Starfleet Operating Forces (SFOF) is a live role-playing club set in the Star Trek universe created by Gene Roddenberry.
When was the SFOF formed?
We started in 1978.
How many people have been/are in the organization?
There have been upwards of 150 and as little as one (when we started). We are now hanging between 4 and 7 members depending upon how they feel about participating at the time.
You say you play all eras-what does that mean?
We utilize all canon eras. Canon, for the sake of this FAQ means, if a story was presented on television or shown in a movie theater, it happened in the Star Trek Universe. This includes all series and movies. We prefer, for easy classification, to do this:
| Enterprise | Star Trek (TOS, TAS, Movies) | Star Trek (TNG and Movies, DS9, VOY) |
| 22nd Century | 23rd Century | 24th Century |
- Books: This is not easy. There are some books, like the relaunch of Deep Space Nine, that are considered, by CBS/Paramount, to be canon. This page shows which books are included. Other books, not part of the DS9 relaunch are considered on a case by case basis.
- Comics: There are comics that are part of the Relaunch as well, they are detailed on the page that explains what is included. Other comics, not part of the DS9 relaunch are considered on a case by case basis.
- Tech manuals: Again, this is not easy. We have one source for TOS; Franz Joseph's Star Trek Starfleet Technical Manual and his booklet of general plans for the Constitution-class, both signed off by Gene Roddenberry. Originally published by Ballantine books. We use the Tech Manual for ship names and registration numbers because it is just easier. The plans, while grossly inaccurate, give a general layout for the interior of a starship. Other tech manuals are good for getting ship designs that can be incorporated into our universe. We like Ships of the Line and the Ships of the Line calendar series. We have also used most of the plan booklets listed here. We like the Website for the Advanced Starship Design Bureau (ASDB) as well.
- Fan films: Fan films, like Hidden Frontier and New Voyages have some great ideas and could be integrated on a case by case basis.
- Official Role-playing Games: The new Star Trek Role-playing game could be great, but we havent seen it yet.
- Fan timelines: There are other fan timelines, like the James Dixon timeline, that attempt to integrate events from all shows, books, movies, tech manuals and other fanon sources, and tries to smooth out continuity gaffes between these sources, claiming that the Bantam ST book series, the Ballantine releases, fanzines, and fan based tech manuals were the only canon between 1974 (the year TAS was cancelled) and 1979 (the year Star Trek: The Motion Picture was released). We don't utilize them, as they take issue with the owners of the franchise. We're not saying that they are right or wrong, just don't use them.
- SFOF: Naturally, over the course of 29 years, there is a rich tapestry of characters, ships, and stories to draw from the SFOF Timeline.
What do you mean by live role-playing?
When we get together to role-play a "treatment" or outline is written for a given scenario. There is no set outcome. We improvise the outline to its conclusion to further develop everyones characters at the session. Just like other role-playing, you are the character and you react to all other characters and situations as your character would. No acting experience is necessary and make up and uniforms are encouraged, but definitely not required.
How does one create a character and add him/her/it to SFOF?
Your commanding officer will help you "write up" your character. Since we start you off at whatever position you feel you can handle rather than making you come in from scratch as a lowly crewman and working your way up, you can have as illustrious a career in Starfleet as you'd like.
Why do I need my COs help?
To keep your character "human" or manageable. We dont really want to restrict you in the creation of characters, but we dont encourage Mary Sues; characters that are all knowing/powerful/beautiful, etc.
What happens after we get written up?
It is up to you to write a biography or back story based on your character's past assignments. It can be as detailed as you wish as the more that is known about a character, the easier it will be for you to play the character and refer to specific incidents in the character's past. Again, keep it humble.
Are there meetings?
We used to have meetings. When we started having regular ones around 1982, meetings averaged 30 members or more. This has since gone by the wayside. We also used to have meetings of the Board of Directors (BOD) every month. The BOD is now spread throughout California. We have been meeting on Steve Smyth's control, shift, cheeseburger (csc) forum informally since 2005.
What about a newsletter?
We used to have a hard copy club newsletter, "The Human Adventure..." for the membership. The newsletter, like everything else, will be migrated to the Website as a news feed, blog, wiki or whatever works best.
Do you attend conventions?
Yes we do. We encourage a showing of your ship or starbase at SF or fantasy conventions. This can generate publicity for your ship or base and generate new membership. If your budget permits, you may also have a table promoting membership in SFOF. We ask that if you are soliciting memberships that you mention the main organization and promote that as well as your own group. Attending in uniform is encouraged.
Which conventions do you attend?
Since we are based in Southern California, we try to attend the following conventions: Gallifrey One, a local Doctor Who convention that has supported us and given us a hand with panels and hall costume prizes. Loscon, the annual convention of the Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society (the oldest SF club in the U.S.).
Eventually, we will have a fan table there soon. We also attend Worldcons and Westercons when they are within state or we sometimes send a representative. Feel free to email us to see if we will be going to a specific convention.
I noticed you didnt mention the Creation Conventions? May I ask why?
Sure. We don't support Creation Conventions because Starfleet International is CBS/Paramount's recognized role-playing club. Additionally, Creation tends to have a more commercial ambiance and offers fewer activities compared to fan-run conventions. Although there's a huge dealer room, guest access is a la carte and overpriced. That doesnt mean we might not show up as individuals and drop off flyers.
What does Starfleet Operating Forces offer that others do not?
- We try to offer a politics free atmosphere. Most SF clubs, IOHO, tend to be run by folks that have an agenda and want to get recognized by the higher-ups in other fannish organizations. We aren't like that. We dont want SFOF to become an exercise that grinds up the members and spits them out when the club is done with them.
- Local chapters are starships not shuttlecraft. We think this is self explanatory. Since we are role-playing, we need other ships in the mix. Can't stage an intergalactic conflict without capital ships.
- You start out on a ship at whatever rank/rate is available. If you join a ship, want to be the chief science officer, and it's a vacant position, you can take it. No questions asked, no strings attached.
- As a CO, you will get a manifest of positions for each ship/base. We have done all the hard work of figuring out how many Lieutenant Commanders should be on a Constitution-Class starship. All you have to do is have warm bodies to fill those positions
You don't have to have them, but they can help when writing a story.
How many characters can I play?
We encourage you to create multiple characters, because you may want to play one from the 22nd and one from the 24th centuries, for example. We recommend only one character from each era, to keep your sanity.
I just shelled out my money for this club, what exactly do I get for it?
All officers and crew get the following items: The Introduction to SFOF Manual explaining our rules and procedures as well as an overview of our playing universe. The SFOF Costume Manual explaining which uniforms are worn in what era you are in. It also details where to get uniforms made and materials for their production. A membership card with your real name. If you are a commanding officer or higher you will also receive The SFOF Captain's Manual, which shows the commanding officer how to generate characters based on our procedures.
How do I get more information?
Check out our contact page. Email and we will answer back.
