It has been another busy but turbulent month for the USS REPUBLIC.  We attended the premiere of Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, appeared on Dekalb channel 12 public access TV, held two general meetings and a Christmas party.

The movie premiere at the Tower Place 6 cinema was attended by about 15 club members, all of which received complementry ST VI movie poster, courtesy of theatre General Manager Chuck Erb.  The film was discussed at out December 7th general meeting at Fernbank and the general response was that people liked the movie.

After the December 7th meeting, three members attended Tony Cade's cable TV "Sci-Fi Atlanta: A Salute to Star Trek."  Karen Estes got to appear manning the controls on the bridge set, while her husband Jon-Paul and I were interviewed by moderator/producer Tony Cade.  Tony also showed my entire Universal Studios Star Trek "screen test" tape on the air.  I did not tape the show myself, but I was told by the studio control room staff that they did not show our club's address and phone number as promised -- very disappointing.

I received a letter from Admiral Tom Davis in Seattle this week, confirming my promotion to STARFLEET Captain, effective October 1st, 1991.  With this positive commitment from SFHQ, I am finally ready to commit myself to this club, and to formally promote individuals that have helped plan and execute club activities these past five months.

Attendance at meetings and the Christmas party seems to be down due to the other things going on during the holiday season.

The club has received many resignations this month.  I do not pretend to understand all of the issues involved, but they seem to stem from two events:

1) My joint decision with Karen Estes to eliminate the position of ship's Counselor/Chaplain, and the controversy over my accompanying explaination of that fact in the December newsletter.

2) James Corley's attempt to start a STARFLEET shuttle on the South side of Atlanta.

Regarding James Corley's attempt to start a South side shuttle, I can only say that, after consulting with the staff, I decided against it, and have left the decision up to STARFLEET Region 2.  Since I said "No" things have gotten ugly.  I will not print the details here, for fear of fueling the fire of a divisive contraversy.  If you want to hear the full story from my perspective, I will be glad to discuss it in private, and to show anyone the documentation and written correspondence.

As of today (December 22th) I have not gotten official word of Region 2's decision.  Neil Fuller reported to me that he is to be the shuttle's XO, and that the word had been given to form a shuttle in Sunny Side, GA (North of Griffin), off the USS Excalibur in Jacksonville, FL.  Shuttle certification is a long, complicated process.  Our acting Chief Security Officer (Neil) and acting Medical Officer (Mrs. Fuller) and their two children, have resigned and have indicated that they intend to join the shuttle.  That is all I know about this matter.

Currently the REPUBLIC has 49 STARFLEET members.  Several others will probably resign before things settle out.  My immediate obligation as Captain is to keep the REPUBLIC's commitments to STARFLEET Region 2, in sponsoring STARFLEET activities at the Vulkon Convention February 21st, 1992.  To that end, I am currently phoning club members who have impressed me in the past with their level-headedness and commitment to STARFLEET's goals (please see the accompanying article on STARFLEET's goals), but who have not had the opportunity to participate on the REPUBLIC staff.

Ensign Kathleen Kennedy has agreed to serve as our Chief Medical Officer.  Club secretary Janet Green is also helping out, phoning members of the Science department.  The positions of Science Officer, Security Officer and Engineering Officer and their assistants are currently open and I will consider volunteers for these positions.  Volunteers should first read the accompanying newsletter article on REPUBLIC staff officers.

I would like to appeal to all club members that the REPUBLIC needs your active support to pull off out commitment to Region 2 and to Convention promotor Joe Motes at Vulkon.  I have tried to lead by example for the past five months, by putting in 400 hours of my time (not counting meetings) and about $1000 out of my own pocket.  I have also turned down numerous lucrative job offers out of state, on the grounds that I have a important obligation here in Atlanta that I cannot walk away from.

So far, two people have thanked me, both after the ST VI movie this month.  Others have criticized me, complaining that they are not having enough fun (see the related article on the club's 1991 activities).  I would like to point out that I am not personally responsible for assuring that 60 members have fun.  I share that responsibility with the Command staff, and it is members of that staff who have complained the loudest.

In September the staff voted to set a recruiting goal of 100 members for the REPUBLIC.  It seems that since then, certain staff members have made the startling discovery that the staff work of building a big club is mostly work -- not fun.  It is also the responsibility of staff officers to motivate the crew members in their respective departments.  All crew members should suggest fun activities to the staff and attend these activities.  They should also contribute to the newsletter.  I have never vetoed any suggested fun activities.  Staff officers are suppose to be the motivating force behind the club, as well as being the most active members.  So far, many have just been the most active members.

I am not resigning, because I have so many people depending on me.  Over sixty people have paid their dues to the REPUBLIC and to her Captain.  The club has started a shuttle in Memphis, a computer bulletin board, a newsletter, a treasury and has obligated itself to sponsoring STARFLEET at Vulkon.  STARFLEET has charged us with helping to make this a better, brighter world through community service activites.  Someone needs to continue this work, and despite my best efforts to encourage others to help lead this club, there is no successor in sight.

I intend to continue club "business as usual", with the hope of attracting more dedicated volunteers who want to help us build and lead a big, prosperous club full of Trekkers.  If the "South side" shuttle is not certified, or if it fails, those members who have not hurt the REPUBLIC will be welcomed back.  If it succeeds, perhaps we can work together.

It is my pleasure to announce that LCdr. Kelly Hilliard has agreed to become the REPUBLIC's Executive Officer.  Kelly is OCC qualified and is hereby promoted to the rank of Commander.

Kelly has rendered excellent service to this club even before I took over in August.  As club treasurer, Kelly has been largely responsible for the club's financial success, due to his excellent management of the club's funds, and by printing the club newsletter free of charge.  Kelly is however working several real-life jobs, and his free time is limited.

I am proud to announce that the club has raised $106 for the Atlanta food bank this month.  Fifty dollars came from the club treasury and fifty six from private donations.  I have bought 278 lbs. of bulk food and have delivered it to the Atlanta Food Bank.

(Captain, we have struck a worm-hole!  The controls do not answer.)

Slow to 3/4 Impulse power,

Set course for Vulkon.