One of the highlights for STARFLEET’s International Conference each year is the idea of doing good in the community for or giving to a charity (or two). We have our meetings, panels, and musters and they are fine; however, some of the more fun things also raise money for some sort of non-profit charity. The International Conference in Dallas on August 1-4, 2013 is no exception.

The Chair of IC 2013, Rear Admiral Marian L. Murphy of the USS Rachel Garrett (R3), has set her sights on two great charities.

The first charity being Share Our Strength, which has special program called No Kid Hungry®. The national spokesperson for No Kid Hungry® is none other than Tron movie star, Jeff Bridges. Childhood hunger is a big problem with a simple solution. Share Our Strength works to ensure that every child has access to nutritious food where she lives, learns, and plays. You can help many ways. Let Starfleet educate you on how you can help.

The second charity for IC 2013 is one that the SFMC and SFI both will appreciate, the USO Dallas/Fort Worth. The USO Dallas/Fort Worth exists to provide the comfort away from home to all those who courageously serve our nation. Members of the services are encouraged to stop by and relax when they are traveling through DFW International Airport. They have a main center and a smaller lounge area located in two terminals.

Please read more about the charities from our website http://www.ic2013.com/charities.php and visit the links provided so you can be educated on each one. The proceeds donated during the weekend will be split 50/50 between the two charities.

In addition to selecting these two fine charities, the IC2013 Staff have planned many fun activities for your enjoyment while you reach in your pocket and give. Some of them are the usual IC events and some are new or revisited:

Charity Auction

We will hold both a live and silent auction. The silent auction will be held during the day of Saturday and end around 5:00 p.m. The live auction will begin after the Admiral’s Banquet. All auction items will be paid for after the auction and 100% will go towards the charities. We will have an advance list with photos of items up for action. In the mean time to wet your chops, Marian has commissioned a Star Trek plate with artwork by Keith Birdsong. Marian has collected 14 signatures on the plate, including Sir Patrick Stewart, George Takei, and Marina Sirtis.

Marine Mess — Hack Jar

The Marines will be taking up a collection by way of a donation jar where the marines can contribute while they break bread. The jar is also called a “penalty jar” or “gig jar” and will be in a booth with a box. For more details, see our Marine Liaison to the IC Jeremy Carsten at Marines@ic2013.com.

Nerf Wars

There will be a Nerf Tactical Exercise (NTE) in play during IC, starting Friday Night, and concluding Saturday evening. Winners will be announced Sunday during closing ceremonies, with prizes to be determined. Each Nerf weapon in play requires a “License” ($5 for normal Nerf guns, $10 for anything with a motor) – the fees for which all go to our charities! To load up for bare, is for a good cause. Specific rules will be posted on the IC website at http://www.ic2013.com, and any questions can be directed at COL Jeremy Carsten of the USS Battle Born (R3) at Marines@ic2013.com.

Klingon Jail

We are in negotiations with the members of the Klingon Empire (KAG) to put members in attendance at the IC in the brig. You won’t be transported to Rura Penthe; however, they will have the next best thing, a pen to hold you. You can also donate money to have your CO or spouse in jail. You may be able to buy a pass to get out of jail, but it won’t be free.

Model Show

We are not talking members walking around in Speedos; we are talking about Starship models made by you, the members. The entrance fees will go to charity as well as the votes by the populous. You can vote for your favorite. The entrants will win prizes. See our website for rules and classifications of models to be entered. Enter yours and win.

Pieing the CS, the IC Chair, and Others

Yes, the current Commander STARFLEET Dave Blaser is a willing victim to be pied for charity donations. As well as whoever is the Top Brass in attendance from the SFMC General Staff will be asked to take a pie for a good cause. For those who do not know how it works, bids are taken for pieing the particular person. The bids are actually pledges, the money is combined into one bid, and the one who bid the most gets to push the pie into the face (or ears or nose, etc.). The bids can come from groups or individuals. Nevertheless, if you bid, you must present the money immediately.

The BIG PIE DARE

In addition to the pieings above, the IC Chair Marian Murphy has been challenged to take a pie for charity by VADM Edward W. Allen III of the USS Horizon (R12). Madam Murphy has stated that she will not take a pie unless the minimum combined bid is at least $1,000. She has also tried to increase that to $1,500; however, there are many, like me, who say that no price is too high to pie her. She deserves it and it will probably be the biggest pieing deal of all times in the history of the Fleet. Donations to the pieing of Marian have already been started at IC2012, and at the end they had a good starting bid of over $300. If you wish to assist in the goal of $1,500 towards a pie for Marian, please use the Paypal Donation form on this page.

Other Charity Events Possible

We are still thinking of other ideas to help release the money from your wallet to give to charity. We will let you know what they are as soon as we do.

What if you cannot attend IC2013 but want to assist with donations?

Yes, you can donate to the two charity causes in the name of Starfleet. You can use the Pie page and make donations through PayPal. In the Memo field state why you are donating, especially if not to the Pieing. We thank you in advance for donating.

COME TO IC2013

The charities will only prosper with your presence. If you have never been to an International Conference, then this one will be a good one for you to start. There are casual events starting as early as Thursday, July 31, and there may be events happening for a day or two after. Many members hang out in the lobby just for such an opportunity. We will have a tentative Schedule up on our website—but the main events for everyone begin Friday evening and end with Closing Ceremonies on Sunday. If you are around Friday morning to afternoon and don’t need to be in the EC/AB Meeting, then take trip to the West End for some shopping or visit the Dallas Aquarium. After all the main events are over, take a trip to South Fork Ranch (TV Show Dallas) on Sunday afternoon or stick around for the Dead Dog Party Sunday late. Check back often to check for changes and updates. We also have a Facebook Page for you to join to get announcements and be invited to the Facebook Event. www.facebook.com/IC2013

We hope that everyone will consider attending STARFLEET’s International Conference in Dallas, Texas, August 1-4, 2013. After the world has ends in December 2012, then out of the ashes rises the Phoenix, perhaps Zephram Cochrane’s Phoenix (humanity's first warp-capable vessel), as we celebrate life and the Year of the Phoenix. Join us for a good time and hope to see y’all real soon. http://www.ic2013.com.