Infinity Diversity in Infinite Combinations is a core truth of SFC and our policies, however there is one universal truth that we’ve all seen in every corner of Star Trek fandom; we like trivia, information and just knowing stuff.
Whether it’s a conversation about uniforms that devolves into actual fabric colours in the 60’s, the ever ongoing debate of how many decks the Defiant has or even just the basics of temporal dynamics leading to how many of Data’s heads existed at a specific point of time, there’s a reason the Star Trek Fact Files and even the Nitpickers Guide were popular additions to our collections back in the day.
One of the best things about SFC is that everyone has their talents. We’re a wide group of people from all over the UK & Ireland expanding across Europe with varying degrees of interest, knowledge and hobbies. Some in line with the ‘specialisation’ you join with, some well beyond. The idea of Fleet Experts came from the USS Churchill, with science officers Carol and Amanda making an effort to showcase science news and discoveries every week offering the crew insight into their chosen field and interests as well as continuing a more regular and easier to consume version of Comms old Science Report.
Across the fleet we’ve also seen some fascinating projects and hobbies. From prop making and 3d printing, to design and costuming, creativity with writing or painting – even to gaming whether by machine or tabletop. It doesn’t even stop at Star Trek. Just within HQ you can ask Mark about Warhammer, Scott about comics or Dave about hats and they’ll chew your ear off with insightful knowledge!
As part of our efforts to ensure we’re celebrating all members and what they bring to the fleet, we’re dipping our toes back into the idea of specialised roles within Q2 by inviting members to join our Fleet Expert pilot program and have created new ‘roles’ for members of the fleet to take their knowledge from their local group to become a fleet wide expert.
What kind of fleet expert can you be? The answer to that is almost anything. To begin the pilot program, we’ve set up four starting points for Fleet Experts.
- Series Expert: We’re all got ‘our’ Trek. Whether it’s an era long past, following new productions or learning every aspect of why Pike’s hair looks so puffy! Series experts can either be a historian of a legacy era of Star Trek, or avid follower giving us news and info on in production series’
- Departmental: One of the most common experts since before we even decided to have experts! You can be focused on new science and discoveries; Become an engineering expert and focus on the tech of Trek; or even take charge of the Shipyards!
- Activity: Probably the most wide ranging expert option Prop building, costumes, collecting merch, events/conventions
- Expanded: Wait, it’s not Star Trek?! Another universe, tabletop gaming, collecting etc
Aside from sharing knowledge and ideas, fleet experts would have a range of access depending on their field of expertise which could include anything from posting access on Q2 (author access is already enabled in the Hub for contributors) to moderator or admin access on our social media channels. Fleet Experts would also be recognised with Expert Tags on social media and listed as part of their field on the Hub.
For Example, if Ensign Ricky was our Lower Decks Expert he may appear on the Experts List in the Fleet Directory and have contributor access to the site or social media if he wanted to share any news or updates regarding the series. Whereas Lieutenant Someoneelse may become the Art & Design Specialist and only need to become a moderator on Europa to share concept or production art from the Star Trek Universe.
In essence, as an Expert of Specialist, you’d define how much you’d want to dive into the field whole being recognised as a valued member of the overall fleet.
If you’re interested in becoming one of our Fleet Experts or have any questions you can read out to the ADMB directly on our usual contact (open form | contact list), via the Q2 messaging system or catch us on Facebook. Alternatively, you can fill in the form below. And yes, sorry there is a CAPCHA as we’re getting an inordinate amount of spam! (Capcha will not appear if logged in to your SFCQ2.com account)
About the author
[Treknology] Beam Me Up!
Step into the transporter and with the touch of a few buttons and sliders you're whisked away to an alien landscape ready to explore. As synonymous to the Star Trek lore as phasers and tricorders, the transporter is one of the most vital tools within Starfleet, letting officers and crew travel instantaneously between environments without the need for time consuming shuttle trips or finding a starship-sized parking space to land in. Developed as a narrative tool, the transporter lets the story move along swiftly without breaks in the action and in a budget friendly manner. All you need to film is someone stepping into the large chamber, paste over some special effects, then pick up in another filming location. Aside from the creative benefits, it also showed the enhanced technological nature of the 23rd century. How it works is fairly […]
That Guy From That Thing: Harris Yulin
Among the many acclaimed guest appearances from all corners of the Star Trek Universe, there are only a small few who gave as deep a performance as Harris Yulin in his sole appearance in the franchise. Taking the spotlight as Aamin Marritza in Deep Space Nine's first season episode Duet, a Cardassian civilian who arrives at Deep Space Nine and raises a massive red flag for Kira when she learns he has a condition that links him to a brutal mining camp that many Bajorans suffered through during the occupation. Yulin is an actor who you may not recognise by name, but you always recognise. Having made his name in the New York theatre scene in the 60's, he quickly established himself as a serious dramatic talent with an incredible command of language, subtly and presence before he'd ever step […]
A Fistful of Justice
Although it's one of the worlds most legendary science fiction shows, Star Trek has always dabbled with format and genre's, all dressed up behind deep space adventures. Whether using the holodeck for a touch of fantasy, or diving into the horrors of war through Deep Space Nine's run, the variety of story telling never seems to fit one mould. But out of all the different tales told in the wonderful world of Starfleet, one that always promises to deliver is the court room drama. This month we're diving into the most captivating of Star Trek's courtroom drama's with a Fistful of Justice! AD ASTRA PER ASPERA Strange New Worlds, Season 2 One of the most modern examples of Strar Trek's court room drama saw Pike's own Number One, Una-Chin Reilly, under court martial for a serious breach of Starfleet regulation […]
Who is The Borg Queen?
Since their first appearance in 1989, the Borg had been an oddly mysterious and chilling antagonist for the Federation. Following their first encounter with the Enterprise-D, an inevitable event accelerated by Q meddling to challenge Picard, the Borg would swiftly make their mark with the first of many attacks on Earth, forcing Starfleet to adapt and change to the new and unexpected threat. A cold, faceless enemy, the Borg are cybernetic beings acting as one collective mind. Spreading through the galaxy trying to find perfection, they absorb anything of value they see into their collective, spreading like a virus and wiping out individuality to become a drone serving their eternal mission. In trying to assimilate the Federation into their collective, the hive created a new leader in Locutus, a human given a unique voice to speak for the Borg and […]
[Q2&A] Fleet Recognition
While SFC's rank system is one of the most obvious form of rewards within Quadrant 2, with members informally given the rank and title for each grade, rank is just one level of recognition within the fleet for out Captains and Fleet Support to highlight a members contributions. While SFC's rank system is one of the most obvious form of rewards within Quadrant 2, with members informally given the rank and title for each grade, rank is just one level of recognition within the fleet for out Captains and Fleet Support to highlight a members contributions. A more common form of recognition are our Commendations and Citations. Having taken various forms over the years, our commendations are the more open of all with four categories – Service, Departmental, Leadership or Special Commendations. Commendations and Special Commendations are the most common […]
[Inside Trek] Behind the Viewscreen: Robert H Justman
It takes an army to bring a TV show to life, especially one creating it's own world to explore in and more often than not the people behind the scenes are often unsung heroes despite being key to the creation of an iconic a legacy as Star Trek. Robert Justman was one of the many responsible to shaping the Star Trek Universe, particularly in it's early days, and was one of the most influential producers in helping form the original series. Staring his career in technical and production roles, Justman learned the ropes in the 1950's as television in the US would go from a rare luxury to a household staple throughout the decade. Building his skills and reputation as assistant director and production manager on a variety of styles, Justman gained a reputation for being highly unorganised and keeping […]
Related
Resistance Is Optional: Choose Your Adventure!
Our trials of bringing the fleet together have been hit and miss with scheduling and dates being a bit slim. So we're opening the floor to the fleet to pick the next date and theme! You can make your selection below on what works best for you ahead of our next fleet event! The final outcome will be shared at Europa on Facebook and in Fleet Alert in the Officers Hub as soon as we have a comfortable number of notes. For more information or to get direct updates on non-Discord online events, you can the subscribe to Twitch channel, visit twitch.tv/sfcq2. Google Meets events are hosted by our google account - you can add sfcquad2@gmail.com to your whitelist to ensure direct notification. Info and invite confirmations may also come from jt@sfcq2.com directly.
Academy Class of 2403: Beta Season Graduates
The Star Trek world may be celebrating the first year graduates of 3196, but in Q2 our Academy is pleased to roll out a new generation of officers completing their provisional terms for our 2403 Beta Quarter Graduates!As you may be aware, new members to SFC are inducted on a "Cadet Term" to find out more about us, establish their preferred level of involvement and get to know the fleet. Once that term is over, they are officially welcomed to the ranks and transitioned to full membership (more info). 2403 Alpha Class Graduates We're pleased to say that the following members have now completed their provisional field service cadet term and have now been send their official confirmation and welcome to the officer ranks. Andy Claridge SC-795834-CHL Operations Officer, USS Churchill Rachael Claridge SC-795835-CHL Operations Officer, USS Churchill Michelle Thorniley […]
Tesla Crew Beams Down To Glasgow This Weekend!
It's almost tradition now for Tesla to host away teams to start the year, and this year is no different! After starting their year at Capital Sci Fi in Edinburgh, the crew of the Tesla are beaming down once again to Power Con in Glasgow this weekend! Hosted by Fan Frontiers, Power Con has Power has been one of the core places to meet the crew of the Tesla since it's origins as Acme Comic Con and have become a firm part of the diverse and welcoming fan centric communities hosting everything from Rebel Legions to Ghostbusters! With the guest line up this year including Doctor Who's Peter Davidson, the gaming focused event is set to host Balders Gate stars Amelia Tyler and Tom Downie, as well as Kirsty Rider from the award winning Expedition 33 and more! Fan Frontier's Power […]
Command Opportunities Within Q2.
One of the most common questions within SFC membership is all about command; to the point we compile a list of interested potential CO's on application to the club. Though some can feel hesitant to begin when they're uncertain of what region might benefit or fit the criteria for members to take command of a new start-up. Throughout the first quarter we've been taking out the hard part. Sifting through our membership information, we've highlighted several key spots with a condensed userbase within the current catchment of Churchill and Sovereign. Much like Project Antonine, the working title for Tesla's development, we've crafted a list of potential members to breakout for key regions and are beginning to identify potential leadership candidates to help in putting together more sustainable local groups. To begin, we're looking at two regions in each Regional Command […]
Awards, Promotions and Citations!
The most important asset within Q2 are the people who make it special. Recently several members had received recognition for their contributions to start an exciting year celebrating the 60 Year Mission! Promotions We'd like to recognise the following for their recent promotions. First off are the captains who, despite an accidental extended shakedown, showed up from day one they were more than worthy of the big chair! Confirming their units as fully active, Magali and Mathew gained promotion through their incredible efforts! Magali Kauffman Lieutenant Commander ⟡ USS Proxima Matthew Ross Lieutenant Commander ⟡ USS Kaga Since arriving with us as officers and Captains, both been a shining example to the fleet and to you crew. You can read more about Magali and Matthew in the Confirmation Announcement, of check the USS Kaga and USS Proxima to learn more […]
Resistance Is Optional: Sunday 8th February
We've trialled, we've tested and we're ready for nonsense! This weekend we're inviting the fleet to come together and just enjoy talking Trek, general life, throw questions at Admin and generally misbehave in our Discord server while we run a live first run on the server. For those who've never used Discord before, we're migrating what we can from our social platforms to the Discord server in the coming weeks and months due to it's versatility as a desktop app, web-based client or mobile app; having multiple methods of communication from voice chats, to hosted events, to simple forum and live forum style discussions and of course – aside from them occasionally promoting their Nitro features – it’s ad and payment free with privacy controls to suit you. Also it lets us run video and voice chat - both of […]
