S.T.A.R.

S.T.A.R. (Star Trek Association for Revival) was a highly influential organization of Star Trek: TOS fans. It was founded in May 1972 by George Christman, Margaret Basta and Laura Basta. It had the support and attention of many of the show's TPTB, including David Gerrold and Bjo Trimble. 
At one point, there were 160 local chapters and S.T.A.R.'s mailing list grew to 25,000. 
S.T.A.R.'s main specific purpose was to revive Star Trek: The Original Series. A more general purpose was the promotion of science fiction. 
Early on, the organization formed a steering committee that consisted of Margaret Basta, Laura Basta, and nine others (this committee at the time did not include George Christman who had moved on). from Boldly Writing While the Basta sisters remained at the helm until the cessation of the club, there were many other fans who circulated in and out as officials. This committee was called S.T.A.R. Central.
Subscription to the organization's newsletter, Star-Borne, constituted membership in S.T.A.R. The Greatest Show in the Universe, Harvard Crimson Star (1973) 
The club's membership was enormous, and in the end, became too large and onerous for its creators to manage. It also suffered from over-reach and explosive growth and the alleged greed of a fan who had been an official leader and had misrepresented himself for profit:
In 1974, Laura Basta wrote about these troubles: 
It folded under a dark cloud, and there were many inquiries regarding debt and money owed to fans. A fan in January 1976 asked: "How much of a black eye did S.T.A.R. give fandom?" from Spectrum #18 
In May 1977, a fan wrote that he thought the WSA was "investigating the Star Trek Association for Revival and the Basta sisters. No one is making any accusations or pressing charges. This is just an investigation urged at the request of some fans. If you have any gripes, praises, or useful information, contact WSA Chief of Operations, Ron J. Frantz." from Spectrum #32 
The zine, Nova was planned as an appeasement to unhappy fans, as well as a way to alleviate some of the club's debt. This zine did not get published.
Some S.T.A.R. clubs later morphed into more general media and science fiction clubs. Two of these chapters still operating: the Boston Star Trek Association (until the 1990s) and S.T.A.R. San Diego (still active as of 2023).
==S.T.A.R.: Its Stated Neutrality...and Reality==
While the club stated that it was officially neutral in many matters, it had some forceful statements regarding expectations of fans, their behavior, and the club's official alliances. 
From S.T.A.R. Membership Book:
==Newsletters==
S.T.A.R. began publishing a newsletter in 1972 called Star-Borne. While the first issue had a relatively modest circulation of 2000 copies, membership grew. 
The newsletter ceased publishing in 1974. Still hopeful about continuing the club, STAR issued a membership guidebook in 1975 which gave details about the club's origins and spoke frankly of its purpose, activities, and problems which resulted from the association's phenomenal growth. from Boldly Writing 
Several local chapters also publishing newsletters as well, such as Menagerie from S.T.A.R. San Diego, Stardate the newsletter of the Sacramento Valley Chapter of S.T.A.R., One Trek Mind, the newsletter of the Boston Chapter of S.T.A.R. and The Andromedan Log of the Lincoln Nebraska Chapter. Star Base Andromeda
==The Rise and Fall==
See Certain events have occurred withing S.T.A.R. Central for the last 6 months that deserve to be aired. (1974).
See The 1977 S.T.A.R. Open Letter by Sharon.
See S.T.A.R. Central and "This Individual".
Joan Marie Verba's historical timeline, Boldly Writing, goes into some detail about the rise and fall of what the author calls an early influential organization: 
A fan commented upon the club in July 1975: 
In September 1977, Sharon Ferraro Short discussed the history, and fall, of the club: 
 
==Some S.T.A.R. Chapters==
There were, at one point, 160 local chapters. Below is just a handful.
 
* S.T.A.R. Base Akron
* S.T.A.R. Burbank
* S.T.A.R. Iowa
* S.T.A.R. New York City ("The Alien Inquisition.")
* S.T.A.R. Northbrook
* S.T.A.R. Syracuse
* S.T.A.R. Toledo
* S.T.A.R. Winston-Salem
* Boston Star Trek Association
* S.T.A.R. San Diego
* S.T.A.R. Sacramento Valley
* S.T.A.R. Utah
==Meta and Open Letters==
* Certain events have occurred within S.T.A.R. Central for the last 6 months that deserve to be aired. by Laura Basta (1974)
* The 1977 S.T.A.R. Open Letter by Sharon by Sharon Ferraro Short (1977)
==References==
Category:Star Trek Fan Clubs
Category:1970s Fan Clubs
Category:2022 Featured Articles