Dear MACE Members,
Over the past decade—and more noticeably in the last five years—MACE has struggled with declining participation in both leadership roles and committee involvement. Despite multiple efforts to recruit new volunteers, many key positions remain vacant, and too few members are left carrying the weight of the organization. To keep MACE functioning, the Board has even had to reach out to former Board members—some of whom no longer work in Code Enforcement—to consult and
assist with essential duties. While we are incredibly grateful for their continued support, this reliance is not sustainable and highlights the urgency of adjusting how we operate.
With that in mind, the Board is proposing a series of bylaw revisions designed to streamline the organization’s structure, create more flexibility in leadership, and align responsibilities with the reality of our current volunteer base. These proposed
changes are not about lowering standards—they’re about ensuring MACE remains functional and fair to those who are actively involved. We understand there are valid concerns about the proposed revisions, and we want
to address a few of them directly:
- Leadership Eligibility: Some members have questioned the clarity of the term
“prior leadership or committee service,” and how involvement in a “related
organization” would be verified. These are fair points. The goal is simply to broaden
the eligibility pool beyond just former Board members—an effort to make these
roles more accessible. We welcome suggestions to clarify this language while
keeping the intent intact. - Fee Increases: We acknowledge that the proposed membership fee increase
may cause concern. However, current dues no longer cover the true cost of events,
technology, and administrative support. Any changes would be made transparently
and with the goal of preserving long-term financial stability.
o Effective January 1, 2026, MACE Membership fees will increase to
$50/year.
▪ Consolidated Responsibilities: Some members are concerned that
consolidating or combining positions may place too much responsibility on one
person. Unfortunately, that’s already the case. The current structure assumes full
participation, but the following Board positions are currently vacant:
▪ Vice President
▪ Professional Development Director
▪ Information Director
In addition, these standing committees are in need of active participation:
- Conference Committee
- Education Committee
- Finance & Budget Committee
- Nominating (Election) Committee
- Legislative & Judicial Review Committee
- Membership Committee
- Bylaws Committee
The proposed changes are listed by their respective section numbers with an explanation for each revision below.
Section 4.1 – Fiscal Year
The MACE fiscal year shall be from April 1 January 1, through March 31 December 31, of each successive
year.
This proposed change would change the MACE Fiscal Year Calendar to start January 1 and go
through December 31 of each year, operating on a standard yearly calendar.
Section 4.3 – Dues.
4.3.3 Membership dues will be submitted to the membership November 1st. for the following year.
This proposed change would remove this section due to it no longer being needed. MACE membership
is now handled online through our Membership Portal.
Section 5.1 – Officers
Due to the removal of often unfilled positions such and Professional Development Director, and
Information Director, and changes to the “eligible for an officer position” structure, this section shall
read as follows:
The Officers of MACE shall consist of a President, Vice President, Professional Development
Director, Information Director, Secretary, and Treasurer and up to two (2) Directors-At-Large;
elected from the Active Members roster and the Immediate Past President. Such Officers shall
hold office as set for in this Article.
To be eligible for an officer position, the member shall have served on the Board of Directors
for a minimum of one full term. a member should have demonstrated prior leadership or
committee service within MACE or a related organization. Prior Board experience is preferred
but not required.
The following proposed revisions would reflect each of the duties of officer positions and allow the delegation of
committee responsibilities and the ability to co-chair said committees.
Section 5.1.1 – Duties of President
The president shall be directly responsible for the supervision and guidance of the affairs of MACE and shall
preside over all meetings of MACE. The President shall enforce the By-Laws of MACE and perform other duties that would be recognized as being part of the office. The President shall chair (and may delegate or co-chair) the By-Laws Committee and the Legislative and Judicial Review Committee. The headquarters of MACE shall be the office of the President, so long as it is located in the State of Missouri.
Section 5.12 – Duties of Vice President
The Vice President shall be president elect and shall accede to the Presidency and will preside over all meeting
in the absence of the President. The primary responsibility of the Vice President shall be to chair oversee the
Annual Conference and may delegate or co-chair the Conference Committee with an appointed member.
Section 5.1.3 – Duties of Professional Development Director
***This section would be removed and the responsibilities would be absorbed by the Secretary***
The professional Development Director shall preside in the absence of the Vice President and in the absence
of the President of all MACE functions. The primary responsibility of the Professional Development Director
shall be to chair the Education Committee and to keep the President informed of the current progress and
future plans of the committee.
Section 5.1.4 – Duties of Information Director
***This section would be removed and the responsibilities would be absorbed by the Secretary
The Information Director shall preside in the absence of the Professional Development Director, Vice
President, or President to preside over any MACE function. The primary responsibility of the Information
Director is to oversee the MACE website and membership roster. This position shall be continuous effort and
drive throughout the year in order to accomplish a larger capacity of active and associate members; as
qualified in Article III.
Section 5.1.5 – Duties of Secretary
The Secretary shall keep and maintain an accurate record of the proceedings of all official meetings and the names of all appointed committees and their functions. The Secretary shall chair (and may delegate or co-chair) the Membership Committee and to keep the President informed of the current progress and future plans of the committee as well as oversee the MACE website, social media accounts, and membership roster. This position shall be a continuous effort and drive throughout the year in order to accomplish a larger capacity of active and associate members; as qualified in Article III.
Section 5.1.6 – Duties of Treasurer
The Treasurer shall be the custodian of all financial matters of MACE. The Treasurer will be responsible to
see that the dues of all members are paid in full prior to the opening of the annual business meeting, and shall
report same to the President. Records of all collections and expenditures from MACE shall be reviewed and
signed the by the Treasurer. The Treasurer’s book and records shall be audited each year by the Board of
Directors prior to the annual business meeting. A report of all revenues and expenditures shall be made
available to all members of MACE. At the annual business meeting the Treasurer shall present a financial
statement for all members to view if desired. The Treasurer shall sign all membership cards and shall keep an
up-to-date roster of all members. The Treasurer shall investigate all tax laws and shall keep MACE advised of
any laws that directly affect MACE so that MACE may be in compliance with all such laws and procedures
and investigate MACE in its rightful and correct position, as so stated in Article I, Section 1.1. The Treasurer
shall chair (and may delegate or co-chair) the Finance and Budget Committee.
Section 5.1.7 – Immediate Past President
The Immediate Past President shall serve as Chairperson chair (and may delegate or co-chair) of the
Nominating Committee and shall, when called upon, give advice and counsel to the Board of Directors.
Section 5.2 – Board of Directors
The property, business, and affairs of MACE shall be managed and transacted by a Board of Directors
composed of the following; President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Immediate Past President,
Professional Development Director, Information Director, and up to two (2) four (4) Board Members-at-
Large. Two (2) One (1) of the Board Members-at-Large shall be from the east side of Highway 63 and two (2) one (1) of the Board Members-at-Large shall be from the west side of Highway 63. Highway 63 divides the
State of Missouri from the North State line to the South State line approximately in the center of the State.
o This proposed change of Section 5.2 reflects the removal of the Professional Development Director,
Information Director, and two (2) of the Board Member-At-Large positions.
Section 5.2.1 – Duties of Board Members-At-Large
Board Members-at-Large shall co-chair the Education Committee and shall assist the Professional
Development Director Vice-President with training events for their perspective side of the State and with
MACE State training events such as annual business meeting or centrally located events that may be readily
available to all members of MACE. Board Members-at-Large shall also serve as a liaison for MACE members
of their area of the State to the Board of Directors in communicating concerns and issues of the members at
the regularly scheduled board meetings. Board Members-at-Large shall also perform other duties as needed to
assist the Board of Directors in carrying out the duties of the Board of Directors.
Section 5.5 – Terms of Office
The normal term of office shall be two (2) years coincidental with the MACE fiscal year Annual Business
Meeting. The Treasurer and the Board Member-at-Large (west) shall be elected in even-numbered years. The Vice
President, Secretary, and Board Member-at-Large (east) shall be elected in odd-numbered years.
The Professional Development Director, Treasurer, Secretary, Information Director and the Board Members-at-
Large may serve up to four (4) consecutive terms.
Section 5.8 – Flexible Governance
In the event that not all Board positions are filled during an election cycle, the Board of Directors shall have
the authority to redistribute or consolidate duties among remaining officers or appoint temporary committee
leads from the general membership to fulfill essential functions. These assignments may be modified as
needed, without requiring a bylaw amendment.
These proposed changes do not create new burdens—they simply formalize what has already been happening informally.
Clarifying who is responsible for what ensures accountability and helps prevent burnout from the same few people filling gaps when they’re able. We understand that revisiting the bylaws is not ideal. However, continuing to operate with a structure that no longer reflects our capacity puts the organization at risk. These proposals are not about closing doors—they’re about keeping them open. As always, these changes will be brought to a vote* by the membership at the 2025 Annual Business Meeting & Educational Conference (see link below for further details). If you feel strongly that the existing structure should be maintained, we respect that. But in that case, we ask you to consider stepping into one of the many open positions or volunteering to serve on a committee. This is your organization—its future depends on your involvement. Thank you for your time, your membership, and your continued commitment to the success of MACE.
Sincerely,
Martin R. Evans
President – Missouri Association of Code Enforcement
2025 Annual Business Meeting & Educational Conference Information
*In accordance with Section 6.4 – Voting of the Missouri Association of Code Enforcement Bylaws, for the normal
transactions of business, all members present at the Annual Meeting shall have one vote with the following
exceptions, for which voting delegates only will cast ballots: 1.) Election of officers; 2.) Adoption of by-laws; and 3.)
Items for which a voice vote proves inconclusive (at the discretion of the President or presiding officer).
