Fanlore:Featured Article Archives/2022: Week 4
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). 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 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.