In Attendance:

Bob Vosseller
Emily Vosseller
Jeff Victor
Laura Victor
Todd Brugmans
Annie Brugmans
Julia Victor
Kevin Victor
Jen Renda
Jim Renda
Chris Ruff
Joyce Terrana

Location:
Todd & Annie’s house, Leisure Village, Lakewood, NJ

1. First order of business is to establish the Command Staff for 2018.
   • Commanding Officer: Bob Vosseller
   • Executive Office: Jeff Victor
   • Chief of Communications: Laura Victor, Assistant Chief Communications: Jen Renda (New Posting)
   • Chief of Security: Kevin Victor, Assistant Chief Security: (POSITION OPEN)
   • Chief of Engineering: Ken Diehl, Assistant Chief of Engineering: Ken Ruff (New Posting)
   • Chief of Science: Annie Brugmans, Brittany Melillo (Pending)
   • Chief of Operations: Todd Brugmans (New Posting), Assistant Chief of Operations: Chris Ruff (New Posting)
   • Chief of Medical: Joyce Terrana (New Posting), Assistant Chief of Medical: Jeanne Terrana (New Posting), Ship’s Counselor: Emily Vosseller
   • Chief Financial Officer: Julia Victor
2. The Commanding Officer will be reaching out to those members whose membership has recently expired to see if they will continue aboard ship.
3. For those crew not currently assigned to a division aboard ship, or for those who may with to transfer to a different division, please contact our Executive officer and/or the Commanding Officer.
4. PROMOTIONS:
   • Several members have participated in Starfleet Academy training, others have actively participated in Challenger events, these activities have assigned point values which will be reviewed in the next month by your division chiefs for promotions at or below the rank of Captain.
   • Crew members eligible for Captain or above must have a letter of recommendation sent to the Region for consideration
5. MEMBERSHIP DUES:
   The command Staff has adopted new guidelines for membership dues for fiscal year 2018. Dues will be as follows:
   • Single Membership- $15.00 (Includes membership to Starfleet International)
   • Family Membership (2) – $18.00 (Includes membership to Starfleet International)
   • Family Membership (3) – $21.00 (Includes membership to Starfleet International)
   • Family Membership (4) – $24.00 (Includes membership to Starfleet International)
   • Family Membership (5) – $28.00 (Includes membership to Starfleet International)Family Membership (6) – $30.00 (Includes membership to Starfleet International)The collections for the dues will be collected at the chapter level-and memberships with Starfleet will be processed on your behalf
6. Current Ship’s Financial Status:
   As of January 2nd, USS Challenger has $1033.80.
7. RECRUITMENT MATERIALS FOR 2018
   Operations Department
   New Color brochures will have details regarding the 30th celebration
   Business Cards with chapter information will be developed for recruiting efforts
   Looking into Givaways (like pens) for recruiting efforts
   Operations department will develop new On-Site sign up forms for recruiting efforts in 2018.
   Starter Membership Packets are going to be prepared so we may actively sign people up at events.
8. Ship Notifications and Updates to the Calendar:
   COMMUNICATIONS and OPERATIONS DIVISIONS
   The Primary contact for the ship to the crew will be through the USS Challlenger E-Mail list. Secondary notifications will be posted jointly on the Facebook Challenger site and the USS Challenger Website. A Google Calendar is being developed to include automatic meeting notices, and membership renewal dates.
9. Event calendar will continue to see updates on the Facebook page.
10. A Virtual Newsletter is in development for the club. E-mailed newsletter will include topics of interest to the crew, whether it is Trek-related or not. ENTIRE CREW encouraged to participate. Please contact the Chief of Communications for submissions and additional details.
11. USS CHALLENGER STORE
    Executive Officer
    • The Embroidered Ship’s merchandise will be narrowed down to a set number of colors of Polo Shirts, T-Shirts, Hats, Sweatshirts, and Light Jackets.
    • Other Items such as messenger bags will be offered in Black. Orders for the Embroidered items will go through Jeff Victor 4 times throughout the year.
    • The January order was placed, addressing orders pending for 2017. The next orders will be taken at the April Ship meeting, then subsequent orders for this year will be scheduled for the August Meeting, and the November Meeting. Prices and complete catalog details will be available at upcoming meetings.
12. USS CHALLENGER 30th ANNIVERSARY PINS
    Operations
    • Total manufactured: 100 PINS
    • To date, we have sold 68 pins. 10 pins have been placed on Chapter Hold status – 22 pins left to sell
    • Money to Challenger Savings: $130.00
    • Money Spent on 30th Anniversary decorations $100.00
    • Money Pending deposit to USS Challenger: $150.00
    • Total Money Collected on Pin Project: $380.00
    • Remaining Pending Sales: $220.00The Pins have been sent out internationally, Countries receiving the pins include Canada, the UK, Scotland, Australia, and New Zealand.
13. USS CHALLENGER 30th ANNIVERSARY PARTY PLANNING
    Commanding Officer, Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Party Decorations Chair.
    The CO is working on getting a firm commitment on a venue for our event, moved to October due to a heavy amount of activity within Region 7 in September. Additional details will follow at the February ship’s meeting. The Chief Financial officer provided a break down of catering options for the event, and the Decorations chair showed examples of items already acquired for the event.
14. SHIPS CALENDAR OF EVENTS
    • 6-month overview.
    • Details will be added to the Google and Facebook event calendars shortly.
15. MAJOR NEWS:
    The regularly scheduled monthly meetings will be held at the SEASIDE HEIGHTS COMMUNITY CENTER. DATES are:
    • 2/4/18
    • 3/4/18
    • 4/8/18 (Rescheduled from 4/1/18 to avoid Easter Sunday)
    • 5/6/18
    • 6/3/18
    • 7/14/18 – (NO FORMAL MEETING IN JULY, 7/8-10 Shore Leave Convention, Annual CHALLENGER Picnic.)

After Action Report Dutifully Submitted by RADM Todd Brugmans, Operations Chief, USS Challenger, R7 Permissions to re-post have been granted.

Just a short note to everyone with an update on plans for our 25th anniversary Farpoint Convention!

Convention registration opens at 1:00 PM on Friday with panels and activities beginning shortly thereafter and running until 2:00 AM Saturday. Saturday hours are 9:00 AM until 2:00 AM Sunday and Sunday hours are 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM.

If you wish to buy your tickets in advance at the lower price you have until 1/31/18 to do so! Register online at www.FarpointCon.com/register. You can also print a paper copy of our registration form from the website to mail in. Convention membership badges and at the door tickets will be available at our convention registration desk downstairs in the Hunt/Valley coat check desk.

If you are planning to get your complimentary celebrity autograph each day, don’t forget the requirement that the complimentary signature is on an item you present to be signed. This can be anything from a photograph, trading card, DVD, the program book, action figure – anything – but it must come from your personal collection (even if you just purchased it in our dealer room). You can also purchase additional signatures on additional items including photos and memorabilia the guest has on their table and at the table photos with the guest all during the same visit to the guest’s signing station. Please remember to bring cash for your purchases from our celebrity guests. The pricing will be announced on our social media feeds soon.

There are some exciting new activities to tell you about this year! Video gaming will be available in our Khaaaan Sweet lounge all weekend. Located in the Garden Room (top floor of the hotel conference center), our Khaaaan Sweet is there for you to take a break with friends, enjoy some light snacks, and now also indulge your passion for video gaming.

We have invited our author guests to participate in a short story contest and YOU are the judge! The authors were given a photograph and challenged to write a 2500 word micro-story inspired by the image. The stories will be published soon via our website; copies will also be available at the contest voting station downstairs in the Hunt/Valley ballroom hallway. You will receive a ballot with your convention badge and materials to vote for your choice for winner. Contest winners will be announced during the Masquerade half time Saturday evening. Which author guest will earn bragging rights?

You will be able to learn more about our programming and guests soon! Our goal is to have the schedule and program book published online through our website and web-based app 2 weeks before the convention. You’ll also get the latest news following us on social media: Farpoint Convention on Facebook and @FarpointCon on Twitter.

Fellow Members of STARFLEET,

It has been my privilege to serve this past year as your Commander, STARFLEET. However, due to health concerns that have manifested themselves this past year, I am afraid that I will not be able to continue as such; to do so would be unfair to myself and the organization.

Therefore, effective at 12:01am Central Time on 1 January 2018, I will be resigning as Commander, STARFLEET. I am sorry that I will not be able to cross the finish line with the rest of my team and help improve the organization for its members.

I wish you all a happy and safe new year and ask that you give Dan your support as he picks up the reins.

Respectfully,

FADM Robert Westfall