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I have been catching up on my reading. I have been reviewing the KAG website (www.kag.org). The rules and procedures have changed substantially over the past few years. What I have discovered does affect us, and everyone should be familiar with it.

This issue is going to focus on what we need to be aware of as members of KAG, so that we can enjoy ourselves and advance our characters.

I am going to cover a lot in this newsletter, due primarily to the fact that very few people have been showing up to the meetings. I have, almost completely, given up on the idea of having our whole crew together in one place, at the same time, to discuss things. I may attempt to call a quick meeting at Archon (if enough people show up).

Also note, effective this issue, COF will now be available in HTML format only. This is to save me time and headache. HTML may be viewed with any web browser on any platform (PC, Mac, *NIX).

Ok, folks, here’s the deal. No one is showing up for meetings (or, very few are). Everyone has reasons why, and most are valid (though many simply don’t show). Since no one can set aside 2 hours each month for a meeting, I have summarily decided that we aren’t going to have regular meetings. Instead, I am going to take advantage of the technology that we have available to us.

From now on, things that need to be discussed will be listed in the newsletter. The newsletter will be posted on the ship website (http://www.pretention.org/~kag/ikvfury), posted to the mail list (so each of you can get a personal copy), and I will snail-mail a copy to anyone who can’t get online.

The newsletter will be posted during the first week of the month. Discussions will be held through the mail list. Anyone who can’t get online is free to call me. I will discuss things, and I am willing to post things to the mail list for you.

Sometime during the last week of the month, I will take all the discussions, try to get the general feelings on each topic, and write the new newsletter from that.

I’m doing this because communications have dropped off over the past two months. Without communication, we have no hope of getting active again. Based on conversations I've had with many of you, you all want us to get active, but no one wants to take the lead. This is your proverbial kick-in-the-pants.

I don’t think that I have ever posted these. These are the basic rules of KAG. If you follow no other regulations, you are expected to abide by these. (Reprinted from the KAG website)

1. HAVE FUN! The purpose of KAG is fun. We are not a paramilitary organization, but a club for the mutual enjoyment of the things our members have in common - an enthusiasm and appreciation for Klingons and Trek in general. The interest of Trek fans is varied and diverse; costuming, language, music, weapons, charities, craft-making, role-playing, cuisine, simple camaraderie, are some of the many areas of interest that members may share. While a lot of hard work sometimes goes into the production of the spectacular showmanship KAG is known for, the overall purpose of the club is fun. Simply stated, if you're not having a good time, you're not doing it right. KAG is primarily a social group.
2. NO LIVE STEEL- the brandishing of real weapons in public is strictly forbidden. Such irresponsible behavior not only invites accidents but also defies the spirit of consensual play. Someone stuck with a sword is not having fun (see Rule #1) and, being hauled off to jail or thrown out of a con for violating a weapon policy is also not fun. Respect the weapons policy of any public events you go to, whatever it may be. If con security wants you to peace-bond (tie down) or leave behind even a plastic knife or gun, do so, whether or not this makes sense to you. To do otherwise is a violation of KAG's rule.
3. DO NOT EMBARRASS KAG- Members should not behave in a manner that dishonors or misrepresents our club. Don't speak on behalf of (or misrepresent) more than your authority. Don't commit crimes while in uniform. (Hey! Just don't commit crimes, period.) Violating the law in the name of, or under color of, KAG is an embarrassment to KAG and can result in your membership being terminated.
4. MAKE NO TREATIES OR ALLIANCES- No member of KAG is empowered to sign or verbally commit to any treaty, alliance or contract that could be taken as legally binding on the whole club. (Signing one's ship up to participate or assist at an event is not prohibited by this rule.)
5. THE THOUGHT ADMIRAL MAKES THE RULES- this is not a club for rule makers and bureaucratic architects. This rule protects the club from unnecessary bureaucracy and keeps the premise of membership very simple.

Obviously, one’s rank (above 2^nd Lt.) gives an indication to one’s level of participation in KAG. However, there are two other systems that can be used to fill out one’s persona. The Battle Notch, and the Kill Stripe.

These two, combined, are a method of displaying how much a person has done in KAG. There is no prerequisite rank or station involved. You merely need to be a member of KAG.

The following sections, reprinted from the KAG Handbook (at www.kag.org), define what qualifies, and what procedure must be followed, to obtain this recognition.

TYPES OF ACTIVITIES THAT QUALIFY A WARRIOR FOR A BATTLE NOTCH:

• Activities which benefit the community, such as food drives, charity fund raisers, public clean-ups, telethons, etc. To be eligible, the Warrior should be in uniform and recognizable as a Klingon and a member of KAG. Wearing a ship's T-shirt or patch, or carrying a KAG banner are also ways to be recognizable. The Warrior must be present at the event to be eligible for a Notch. Donating goods or money, or planning the event without attending it, is not sufficient qualification for a Battle Notch
• Activities which educate or make the public aware of Klingons or KAG, such as parades, ship fund-raisers and recruiting drives, convention panels, an appearance at a theatre or library, serving as Honor Guard or security at a convention, science fair support, etc.
• Media coverage: having Klingon/KAG-related articles published in non-KAG publications, participating in a radio or television interview; or a showing of Klingon art or culture. The article or media mention must be more than a single phrase or the mere mention of "a Klingon" or the ship's name. What's expected is a multi-paragraph or full-page article, or a highlight on the evening news.
• Blood Feuds. This special community event is a trademark of KAG. Blood Feuds are challenges between KAG and other clubs to see which side can generate more blood donations in a specific period of time. All Warriors participating in a Blood Feud may receive a Battle Notch, regardless of the outcome of the feud. However, if your side wins, the individual Warriors who spilled their blood are entitled to the more glorious Kill Stripe. Warriors who registered to give blood but were disqualified due to temporary physical conditions are entitled to the Kill Stripe. Warriors with a permanent medical condition that disqualifies them from donating blood are eligible for the Battle Notch, but not the Kill Stripe.

To satisfy the requirement for a Battle Notch, a Warrior must participate in some way in the planning, execution and/or aftermath of an event.

DATA REQUIRED FOR APPROVAL OF BATTLE NOTCHES

• Name of ship
• Name (Klingon and Terran) and contact info of ship's commanding officer
• Date of event (day, month and year)
• A brief description of the event. Include the name of the charity, convention, etc, as well as the results of the event.
• Related information such as a charity receipt, a letter of appreciation from the event organizers, a convention program, a copy of the newspaper article, etc.
• Honored Warrior. Include their human name plus their Klingon name, rank and honorific.

The Warrior wins a Kill Stripe when he has defeated an enemy, in a formal challenge. The actual form of the award is unique to each victory, and is designed and made by the ship whose members will wear it. The Fleet Commander or his designee grants approval of a win. This award program is optional, and provides the Warrior a way to boast of his ship's victories by wearing the Kill Stripes on his uniform.

TYPES OF ACTIVITIES FOR WHICH A KILL STRIPE MAY BE WON:
Any activity which can be organized as a challenge and where a winner can be clearly determined. The activity can be serious or it can be fun. Some examples: a volleyball or paint ball tournament, special Olympics, putt-putt golf or bowling tournament, frog eating contest, costume contest, cooking contest, or that revered KAG tradition, a 'blood feud'. The Warrior must participate in the event to be eligible to wear the Kill Stripe.

Most of 2001 is past us. However, there is still plenty of planning to do. The following is a list of possible events, through 2002. I will be looking for people to not only attend these events, but to coordinate our participation with the event sponsors (as the OIC). Remember: Being OIC for an event gets you promotions faster than simply attending events.

2001 events that need more info:
Marine Reserves - Toys for Tots
Boy Scouts - Scouting for Food
Check with TV & Radio stations for other food drives.

Red Cross Blood drives (assigned to Angie Femmer):
We need the schedule for all remaining 2001/2002 drives.

Komen St. Louis - Race For the Cure (not yet assigned)
Support for breast cancer research.
This year's was June 9th.
Need to find out when the 2002 Race is.
(Start at the KSDK website, www.ksdk.com, select Community)

Relay For Life Walk (not yet assigned)
American Cancer Society
See the KMOV website, www.kmov.com
Get info on volunteering for 2002

Great Strides #14 (not yet assigned)
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Start at www.kmov.com
Select a location, and contact about volunteering

St. Louis Down Syndrome Buddy Walk
August 8, 2001
Contact Kathy Randolph for details.

Archon 25
Oct. 5-7, 2001
Gateway Convention Center
Collinsville, Il.
(see www.stlf.org/archon)

December 16 - Ship Meeting
MANDATORY
7:00PM @ Jim & Donna's

2002
March 17 - Ship Meeting
MANDATORY
7:00PM @ Jim & Donna's

Days of Honor
March 20 - March 23, 2002
See KAG website for details