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SUB SPACE CHATTER: The "as official as it gets'' Region 7 Command News Bulletin
By Adm. Bob Vosseller, Vice Regional Coordinator, Region 7
I am typing this on a very rainy Wednesday afternoon. Yup, its pouring out and the weather report says the temps will descend later today. Finally we are going to get a regular dose of autumn temperatures.
Weather for the weekend however is expected to be perfect for the second R7 command summit in Mt. Laurel N.J. Chief of Staff Rear Adm. Jeff Victor has provided numerous posts on the details of the free event and its location so I won't include that here as we have a lot of other ground to cover.
What I will add though is our excitement over the interest that this event has had. We expect close to 50 people to turn up to discuss regional activities, how we can improve communication, generate some enthusiasm and bring more ST/Sci-Fi fans into the fold.
FALL FUN
It has been a pretty active autumn. Chapters have been busy with a range of fall activities ranging from collectible shows, Ren Faires, camping trips, science programs to the recent R7 Halloween Party in Atlantic City. All we can say is FANTASTIC. The fall always generates a lot of seasonal activities that bring us out for some fresh air and even a bit of walking like Whatkins Glen, the Gettysburg Camping Trip and those aforementioend Ren Faires like the one I attended in September in Challenger's turf of Lakewood, Ocean County NJ. There was also the annual Junior Diabetes Walk which the Avenger took part in which had exceptional good weather this year. I enjoyed a brisk walk on the Seaside Heights boardwalk as well. Thankfully, no Snookie sightings.
HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS
Many chapters are also focusing on the wind up of 2011 and that means holding toy, food and clothing collections for the needy as well as collections for our troops overseas.
The holiday season also means festive functions like the 9th Annual Cookie Swap/Holiday Party that will be held on Sun. Dec. 4 at the Seaside Heights Community Center in ...where else, Seaside Heights N.J. We are not only exchanging 3 dozen cookies, eating some pizza, drinking hot and cold beverages but also holding a dollar store present exchange. So find the goofiest item you can valued at 99 cents plus a penny, or buy something at your local dollar store and be prepared to have some holiday fun. Optional but encouraged is a donation of non perishable food and/or a toy both for the needy. This is part of Starfleet wide goal to ... paraphrase of a well known ST quote, "let us help.''
WE FACED DOOMSDAY IN 2011 AND WE SURVIVED
Some folks (not in Starfleet mind you) predicted the end of the world in 2011, May 21 2011 to be precise. Obviously they were wrong. If that happened how would have enjoyed all those great summer picnics, BBQs, Shore Leave and most of all Starfleet International Conference 2011 at the Poconos Manor??
On a serious note, while we survived the end of the world (and did so again during the predicted Oct. 21 date) many of us have faced quite a bit in our personal lives this year.
We've seen the e-mail or Facebook posts of illness, death in the family, job reduction, job loss, personal health issues etc.
While this isn't the place to preach or give a pep talk I will say that we've weathered the best we can and I've observed a lot of kind words and support to those fellow members and friends of ours who are dealing with things. I think that makes our organization a pretty nice environment and while at times we do disagree and even pass a few cross words, for the most part, we rally around each other in times of stress and crisis.
CHANGES IN COMMAND
This year has also marked a number of changes within chapters concerning command level positions. Adamant and Britannic are two chapters that come to mind as having hired new XOs. The USS Avenger is about to select a new commanding officer and I know there have been other new personnel taking on positions of leadership be it CO, XO or section chiefs. This is one of the reasons that is always important to foster interest and leadership skills within our chapters. We wish those in these new spots continued success.
NEW SHIPS ON THE BLOCK
The USS Storm and USS Serling are among those newbie chapters that are doing fantastic since they commissioned. The Storm hosted an R7 Halloween Party on Oct. 31 (Halloween itself) and we saw the paperwork for the USS Serling got signed in August at IC2011. Keep up the good work and keep sharing your ideas (and photographs) through our website, articles in the CQ and at our R7 Facebook page.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Well a lot of things will be discussed on Saturday at R7 Command Summit II. We'll laugh, we'll joke, we'll roll up our sleeves and get some work done on plans and goals of the future.
Next year will see the return of a STAR TREK motion picture in theaters and that is just one of several Trek milestones that will be happening. That said there are special events outside Trek that we'll also enjoy.
Shore Leave is moving to August, Farpoint will return in February and maybe we can get more of you out to I*Con in Long Island as it is one of the best fan run cons in our region.
Despite the Mayan's ending their calendar early, I do not believe this means the end of the planet next year. Lets face it, the Mayan's simply ran out of room and calendar sales were not as good as they once were. I mean really, would you buy a calendar a few centuries in advance?
Reviewing the criteria for the R7 Awards program, recruiting and retention, fostering leadership within our chapters, planning regional activities, inspiring our membership, those are all topics that will be explored during the summit. We'll also have lunch and dinner together, no food fights please.
Wayne, Jeff and I look forward to seeing you on Saturday. If you can't make it, feel free to send off any questions you have, ideas you want to propose or suggestions to Wayne or I. We always enjoy hearing from you. A wrap up of what transpired at the summit will appear in our a soon to be released Sub Space Chatter bulletin.
Take care and a very Happy Thanksgiving to all of you! |
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Region 7 Meeting
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IC2011
Pocono Manor, PA
Start: 1310
End: 1411
Wayne welcomed all to the meeting, and appreciated all those who stayed for the meeting.
We are going to have another Command Summit, the first Saturday in November. It will be hopefully at the same place. It will run from 9AM to 5PM.
Shore Leave has changed their dates for next year. The Command Staff will be at Shore Leave, so we will need to have a representative proxy for the Region next year.
We had 0 bids for the Regional Conference for next year, so the Command Staff will be setting up a Regional Conference.
There was discussion about the Awards Program for the Region. The Region 7 Awards pages will be made more easily found on the site. There was also discussion on how to submit someone for an award. The current guidelines were read and discussed.
There will be a Halloween party this year, hosted by the USS Storm, in Atlantic City.
There was a discussion about hosting a Regional Conference. More discussion will held about hosting a Conference at the Command Summit.
Bob Vosseller gave his favorite memory of IC2011.
Mark Anbinder invited all to join the USS Accord at Watkins Glen weekend this year.
Chris Carothers also invited all to join the Richthofen at Gettysburg this year.
Joe Dorffner invited all to join the USS Edinburgh next year at Hersheypark Spring in the Park weekend.
The USS Avenger will be wanking it the JTRF Walk next year, as they have in the past. They asked about the team using and keeping the name "Starfleet Region 7".
The USS Justice is having their annual picnic next week. September they will be having a Star Trek anniversary event.
USS Storm will be having Star Trek Day on October 16th.
Regional Financial Report:
I - Revenue
A - Beginning balance of funds as of July 1, 2011, was $197 at PNC Bank.
B - Received $35 in Chocolate Sales in MD from SL 2011.
1) $29 was received in Chocolate Sales in NJ shortly after SL 2011.
C - A total of $300 was received during the Region 7 meeting at SL 2011
and this was for as follows,
1) $100 from the USS Sovereign for Km of Pennies
2) $200 from various Chapters including $25 from the Auction.
D - Received $33 from Empties for Cash for 23 qualified ink jet cartridges
II - Expenses
A - A check for $26 was issued for a Recruiting Poster.
III - Financial Status & Net Results
A - As of July 31, 2011, Starfleet - Region 7's bank balance is now at $568 at PNC Bank.
B - Since May 2005, we've received $425 from Empties4Cash.com for 321 qualified ink jet
and laser toner cartridges.
Note, a check for $300 was received from the USS Susquehannock for the sales of R7
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Hey 7th Fleet, the good news is we're still around, no rapture after all (unless you check out my Face Book account and click on the noted Blondie song that is).
NEWS AROUND THE 7th FLEET
Ok, I thought I'd share a few bits of news around the region.
First up, R7 Award winners (and big congrats by the way) have been forwarded on to the SF Award's Director for review on that level to be announced at IC2011 in the Poconos this August.
How is IC2011 doing by the way? Glad you asked. The IC is moving ahead and doing well. We're checking all names of those who committed to running panels have registered. For those who have said they will be taking on a panel and have not yet registered, let us know when you will be or if there is a change in plans.
We're doing well attendance wise but more people registering can only be a plus and will add to the fun. The IC2011 Committee wants to thank the 7th Fleet membership for its support of this IC which was evident by our registration numbers and for those who volunteered to assist the effort. Big thanks to you and we can't wait for August.
Now I must also report that if you are charged a full night's stay on your card when you register THIS IS NOT SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN. I dealt with this issue today when a member of the Abraham Lincoln experienced this situation. I've heard others have also been hit with this. Checking with the staff of the resort, I was assured that THIS IS NOT PART OF THE CONTRACT, so should you experience this situation, please tell them this is not permitted and ask for Crystal who will hopefully be present at the time you register. Also let Jeff and I know if you have experienced this situation. Outside of that the resort has been very helpful and attentive and this is probably a standard operating practice which does not apply to our arrangement but they probably don't check as close as they should. Please keep this in mind.
STUFF GOING ON AROUND THE REGION
Its spring/pre-summer and that means a busy time around the region. Ren Faires, picnics, BBQs and Shore Leave. Leading up to Shore Leave is a variety of comic book shows like the Wizard Comic Con which I believe was held this weekend and the Philly Wizard Comic Con on June 17-19.
The Avenger, Challenger Justice and Abraham Lincoln are among those hosting picnics and I know further individual posts and reminders will be going out from those ships and other chapters as well. Keep watch of the regional lists and utilize the events calendar on the R7 website and feel free to mention this on the Starfleet Region 7 Face Book page.
Speaking of stuff going on activity in the Maryland Sector has been going strong in the last week with the USS Richthofen, the USS Matrix, and Pa. Sector import USS Sovereign who all showed up in Bowie, MD last night for Star Trek night at the Bowie Baysox minor league team. Karen reported that those from each chapter had a blast. The park gave them free tickets, a table for recruiting material,
and, a SKYBOX for their exclusive use! They all came in Starfleet uniforms of varying eras.
Several chapters in Maryland also participated in this year's Trek Olympics and I know we'll be hearing about that soon. Good show guys!
MOVIE BLOCKBUSTERS
Many of us will be busy at the movies this summer with crew visits to see flicks like the new Pirates of the Caribbean movie which the Avenger was assembling to see today. Green Lantern is coming up early next month and that will be a good group flick to see and there is Transformers III, Cowboys and Aliens and my own personal favorite which I can't wait for...Captain America: The First Avenger.
KEEP THOSE NUMBERS UP AND REPORT ON TIME
Ok some more mundane stuff to talk about but important none the less. While our chapter reporting figures have been improving we still have a few ships that need to address their membership strength and who have been either late or have not sent in reports at all.
As to those chapters having problems with their crew strength, some are close to the mark with 8 members others have to do some recruiting or reminding their crew to renew. We also have at least one chapter that is in need of an XO. Wayne and I have been working to assist these chapters to meet SF requirements. We hate to see any change in status result from SF Ops based on these problems and the status change doesn't happen over night but we're there to assist and we want to do what we can to see that every chapter is in compliance. Ultimately though it is up to the chapter to address these issues in order to meet what is required by SF Operations.
We have one chapter out there that is drifting around the great barrier and that we need to hear from soon. We've tried every avenue of contact and we're still trying. While our Regional SF membership stands good, we do hate to see any chapter decommission.
SHORE LEAVE KILOMETER OF PENNIES
The R7 Kilometer of Pennies challenge that was reactivated following our R7 Command Summit of last fall will be counted up and we'll need to know your total PRIOR TO Shore Leave. In fact we'll need to know the Saturday BEFORE Shore Leave. We appreciate your collection of loose change (although said amount should be presented in cash or check form as no one wants to cart home a bunch of copper coins for deposit from Shore Leave). This collection will go to the region's coffers for use of regional expenses which generally means the awards program.
SF will be back with a recruitment table and meeting place and as details come in from the great folks of STAT we'll be announcing them.
R7 CONFERENCE AND R7 COMMAND SUMMIT
Wayne, Jeff and I were disappointed that we received ZERO R7 Conference 2012 Conference Bids at the appointed deadline date. Our R7 Chief of Staff Jeff Victor requested to Wayne that we extend the deadline for the bids and I've spoken to some of those who said they had been interested in putting in a bid. Bid criteria is available at our R7 website and should you have any questions contact Jeff.
Wayne has told me that THERE WILL BE another R7 Command Summit this year probably in October. There will also be a MINI REGION 7 CONFERENCE on the Sunday of this year's IC since this year's IC is taking place within the Region. Yes, yet one more reason to come out to this year's International Conference.
I always close by calling for any input you may have. Feel free to reach out and e-mail, call or even show up unannounced at Wayne's front door....okay skip that last part but you know what I mean, contact us and in a reasonable amount of time, we'll get back to you with your ideas, your complaints, questions, compliments or what have you.
I'm looking forward to seeing many of you in the weeks and months ahead. |
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SUB SPACE CHATTER
By Adm. Bob Vosseller, Vice Regional Coordinator, Region 7
Wow, I bet you may be wondering where this has been...or maybe not. I'm hoping you've missed my regional missives. I was waiting for the right time to release one with some major news but beyond the R7 Command Summit it has been pretty quiet.
That is not to say that many things haven't been happening.
This weekend the crew of the USS Ascension marked its 20th anniversary while the crew of the USS Justice enjoyed their 16th anniversary bash. We congratulate both chapters on their milestone events and we know that both celebrations must have been quite enjoyable.
Other events that have occurred in recent weeks included Halloween gatherings, conventions and Ren Faires. It certainly has been a busy fall.
We are also approaching the last few days before it is known who won the Starfleet election. I wish to congratulate both teams for running clean, constructive campaigns. This election, unlike some in the past, stuck to the issues, brought up discussions and brought out some great ideas. Good work guys. Both teams actually made the campaign season enjoyable and interesting.
Whoever wins and whoever loses, you both have much to be proud of in the way you communicated your ideas.
R7 Command recently congratulated the USS Storm based in Atlantic City which became official earlier this month. We know this group has some exciting plans for the future and have worked hard during its organization stage. Sadly, we must note that while we gained one chapter, the USS Starlord based in Aberdeen N.J. has decommissioned. Starlord was around for at least 10 years and we wish their members well.
The year is winding down and we are approaching the holiday season. The USS Challenger is once again hosting its Holiday party/Cookie Swap, this year on a Saturday, Dec. 4 at the Seaside Heights Community Center. All are welcome. We will be collecting $10 for pizza (for those that want to eat pizza) to go along with all those cookies and milk. Other holiday festivities will be part of the fun.See the more detailed post from Commodore Jeff Victor, XO of the USS Challenger.
I'm sure chapters across the 7th Fleet are planning their own festive gatherings as well. Please share photos and writeups with Starbase 7 so they can be included on the R7 website.
IC2011 is plugging along well with many program ideas now being finalized as we round up panelists for some of the programs. Feel free to check out our Facebook site, our website and by all means, register early. Registration or IC merchandise makes for great holiday gifts.
The Kilometer of Pennies program has been restored and each chapter is asked to particpate, collecting your spare change during the year and bringing the total to Shore Leave (or sending it in via mail by check) if your chapter won't be present at Shore Leave 2011.
The chapter that has the biggest total of copper coins (no we aren't counting pennies at Shore Leave) will be awarded a prize (yet to be determined).
Any questions on this program that will benefit the R7 coffers, contact Wayne or I.
In closing, I wish to extend an early Thanksgiving wish to all of you. While the economy may be crummy, health issues facing some of us, and other less pleasant changes facing us, there are many things we should be thankful for and remember.
As for the 7th Fleet, we remain active with events (many of which are multi chapter events) and remain having fun and that of course, is our prime directive. I don't think 2010 was a bad year for Starfleet or Region 7 and I think 2011 will be even better. Keep those MSRs coming in on time and as always, should you have an idea, complaint, project proposal or question for SF R7 Command. Wayne, Jeff and the rest of us are not hard to find. We are all just an e-mail or phone call away. |
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