Date: January 2025
Submitted by: Fleet Captain Randy Mitson, Director of STARFLEET Petfleet

1. Membership & Engagement

STARFLEET Petfleet continues to grow, with our community now reaching 626 human and 1,130 pet members. This marks an incredible achievement, doubling our membership in just two years. Our team has expanded to include eight dedicated Staff Members and ten Regional Liaisons, all working to enhance the Petfleet experience for members across STARFLEET. These liaisons serve as a crucial bridge between Petfleet and their respective regions, ensuring that members stay informed about contests, events, and opportunities to engage with fellow pet lovers.

January has been an exciting month, with many members reconnecting after the holidays and participating in our latest initiatives. As we look ahead, we encourage all members to actively engage in upcoming events (Academy Challenges, Walking Challenges, Photo Contests, and more), share their stories, and contribute to the thriving Petfleet community. Your involvement makes all the difference in shaping the future of STARFLEET Petfleet.

2. Quartermaster Store Success

The launch of STARFLEET Petfleet’s Quartermaster Store products has been an overwhelming success! Members have enthusiastically embraced the new merchandise, which includes the Delta Paw Magnetic Comm Badge, the 20th Anniversary Collectable Coin, SFPet logo and retro logo patches, the Delta Paw acrylic mini pin, SFPet coasters, magnets, and a variety of stickers. The most popular item so far has been the Delta Paw Comm Badge, with many members proudly displaying it alongside their STARFLEET uniforms.

Additionally, we introduced a special free random sticker giveaway for those who purchase two or more items in a single order. This initiative has been well received, encouraging members to build their Petfleet collections while supporting the auxiliary. Thanks to the generosity of our members, we have already raised 40% of our annual budget through Quartermaster product sales. These funds go directly towards supporting Petfleet’s continued growth, allowing us to expand our programs, host engaging events, and provide more opportunities for members to celebrate their love for pets. If you haven’t yet explored the store, now is the perfect time to do so!

3. Successful Watch Party Event – January 11th

On January 11th, STARFLEET Petfleet hosted a special watch party featuring the film Please Stand By. This heartwarming movie follows Wendy, a brilliant autistic woman and devoted Star Trek fan, as she embarks on a courageous journey to submit her Star Trek script to a screenwriting competition. The story resonated with many of our members, highlighting themes of perseverance, passion, and the deep connections we form through fandom. https://petfleet.sfi.org/event/watch-party-please-stand-by/ 

The event brought together STARFLEET members from across different regions, all tuning in via Zoom to watch and discuss the film. Many attendees shared their thoughts in real-time, creating a lively and engaging atmosphere. Events like these strengthen the bonds within our community, and we look forward to hosting more watch parties in the future. Thank you to everyone who attended and made it a success!

4. Website Growth & New Content

Our STARFLEET Petfleet website continues to thrive, now featuring 84 published articles, with more added each month. These articles cover a wide range of topics, from pet care tips and member spotlights to event recaps and special features. We are committed to keeping the website a valuable resource for all Petfleet members, providing fresh and engaging content that celebrates the diverse pets and people who make up our community.

In addition to articles, we continue to introduce new challenges, contests, and activities to keep members engaged. The website also serves as a hub for information about our Quartermaster products, upcoming events, and ways to get involved. If you haven’t visited recently, be sure to check in and explore all the latest updates!

5. Member Action Items

As we continue to expand, there are two key actions we ask of our members this month to help strengthen STARFLEET Petfleet:

1. Update Your Affiliation: Many members may not realize that they need to officially mark STARFLEET Petfleet as their affiliation in the SFI database. Currently, only 184 members out of over 600 active SFI members in Petfleet have taken this simple step.. If you haven’t done so yet, please take a moment to log in and update your profile. https://db.sfi.org/member/affiliation.php 
2. Support Petfleet Through the Quartermaster Store: Every purchase made through the SFI Quartermaster Store directly supports Petfleet, allowing us to fund new initiatives, create more collectables, and continue developing our programs. Whether it’s the 20th Anniversary Coin, Delta Paw Comm Badge, or a simple sticker pack, every item contributes to our mission. If you’re looking for a way to show your Petfleet pride, this is a great opportunity to do so while helping the auxiliary. https://qm.sfi.org/product-category/petfleet/ 

6. Looking Ahead

With such a strong start to the year, we are excited for what’s ahead! We have several new virtual events in the planning stages, along with continued updates to our website and expanded Quartermaster product offerings. More challenges and contests will be launched in the coming months, giving members new ways to engage and celebrate their love for pets.

As always, we welcome feedback and suggestions from our members. If you have ideas for events, content, or products you’d like to see in the future, please don’t hesitate to reach out. STARFLEET Petfleet exists because of its members, and your participation and support are what make it such a fantastic community.

Thank you for being a part of STARFLEET Petfleet! Let’s make 2025 another incredible year together.

Live long and prosper,
Fleet Captain Randy Mitson
Director, STARFLEET Petfleet