The International Space: 1999 Alliance

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Convention
Name: The International Space: 1999 Alliance
Dates: 1978 until 1999.
Frequency: Yearly until 1983. Periodic thereafter.
Location: Columbus, OH; Pittsburgh, PA; Atlanta, GA; Springfield, MA; Cincinnati, OH; Los Angeles, CA; La Mirada, CA; Portland, OR; Tampa, FL; Burbank, CA
Type: fan-run
Focus: Space: 1999
Organization: International Space: 1999 Alliance
Founder: Jeff Jones
Founding Date: December 1976
URL:
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Front page of Main Mission, Volume 1, Number 1, the bimonthly club newsletter

The International Space: 1999 Alliance was a Space: 1999 fan club. It was previously called the "National Save: 1999 Campaign", the "National Save: 1999 Alliance", the 'International Save: 1999 Alliance", and finally The International Space: 1999 Alliance. The group sponsored letter campaigns and worked to support "all Gerry Anderson productions".

The group published the bimonthly (later quarterly) newsletter called Main Computer.

Early in the organization's history, two disgruntled members broke away and made an ill-fated attempt to form a competing organization they named The Space:1999 Society.

Profile of the Alliance by founding President Jeff Jones

History

Note: All notations based on public sources. Names withheld for known privacy concerns

The International Space: 1999 Alliance (the "Alliance") was a fan-run organization founded in December, 1976, as the National Save: 1999 Alliance. Its goal was to prevent the British television series Space: 1999 created by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson from being cancelled in first run syndication. The Alliance was founded by Jeff Jones, Chuck Raue, a Husband & Wife Team (names withheld for known privacy concerns) and several other fans.

The Alliance held its first convention in July 1978, after which Jones stepped down as president (to pursue career goals) with Mare Fitzgerald succeeding him.

In early 1979, the Alliance formally achieved non profit status which it retained until the Alliance was shuttered. It also rechristened itself the International Save: 1999 Alliance and quickly thereafter took on its final moniker of The International Space: 1999 Alliance.

The Alliance held letter writing campaigns and an aggressive P.R. campaign in order to save the show. However, these efforts proved futile and ITC Entertainment -- which produced the show -- formally cancelled the series before the first Alliance convention had even been held.

The Alliance had a formal set of bylaws which provided for national and international regional coordinators lead by a U.S. National President. The by-laws also provided that the profits, if any, from any conventions or other gatherings was required to be donated to charity.

The Alliance was also one of the first ever fan organization to actively acquire merchandising rights to images from the show. The Alliance produced a series of best-selling items including patches, photographs, calendars, pins and other memorabilia.

At the height of its existence, the Alliance had a membership exceeding 3000 people across the globe.

Thirteen conventions, large and small, were held under the aegis of the Alliance from 1978 to 1999. Two independent conventions were held in 2001 and 2003. The final convention using the SpaceCon name took place July 19-20, 2003 in Tampa, Florida.

Alliance leadership, including the president, officers and regional directors, never received any compensation for their involvement in the organization. Additionally, other than the Springfield convention in 1982 (referenced below), the presidents, officers and regional managers never had any personal convention expenses paid from conventions or Alliance Membership monies. At all conventions, Alliance leadership and convention organizers always paid for their own con attendance, rooming, and meal accommodations.

Presidents & Leaders

1976-1978: Jeff Jones

1978-1979: Mare Fitzgerald

1979-1985: Husband & Wife team (names withheld for known privacy concerns)

1985-1993: Rose Marie Badgett

1993-1999: Husband & Wife team

A 1979 Con Report, and Open Letter

In Alpha Newsletter #22/23 (and perhaps other zines), the president of the fan club (Mare Fitzgerald), had a long con report that was combined with an open letter. The open letter portion of the submission is quoted here. The entire letter is available as a pdf at the "Alpha Newsletter" page.

I must address a part of fandom now which, I am sorry to say, seems to be growing. I refer to those who expect the Alliance and/or 1999 fan clubs to do everything for them. I've heard every excuse imaginable about why people couldn't get to Pittsburgh. Some said it was too far, some said the hotel was too expensive, some said they didn't think Pittsburgh was a good con location (talk about pre-judging!). All Alliance members were informed of the con location and costs last October. That was more than sufficient time to start saving up. The con registration rates were purposely kept the same as last year to help offset all the other costs rising with inflation. We've had some complaints about no rooming service. Several MAIN COMPUTERS ago, we asked those who needed rides or wanted to share rooms to write to their Section Reps. At most, the Reps received around five inquiries on these subjects. Our newsletters do no good if you don't read them. This is all a part of an apathy spreading in 1999 fandom. Has it come down to our all needing to be taken by the hand and led? What has become of the "we can do anything" spirit of 1999? I wonder sometimes if all the frustration and aggravation are worth it. Then I put on a video cassette of 1999 and, believe me, it is worth it! I've said before that I don't honestly believe we will see a third season. But that doesn't hurt as much as knowing that people once so dedicated to the ideals of 1999 could now care less. At Con '79, a core group of 1999 fans came together and I believe this group can become a strong framework for many important future attitudes. I'm not talking strictly of 1999 now; I'm also referring to the state of our world in general. I'm asking you all to join us and give a damn! When it comes right down to the bottom line, SPACE:1999 isn't all that important. What is important is that people who once cared so deeply for good and worthy ideals are slipping into mindless apathy. Maybe I misunderstand. Has it all simply come down to 1999's magic fading away? Shall we let Alpha die gracefully now? And what about the actors of 1999? If you want to see more of them you're going to have to start letting people know. If you see them in a series or a movie, write to the producers and tell them you enjoyed them and want to see more. All of the actors have so much more to offer; let's not let them down.

Next weekend will be the first Alliance meeting for Con '80 planning. Jeff, Kathy, John and I and several others will be putting our views on the table and getting the new year rolling. We care about the Alliance and we'll give 200% of ourselves to make the new year better and more productive. But we can't do anything significant without all of you. We either all pull together or we forget the whole thing, it's that simple. I'd like each of you to take another look at 1999. Do you believe in it? Is it worthwhile to you? If you can feel the magic, then please tell us and help us. If you don't care, tell us why.

I don't want to sound pessimistic in this letter because Con '79 was anything but that. We shared love and friendship and dreams and ideas and laughter and tears. We all grew and learned and I, for one, will never forget it. Many thanks to all of you who were there and those who supported it. Now let's get, to work again!

Conventions

See SpaceCon for information about the 13 conventions held under the aegis of the Alliance from 1978 to 1999, as well as two additional follow-on independent SpaceCons held in 2001 and 2003. Also see:

Related Cons

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