The International Star Trek Fan Association, Inc.

STARFLEET, The International Star Trek Fan Association, Inc. is a worldwide organization comprised of thousands of people from all walks of life.  It is incorporated under the laws of the State of North Carolina as a 501 ( c )(7) not-for-profit corporation.  Founded in Texas in 1974, STARFLEET is the oldest and largest fan-run association of Star Trek enthusiasts in the world.  Its members range in age from the very young, those just a few weeks or months old, to the young at heart, people well into their senior years.  The members enjoy the exciting entertainment provided by Star Trek and its various incarnations, but they also understand the optimistic concepts of the future that are at the very heart of Gene Roddenberry’s Star Trek universe.  Professionally and intellectually they encompass the entire spectrum of human endeavor, but they are all united in their admiration for the positive, far-reaching and long lasting accomplishments of what began as a 1960s television show.

Upon joining STARFLEET many options become available to a Fleet member.  Since most Star Trek fans like to meet together to share ideas and information and to participate in Star Trek-related activities, the Fleet is divided into twenty geographic regions with several chapters in each region.  Since the Star Trek universe serves as our role model, chapters are referred to as “ships” and given "USS" names and “NCC" registry numbers.

As an active STARFLEET member you are encouraged to seek assignment aboard one of this ships and take on a rank and position.  The ranks, of course, are honorary and pertinent only within the organization, but the positions can take on real-world significance.  For example, if you become the Chief Medical Officer aboard your ship, you may be called on to organize blood drives or arrange for CPR instruction for your crewmates.  A Chief Science Officer may organize field trips to planetariums or museums.  A Communications Officer might be called upon to publish a newsletter.

If there is no ship in your area, start your own!  The handbook you’ll receive upon joining STARFLEET will outline the procedure you’ll need to start up a chapter-in-training, referred to as a “shuttle.”

STARFLEET publishes “The Communiqué,” a bi-monthly newsletter containing information on the activities of the Fleet as a whole as well as what’s going on aboard ships and shuttles.  “The Communiqué” also contains interesting and informative articles on the various aspects of Star Trek.  You will receive “The Communiqué” as part of your membership package.

Membership in STARFLEET opens the doors to STARFLEET Academy, a collection of various Star Trek-related correspondence courses.  Some of the colleges included in the Academy are the Vulcan Academy of Science, the Academy of STARFLEET Engineering, Cadet School (for younger members), the College of Federation Studies and many more.  These courses teach useful information presented in Star Trek terminology.  Graduates of the Academy receive certificates upon completion of their course work.

STARFLEET has a commitment to real-life education as well.  While STARFLEET Academy is just for fun, the Fleet has a real scholarship program established for the benefit of its members.  The program awards a number of five hundred-dollar scholarships annually to Fleet members engaged in various fields of study.  Scholarships are named for, and often endowed by a variety of Star Trek cast members, reflecting either their roles on Star Trek or their interest in the field of study involved.  For example, there is the DeForest Kelley Medical Scholarship, the Patrick Stewart Scholarship for the Performing Arts and the James Doohan Engineering Scholarship, just to name a few.  The Space Explorers Scholarship, established following the Challenger tragedy, honors those who have offered the ultimate sacrifice in man’s reach for the stars.  The Gene Roddenberry Memorial Scholarship is awarded to aspiring writers in the hope that Gene’s vision of the future may be carried on in the new century and beyond.  

There are many other opportunities for active members to get involved.  Internationally, STARFLEET supports a number of humanitarian projects such as UNICEF.  The Overseas Coupon Project benefits US military families overseas.  Individual ships are involved in many service projects within their communities.  This is a cornerstone of STARFLEET, one that sets it apart from other fan organizations and clubs.  Fleet members all enjoy the fictional aspects of their hobby but they do not neglect the most important message of Star Trek; the constant striving to create a better universe for all beings.  In the Classic Star Trek episode “The City on the Edge of Forever,” Captain Kirk explains to Edith Keeler that the three most important words in the universe are “let me help.”  As individuals, as chapters and as an association, STARFLEET is always looking for ways to help.  They help by participating in walk-a-thons and telethons, by “adopting” highways and needy families, by supporting food banks, women’s shelters, children’s homes, animal shelters and other community outreach programs.  They visit children’s hospitals.  STARFEET members have rolled up their sleeves to donate gallons of blood to the Red Cross and other agencies.  They give of their funds, their time and themselves whenever and wherever there is a need.

STARFLEET is not all work and no play.  Besides regular chapter meetings, members plan movie or pizza nights, get together for games and parties, attend Star Trek conventions and do lots of “fun stuff” with fellow friends and fans.  Frequently neighboring chapters join forces on projects, both civic and social, to add to the overall enjoyment of the STARFLEET experience.  And STARFLEET gathers annually for its International Conference at which members from around the globe converge at a site in a designated conference city for a weekend not only of planning and reporting, but also of fun and fellowship for members and their families.

Of course, if a STARFLEET member wishes simply to receive the bi-monthly Fleet newsletter and lounge around the Rec Deck, Ten Forward or the Promenade, he is still very welcome to sign aboard.  STARFLEET has correspondence chapters designed for those who are unable to, or who simply do not wish to attend meetings.  There are special chapters to meet the special requirements of those in the Armed Services.  Each member decides his own level of involvement with the numerous Fleet activities.

STARFLEET offers something for every Star Trek fan and is always working to provide its members with the best of both aspects of Star Trek fandom science fiction fun and a serious hope for the future of mankind.  

For more information on STARFLEET, visit our web site at www.sfi.org