By ADM Lucy Ferron Franck, R3 Vice Region Coordinator
Both Region 3 Summit and STARFLEET International Conference (IC) were held virtually again for 2021 due to the lingering issues with the pandemic. I know there a whole lot of people like me who have had to learn how to use social media platforms like Zoom, Streamyard, Discord and others, whether we wanted to or not! Well, yes, we did want to learn, though we were dragged kicking and screaming, so that we could stay connected with our friends and crewmates near and far. Having Summit and IC virtual again in 2021 was not that big a deal to handle since we learned many lessons in 2020.
Most of the topics usually covered in a Summit or IC were included in the virtual meetings, just without the hugs (we miss the hugs a lot). The day of the Region 3 Virtual Summit began with the annual meeting of the College of Commanding Officers. A quorum of chapters were represented for this Zoom meeting. The motion was made, seconded, and passed by majority vote, to rename the Maelstrom Navigation Award going forward in honor of Capt. Russell Camp III.
Opening Session of the R3 Summit included the roll call of chapters with a slideshow of chapter logos. A pre-taped Final Mission flag presentation and flag folding in honor of those lost since Summit 2020 was still very moving as the names of eight of our comrades were read.
New Region 3 Virtual Summits 2020/2021 comm badges were introduced to all present with much fanfare. These limited edition badges are for sale through the R3 Quartermaster site (qm.region3.org) for $20. Proceeds from their sale will help replenish the treasury of the region since expenses continued throughout the pandemic, but there was no revenue due to the cancellation of in-person Summits. If you purchase one of the Virtual Summits badges, you will receive a discount on the purchase of the 2022 Summit comm badge.
Region 3 2020 Annual Awards and Region Awards were shown on the screen by RC Jeremy Carsten, who then had the task of shipping those lovely awards to the recipients. R3 Awards were presented to: Russell Camp III (posthumously), the Maelstrom Navigation Award; Steve Sardeson, the Glen Corbin Mentorship Award; Kelly Hays, the Steven “Doc” Jessup Distinguished Service Award; Edward Tunis III, the Marion L. Murphy Meritorious Service Award; Lucy Franck, the Marion L. Murphy Meritorious Service Award; the USS Sea Tiger, Zenith Creative Media Award; the USS Battle Born, the Apogee Creative Media Award; USS Zavala, Region Commendation; and the USS Battle Born, the RC Cup.
Kimberly Biggerstaff, of the USS Zavala, was named the R3 Enlisted Member of the Year for 2020. Officer of the Year was awarded to Wendy Weston of the USS Zavala. Flag Officer of the Year 2020 is Glenda Stephenson of the USS Diamondback. Shakedown Chapter of the Year went to the USS Masamune. The Masamune’s “mothership,” the USS Battle Born, was named Support Chapter of the Year. The USS Zavala received the honor of Chapter of the Year.
The 2021 Marine Muster followed, led by 3rd Brigade OIC MBGN Thomas “Tank” Clark. I’m sure there will be much about that in the next “Cry Havoc” newsletter, including a list of unit and individual awards. Hopefully someone was sober enough that evening during the Marine Dress Mess to make a report on that activity for the newsletter as well.
Two well-attended panels were streamed after the Muster. CO Jason Davis and XO Jannette Dipiazza of the USS Masamune didn’t have a runway of models, but they shared a great assortment of Star Trek uniforms and valuable information on sourcing uniforms, many of which can be found at very reasonable prices. GEN Dennis Rayburn was both entertaining and informative as he helped us have a better understanding of copyright compliance issues we must be following. If you have any question about whether or not your chapter logo or banner or other materials are compliant, he will gladly help you evaluate those issues. He can be reached by emailing sficomply@gmail.com. The July episode of “Take 3” ended the afternoon, hosting a panel of award winners sharing their stories from 2020.
STARFLEET International Conference (IC) followed much the same pattern as Summit, with a roll call of chapters and their logos by region that reminded us all of the breadth of Star Trek fandom across the globe. A pre-taped Final Mission was touching and sobering as we read and heard the long list of comrades and Star Trek notables who have passed to the Final Frontier since the last IC. Pain and grief have touched so very many lives in our organization.
Each Region Coordinator and Executive Committee member was featured in a pre-taped segment as a “round up” of news from across the Fleet. Those segments were interspersed with the announcement of STARFLEET Annual Awards for 2020. Shakedown Chapter of the Year went to the USS Nomad of R13. Thea Caine of the USS Merlin in R20 was recognized as Junior Member of the Year. Enlisted Member of the Year is David Shorey from R4. Region 3 member Wendy Weston of the USS Zavala was named Officer of the Year. Flag Officer of the Year is Region 2 Coordinator Ryan Case of the USS Haise. Maris Dutilly in Region 7 was presented with the CO of the Year award. And Region 3’s own USS Zavala was named Chapter of the Year.
Both R3 Virtual Summit 2021 and the STARFLEET IC 2021 are available on YouTube for those unable to view it live. Members were remembered and recognized, business was conducted as needed, and we learned from the other panels and presentations as well. Nice enough, but we sure miss getting together face to face. Raise a glass of your favorite beverage and toast the fact that we’ve made the most of the situation and eagerly await Summit 2022 in Beaumont, and IC 2022 in Tallahassee!