Hi members of the 7th Fleet,
As I type this, technically this year’s R7 Conference is just about wrapping up but unfortunately due to the coming nor’easter, ADM Wayne Augustson and I needed to depart a bit early and miss closing ceremonies. Wayne made remarkable time and I am home and batting down the hatches for whatever this storm brings my way.
I just wanted to once again congratulate the 2025 SFR7 Conference Committee and all the members of the USS Abraham Lincoln, USS Justice and USS Theresa Sylvester who put on this highly successful event this weekend.
It was a wonderful tribute to the 30th anniversary of STAR TREK Voyager with many panels, most run by Adam Shikowitz that explored the worst and best episodes of the series while former RC and USS Matrix CO Joe Hoolihan once again brought us a panel examining one off and recurring characters in all our original ST TV series.
There were science programs and magic shows, trivia contests, a pool party, a mixer and Halloween party with Father Hoolihan hearing a humorous confession from a certain regional coordinator. We had special guests from Region 15, the Ingles and Tom Guertin the (former) RC of that region although we did bust his chops that he was still in office to which he steadfastly denied.
I wish to also give a very big THANK YOU to former R7 RC and current VRC who came to my rescue and made an extra trip down my way to help me get to this year’s R7 Conference in lieu of my Shuttlecraft Legacy (Subaru) issues that would not safely allow for a nearly two hour trip to Fairfield NJ. Thank you Wayne, my good friend, partner in crime and roommate for the weekend. You came through for me and we had a blast!
Big congrats to RADM Keith Shikowitz who was officially announced as our new R7 Awards Director. This news was to have been delivered earlier this autumn but real life has thrown me a few curves in recent weeks and unfortunately, a few things got delayed.
Wayne and I have every confidence in Keith to perform this job and we also had the opportunity to speak with him about his plans to improve our awards program. He’ll also be interacting with the SFI Awards Director who recently issued some new changes to encourage members to submit award nominations. Keith will bring a lot of energy to this job and I am confident he will bring some positive changes to our program.
During our CO/XO meeting which was very productive we discussed a wide variety of topics ranging from reminding chapter leaders to check expiration dates of their crew when they make their monthly MSRs to ways to encourage crew members to become involved in chapter activities but one subject that we’ll be exploring is developing an IC bid for the future, possibly bringing back a SF International Conference to the Philadelphia or South Jersey area. Other areas aren’t off the table either as we examine interest, manpower, research hotel costs and the many other aspects of what would be involved. An e-mail will be going out to our region COs about this but the idea got some positive feedback during the meeting including support from those beyond our regional borders.
I want to thank Mike, Keith and Geri for all their work as the conference chairs and I very much appreciate my Pulitzer Prize awarded this morning. I may never get a Pulitzer through my work as Assistant News Editor and Reporter but this award presented by Geri Sylvester Bush today means just as much to me. It came in connection to my role as RC. Wayne also loved his birthday card that featured numerous signatures from those at the conference.
What a wonderful time we had from Friday to Sunday and saying goodbye is always hard but the hugs, jokes, shared ideas we exchanged were what counted most and that swim in the hotel pool was very relaxing. Good times had by all and we are currently reviewing a bid that we have received for next year’s conference. More details to come.
Take care everyone. It has been a challenging year for many and we did remember those who have passed on and also remembered those who this year couldn’t be present for reasons of finances, health or both. You were missed and we hope to see you next year. We know real life can throw us a curve-ball. It certainly did for me and I was grateful to make it thanks to Wayne.
Be well and enjoy the Halloween season!
ADM Bob Vosseller
Region 7 Coordinator
CO USS Challenger NCC-1676-D