 12:30:46 AM ***

The only news I've heard about coastercon is that there may be an add on day at Six Flags America the day after. Other than that there will be no news till probably the flyers are out.

I know the dates are from June 15to June 20 2003.

From looking at the lodging summary they are going to be in the BGW area on June 15,16,17 and in the PKD area on June 18,19,20.With an addon day at SFA on June 20th. But no other info is available and you would think it should be by now imho.