I often hear from ACE’s industry partners about the kindness and gratitude you, our ACE members, show at events, and it makes me very proud. The thank-yous and positive attitudes uplift both those who serve ACE and those who host us, helping to build strong relationships that are essential to our success. ACE could not succeed without our industry partners.
Recently, I watched a podcast featuring Jack Herschend, former president, CEO and chairman of Herschend Family Entertainment, in preparation for a discussion on servant leadership with our Youth Advisory Committee. His words resonated with me. I was reminded of the importance of continuing to build a culture of servant leadership within ACE, despite the struggles and challenges that come with that.
If you are not familiar with the servant leadership model, which is the premise of Herschend Family Entertainment (Dollywood, Silver Dollar City and more), the idea is that a leader’s primary goal is to serve others first — supporting, empowering and developing the people they lead — rather than prioritizing personal power or authority. By focusing on the growth, well-being and success of their team, servant leaders believe that organizational goals are more effectively achieved.
I saw this firsthand when a member shared that they wondered why fellow members gave so much time and energy to ACE. This simple statement inspired volunteers to reflect on their “why” and share it with me. I repeatedly heard the following answer: because I cannot expect there to be an ACE if I do not contribute to it. That is ACE-first thinking and a statement that helped me observe servant leadership within our organization. Whether you as a member give time and skills, contribute financially, engage on social media or attend an event, keep in mind that there would be no ACE without participation.
The strength of ACE’s relationships and the potential that we have achieved have far exceeded what I ever imagined we could build together. This is the result of volunteers demonstrating servant leadership, grounded not only in an ACE-first attitude but also in self-awareness, accountability, forward thinking and thoughtful planning.
As we look ahead to sustaining and building on this strong foundation, we now turn our focus to leadership continuity and the upcoming election process. In early February, our Nominating Committee will open the nomination period for this year’s election.
Twelve members of ACE serve on the Executive Committee. This summer, ACE members will vote to elect four positions: president, vice president, treasurer and secretary. Any member who has been in good standing for at least three years may be nominated for one of these roles. According to our bylaws, the immediate past president also serves.
The other seven directors are appointed by the new president on or after September 15, when the new term begins. These directors are then approved (or not approved) by the vice president, secretary, treasurer and immediate past president.
You can explore the organizational chart to see all the volunteers who contribute to ACE here.
If you are thinking about serving ACE, I encourage you to reflect on two questions:
- Why do you want to serve?
- How can you be a servant leader to ACE, as Jack Herschend teaches?
Two resources that have been especially meaningful to me are Love Works, by Joel Manby, and Jack Herschend’s interview, both of which offer thoughtful insight into leadership rooted in service, humility and clarity of purpose.
I encourage you to reflect on these questions and consider whether this is the right time for you to step forward and serve ACE, whether as a candidate, a director or in another volunteer role. As a 100% volunteer organization, ACE is 100% dependent on the service of volunteers.
— Elizabeth Ringas, ACE President
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