Atlanta Star Trek Rediscovery Association

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Fan Club
Name: Atlanta Star Trek Rediscovery Association (ASTRA)
Dates: July 1981-?
Founder(s):
Leadership: Tim Farley, Randall Landers
Country based in: United States
Focus: Star Trek
External Links:
Astralogo.jpg
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an ASTRA flyer, printed in early 1982 in APA Enterprise #6
an ASTRA bulletin, printed in early 1982 in APA Enterprise #6

Atlanta Star Trek Rediscovery Association was a splinter group of the Atlanta Star Trek Society.

In July 1981, it broke off from the original club after conflict regarding attendance and hijinks regarding a second Emory Trek. Randall Landers wrote a lengthy personal statement about this split in Universal Translator #8. See Open Letter by Landers Regarding Emory Trek.

Publications

Its newsletter was ASTRAN.

The club also produced a number of calendars in conjunction with Datazine called The Star Trek Historical Calendar.

Descriptions

At some point, it was also titled "The Atlanta Star Trek Realist Association." From a June 1981 ad:

ATTENTION: TO ALL ATLANTA AREA ST FANS:

A new ST fan club is forming in Atlanta for the purpose of discussing and promoting the ideas and ideals of Star Trek. The Atlanta Star Trek Realist Association will be holding their first meeting in July. SASE the editor for more information. Constitution and by-laws, introductory letter and application for membership are now available. Membership is free to all ST fans in the greater metropolitan area of Atlanta. ASTRA is totally non-profit, and is soon to be a major force in Southern Fandom.

ASTRA is a non-profit discussion-oriented social group dedicated to the exploration of Star Trek, its ideals, its philosophies. Formed in July 1981, it has provided the fandom of the Atlanta metropolitan area with a focus for Star Trek-related activities. We have involved ourselves in several projects in our three year history, including providing programming for the annual Science Fiction Symposium at Emory University, several video festivals, and our own one-day mini-con, Emory Trek. [1]

Mission Statement

Some excerpts from the club's constitution and by-laws:

We are people who share a common interest in Star Trek, its fandom, and its philosophies. This shared interest is the impetus for us to assemble as a group in the spirit of IDIC, Infinite Diversities in Infinite Combinations, for the open exchange of information, the pooling of resources, and the coordination of action. In order to achieve these goals, we hereby establish this constitution.

[...]

The objects and purposes of this organisation are to provide fine of Star Trek io metropolitan Atlanta with forum of discussion and various other activities, and to encourage public interest in, and focus solely upon, Star Trek, its philosophies and fandom.

[...]

ASTRA is a democracy All aspects of ASTRA is a whole are subject to the approval of a simple majority of a quorum of the voting membership, except in extenuating circumstances, or where otherwise specified in this constitution. Decisions not made by, but affecting, ASTRA as a whole must be reported to all members promptly.

[...]

Membership in this organization is open to all metropolitan Atlanta fans of Star Trek, regardless of race, religion, sex, or national origin; political, moral or sexual preference; or affiliation with other Star Trek organizations. Members are required to be at least fourteen years of age.

[...]

No elected officer may be aa officer of any other Star Trek organization.

[...]


The Chairmen is the spokesmen of the organization. It is his responsibility to convene the meetings, make any announcements, and represent the organization at all of its venous functions. It is his responsibility to direct all proceedings at all of the organization's activities. He must set in the interests of the group end promote all aspects of it to the best of his ability.

[...]

ASTRA has a fanzine collection supplied solely through contributions of fanzines and other printed matter by individuals. The donation of original fanzines or xeroxes of same for the collection is encouraged and deeply appreciated. ASTRA monies may not be used for the purchase or maintenance of materials for this collection.

The fanzine collection is maintained by such person designated by the Chairman, and must be brought to every regular ASTRA meeting. Any member may borrow any item from this collection for a period of one month, at a regular ASTRA meeting. A refundable $10.00 safety deposit will be required of anyone borrowing materials from the collection. Failure to return any item shall result in forfeiture of the deposit and all future borrowing privileges. Only one item may be checked out by a member at any given time.

Complete records of the contents of the collection, as well as the current location of each item in it shall be maintained, and be available for examination by any member at any regular ASTRA meeting. All deposits shall be duly recorded and kept by the Secretary- Treasurer, who shall issue receipts for monies received.

References

  1. ^ from the back of the 1984/85 The Star Trek Historical Calendar