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Contents

MAQUIS FORCES INTERNATIONAL HANDBOOK

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Introduction

Welcome Letter from MFI Founder

Dear MFI Member,

Maquis Forces International (MFI) is an alliance of Maquis clubs and individuals around the world for the purpose of the free exchange of ideas, information, and friendship. Like our fictional counterparts on Star Trek® who went renegade from Starfleet, most of our membership left established fandom organizations in search of a better banner to fly under. Our chapters left such organizations feeling dissatisfied and not all together comfortable with the politics and infighting that plague many fan organizations. MFI is much different. Being Maquis gives us the freedom to act and play as we choose without an organization dictating how we run our chapters and eliminates the need for politics. MFI is a breed apart from the standard cookie cutter Star Trek® organization in that we are here for fellowship and fun rather than politics and money. This handbook has been prepared to familiarize yourself with the largest Maquis oriented Star Trek organization on the planet, Maquis Forces International.

Our organization is made up of a Coordinator Council, the cornerstone for an alliance of decentralized chapters across the world. The Council oversees the Zone Coordinators, who in turn oversee the individual chapters. Although this may seem like a "chain of command", the Council and the Zone Coordinators are merely for guidance and cohesion. Chapters can take what they desire or nothing at all from them. Minimal requirements for chapters are that they stay true to the standards of conduct set by the membership and to have fun being Maquis. Like the "real" Maquis on Star Trek®, Maquis chapters are independent of each other, but bound by a common goal. Ours is not as lofty as the freedom of the colonies of the Demilitarized Zone, ours is more down to earth, literally. Our goal is to have fun and the spreading of fellowship and friendship to all Maquis and other Star Trek® fan clubs.

Being a member of MFI means that you want to have more fun than all else. This handbook has been formatted to better your fun by explaining what it means to be in MFI and the responsibilities and benefits of membership. So peruse this handbook at your leisure and hopefully by the end the picture of what an MFI member is will be much more clearer and we can do what all fans truly want, TO HAVE FUN.




FADM Gary Davis Maquis Forces International Founder

CHAPTER ONE - YOU AND MFI

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the Maquis Forces International (MFI). This club is dedicated to the pursuit of the Star Trek hobby through individual and family activities. Through our local and virtual (electronic and correspondence) chapters we seek to enjoy our hobby through in a variety of activities from exchanging Trek information with fellow members, to writing Trek stories talking about Trek and club matters via the internet, attending our annual conference, and interacting with other Trek fan.

If you are a new member, or even perhaps a renewing member, you may have questions on how this organization operates, who is in charge, where you go for information and assistance, and how can you have FUN here? This handbook along with the MFI Constitution provides answers to these questions. Let's answer these nagging questions now so you can finish reading your membership materials and get out there and have some FUN!

You probably joined MFI in one of three ways: you picked up an application at either a Trek convention or other activity, you got MFI's address via the website or a fan directory, or you heard about us by word of mouth. You may or may not have gotten additional information about MFI. Maybe the display or the appearance of the application appealed to you so you decided to join. Other than what is on the application you really don't know very much about MFI. Now that you have filled out the official application, got have your name listed on the website and received this handbook you are probably wondering what you have gotten yourself into.

Welcome to the Maquis Forces International (MFI). This club is dedicated to the pursuit of the Star Trek hobby through individual and family activities. Through our local and virtual (electronic and correspondence) chapters we seek to enjoy our hobby through in a variety of activities from exchanging Trek information with fellow members, to writing Trek stories talking about Trek and club matters via the internet, attending our annual conference, and interacting with other Trek fan.

If you are a new member, or even perhaps a renewing member, you may have questions on how this organization operates, who is in charge, where you go for information and assistance, and how can you have FUN here? This handbook along with the MFI Constitution provides answers to these questions. Let's answer these nagging questions now so you can finish reading your membership materials and get out there and have some FUN!

You probably joined MFI in one of three ways: you picked up an application at either a Trek convention or other activity, you got MFI's address via the website or a fan directory, or you heard about us by word of mouth. You may or may not have gotten additional information about MFI. Maybe the display or the appearance of the application appealed to you so you decided to join. Other than what is on the application you really don't know very much about MFI. Now that you have filled out the official application, got have your name listed on the website and received this handbook you are probably wondering what you have gotten yourself into.

MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS

Membership in MFI is simple, you are a part of the largest Maquis fan club on the planet, privy to access to the members’ site, listserv, and any an all material published by MFI HQ for as long as you remain a member. Membership will mean different things to different people. Involvement in the international organization can be as simple as filling out a membership application and being listed on the web site, or actively participating in the decision-making that shapes MFI as a whole. As long as members remain true to the concept of IDIC and the foundation of understanding and tolerance of individuals and their rights and opinions, they are members of MFI.

MEMBERSHIP RIGHTS DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES

When you joined MFI you received certain rights. You now have the RIGHT TO:

  • 1. Select and change your membership option at any time.
  • 2. Join the chapter of your choice.
  • 3. Transfer from one chapter to another at any time.
  • 4. Chose the amount of your MFI participation at any organizational level.
  • 5. Participate in any MFI program, department, or activity.
  • 6. Be a part of the voting processes in Chapter (if available), Zone, and International Elections.
  • 7. Apply or run for any Zone and International positions (appointed or elected) for which you are qualified.
  • 8. Receive prompt and courteous responses to your inquires, suggestions, and comments from any officer at any administrative level of MFI.
  • 9. You may bring any problem, concern, or suggestion to the Coordinator Council and staff, Zone Coordinator, Chapter Chairperson and

officers at any time to seek timely satisfaction and resolution.

  • 10.. Voice your opinion at any MFI organizational level without fear of reprisal.
  • 11. Hear, question, and investigate all sides of an issue being discussed and debated within MFI.
  • 12. Talk with any MFI member about any MFI activity, program, or policy by any communication means within the bounds of common decency and propriety.
  • 13. Due process.
  • 14. Appeal any judgmental or disciplinary actions within MFI.
  • 15. Be informed of all MFI policies in a timely manner.
  • 16. Terminate your membership at any time.
  • 17. Join or affiliate with any other fan clubs.
  • 18. HAVE FUN AND ENJOY YOUR TREK HOBBY TO THE FULLEST OF YOUR ABILITY!!!



With your membership comes certain duties and responsibilities:

  • 1. To practice the concept of IDIC (Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations) at all times.
  • 2. Do not lie, cheat, steal or tolerate those who would.
  • 3. To live up to the standards set by your chapter, zone, and MFI.
  • 4. To seek the truth, whatever and wherever it may be.
  • 5. To respect and listen to other opinions.
  • 6. To carry out your duties of your position whether it be as a general member and/or club, zone, or international officer to the best of your ability.
  • 7. To offer only constructive criticism and feedback.
  • 8. To not participate in character assassination of another.
  • 9. To be unbiased in judgmental matters.
  • 10. To help solve problems not create them.
  • 11. To respect the rights of all MFI members.
  • 12. To take and accept responsibility for your actions, feelings, beliefs, and attitudes.

RANK AND ADVANCEMENT WITHIN MFI

Now that we have some of the basic ideas of membership out of the way, a common question comes quickly to mind: How do I get promoted? Don't be ashamed of asking this question. All of us like some type of promotion.

Promotion involves participation within and contributions to MFI. What you put into your membership is what you will get out of it. If you participate you are going to get promoted. It is as simple as that. Members are encouraged to participate at the chapter, zone, and international levels. All new members begin at the rank given by their respective CO’s. If you join a chapter your initial rank and promotion will then be determined by the promotion policy of that chapter. If you are transferring from another Star Trek fan club, MFI will accept whatever rank you held in that organization, providing you provide MFI with the proper documentation. This documentation can be a letter from your previous chapter or organizational officer or a promotion certificate from your previous chapter or club. If you wish to transfer your rank then send the documentation with your application so it can be entered in our central membership database. If you are of flag rank, your rank must be reviewed and approved by the Coordinator Council. Applications under our Collateral Flag Rank Conversion policy will only be accepted after the member has been in MFI for a minimum of six months and has completed both the New Member Exam and the Leadership Development Exam. Appendix D contains the MFI rank structure.

Your chapter commanding officer, president, or chairperson is responsible for establishing your chapter's promotion policy for the ranks of Commander/Lieutenant Colonel and below. Some chapters may have promotion point guidelines where you earn a required number of points for promotion. Other chapters may use promotion boards where each member's contributions are discussed and a vote is taken whether or not to promote the member. Still other chapters might use a combination of the two. Your chapter chairperson will have more details on club promotions. If he doesn't tell you, then ask. The rank of Captain/Colonel may be awarded in one of three ways:

  • 1. It may be awarded by a recommendation of a Coordinator Council Member to Commanders/Lt. Colonels who have earned it. This can be for meritorious promotions or accepting positions within the International organization that demands such a rank
  • 2. Upon becoming President of an operational (chartered) chapter.
  • 3. Chapter Chairpersons of flag/general officer rank may promote members of their chapter to the rank of Captain/Colonel.



Any member can nominate a person for promotion to these ranks. To nominate a member to the rank of Captain/Colonel and above you must submit promotion nomination information to the Promotion Board Chairman who is the Chief of Staff. Appendix E contains further information on the MFI promotion policy and nomination procedures.



A few words are needed about promotions. First of all you don't have to hold a high office in MFI to be promoted to Captain or the flag ranks. There are not that many positions to go around. There are hard working and dedicated members at all levels within MFI who are worthy of promotion. Just because you work hard at the chapter level doesn't mean that you don't have a chance to get promoted to the ranks above Commander/Lt. Colonel.

Second, these ranks are fictitious and do not mean that one member is superior to another and must NEVER be used to belittle or demean a member. Such things as hazing, pulling rank, and expecting exclusive privileges can get you in trouble quickly in MFI whether you are an Admiral, a Crewman or a Technician. These ranks are for FUN and are only used to give a Trek feel to the organization. They are not real. You don't get any benefits from having them.

Third, ranks are awarded for service and responsibility within MFI and not for political favors.

Lastly, authority is sometimes confused with rank. These are two different ideas. Rank is fictitious, while authority is real. The authority of the Coordinator Council, Zone Coordinators, and Chapter Chairpersons is given to them in order to do their administrative and management jobs within MFI. They must be able to make policies and guidelines in order for MFI to function. This authority makes the FUN possible. The watchword for both rank and authority is SERVICE.

AWARDS

The MFI awards program is another way of recognizing a job well done by a member. Let's face it, you like to have your ego stroked every now and then. Awards do just that. These awards may be certificates of achievement, commendations, ribbons, or plaques. Each chapter and zone is encouraged to set up some type of recognition program for its members. At the international level, awards are given to members and chapters for service to the organization, leadership, heroic acts, community service, and outstanding projects.

MEMBERSHIP MATERIALS

COMMUNICATIONS

MFI believes that an informed and communicating membership is an active and caring membership. MFI wants you to know what is going on and to participate in it's many discussions. Members are encouraged to ask questions, make inquires, and share opinions with follow members and MFI officials. In MFI, communication is a two-way street. You talk and MFI officials will listen and try to help you.

MFI does have other some specialized communications. These are the international newsletter, the public and special interest listservs, ICQ, Yahoo Messenger, MSN Messenger, and the IRC Chat Room

The International Newsletter – This is the "official" written publication of MFI. You will read about various activities and events within MFI such as chapter social events, projects, and community service functions. You might even get some ideas of activities that you might want to suggest to your chapter to do. The BADLANDS spreads the fun around. You will also see articles about Star Trek. After all MFI is a Star Trek fan club. Finally, there is business to be discussed. This is where positions are advertised, new services are revealed, and MFI policies are announced. If you like to write, draw, take pictures or know of something Trek related that you would like to share with your fellow members then submit articles, artwork, and pictures.

Your contribution will make the Chief of Communications' day. He may not be able to promote you, but he can put YOUR name in print. A word to all of you budding reporters… in no way does "The BADLANDS" or any other MFI publication intend to encroach or infringe upon any patent, trademark, or copyright held by Viacom Inc., Paramount Pictures, Lincoln Enterprises or the Estate of Gene Roddenberry. All rights are reserved to these organizations and entities. If you are not sure about something you want to write about, photograph, or draw then ask our Chief of Communications for submission guidelines.



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Force Admiral Selek of Vulcan (Gary Davis)

CHAPTER TWO -- MFI AS AN ORGANIZATION

INTRODUCTION

Now that we have discussed your membership within MFI, let's look at how your fan club is organized. Earlier we mentioned that MFI's major division is the Coordinator Council (CC). The function of the CC shall be to create and enforce policies, coordinate the various departments assigned within, and serve as advisors to chapters and members alike. The CC shall be the final authority in the interpretation of the Constitution and of the policies and procedures of the organization. The CC is charged with setting the over-all policy for the organization and management of the organization. Policies and issues voted on by the CC require a three-fourths (3/4) vote for passage of those members voting. All votes must have at least a quorum present to vote on any polices or issues involving MFI. The CC has no authority over individual chapters beyond the enforcement of MFI policies and violation of said policies. The internal affairs of said chapters are their own in regard to make up, involvement in MFI and other organizations, activities, and promotions up to the rank of said chapter chairperson.

THE COORDINATOR COUNCIL

  • a. MFI International Coordinator/Force Admiral (IC/FADM) - President). The IC is the head of the CC is in charge of all meetings of the CC, unless absent or delegated. The IC is charged with ensuring that all information pertaining to organization policy changes is delivered to the CC members in a timely and reasonable fashion and shall serve as a reference for all CC members and organization members. The IC of the CC is by virtue the Commander and upon taking office, the Flag of the Force is transferred to the ship upon which the IC is a member. The IC is the President of the organization, and is responsible in every way for everything that occurs. The IC presides over the entire organization and is responsible for the well being of everyone connected with the organization.


  • b. Vice International Coordinator (VIC - Vice President). The VIC is the second in command of MFI and shall preside over the CC in the IC’s absence. The VIC is responsible for the smooth operation of the organization as a whole, including the commissioning and decommissioning of new and special interest departments. The Vice International Coordinator will be responsible for all issue resolutions beyond the purview of the Chief of Staff. The VIC is to represent the ideas of the IC to the organization and to the CC; and shall represent the club as a whole to the international community and to other fan clubs.


  • c. Chief of Staff (COS) is the third in the chain of command of the organization and serves as the IC, in the absence of the IC and the VIC. The COS serves as an advisor to the IC and VIC and represents the views of the organization to the CC. The COS also coordinates the various departments of MFI and oversees their smooth operation through liaison with the CC, Department Heads and the Vice International Coordinator


  • d. Chief of Operations (COO): Coordinates and oversees force activities and serves as the primary liaison with the Naval chapters through the Zone Coordinators and matters pertaining to operational Naval forces within MFI. Coordinates the various departments within their purview and oversees their smooth operation through liaison with the department heads and the COS.


  • e. Chief of Communications (COC): Overall responsible for communications within the organization. Provides a Moderator for the MFI Mail Listserv, shall announce vacancies of positions in MFI, serve as liaison with chapter Comm Officers, and will head the team which publishes the newsletter and coordinates the inputs from the chapters for addition to the publication.


  • f. Chief of Computer Operations (COCO): Coordinates and maintains all electronic data and services employed by Maquis Forces International. The COCO is responsible for the support, maintenance and updating of the Maquis Forces International website.


  • g. Academy Commandant (ACAD): Coordinates and maintains the Maquis Academy web pages. Will oversee all the Deans of the various colleges and the administering of academy courses, the grading, and assignment of pass/fail certificates.

ZONE COORDINATORS (ZC)

To serve as the official representative of their respective Zone and as such, they represent the will of their Zone, their chapters, and their members to the CC and vice versa. To liaison between the COO and the chapters assigned within their geographical area. ZC's are charged with apprising the COO and the CC of any changes in chapter status, contact information, or activities such as conventions or Zone Conferences. Zone Coordinators are required to submit Monthly Zone Reports to the MFI COO.

MFI VOTE OF CONFIDENCE AND ELECTIONS

Every two years MFI conducts a Vote of Confidence. If the current leadership maintains the confidence of the membership, that IC and his Council stay in power. In the event that the membership loses confidence in the IC, or he decides he desires to step down or retire, general elections will be held.

Appendix C discusses the elective process in greater detail. Zone Elections are held according to election procedures set up by each zone. Zones determine their own candidate qualifications, nomination process, election procedures, and length of term of office for their Zone Coordinator. Appendix C also discusses Zone Elections. It is very important that you as a member of MFI, VOTE in these elections. This is one way that your voice can be heard on how MFI should be governed. Be sure to exercise this privilege whenever you can. It is your right. You also have the opportunity to participate in the governing levels of MFI by becoming a candidate for office.

CHAPTERS: A chapter is defined as being the local fan club providing structure for individual members. The individual chapter is the focus of all activities for MFI. What this document and the organization itself is centered on is the Chapter and members which comprise it. Chapters are charged with maintaining contact with the organization be it with their Zone Coordinator, or the CC itself. They provide a forum for members to congregate, participate in activities, provide presence within MFI, and a sense of team.

Now that we have discussed the MFI organization and had a brief overview of the chapter’s focus within MFI, let's discuss the HEART of our organization, the Chapter, in greater detail

CHAPTER 3 -- MFI CHAPTERS

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER CATEGORIES

Chapters fall into two broad categories: Meeting chapters and Online chapters. Let's examine both so you can decide what type of chapter you would like to belong to.

  • Meeting Chapters - Meeting chapters are the most common and are made up of members who live relatively close to one another. They are able to gather on a regular basis to have meetings and other activities. Often they will have a structured business meeting where they plan social and/or community service activities. They enjoy doing things together. The majority of MFI chapters are this type of chapter. In most cases meeting chapters report to the Zone Coordinator of the Zone in which they are physically located. For further information about meeting chapters contact the Chief of Operations.


  • Online Chapters - These chapters are either electronic or correspondence chapters and are designed for members who either do not live close to a meeting chapter or who just enjoy writing. Sometimes these chapters have international members. Online chapters may write fictional collective or individual stories about their chapter's adventures set in the Trek universe. They like to produce newsletters and correspond with each other on a regular basis. Club business is conducted through postal mail and e-mail. Online chapters may be electronic, postal mail, or a combination of the two. These chapters have their own Zone Coordinator to whom they report their activities. As a matter of courtesy they also send a report to the Zone Coordinator of the Zone in which the commanding officer or president is physically located. For further information on these types of chapters contact the Zone VR Coordinator.



Perhaps you might be interested in forming a chapter. The procedures will be explained to you later in this chapter.

Chapter Fictional Fleet Designations. To give MFI a more Trek feel, chapters like to pretend that they are either Federation vessels, installations, or specialized units. They will name themselves after vessels, starbases, and space stations seen in the Star Trek series, or they will create their own names. After all, we've gotten to see only a small portion of the Trek universe so there is much room for creativity. These chapters have an almost unlimited choice of names and chapter types with a few exceptions that are reserved exclusively for MFI use.

Force vessels are by far the most numerous within MFI. Some chapters are dreadnoughts, frigates, science vessels, scouts, freighters, tugs, command and control vessels, battleships, and exploratory cruisers. Chapters choose designs from the Star Trek series or in some cases they will design their own.

With the popularity of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Voyager, some chapters have decided to become starbases, space stations, shipyards, communications stations, research facilities, and even embassies and consulates. Chapters use designs from the series or they will design their own installations.



MFI HQ will be glad to assist any chapter in selecting and submitting vessel and installation designs. Remember that Star Trek and Star Trek related designs and configurations are, for the most part, copyrighted and fully protected properties of Paramount Pictures Corporation, Viacom, Inc., Lincoln Enterprises, Inc., and/or the estate of Gene Roddenberry. MFI can not assume any responsibility for chapters who violate copyright, trademark, and patent laws.

With the addition of the various divisions of MFI, chapters can also choose Marine designations, as well as further specialized designations such as the Special Forces Teams. We have also started adding branches for those members that would like to carry the persona of different aliens. MFI has a Klingon branch where chapters and members can carry their personas from their Klingon fan clubs into MFI.

Designation Limitations. It was mentioned earlier that some designations have limited use. The Maquis Headquarters is fictional and is assumed to be located in the Badlands as mentioned in the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. MFI Headquarters is for use by the whole Coordinator Council. The MFI Flagship is the chapter designated by the IC as his/her flagship. Command Vessel/Installation is reserved for use by the primary chapter of individual Council members. Zone Starbase is the designation used by each Zone Coordinator for his zone headquarters. For the purposes of identification in MFI, chapters will carry a designation, which identifies them as a unit of MFI. Ships (Starships, Runabouts, etc) and Stations (Space Stations, Outposts, etc) will carry the designation of MFS (Maquis Forces Ship or Station), MFS-M (Maquis Forces Ship or Station (Marine)), MNAS (Maquis Naval Air Station), RN (Runabout) or MarDet (Marine Detachment) Use of USS, IKV, etc, which are used to identify chapters in other organizations are not suggested identification for MFI chapters for the use of identifying said chapters in official MFI reports, websites, etc. Alternative designations as proposed by the chapter chairperson can be routed through their Zone Coordinator for approval from the CC.

CHAPTER CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM

How Can I Form a Chapter? You may have shopped around your local area and found that there is no local chapter near you or the local chapter does not meet your fan needs, or does not meet at a convenient day, or place. You decide you don't want to join an online chapter so you begin to think about maybe forming your own chapter. The MFI Chapter Construction Program assists members in forming their own chapters. It will also help them in recruiting new members, motivating existing members to participate more in chapter activities and most important of all, to HAVE FUN in the shortest period of time with the least possible work involved. Let's look at the program and see how it works.

The Chapter construction program is made up of two parts. The first part is for chapters that are just beginning and the second part is for already existing chapters that are either transferring from another Trek fan organization or are independent chapters seeking membership with MFI.

New Chapter Formation. Let's say that you are beginning from scratch and are forming a new chapter. You and a couple of your friends have talked it over and you have decided to try the idea to see if you can do it and if it will work. You will go through three phases: Formation, Construction, and finally Operational.

Formation Phase. You may be part of a previous existing chapter who wishes to form a separate chapter or you may be starting out all alone. During this phase chapters express their intention of becoming a full chapter at a later date but they are not sure if they can actually carry the project through. This is the phase to see if you and your friends have what it takes to be MFI chapter.

Formation Chapters operate with the assistance of a support chapter, which monitors its progress and assists and offers guidance where and when needed. This support chapter can be a local chapter close to you, an online chapter that you seek assistance from, or even the MFI flagship herself and the Coordinator Council. Next you must get together and decide on a name. After all MFI wants to be able to call you by a personalized name rather than just a number. Now you need to register your name. You will then need to fill out an application on the MFI website and fill in the chapter information such as city of charter and how many members you have. Upon MFI HQ receiving your application, you are officially recognized as a newly formed chapter in MFI and placed in the Academy Squadron.

Construction Phase. When your application has been received by the Application Department, your contact page will be formatted with the details of your. The required information for the contact page is the following:

  • 1. City of Charter
  • 2. Name of Chapter
  • 3. CO’s Name
  • 4. CO’s Email Address
  • 5. XO’s Name
  • 6. XO’s Email Address
  • 7. Chapter Mailing Address
  • 8. Website (if applicable)




All members of chapter
(LDS 201) CO and XO only
Use Quarterly Report Form
Marines, SpecFor, KTF
Chapter Chairperson or Chapter Designee

Operational Phase. The waiting period is finally up and your chapter is ready to be commissioned as a fully operational chartered MFI chapter. Upon completion of the above requirements the Commanding Officer sends a request to the Academy Commandant for graduation to the Resistance Force or their respective Department. Upon approval, the chapter will be placed on the rolls of their respective Zone or Department and they will become full-fledged chapters in MFI.

Should a chapter not be approved for any type of upgrade, that chapter may appeal the action to the International Coordinator with documentation and justification for approval. The Coordinator Council will then make the decision to upgrade or not upgrade the chapter. Should a chapter be denied upgrade at any level, the chapter may resubmit their request one month after the denial. The chapter will be provided with an explanation of why their upgrade request was denied and recommendations to help them obtain upgrade. The Zone Coordinator and the Support Chapter will also be informed of the denial action.

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