THE HISTORY OF IFT’S DIPLOMATIC CORPS
In 1999 IFT’s Diplomatic Corps was founded with the
Federation Council’s consent by Admiral John Fallon, the first Executive
Ambassador of the Corps.
Membership of the Corps it was decided was to be strictly controlled and limited
only to those who could show a competent knowledge and application of IFT’s
philosophy combined with diplomatic skills. This Diplomatic Corps and its work
was not to be make-belief, on the contrary very real and most serious.
In the light of this Admiral Fallon put together the ‘Diplomatic Corps Entrance
Exam’ a comprehensive test of any candidates proficiency and compatibility with
the Corps aims – anyone passing this exam would be given serious consideration
for a position as one of IFT’s ambassadorial liaisons to other fandom
organizations.
William Renaul now retired from the corps was the very first Graduate of the
Diplomatic Corp Course / Exam.
Harold Curtis became our second ambassadorial liaison and worked with our
Klingon allies before also retiring.
Mandy Pershing and Brent Boehler took the exam in 2003 and, while Mandy has also
step aside, Brent continue to serve the
corps.
Mandy was IFT’s liaison to our Klingon allies,
While Brent is our liaison to
our Romulan allies
In 2005 Sherwood Shaplin took the exam and joined the Corps – He held the
position of IFT Executive Ambassador until August of 2007.
Wayne Sexton now serves IFT as the Executive Ambassador, continuing Admiral
Fallon’s & Commodore Shaplin's fine work who both retired from the Corps for
Real World issues.
During Admiral Fallon’s tenure as leader of the Diplomatic Corps the following
alliances were achieved with other Trek Fandom groups via his personal
negotiations.
United Federation of Planets – UFP
http://www.ufpfleet.org/
United Federation of Planets International – UFPI
http://www.ufpi.org/
Romulan Star Empire – RSE
http://www.rsempire.org/
Imperial Klingon Expeditionary Forces – IKEF
http://www.imperialklingons.com/
Klingon Armada International – KAI
http://www.klingonarmadainternational.org/
International Fandom Council – IFC
Maquis Force International – MFI
http://www.maquis.com/
At the time of Admiral
Fallon’s retirement he was holding talks with 16 other Trek Fan
clubs, in the hope of forging more positive alliances in the living
of the Roddenberry philosophy
During Captain Sexton's tenure as IFT
Executive Ambassador; Captain Wayne Sexton, Captain Ilona Solinska,
and Commodore Boehler we have signed or re-signed in one case, two
treaties, with additional treaties in the works, all over the world.
Many are the inquiries – not so many continue to an alliance as not everyone
when it comes down to brass tacks actually shares ‘The Dream.’
The same goes for candidates for the Corps – so those who make the grade and are
admitted as IFT’s ambassadors are among IFT’s best – we should be proud of them
all !
The baton has now been passed on again, may the Corps continue to do the great and important
work for which it was created, to make the Roddenberry vision known and lived in
every place that Star Trek is known and loved – everywhere !
