It is with great honor that I announce the commissioning of IFT's
first CyberChapter.  I call it the first because T'HY'LA is a mixture
of online and real world, whereas the LaPorte is IFT's first chapter
fully operated in CyberSpace.

Though our CyberSpace program is new, Council felt it was time to
initiate this new branch of our operations to facilitate a growing
trend and to remain leaders in all aspects of fandom.  Because our
CyberSpace program is so new, it is a work in progress, and no doubt
policies and procedures will change as we adapt the program and find
an operational motif that fits the IFT philosophy and systems, and
correlates them with our real-world chapter operations.

A CyberChapter is governed by the same rules as the real-world
(probably to be called something like land-based chapters).  IFT
CyberChapters must report monthly per standard protocols.  In
addition, all members that comprise the CyberChapter must be
registered IFT members, as with all chapters.  IFT has a standard
policy of public service for all chapters.  Currently, all chapters
are required to perform at least two public service/charity missions
per year.  CyberChapters are not exempt from this rule, as no IFT
chapter can be.  We will be studying ways for that to be possible in
CyberSpace; this is one of the protocols that has yet to be developed.

Harold will be the GEO Commander to whom the chapter reports.  We were
definitely thinking ahead when we named Harold to head up the
CyberSpace GEO.  As if you don't have enough to do, huh Harold?

Marva, please send the standard reporting forms and protocols.

You will see that the name of the CO of this new chapter is rather
familiar.  He is my oldest son.  The apple doesn't fall far from the
tree.  Here's the information on our newest chapter:

USS LaPorte NFC-77311-A
Anthony Haslage, Commanding

Please join me in welcoming the USS LaPorte to the Federation fleet.

In Honor of the Fleet,

Russ Haslage, President
International Federation of Trekkers
____________________________________
INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF TREKKERS
World Headquarters/Operations Dept.
http://www.iftcommand.com