I want place following 3 new Pictures in the Hallway to honor and remember to this great People


Jesco von Puttkamer, NASA Engineer & Science Fiction Author
http://www.nasa.gov/topics/people/features/von_puttkamer_obit.html



Jack Klugman, Actor



General Norman Schwarzkopf

Commander,

On behalf of the 5th Fleet know that you and your family are in our hearts and prayers at the time of this loss. If there is anything you need or we can do please let us know. We dim our running lights in respect until tomorrow.


CDR Rex Prior
5th Fleet Commander
BSR-51 Responder Actual

Thank you for your answer, AFADM Jenner. That kinda clears things up... a little. I still confess to being confused about the whole matter and the way it all seemed to happen almost overnight and then all topics/discussions regarding it were erased from the forums.

It did not happen over night. That's the main thing you and everyone else, needs to understand. This was no sudden fit, and then poof, it's done. It actually occurred over the space of 2-3 weeks. Many phone long phone conversations were exchanged among many of the main people involved. Most it, DID NOT occur on the forum. Therefore it has the appearance of happening overnight. Also, those conversations did not get erased from the forums, they got moved to a non-public area. Some of the conversations got pretty personal and nasty. It was determined that in the best interest of the CDF, a visitors first impression of us, should not be a bunch of hate filled, name calling threads where a situation that no longer exists and has been resolved were being discussed.

How was it determined who was given the opportunity to return to the CDF? I think it's great that such an option was offered, just curious as to how it was determined who got offiered it.

It was determined by myself, Adm. Rivera and AFAdm. Merrit, who would and would not be allowed to return if they so chose. How specifically that was determined is simple. Those who were "leading" those who were removed, were NOT given the option to return nor will they be. All the rest of the crews of the departed ships were given the option to return. Some did, some did not.

Is there any way to find out about the Board of Directors and how the CDF operates since it became a business, since the page for it off the main CDF site does not work?

Yes, I know, I need to rebuild that section.

Basically, the Board of Directors is the legal, governing body of the CDF Corporation. The board consists of 4 people, currently, Myself, AFAdm Merrit, Adm. Rivera and Adm. Caparella.

How it works:
The board of directors manages the day to day legal responsibilities/issues of the CDF, they ARE NOT micro managers. The BoD DOES NOT "run" the day to day business of the fan club part of the CDF. They do not manage the Fleets, chapters or anything else. That's the Octagons job. They do however, have veto authority over any decision made by the Octagon WHEN and only when, a decision made by the Octagon would have repercussions for the legal entity of the CDF.

The BoD has 4 positions;
1. CEO
3. Secratary
2. Tresurer
4. Director

Appointments to the BoD are for currently, indefinite terms. However, I expect to be changing this at some point. As soon as the board can work out a workable system for voting/rotating members. There are currently 2 ways to leave the BoD, resign or be voted off by the remainder of the board.
When a member of the board leaves, all positions below the one leaving moves up 1 slot. The remaining slot is then filled by the remaining board voting a new member in.

It is my intention, to have this open slot eventually be voted on from among recommendations made by the fleet commanders, after consulting with their memberships.

The hard thing to understand is, The Octagon is NOT the BoD, even though some of it's members do compromise the BoD at this time. And Vice Versa. Being in the Octagon, does not guarantee inclusion in the BoD, and being on the BoD does not guarantee begin in the Octagon. At least not yet. We're still working out those details and trying to devise the best scenario possible.

Thanks for the information, sir!


Derek

Your welcome.

We're these concerns raised a year ago with the result being the FAdm coming back from his leave of absence to kick out a half-dozen chapters and remove the entire discussion about those members concerns from the CCN?

Contrary to perception and I'm sure some people's opinions, no one was kicked out of the CDF for their opinions. The Former FAdm made a brief return return from his leave to deal with some serious internal issues that concerned the very survival of the CDF. He was back for 24 hours. Upon assuming command once he departed again I made the decision, in consultation with the leadership of the CDF,  in the interest of furthering the CDF, to airlock the members/chapters that that happened to.

Since that time, I along with Adm Rivera, AFAdm Merrit and the rest of the Octagon, Fleet Commanders and members, have been in full and total command and control of the CDF.

Also of note, almost everyone that was airlocked, was given the opportunity to rejoin with no loss of status, position, rank or privileges. Those that chose to do so, were reintegrated into the fleet, those that chose not to, weren't. Anyone who was here then, and is not now, is by their choice.

The situation went far beyond expressing some opinions. The CDF position on the issue of Mr. Gastineau was then, what it is now, he is on indeterminate leave until his legal situation is dealt with and a resolution is at hand. At that time, the leadership of the CDF will determine what if any action it is appropriate or possible to take.

One thing to keep in mind that you and everyone else that likes to opine on the subject seem to be forgetting, the CDF now, is NOTHING like it was then. Since the incorporation, there are legal issues and legal entities to the leadership that must be satisfied in specific ways. It is not as simple anymore as simply saying, "I quit and appoint John Doe as new leader." Mr. Gastineau can no more walk in and say "I'm back!" and re-assume command than I can walk into the offices of IBM or Microsoft and do the same thing. There is a legal process, backed up by legal documentation and legal responsibilities.

Just asking, as that was right about the time I joined and seem to remember losing an entire fleet when all the chapters and memebrs were kicked-out for speaking out about the the concerns they had regarding the FAdms 'personal' issues reflecting on/impacting the CDF.

The impact, perceived or real, of the Former FAdm's current situation on the CDF absolutely was of paramount concern to the leadership. This is why he went on indeterminate leave and remains so. He currently has no say or input on the running of the CDF

I have never met the FAdm and wish him the best in this trying time for him and his family... but it just seems that kicking people out for sharing their concerns and not responding to them as adults makes the CDF and private club run by the BoD.

Just my thoughts.


Derek Robinson

As I stated, the issue went far beyond people's opinions, and not everything that happened that lead to the final outcome was done or said in a public forum. As such I do not expect you to have all of the information. That being the case, I can understand how it may appear to be one way when in fact the situation was much much different than it appears at first glance.

The CDF, is a private fan club corporation. We do not have share holders, we do not issue stock the incorporation DOES NOT make us a public entity. So while we are a non profit corporation, we are a private corporation. As such final decisions for all matters will, naturally and legally, rest with the Board of Directors. Every corporation on the planet works this way.

Hope this has answered some of your questions concerning this matter.

Just a quick question.

What is the contingency plan should the Fleet Admiral be found guilt of the charges levied against him?
I understand a pre-trial hearing is scheduled for Aug 24th.

Or are we pretending that this never happened?
You may erase this comment - but I would like a serious response either here or in PM. And by serious I mean not dancing around the issue, I mean one where a hard answer is given.

Thanks.
Cmdr Zachary White
Gunstar Morrigan

We are not dancing around anything. Nor are we inclined to discuss another members personal issues in a public setting.

Former FAdm. Nathan Gastineau has removed himself from command, more than a year ago now, and is on indeterminate leave to deal with his personal situation.

In the interim, Myself and AFAdm Alison Meritt, along with members of the Octagon, are in full command and control of the Colonial Defense Forces.

We are assembling staff and appointing the best members we can to fill the positions of the Octagon that remain open to better fulfill the needs of the membership.

The CDF Board of Directors, not Trustees as the Board IS the final governing body of the CDF, NOT a temporary caretaker appointment, consisting of Myself, AFAdm. Meritt, Adm. Rivera and Adm. Caparella, are paying close attention to Mr. Gastineaus situation and circumstances. His status at this time is "on indefinite leave" pending the outcome of his court case.

Mr. Gastineau has no official say or capacity within the CDF at this time, and has not had any for more than a year.

Upon completion of his court case, the Board of Directors will consider all circumstances, including the memberships opinion/feelings, the courts decision etc, on the matter, and take whatever action is possible or appropriate.

We will not lay down in writing a planned action for every unknown circumstances that may arise since at this time, they do not exist.

We, the CDF and the Board of Directors, prefer to and will deal only in facts, not speculation.