I know we're still about a month away but I'm really looking forward to the anniversary celebrations for 9 years of UFP. Last year's anniversary celebration week was a lot of fun but we're looking to do even more this time round
That's great news and I am expecting another big get together of the Fleet!
Did you know that the {UFP} Fleet has 5 departments dedicated to performing all of the administrative work required to support and maintain the fleet? The {UFP} strongly believes in shared responsibility and empowerment and provides a clear progression and ranking system for all members. While the ranking system is strict, the Fleet is very much a fun and relaxed place to be. This system allows for members to move into a variety of roles within the fleet and contribute to the overall running of the Fleet. Sound good? You can find out more at http://www.ufplanets.com/
Love Star Trek Online but also looking into getting into Star Trek Infinite Space, or maybe want to play some of the classic games like Elite Force and Armada again? Then look no further.
As well as offering full Federation and Klingon support for Star Trek Online, we perform events in a variety of other Star Trek games, and eagerly anticipate future Star Trek games like Infinite Space.
Join today at join.ufplanets.com!
The {UFP} hold a number of events across multiple games besides STO with a number of Event Officers operating across the fleet and multiple games. We also hold regular competitions. The latest was a creative writing competition which was fun to read! Find out more at http://www.ufplanets.com/
In STO, we have just set up a number of new events and more are on the way. They are also listed on the Calender which is on the website.
If you would like to be apart of the {UFP} then you can join here http://join.ufplanets.com/ or if you want more information, you are welcome to PM me and I will get back to you as soon as I am able to.
Good to see the Calendar is being used more. We're going to try and make sure it's utilised properly from now on so there's a central location for all UFP's events.
I'll be hosting Friday night Fleet PVP. It's a fun event where we just shoot at each other, have a laugh on TS and let our hair down after a hard week. If you want to know more, then check out the website at http://www.ufplanets.com/
Just a quick reminder that roll call closes on Friday April 8th, or as we call it, Stardate 2111.98
Click on the event bar at the top of the site to sign in
If you enjoy RP and Star Trek, well the UFP supports a number of other ST based games which are perfect for RP besides STO! You can find out more at http://www.ufplanets.com/
I saw JW! I am going to give it a second read but I think I need more days in the week!! Believe it or not, I don't PVP that much! There's so much going on in the Fleet! We're gonna need a bigger calender!!
If anyone is interested in being a part of the {UFP} community and participating in the multitude of events that are run and hosted, then take a look at http://www.ufplanets.com/
To all members, be sure to sign roll call as it closes at the beginning of Friday. If you've yet to sign it, head over to the website and click the Fleet Announcement banner near the top, that'll direct you to it... only takes two ticks
Did you know that the UFP also has it's very own magazine called The Herald? It often features people of interest such as DStahl, the Producer of STO and most recently, David Mack, the Star Trek novelist along with news articles, Fleet interviews and more! It's available to anyone on the UFP forum and of course, fleet members are able to apply for various positions which contribute material to The Herald. If this sounds like the Fleet for you, then you can join here.
Looking forward to the Fleet PVP night which is a regular fixture of the {UFP}. Always good fun and good opportunity to have a little bit of banter with everyone!
Thinking of rolling out some standard issue signatures for those that want them now that we can have image signatures (finally!).
Currently wearing a Federation version, but you can also check out a Klingon example HERE.
Thinking of rolling out some standard issue signatures for those that want them now that we can have image signatures (finally!).
Currently wearing a Federation version, but you can also check out a Klingon example HERE.
Thinking of rolling out some standard issue signatures for those that want them now that we can have image signatures (finally!).
Currently wearing a Federation version, but you can also check out a Klingon example HERE.
Sorry for the hold up on the sigs, continued to tinker, which means the Klingon version needs an update too lol.
I'll have your two sigs done soon though
Certainly I can't place this particular pin on any one fleet out there as many seem to share this obscure and often baseless view; but something I have noticed over the months is a growing, almost propagandist view, that a large fleet equals one which dictates policies and proves to be impossible to make friends within. Causing everyone who joins to be merely another name to add to a list.
From my perspective, nothing could be further from the truth. So why join a large fleet?
It seems the biggest plus point advertised for a "small" fleet is that everyone knows everyone else and gets along. Well I've run {UFP} as a small fleet, and for sure I used to know every member within it. Nowadays that just isn't possible, but it's not something I regret. Almost all of us share a passion for Star Trek, and it's something that unites us, a reason why UFP remains a Star Trek only fleet. However not everyone, will get along with everyone else. That doesn't mean to say some people will dislike others, but from being in school, or college or work, generally in the big wide world, you naturally gravitate towards some people, you create a circle of friends. Being in a large fleet like UFP is no different. Everyone is friendly, a staple of Star Trek fans I'd say, but still you'll naturally find characteristics, humour and other shared interests in some people more than others... it may even be more simple like who's on at your time of the day most regularly (a characteristic of a large fleet which gives you a high chance to meet people you can really relate with).
In a large fleet you have the choice of so many diverse characters, from all over the world. Personally I find that to be an adventure in itself. You never know from one moment whether the next person you recruit you'll be happy to call a true friend in the future.
I'm no different to any other member within UFP. While I speak with a lot of people, and get on well with them all, I will naturally gravitate towards those I've grown most familiar with. But I continue to find interesting facets about people as time goes on, and I'm happy to see that there are others who while being friendly to others around them, are obviously creating closer ties with particular members.
On the subject of dictatorship. That, like any good propaganda is easier to type and make others believe than the truth, and I think in this case, it can probably be attributed to the more organised nature of large fleets. UFP provides more facilities and ways to be creative than any fleet I've ever known, and I've seen fleets come and go for almost a decade. So of course that requires a bit of structure.
However one thing I do know, is that a lot of people want to be part of a working team, they want to share their abilities and be appreciated for them, and the time they put in. Which is why in the UFP, and I'd imagine in quite a few other large fleets, we ask if people would be willing to take on responsibilities, but importantly only those that they enjoy participating within.
While it may seem to be "work", it should be fun, fulfilling and enjoyable.
At the UFP we have an extremely relaxed mentality. Real life comes first, and foremost. Everything we do is voluntary based, and it works very well for us.
It's a shame really that the above view isn't professed more often (and probably in a more condensed form :P), I think it should be, to quell the stigma that some would so casually spread about. I could just as easily fall into the same trap and spread a message of; why risk joining a small fleet, where you may end up not particularly getting along with those already in there? Perhaps a smaller more tight knit community is a more difficult one to get into a circle of friends... and so on.
There's some truth perhaps in there, but it's not something I'd use as a recruiting tactic. I'm quite fortunate to be in a position, surrounded by a fantastic group of people, where I don't need to resort to tell anyone why they shouldn't join one fleet, or a particular type of fleet. All I need to do is advertise what is good about us, what the UFP does well, and that's enough. If a fleet is talking about the downsides of other fleets, and less so about the great things that can come of their membership, perhaps it's worth exploring the reasons why.
So why join a large fleet like UFP then? Simple really, lots of teamwork, fun and friendship possibilities.
In my long experience of MMO's and fleets and guilds, there seem to be 3 sorts of characters. Those who do and enjoy doing and is part of their nature. Those who prefer to stay quiet and in the background but still form an active part of the team and those who want everything done for them. I know these are massive generalisations but I do believe they stand.
When looking for a fleet, I wanted to find one that culturally i fitted into. It didn't matter about numbers and size. It was about the fleets identity, how did it see itself, how did it look after it's members, how did it govern itself and what role the member base really had within the fleet and it's mechanics. In short, I wanted to make sure that whichever fleet I chose, that I would fit in, that those I would be playing with were similar minded and had a unique enjoyment of Star Trek but of gaming who strove to make whatever they did fun.
I'll be honest and say that the {UFP} had quite a rigid organisational structure which may sound slightly negative, but what that means is that is very organised. Everyone has a role to play and a purpose. Because of it's size, the UFP actually provides a whole host of roles for people to fulfill. We all enjoy having responsibility and being empowered and the UFP provides this ability in spades.
What I love best about the UFP, is how inclusive it is. YOUR opinion matters. What you do matters. How you feel matters. People will listen, they will take it on board and I know from my short amount of time within the SFO command, how much time and effort is spent thinking up new and different ways to make the fleet and STO an enjoyable and fun place to be and I know the other Divisions adopt a similar approach. Everyone cares and are passionate about three things. The UFP, Star Trek and YOU!!
So when I said there were those individuals who want everything handed on a plate, what I meant was, that these people don't want to make the effort to get to know others. They don't talk to anyone else. They don't interact with those around them. When I joined, despite my advanced age and experience, I found it a little daunting. I don't have a mic so I can't talk on TS but despite that, people have gotten to know me. I make the effort to talk to people on fleet chat or on the forums or even using the text ability on TS. I participate in events and engage in banter.
I suppose what I am trying to get to, is that a Feet, any fleet can only do so much and I believe the UFP actually does more than any other Fleet/Guild that I have ever seen. Good people give up a lot of their time to help in running the fleet and we should all appreciate and recognise their efforts. But you only ever get out, what you put it. You reap what you sow. And it doesn't matter if the fleet has 20 people, 100 people or 500 people. It's up to each individual to make a difference. And I agree JW that in your position, it's difficult to know everyone, but I've been here just over 3 months and I feel part of the furniture now and I feel that you know me better than probably a lot of other members who have been here a similiar amount of time because of the efforts I make which I believe proves my point of how much rests on ourselves.
One final point, the single best thing about the UFP, it isn't the efforts people go to and it's not the care and thought that goes into running the fleet or making the place fun. It's actually in taking some time out to recognise the efforts of everyone, no matter their position in the fleet and recognise individual accomplishments, no matter how small or trivial. Show me a fleet that does that because there aren't many. Size doesn't matter, it's all about quality and in my opinion, UFP has masses of quality.
Did you know? The Starfleet Operations (our Star Trek Online division) Commanding Officer position is open for new applications. If you're a current member who's interested in leadership and think you've got what it takes to lead the fleet's premiere division, feel free to apply here!
Comments
That's great news and I am expecting another big get together of the Fleet!
As well as offering full Federation and Klingon support for Star Trek Online, we perform events in a variety of other Star Trek games, and eagerly anticipate future Star Trek games like Infinite Space.
Join today at join.ufplanets.com!
Access to a large, helpful and friendly community
Support for both modern and classic Star Trek PC titles
Active TeamSpeak 3 server (optional with or without mic)
Veteran leadership that supports and seeks out fleet feedback
Many weekly activities in all supported games
Regular podcasts, as well as magazine releases from the Herald
Recruit Support Officers for every new member
Active forum full of helpful tips, jokes, discussions and more
Social events such as Trivia Night, TeamSpeak games and more
Skilled staff in management, graphics and coding
All we ask in return is:
Sign Roll Call at the beginning of each month (reminders sent)
Follow the Code of Conduct
Treat each member as you would have them treat you
For more information, check out this page, or send me a PM, or indeed visit out main website at www.ufplanets.com
If you would like to be apart of the {UFP} then you can join here http://join.ufplanets.com/ or if you want more information, you are welcome to PM me and I will get back to you as soon as I am able to.
Grace
I'll be hosting Friday night Fleet PVP. It's a fun event where we just shoot at each other, have a laugh on TS and let our hair down after a hard week. If you want to know more, then check out the website at http://www.ufplanets.com/
Click on the event bar at the top of the site to sign in
If anyone is interested in being a part of the {UFP} community and participating in the multitude of events that are run and hosted, then take a look at http://www.ufplanets.com/
Currently wearing a Federation version, but you can also check out a Klingon example HERE.
Looking good, Hath!
I want one!!
G x
I'm glad you knew your place Mikester!!
We're meeting at Club 47 on ESD
I'll have your two sigs done soon though
From my perspective, nothing could be further from the truth. So why join a large fleet?
It seems the biggest plus point advertised for a "small" fleet is that everyone knows everyone else and gets along. Well I've run {UFP} as a small fleet, and for sure I used to know every member within it. Nowadays that just isn't possible, but it's not something I regret. Almost all of us share a passion for Star Trek, and it's something that unites us, a reason why UFP remains a Star Trek only fleet. However not everyone, will get along with everyone else. That doesn't mean to say some people will dislike others, but from being in school, or college or work, generally in the big wide world, you naturally gravitate towards some people, you create a circle of friends. Being in a large fleet like UFP is no different. Everyone is friendly, a staple of Star Trek fans I'd say, but still you'll naturally find characteristics, humour and other shared interests in some people more than others... it may even be more simple like who's on at your time of the day most regularly (a characteristic of a large fleet which gives you a high chance to meet people you can really relate with).
In a large fleet you have the choice of so many diverse characters, from all over the world. Personally I find that to be an adventure in itself. You never know from one moment whether the next person you recruit you'll be happy to call a true friend in the future.
I'm no different to any other member within UFP. While I speak with a lot of people, and get on well with them all, I will naturally gravitate towards those I've grown most familiar with. But I continue to find interesting facets about people as time goes on, and I'm happy to see that there are others who while being friendly to others around them, are obviously creating closer ties with particular members.
On the subject of dictatorship. That, like any good propaganda is easier to type and make others believe than the truth, and I think in this case, it can probably be attributed to the more organised nature of large fleets. UFP provides more facilities and ways to be creative than any fleet I've ever known, and I've seen fleets come and go for almost a decade. So of course that requires a bit of structure.
However one thing I do know, is that a lot of people want to be part of a working team, they want to share their abilities and be appreciated for them, and the time they put in. Which is why in the UFP, and I'd imagine in quite a few other large fleets, we ask if people would be willing to take on responsibilities, but importantly only those that they enjoy participating within.
While it may seem to be "work", it should be fun, fulfilling and enjoyable.
At the UFP we have an extremely relaxed mentality. Real life comes first, and foremost. Everything we do is voluntary based, and it works very well for us.
It's a shame really that the above view isn't professed more often (and probably in a more condensed form :P), I think it should be, to quell the stigma that some would so casually spread about. I could just as easily fall into the same trap and spread a message of; why risk joining a small fleet, where you may end up not particularly getting along with those already in there? Perhaps a smaller more tight knit community is a more difficult one to get into a circle of friends... and so on.
There's some truth perhaps in there, but it's not something I'd use as a recruiting tactic. I'm quite fortunate to be in a position, surrounded by a fantastic group of people, where I don't need to resort to tell anyone why they shouldn't join one fleet, or a particular type of fleet. All I need to do is advertise what is good about us, what the UFP does well, and that's enough. If a fleet is talking about the downsides of other fleets, and less so about the great things that can come of their membership, perhaps it's worth exploring the reasons why.
So why join a large fleet like UFP then? Simple really, lots of teamwork, fun and friendship possibilities.
In my long experience of MMO's and fleets and guilds, there seem to be 3 sorts of characters. Those who do and enjoy doing and is part of their nature. Those who prefer to stay quiet and in the background but still form an active part of the team and those who want everything done for them. I know these are massive generalisations but I do believe they stand.
When looking for a fleet, I wanted to find one that culturally i fitted into. It didn't matter about numbers and size. It was about the fleets identity, how did it see itself, how did it look after it's members, how did it govern itself and what role the member base really had within the fleet and it's mechanics. In short, I wanted to make sure that whichever fleet I chose, that I would fit in, that those I would be playing with were similar minded and had a unique enjoyment of Star Trek but of gaming who strove to make whatever they did fun.
I'll be honest and say that the {UFP} had quite a rigid organisational structure which may sound slightly negative, but what that means is that is very organised. Everyone has a role to play and a purpose. Because of it's size, the UFP actually provides a whole host of roles for people to fulfill. We all enjoy having responsibility and being empowered and the UFP provides this ability in spades.
What I love best about the UFP, is how inclusive it is. YOUR opinion matters. What you do matters. How you feel matters. People will listen, they will take it on board and I know from my short amount of time within the SFO command, how much time and effort is spent thinking up new and different ways to make the fleet and STO an enjoyable and fun place to be and I know the other Divisions adopt a similar approach. Everyone cares and are passionate about three things. The UFP, Star Trek and YOU!!
So when I said there were those individuals who want everything handed on a plate, what I meant was, that these people don't want to make the effort to get to know others. They don't talk to anyone else. They don't interact with those around them. When I joined, despite my advanced age and experience, I found it a little daunting. I don't have a mic so I can't talk on TS but despite that, people have gotten to know me. I make the effort to talk to people on fleet chat or on the forums or even using the text ability on TS. I participate in events and engage in banter.
I suppose what I am trying to get to, is that a Feet, any fleet can only do so much and I believe the UFP actually does more than any other Fleet/Guild that I have ever seen. Good people give up a lot of their time to help in running the fleet and we should all appreciate and recognise their efforts. But you only ever get out, what you put it. You reap what you sow. And it doesn't matter if the fleet has 20 people, 100 people or 500 people. It's up to each individual to make a difference. And I agree JW that in your position, it's difficult to know everyone, but I've been here just over 3 months and I feel part of the furniture now and I feel that you know me better than probably a lot of other members who have been here a similiar amount of time because of the efforts I make which I believe proves my point of how much rests on ourselves.
One final point, the single best thing about the UFP, it isn't the efforts people go to and it's not the care and thought that goes into running the fleet or making the place fun. It's actually in taking some time out to recognise the efforts of everyone, no matter their position in the fleet and recognise individual accomplishments, no matter how small or trivial. Show me a fleet that does that because there aren't many. Size doesn't matter, it's all about quality and in my opinion, UFP has masses of quality.
Grace