| abstract | - STARFLEET is incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation under the laws of the State of North Carolina, the United States of America, and has been granted 501(c)(7) status by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. The organization derives its organizational structure from the fictional Starfleet organization depicted in Star Trek, and within the organization the name 'STARFLEET' is used exclusively to denote the fan movement, while 'Starfleet' refers to the fictional entity. STARFLEET places emphasis on community service, and encourages its chapters to take part in charitable fundraising activities and other public services. The organization has members worldwide, and splits the world into 20 regions, each with a coordinator who supervises activities in his or her region and sits on the Admiralty Board, which acts as the corporate board of directors for the association. If members, usually living in geographical proximity, choose to form a group among themselves, they become a chapter of STARFLEET, taking the fictional form of a starship, space station or other vessel along the lines of those in Star Trek. Each member is given a fictional rank to show time in membership and contribution to fan activities. STARFLEET organizes a STARFLEET Academy, where STARFLEET members can take exams related to Star Trek trivia and general knowledge, amongst other themes. It also has a sub-group, named the STARFLEET Marine Corps, made up of members who prefer to roleplay as military, rather than naval, personnel. Among other publications, STARFLEET produces a bi-monthly publication called The Communiqué, which all members receive. STARFLEET has also published fan fiction in the 5-volume Stellar Visions.
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