Difference between revisions of "N3F"

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'''The National Fantasy Fan Federation''', also abbreviated as '''N3F''' or '''NFFF''', was founded in 1941 by 64 fen, including [[E. E. Smith]], [[Ray Bradbury]], and [[Damon Knight]].  The N3F is the oldest international [[science fiction]] [[organization]].  Its members are called “'''Neffers'''.” At one point or another, most old-time [[actifen]] belonged to the N3F.
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'''The National Fantasy Fan Federation''', also abbreviated as '''NFFF''', founded in 1941, is the oldest international science fiction [[organization]] extant.  Its members are called “'''Neffers'''.”  
 +
 
 +
At one point or another, most old-time [[actifen]] belonged to the N3F, but it has long been considered to be almost a separate, parallel [[fandom]].
 +
 
 +
Today, it sponsors  an annual [[amateur]] short story contest, gives several [[#N3F Awards|club awards]] and publishes a number of [[fanzines]], including ''[[The National Fantasy Fan]]'', the descendant of its original [[newsletter]], ''[[Bonfire]]''.  Activities are supported by nearly 50 offices and [[#Bureaus|bureaus]].
  
 
Non-voting memberships are free.  
 
Non-voting memberships are free.  
  
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The [[club]] motto is “[[Science and Fantasy]].”
 
  
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==“Science and Fantasy”==
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{{fancy2|text=
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Motto of the N3F, from the interests ascribed to members.
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}}
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==Officers==
 +
The N3F has two [[Officers]], the [[President]] and the [[Treasurer]].  The N3F President is elected by the membership.  The Treasurer is appointed by the President subject to [[Directorate]] approval.  The President may create [[#Bureaus|Bureaus]], appoint [[#Bureaus|Bureau Head]]s, and set up new activities, all subject to review by the Directorate. 
 +
 +
==Directorate==
 +
Originally, the Advisory Board, the Directorate is the governing body of the N3F. It consists of five members elected each year by the [[club]] membership. A [[chair]], who guides the activities of the Directorate, is chosen each year from among the newly elected members of the Directorate.
 +
 +
In the past, there was also a [[Vice-Chair]] who took over if the chair was unable to function.
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 +
{{fancy2|text=
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'''Directorate ''' The Advisory Board of the [[N3F]].
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}}
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{{fancy1|text=
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'''Directorate''' Variant name for the Advisory Board.
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}}
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==N3F Fanzines ==
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<div style="column-count:2;-moz-column-count:2;-webkit-column-count:2">
 +
* ''[[The National Fantasy Fan]]''
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*[[N'APA]]
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*''[[Tightbeam]]''
 +
*''[[Ionisphere]]
 +
*''[[Eldritch Science]]''
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*''[[Fandbooks]]''
 +
*''[[Films Fantastic]]''
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* ''[https://tnfff.org/mangaverse/  Mangaverse]''
 +
* ''[[The N3F Review of Books]]''
 +
*''[[Origin]]''
 +
* ''[[Fanactivity Gazette]]''
 +
</div>
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
 
The need for a [[general fan organization]] was perceived in the earliest days of [[fandom]], but one did not actually get off to a successful start until [[Damon Knight]] wrote "[[Unite -- or Fie!]]" (a play on the [[Michelist]] speech "[[Mutation or Death!]]") for the October 1940 issue of [[Art Widner]]'s [[fanzine]] ''[[Fanfare (Paro)]]'', in which he said in part: "I sincerely believe that a successful national fantasy association is possible, that it could offer a needed service to every [[fan]], and that it could be established today."  
 
The need for a [[general fan organization]] was perceived in the earliest days of [[fandom]], but one did not actually get off to a successful start until [[Damon Knight]] wrote "[[Unite -- or Fie!]]" (a play on the [[Michelist]] speech "[[Mutation or Death!]]") for the October 1940 issue of [[Art Widner]]'s [[fanzine]] ''[[Fanfare (Paro)]]'', in which he said in part: "I sincerely believe that a successful national fantasy association is possible, that it could offer a needed service to every [[fan]], and that it could be established today."  
  
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Reader response soon led to the formation of the National Fantasy Fan Federation (abbreviated NFFF or N3F) with 64 charter members. While knight's interest soon waned, Widner, [[Louis Russell Chauvenet]] (who coined the term "[[fanzine]]") and other prominent fans of the day guided the initial development of the [[club]].  
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Reader response soon led to the formation of the National Fantasy Fan Federation (abbreviated NFFF or N3F) with 64 charter members, including [[E. E. Smith]], [[Ray Bradbury]], and Knight. While knight's interest soon waned, Widner, [[Louis Russell Chauvenet]] (who coined the term "[[fanzine]]") and other prominent [[fans]] of the day guided the initial development of the [[club]].  
  
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The organization had several early successes, including but not limited to publication of a book by [[Dr. David H. Keller]] and sponsoring (with [[Forry Ackerman]] and the [[LASFS]]) the [[first Fancyclopedia]]. For much of its existence, the N3F was in hands of those whose primary fannish activity was in the N3F.
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The organization had several early successes, including but not limited to publication of a book by Dr. [[David H. Keller]] and sponsoring (with [[Forry Ackerman]] and the [[LASFS]]) the [[first Fancyclopedia]]. For much of its existence, however, the N3F was not held in high regard; it became something of an ignorant backwater in the hands of those whose only activity was in the N3F and who behaved as if the N3F was synonymous with [[fandom]] rather than just a part of it.  
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The N3F has sometimes languished. But it endured while other organizations have come and gone.  In more recent times, the N3F has published a series of Fandbooks, has sponsored an annual [[amateur]] short story contest (among other writing projects), and has given the annual [[Neffy Awards]].  The N3F currently publishes ten fanzines, the [[fanzine]] ''[[The National Fantasy Fan]]'' being the lineal descendant of its original newsletter ''[[Bonfire]]''.  Activities are supported by close to 50 offices and bureaus, all of which are participated in by the membership.
 
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The club has sometimes been the subject of criticism.  It has sometimes been claimed that the sole function of the N3F should be to introduce new fen to our way of life, but in fact the N3F in recent decades has not had such an activity.
 
  
 +
Accordingly, the [[club]] was the subject of much [[satire]] and derision and it languished for many years. (Some fans claimed that the sole function of the N3F should be to introduce new [[fen]] to our [[FIAWOL|way of life]], but, in fact, the N3F has not had such an activity in decades.) However, the organization endures while others have come and gone.
  
 
===1940s and '50s===
 
===1940s and '50s===
 
{{fancy1|text=
 
{{fancy1|text=
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'''NFFF''' - National Fantasy Fan Federation. With the decline of [[New Fandom]], [[damon knight]] and [[Art Widner]] suggested forming a new [[general fan organization]] along certain lines, and fans were asked to lend support and suggestions. In 1941 it began functioning after a preliminary election, and [[President]] [[Chauvenet]] drew up a rather long constitution, describing minutiae of procedure to be followed. Due to the [[Fincom]] report, this was not adopted, and tho approval of a constitution was finally secured, an [[interregnum]] began in June 1942. This was broken by [[E. E. Evans|Evans]]' [[Blitzkrieg]], but only temporarily.
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'''NFFF''' - National Fantasy Fan Federation. With the decline of [[New Fandom]], [[damon knight]] and [[Art Widner]] suggested forming a new [[general fan organization]] along certain lines, and fans were asked to lend support and suggestions. In 1941 it began functioning after a preliminary election, and [[President]] [[Russ Chauvenet|Chauvenet]] drew up a rather long constitution, describing minutiae of procedure to be followed. Due to the [[Fincom]] report, this was not adopted, and tho approval of a constitution was finally secured, an [[interregnum]] began in June 1942. This was broken by [[E. E. Evans|Evans]]' [[Blitzkrieg]], but only temporarily.
  
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America having entered the [[War]] in late 1941, more and more active [[fans]] were removed from activity by going into the Army and other overtime occupations, so that the government structure envisioned for the N3F could not be worked. The N3F was to include all fans, it was hoped, determined by [[Activity Party|activity tests]]. The US would be divided into several regions, each of which would have certain functions within itself; there was also some provision for affiliating local groups. The central administration of the Federation, besides the elected officers and the Advisory Board, would include several committees, and a permanent judicial or legal body of certain middle-aged fans. The N3F was expected to perform such functions as coordination and standardization, and undertake such projects as were forwarded by the Plancom and approved by the [[N3F#Directorate|Directorate]].
+
[[America]] having entered the [[War]] in late 1941, more and more active [[fans]] were removed from [[fanac|activity]] by going into the [[Army]] and other overtime occupations, so that the government structure envisioned for the NFFF could not be worked. The NFFF was to include all fans, it was hoped, determined by [[Activity Party|activity tests]]. The US would be divided into several regions, each of which would have certain functions within itself; there was also some provision for affiliating local groups. The central administration of the Federation, besides the elected [[officers]] and the [[N3F#Directorate|Advisory Board]], would include several [[committees]], and a permanent judicial or legal body of certain middle-aged fans. The NFFF was expected to perform such functions as coordination and standardizatin, and undertake such projects as were forwarded by the Plancom and approved by the [[N3F#Directorate|Directorate]].
 
}}
 
}}
  
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====Charter Members ====
 +
The founding members of the N3F, the 64 “Immortal Fen,” were:
 +
<div style="column-count:3;-moz-column-count:3;-webkit-column-count:3">
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#[[Forrest J Ackerman]]
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#[[Henry A. Ackermann]]
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#[[Charles A. Beling]]
 +
#[[Ray D. Bradbury]]
 +
#[[Donn Brazier]]
 +
#[[Lynn Bridges]]
 +
#[[Phil Bronson]]
 +
#[[James Bush]]
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#[[Louis Russell Chauvenet]]
 +
#[[Edwin F. Counts]]
 +
#[[E. Everett Evans]]
 +
#[[Larry B. Farsaci]]
 +
#[[Scott Feldman]] (later Meredith)
 +
#[[Jack Fields]]
 +
#[[Joseph Fortier]]
 +
#[[Joseph Gilbert]]
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#[[Jack Gillespie]]
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#[[Lou Goldstone]]
 +
#[[Mary C. Gray]]
 +
#[[Charles Hansen]]
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#[[Earle Barr Hanson]]
 +
#[[Fred Hurter]]
 +
#[[Harry Jenkins, Jr.]]
 +
#[[Robert Jones]]
 +
#[[Bob Jordan|Robert Jordan]]
 +
#[[Eugene Jorgensen]]
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#[[Nicholas E. Kenealy]]
 +
#[[Damon F. Knight]]
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#[[H. C. Koenig]]
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#[[Cyril Kornbluth]]
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#[[Richard J. Kuhn]]
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#[[Gertrude Kuslan]]
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#[[Louis Kuslan]]
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#[[David Kyle]]
 +
#[[Robert W. Lowndes]]
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#[[Robert A. Madle]]
 +
#[[Lew Martin]]
 +
#[[John Michel]]
 +
#[[John L. Millard]]
 +
#[[Chris Mulrain]]
 +
#[[Francis Paro]]
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#[[Elmer Perdue]]
 +
#[[George Robson]]
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#[[Ross Rocklynne]]
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#[[Milton A. Rothman]]
 +
#[[Phil Schumann]]
 +
#[[Arthur Sehnert]]
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#[[Ray J. Sienkiewicz]]
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#[[Clarissa M. Smith]]
 +
#[[Edward E. Smith]]
 +
#[[Jack Speer]]
 +
#[[Robert Studley]]
 +
#[[Robert D. Swisher]]
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#[[Charles R. Tanner]]
 +
#[[Dale Tarr]]
 +
#[[D. B. Thompson]]
 +
#[[Hyman Tiger]]
 +
#[[Bob Tucker]]
 +
#[[Julius Unger]]
 +
#[[Harry Warner, Jr.]]
 +
#[[Art Widner, Jr.]]
 +
#[[Richard Wilson ]]
 +
#[[Donald A. Wollheim ]]
 +
#[[Thomas Wright ]]
 +
</div>
 
====Battle Creek Plan====
 
====Battle Creek Plan====
 
A plan for managing the N3F.
 
A plan for managing the N3F.
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The [[club]] started out with no constitution, and the one drawn up was cumbersome and rejected by the membership when it was submitted. A constitution was finally adopted, but the machinery remained cumbersome, and the negligible results for the early labor plus the difficult requirements for nomination (all under the shadow of the stress of [[war]]) caused insufficient candidates to file to fill the necessary offices when the first [[administration]] lapsed.  
 
The [[club]] started out with no constitution, and the one drawn up was cumbersome and rejected by the membership when it was submitted. A constitution was finally adopted, but the machinery remained cumbersome, and the negligible results for the early labor plus the difficult requirements for nomination (all under the shadow of the stress of [[war]]) caused insufficient candidates to file to fill the necessary offices when the first [[administration]] lapsed.  
  
−
[[E. E. Evans]], [[Plancom]] chairman of the first year, got a new set of officers by [[Blitzkrieg]] methods; but before the [[organization]] could gather momentum again Evans, the new [[President]], was forced to drop activity. [[VP]] [[Tucker]] turned the presidency over to Evans' neighbor (at the [[Slan Shack]] in [[Battle Creek]], [[Michigan]]), [[Al Ashley]]. It being conceded that the old Constitution was unworkable, Ashley planned to carry out Evans' idea of a pyramiding state-regional-national scheme with many officers (the "Battle Creek Plan") including as "citizens" all who could be called [[fans]], while [[Harry Warner]] spoke for an organization with few officials and stiff membership requirements.  
+
[[E. E. Evans]], [[Plancom]] [[chairman]] of the first year, got a new set of officers by [[Blitzkrieg]] methods; but before the [[organization]] could gather momentum again Evans, the new [[President]], was forced to drop activity. [[VP]] [[Bob Tucker|Tucker]] turned the presidency over to Evans' neighbor (at the [[Slan Shack]] in [[Battle Creek]], [[Michigan]]), [[Al Ashley]]. It being conceded that the old Constitution was unworkable, Ashley planned to carry out Evans' idea of a pyramiding state-regional-national scheme with many [[officials|officers]] (the "Battle Creek Plan") including as "citizens" all who could be called fans, while [[Harry Warner]] spoke for an organization with few [[officials]] and stiff [[membership]] requirements.  
  
−
A wrangle over whether the [[directorate]] should pick one plan for submission to the membership or have a vote on both led to stalemate, again the terms of officers ended with no replacements, and the N3F lapsed. In the fall of '43, at the height of [[Cosmic Circle]] furor, [[Ashley]] questioned the [[Board]] members with a view to revising the group under an emergency for-the-duration constitution; this was realized next year, with [[Walt Dunkelberger]] in the Presidential chair. Elections were resumed in 1947.  
+
A wrangle over whether the [[directorate]] should pick one plan for submission to the membership or have a vote on both led to stalemate, again the terms of officers ended with no replacements, and the N3F lapsed. In the fall of '43, at the height of [[Cosmic Circle]] furor, Ashley questioned the [[Board]] members with a view to revising the group under an emergency for-the-duration constitution; this was realized next year, with [[Walt Dunkelberger]] in the [[President]]ial chair. [[Elections]] were resumed in 1947.  
  
 
{{fancy2|text=
 
{{fancy2|text=
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{{fancy2|text=
 
{{fancy2|text=
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The National Fantasy Fan Federation, the chief general [[fan]] [[organization]]. (Forbye, it's international, despite the name.) It was organized in 1941 by elements of the [[Stranger Club]] of [[Boston]], [[Massachusetts|Mass]], stimulated by [[damon knight]]'s article "Unite -- or Fie!" in [[Art Widner]]'s ''[[Fanfare (Paro)]]'', which had suggested formation of a new general organization with the decline of [[New Fandom]]. In 1941 the group began functioning after a preliminary election, and President [[Chauvenet]] drew up a rather long constitution. Plans were laid to finance the Federation by a tax on activity by amount, rather than by equal dues; a majority of members had approved this notion when Widner advanced it, but when the Finance Committee offered a concrete plan (omitting calculation of how small the sums would actually be) a great babble went up about "penalizing activity", "paying tribute", usw. This prevented the adoption of the constitution at first; an altered one was finally adopted, but did not prevent the [[Interregnum]] in June 1942. And after [[E. E. Evans|Evans]]' [[Blitzkrieg]] the removal of active [[fans]] by wartime difficulties made it impossible to work the governmental structure envisioned for the N3F. Tho this trouble, as explained under Interregnum, was eventually resolved, the N3F has never since gotten out of a sort of permanent embryonic state. It continues to day by an act of faith among those who Believe in it, but few knowing outsiders would dissent from some such opinion as the one [[Harry Warner]] expresses:  
+
The National Fantasy Fan Federation, the chief general [[fan]] [[organization]]. (Forbye, it's international, despite the name.) It was organized in 1941 by elements of the [[Stranger Club]] of [[Boston]], [[Massachusetts|Mass]], stimulated by [[damon knight]]'s article "Unite -- or Fie!" in [[Art Widner]]'s [[Fanfare]], which had suggested formation of a new general organization with the decline of [[New Fandom]]. In 1941 the group began functioning after a preliminary election, and [[President]] [[Russ Chauvenet|Chauvenet]] drew up a rather long constitution. Plans were laid to finance the Federation by a tax on activity by amount, rather than by equal dues; a majority of members had approved this notion when Widner advanced it, but when the Finance Committee offered a concrete plan (omitting calculation of how small the sums would actually be) a great babble went up about "penalizing activity", "paying tribute", usw. This prevented the adoption of the constitution at first; an altered one was finally adopted, but did not prevent the [[Interregnum]] in June 1942. And after Evans' [[Blitzkrieg]] the removal of active [[fans]] by [[war]]time difficulties made it impossible to work the governmental structure envisioned for the N3F. Tho this trouble, as explained under [[Interregnum]], was eventually resolved, the N3F has never since gotten out of a sort of permanent embryonic state. It continues to day by an act of faith among those who Believe in it, but few knowing outsiders would dissent from some such opinion as the one [[Harry Warner]] expresses:  
 
   
 
   
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"I've heard this assurance that big things were around the corner for the N3F so frequently... it's funny by this time. The N3F invariably has a half-dozen energetic members who can get things done, and several hundred who are either content to let the others work hard, or jealous that the others are active. The organization may be justified by serving as an outlet for [[fans]] during a period of six months to a year -- the period when they're just getting acquainted with [[fandom]], with a yen to read long lists of fan addresses, high-sounding words about purposes, and so forth. After that, a verbal arrangement with two or three other people can accomplish more than the N3F has ever done."  
+
"I've heard this assurance that big things were around the corner for the N3F so frequently... it's funny by this time. The N3F invariably has a half-dozen energetic members who can get things done, and several hundred who are either content to let the others work hard, or jealous that the others are active. The organization may be justified by serving as an outlet for [[fans]] during a period of six months to a year -- the period when they're just getting acquainted with [[fandom]], with a yen to read long lists of [[fan]] addresses, high-sounding words about purposes, and so forth. After that, a verbal arrangement with two or three other people can accomplish more than the N3F has ever done."  
  
 
The [[organization]] started out with fine plans for recruiting [[fans]], inspiring activity, setting up regional subordinate organizations (for New England, Dixie, the rest of the East, the [[Midwest]], West [Mississippi-Rockies], and Pacific areas), selecting [[convention]] sites, and so on. The central administration of the Federation, besides the elected officers and the Advisory Board, would include several committees and a permanent judicial or legal body of certain middle-aged [[fans]].  
 
The [[organization]] started out with fine plans for recruiting [[fans]], inspiring activity, setting up regional subordinate organizations (for New England, Dixie, the rest of the East, the [[Midwest]], West [Mississippi-Rockies], and Pacific areas), selecting [[convention]] sites, and so on. The central administration of the Federation, besides the elected officers and the Advisory Board, would include several committees and a permanent judicial or legal body of certain middle-aged [[fans]].  
  
−
It is said to have a [[membership]] of about 400, give or take 100 either way, and supposedly publishes a frequent bulletin, ''[[The National Fantasy Fan]]''. But the N3F has never managed to be an important force in [[fandom]], tho some of its aims -- organizing, standardizing, and coordinating [[fan]] activities, providing a common meeting ground, and publishing informational booklets like this one -- would be worthwhile. It is so large and unwieldy that it never gets off the ground; the normal official [[Circle of Lassitude|lethargy]] of fan organizations is multiplied by the fact that the N3F officers consult by correspondence; and the "benefit list" of projects whose fruits are going to drop into the N3Fers laps [[Real Soon Now]] is a standing joke in [[fandom]].  
+
It is said to have a [[membership]] of about 400, give or take 100 either way, and supposedly publishes a frequent bulletin, [[The National Fantasy Fan]]. But the N3F has never managed to be an important force in [[fandom]], tho some of its aims -- organizing, standardizing, and coordinating [[fanac|fan activities]], providing a common meeting ground, and publishing informational booklets like this one -- would be worthwhile. It is so large and unwieldy that it never gets off the ground; the normal official [[Circle of Lassitude|lethargy]] of fan organizations is multiplied by the fact that the N3F officers consult by [[correspondence]]; and the "benefit list" of projects whose fruits are going to drop into the N3Fers laps [[Real Soon Now]] is a standing joke in [[fandom]].  
 
   
 
   
−
The chief complaint seems to be [[inertia]] among the membership, which require to be treated like the rank-and-file of large mundane organizations. N3F officials have usually included active and competent [[fans]], even some [[BNF]]s of legendary status like [[Speer]], [[Warner]], and [[Rapp]], but the routine of administering a flaccid mass of marginally interested [[stfnists]] is such as to drive personalities of the sort fans have into [[gafia]], [[Insurgency]], or paper-doll-cutting. The efficient chaser of details who forms the backbone of any administrating organization is not a type plentiful in [[fandom]], and even when found can usually get greater rewards of [[egoboo]] through individual [[fanac]]. Fans would probably do better at coordination -- which was the original idea, after all -- and the activities which call for it to exercise only this function, like the [[Round Robins]] (chain letters) and N3F [[APA]] are the most successful in the club; but as a rule activities to coordinate is just what the N3F lacks.  
+
The chief complaint seems to be [[inertia]] among the membership, which require to be treated like the rank-and-file of large [[mundane]] organizations. N3F officials have usually included active and competent fans, even some [[BNF]]s of legendary status like [[Jack Speer|Speer]], [[Harry Warner|Warner]], and [[Art Rapp|Rapp]], but the routine of administering a flaccid mass of marginally interested [[stfnists]] is such as to drive personalities of the sort [[fans]] have into [[gafia]], [[Insurgency]], or paper-doll-cutting. The efficient chaser of details who forms the backbone of any administrating organization is not a type plentiful in [[fandom]], and even when found can usually get greater rewards of [[egoboo]] through individual [[fanac]]. Fans would probably do better at coordination -- which was the original idea, after all -- and the activities which call for it to exercise only this function, like the [[Round Robins]] ([[chain letters]]) and N3F [[APA]] are the most successful in the club; but as a rule activities to coordinate is just what the N3F lacks.  
 
}}
 
}}
 +
 +
At the start of the Korean War, an N3F member issued a fanzine attacking the Red Cross and other groups, and had his publications banned from the mails. 
 +
 +
* [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120986632/tucker-1944/ “Robert Tucker Vice President Of Fantasy Fans”] by Wilma Tolley, The Pantagraph News, December 17, 1944, p. 18.
  
 
===1960s===
 
===1960s===
−
 
 
The ’60s was mostly a quiet decade for the organization, in contrast to the high-power [[feuds]] that racked it during the ’50s.  There was a moderate amount of excitement in 1963 when former director [[Alma Hill]] started impeachment proceedings against [[Al Lewis]], who was then the chairman of the Directorate of the NFFF. Lewis had written an article in the club's fanzine, ''[[The National Fantasy Fan]]'', defending the worth of the [[newszine]] ''[[Fanac (Carr)|Fanac]]'' to its readers, which came across as an unfavorable review to the consternation of many readers.  
 
The ’60s was mostly a quiet decade for the organization, in contrast to the high-power [[feuds]] that racked it during the ’50s.  There was a moderate amount of excitement in 1963 when former director [[Alma Hill]] started impeachment proceedings against [[Al Lewis]], who was then the chairman of the Directorate of the NFFF. Lewis had written an article in the club's fanzine, ''[[The National Fantasy Fan]]'', defending the worth of the [[newszine]] ''[[Fanac (Carr)|Fanac]]'' to its readers, which came across as an unfavorable review to the consternation of many readers.  
  
 
Hardly had that fracas blown over when Lewis was once again the subject of an impeachment proceeding, this time by [[Clay Hamlin]]. Lewis had defended [[Earl Kemp]] from libelous charges leveled at him by an otherwise little-known fan, [[D. Bruce Berry]], in a [[fanzine]] article. [[Ron Ellik]] reported, tongue-in-cheek, on the two impeachment  attempts: "That Lewis sure is a scoundrel."
 
Hardly had that fracas blown over when Lewis was once again the subject of an impeachment proceeding, this time by [[Clay Hamlin]]. Lewis had defended [[Earl Kemp]] from libelous charges leveled at him by an otherwise little-known fan, [[D. Bruce Berry]], in a [[fanzine]] article. [[Ron Ellik]] reported, tongue-in-cheek, on the two impeachment  attempts: "That Lewis sure is a scoundrel."
  
−
The club used to run a Hospitality Room at [[Worldcons]] (more or less a [[Fan Lounge]]). In 1965, [[George Scithers]] wrote in his [[Discon I Report]]:
+
In May 1963, [[John Trimble|John]] & [[Bjo Trimble]] hosted what was billed as "The First Annual N3F Swim, Beer, and Good Clean Fun Afternoon" in [[Los Angeles]].
−
Although the N3F is subject to internal [[feuds]], a strong defensive reaction to intentional and unmeant criticism, and a tendency to charge off in several different directions at once, it is a well-established and stable [[organization]]. It has been in existence since 1941; it has a big enough treasury and enough expertise to carry out what it sets out to do, within reason. The relationship between the [[con committee]]s and the N3F, therefore, has been one of mutual assistance rather than dependence. A hard-pressed con committee can call on, and get, help from the N3F; a particularly strong con committee can offer substantial assistance to the N3F during the [[con]].
 
  
−
This activity continued through the early 1970s.  
+
The club’s annual story contest began, with cash prizes to the winners.  The judges included [[Fred Pohl]] (1966).
  
−
===2000s===
+
The club used to run a Hospitality Room at [[Worldcons]]; the N3F Welcome Room was something like a Neffer-focused [[Fanzine Lounge]], with literature aimed at explaining [[fandom]] to [[neofen]]. In 1965, [[George Scithers]] wrote in his [[Discon I Report]]:
 +
Although the N3F is subject to internal [[feuds]], a strong defensive reaction to intentional and unmeant criticism, and a tendency to charge off in several different directions at once, it is a well-established and stable [[organization]]. It has been in existence since 1941; it has a big enough treasury and enough expertise to carry out what it sets out to do, within reason. The relationship between the [[con committee]]s and the N3F, therefore, has been one of mutual assistance rather than dependence. A hard-pressed con committee can call on, and get, help from the N3F; a particularly strong con committee can offer substantial assistance to the N3F during the [[con]].
  
−
The N3F went through a period when a very few actifen kept the Federation up and running.
+
This continued through the early 1970s, but stopped for unknown reasons.  
  
−
===2010s
+
===1970s===
 +
The growth of general fandom in the 1970s also expanded the club, but most new members were short timers.
  
−
In 2015 there was a major change in N3F leadership and organization.  The use of electronic mail meant it was entirely straightforward to distribute a multiplicity of fanzines at little cost.  First The National Fantasy Fan and then the old letter and review zine Tightbeam were brought to monthly publication schedules.  The N3F [[APA]] N'APA, which had dwindled to two members exchanging emails, was given regular bimonthly publication. New zines include ''[[Ionisphere]]'', ''[[Origin]]'', ''[[Eldritch Science]]'', Films Fantastic, Mangaverse, the ''[[FanActivity Gazette]]'', and ''The N3F Review of Books Incorporating Prose Bono'' came into being, each being sent to all members who use email.  Email also brought a great increase in membership, from around three dozen increasing recently to 250 members.
+
===2000s===
 +
The club went through a period when a very few active members kept the N3F up and running.  
  
−
==Officers and Directorate==
+
===2010s===
 +
Email brought a great increase in membership, from around three dozen up to 250 members. The use of email meant it was easy to distribute many fanzines at little cost.  First,  ''[[The National Fantasy Fan]]'' and then the old [[loc|letter]] and review [[zine]], ''[[Tightbeam]]'', became monthly.  The N3F [[apa]], [[N'APA]], which had dwindled to two members exchanging emails, was brought to a regular bimonthly schedule. New [[#N3F Fanzines|N3F fanzines]], came out, each sent to all members by email. 
  
−
The N3F has two Officers, the President and the Treasurer, and a board of directors, the Directorate.  The N3F President is elected by the membership.  The Treasurer is appointed by the President subject to Directorate approval.  The President may create Bureaus, appoint Bureau Heads, and set up new activities, all subject to review by the Directorate.  In recent years, the Directorate has approved without objection of more or less all Presidential proposals.
+
The club also published a new series of [[Fandbooks]] (fan handbooks).
  
−
The Directorate is the governing body of the N3F. It consists of five members elected each year by the [[club]] membership. A [[Chair]], who guides the activities of the Directorate, is chosen each year from among the newly elected members of the Directorate.  
+
===2020s===
 +
====Alt-Right Controversy====
 +
In January 2021, N3F President [[George Phillies]] sent out a mass email to members and others asking them to publicize the N3F on Parler and Gab, two social-media sites widely considered to be a hangout of right-wing extremists. Controversy ensued and Phillies doubled down saying that he was essentially a-political and merely seeking fans.
  
−
In the past, there was also [[Vice-Chair]] who took over if the Chair was unable to function.
+
Among other reactions, [[Bill Burns]] said he would no longer announce publication of N3F [[fanzines]] on [[eFanzines]]. [[David Speakman]], a member of nearly 40 years who had been awarded a rare [[N3F#Life Members|life membership]], publicly broke his ties with the club.
  
−
==N3F Fanzines==
+
See [[Mike Glyer]]'s ''[[File 770]]'' article for much more: [http://file770.com/efanzines-drops-n3f-zines-after-groups-president-seeks-to-promote-it-on-parler-and-gab/ eFanzines Drops N3F Zines After Group’s President Seeks to Promote It on Parler and Gab.]
  
−
The National Fantasy Fan is the N3F's oldest fanzine. It was first published, under the title Bonfire, back in 1941.  Its contents and format have varied over the years. It is now the newszine and main letterzine.
+
==NFFF Press==
 +
A [[small press]] established in 1948 to publish ''The Sign of the Burning Hart: A Tale of Arcadia'' by Dr. [[David H. Keller]].
  
−
[[N’APA]] is our second-oldest clubzine. First published in 1959, N’APA is our club’s apa, or amateur press association. The APA publishes six issues a year.  Each participating contributor creates their own fanzine and sends it into the central editor, who compiles them into the APA for redistribution to all N3F members. Jefferson P. Swycaffer has served as central editor since 2018.  The most recent edition, No. 255, features material by Neffers including Ahrvid Engholm, Samuel Lubell, Will Mayo, George Phillies, Jefferson P. Swycaffer, and John Thiel. You can access back issues at https://tnfff.org/napa/.
+
To date this is the only hardbound book published by the Press, although N3F has published many [[fanzines]], [[fandbooks]], directories and other materials over the years.
−
 
 
−
''[[Tightbeam]]'', the N3F's third oldest clubzine, was established in 1960 as Hyperspace Tightbeam. It took only a few issues for the name to be shortened to Tightbeam. The last issue of 2021 was issue 327. That issue featured fan art; a letter column; anime, comic book, and movie reviews; a bio-bibliography of Philip José Farmer, and even recipes. Delicious! You can access back issues at https://tnfff.org/12126-2/.
 
−
 
 
−
''[[Ionisphere]]'' was originally published by the N3F, some decades ago, and has now been revived by its original Editor. John Thiel writes of his objectives as Editor and BuHead of the N3F Fan-Pro Coordinating Activity Bureau:
 
  
−
“It is my feeling that there should be a closer relationship between science fiction and fantasy fans and the writers and editors and artists who create this form of literature. The fans are visible supporters of writing of this kind, and have some interchange with the professionals by way of letter columns and now internet forums, and at the conventions as well, but this could always use improvement and especially now when the number of magazines has dwindled. Possibly contact between fans and pros could re-create an original enthusiasm which could be very useful today, when science fiction has had its influences on cultural life in general, but is not as successful as it once was on the home front.”
+
In 1965, it published ''[[Science Fiction Title Changes]]'' by [[Michael Viggiano]] and [[Donald Franson]]. For the N3F's 75th anniversary in 2017, it published ''A Sea of Stars Like Diamonds'', a book of short stories by Neffers, edited by [[George Phillies]].  
−
 
 
−
Since 2017, ''Ionisphere'' has kept a consistent bimonthly schedule. At the time of this writing, the most recent issue was number 31, which came out in October 2021. Another issue was expected yet this year. Number 31 included an article considering science fiction movie soundtracks and a too-short interview with Garth Spencer, who discusses the history of fandom in Canada. You can access back issues at https://tnfff.org/12116-2/.
 
−
 
 
−
''[[Eldritch Science]]'' is the N3F’s fiction, poetry, and art zine. The [[clubzine]] publishes longer works of fiction—from 7,500 words to complete novels—poems, and related fan art. It does not publish fan fiction as such. Published once or twice a year, a recent issue, No. 7, was released in May 2021. That issue featured fiction from writers including J. F. Posthumus, L. Jagi Lamplighter, Ian J. Malone. and Chris Kennedy. You can access back issues at https://tnfff.org/eldritch-science/.
 
−
 
 
−
''Films Fantastic'', now edited by Justin E. A.  Busch, spun out of The Fan in 2018. The clubzine is the official organ of the N3F Film Bureau and explores motion pictures of long ago.  A recent issue is number 13, which came out in November 2021. That edition featured reviews of Attack of the Crab Monsters, The Giant Claw, King Dinosaur, Land Unknown, Teenagers from Outer Space, Fire Maidens of Outer Space, The Story of Mankind, Maniac, and Attack of the Giant Leeches. You can access back issues at https://tnfff.org/films-fantastic/.
 
−
 
 
−
''Mangaverse'' is the house organ of the N3F’s Anime, Comics, and Manga Bureau. Published since 2004, it has been helmed by several editors, most recently Patrick Ijima-Washburn, who published three issues in 2021. The most recent issue, Volume 5, Number 2, came out in November and was labeled a “Special Demon Issue.” Contents of this wonderfully-designed clubzine includes an article on horror legend Shinichi Koga, manga reviews, fan memories, and material on the history of manga. You can access back issues at https://tnfff.org/mangaverse/.
 
−
 
 
−
''The N3F Review of Books'' is another relatively new clubzine, in publication since 2019. The Review publishes reviews of novels, anthologies, literary criticism, and other books—and offers material on the actual writing of science fiction, fantasy, and horror. The N3F Review is monthly.  A recent issue, number 26, featured more than 30 book reviews, an article on the role of antagonists in fiction, and a piece on the value of literary criticism. You can access back issues at https://tnfff.org/the-n3f-review-of-books/.
 
−
 
 
−
''[[Origin]]'' is also relatively new. The publication of the N3F’s Fandom History and Research Bureau launched in 2018. Published monthly, the clubzine features historical articles and a vigorous letter column. A recent issue, number 45, came out in November.  It features a look at science fiction published by Century Publications and its Merit Books imprint, a consideration of reading sf and fantasy, one contributor’s favorite science fiction stories, and an analysis of science fiction books of the 1950s. You can access back issues at https://tnfff.org/origin/.
 
−
 
 
−
''Fanactivity Gazette'' is the club’s brand new monthly newszine.  The Gazette was launched because, on one hand, the N3F President thought the N3F should publish a newszine and,  on the other hand, ''Tightbeam'' and ''TNFF'' were receiving news-type articles that were too long to fit easily, given the ''Tightbeam'' and ''TNFF'' space limits.  A recent issue included fanzine reviews by Justin E. A. Busch, Cathode Ray’s frenetic TV column “Rabid Ears: Ravings of a TV Fiend,” Mindy Hunt’s convention calendar, and a Corflu Pangloss Progress Report. You can access back issues at https://tnfff.org/the-n3f-newszine/.
 
  
 
==Bureaus==
 
==Bureaus==
Line 108: Line 201:
  
 
===Anime/Comics Bureau===  
 
===Anime/Comics Bureau===  
−
The Anime/Comics Bureau supports discussion of all aspects of this hobby. BuHead is [[Kevin Trainor]].
+
The Anime, Comics and Manga Bureau supports discussion of all aspects of this hobby. BuHead is [[Kevin Trainor]]. It has published ''[https://tnfff.org/mangaverse/  Mangaverse]'' since 2004.  
  
 
===Artist Bureau===
 
===Artist Bureau===
Line 114: Line 207:
  
 
===Birthday Card Bureau===
 
===Birthday Card Bureau===
−
A bureau that sends birthday cards to members. The Bureau Head is [[Judy Carroll]]. The Bureau has also on and off, been in charge of sending renewal notices to members whose memberships are expiring.
+
A bureau that sends birthday cards to members. The Bureau Head is [[Judy Carroll]].  
 +
 
 +
The Bureau has also on and off, been in charge of sending renewal notices to members whose memberships are expiring.
  
 
===Book Review Bureau===
 
===Book Review Bureau===
−
The Book Review Bureau tries to persuade members to write at reviews of all new novels.
+
The Book Review Bureau tries to persuade members to write at least short reviews of all new [[novels]].
  
 
===Collector's Bureau===
 
===Collector's Bureau===
Line 123: Line 218:
  
 
===Comics Bureau===
 
===Comics Bureau===
−
A bureau that did things for [[comics|comic-book]] fans. [[Tim Marion]] headed it for a while.  
+
A bureau that did something for [[comics|comic-book]] fans. [[Tim Marion]] headed it for a while. It was superseded by the [[#Anime/Comics Bureau|Anime, Comics and Manga Bureau]].
−
It has not recently been active.
+
 
 +
===Complaints Bureau===
 +
[[Bob Vardeman]] was in charge in 1969.  
  
 
===Convention Calendar===
 
===Convention Calendar===
 
The Bureau published a monthly list of forthcoming [[Convention]] events. BuHead: [[Mindy Hunt]].
 
The Bureau published a monthly list of forthcoming [[Convention]] events. BuHead: [[Mindy Hunt]].
 +
 +
===Convention Coordinator===
 +
[[Convention]] dates, [[conreports]], and passing out flyers at [[conventions]] was the purpose of this bureau.
  
 
===Correspondence Bureau===
 
===Correspondence Bureau===
−
Organized by [[Ev Winne]], its first BuHead, in 1951, this bureau recruited members to write letters to other members. [[Correspondents]] as of February 1952 were [[Jack Anderson|Robert "Jack" Anderson]], [[Richard Bergeron]], [[K. Martin Carlson]], [[G. M. Carr]], [[Lyell Crane]], [[Henry Ebel]], [[Bob Farnham]], [[Eva Firestone]], [[Nan Gerding]], [[Norbert Hirschhorn]], [[Julian May]], [[Charles Moslander]], [[Ray Schaffer]], [[Landis Shepherd]] and [[Stan Woolston]]. The current BuHead is Judy Carroll.
+
Organized by [[Ev Winne]], its first BuHead, in 1951, this bureau seems to have recruited members to write letters to other members. [[Correspondents]] as of February 1952 were [[Jack Anderson|Robert "Jack" Anderson]], [[Richard Bergeron]], [[K. Martin Carlson]], [[G. M. Carr]], [[Lyell Crane]], [[Henry Ebel]], [[Bob Farnham]], [[Eva Firestone]], [[Nan Gerding]], [[Norbert Hirschhorn]], [[Julian May]], [[Charles Moslander]], [[Ray Schaffer]], [[Landis Shepherd]] and [[Stan Woolston]].
 +
 
 +
Latest buhead is [[Judy Carroll]].
  
 
===Fanclubs Bureau===
 
===Fanclubs Bureau===
 
[[Fred Lerner]] was BuHead in the late 1960s.  
 
[[Fred Lerner]] was BuHead in the late 1960s.  
 +
 +
===Fandom Introductory Bureau===
 +
Its purpose was to inform new fans of the history of [[SF]] and SF [[fandom]]. It seems to have been absorbed into the [[Fan Research Bureau]].
  
 
===Fan-Pro Activity Coordinating Bureau===  
 
===Fan-Pro Activity Coordinating Bureau===  
−
The bureau and its [[zine]], ''[[Ionisphere]]'', exist to increase interactions between readers and writers, publish interviews with writers and [[fen]], promote contact information and web locations, and support [[convention]] activities. The BuHead is [[John Thiel]].
+
The bureau and its [[zine]], ''[[Ionisphere]]'', exist to increase interactions between readers and writers, publish interviews with writers and [[fen]], promote contact information and web locations, and support [[convention]] activities. Bureau Head is [[John Thiel]].
 +
 
 +
===Fan Research Bureau===
 +
The Fandom History and Research Bureau seeks to document the history of the N3F and “our hobby.” The bureau head is [[John Thiel]]. It has published ''[[Origin]]'' since 2018.  
  
 
=== Fanzine Clearing House===
 
=== Fanzine Clearing House===
−
A [[Fanzine Clearing House]] distribution service was handled by [[Seth Johnson]]. The service paid for ads in some of the [[prozines]] to sell bundles of [[fanzines]] to [[science fiction]] readers who could be potential [[neofans]].  Johnson also took it on himself to locate new recruits directly by scanning [[prozine]] [[lettercol|letters columns]] for addresses, then sending them packages of [[fanzines]]. The problem was, some of the [[fanzines]] he sent out were so poorly produced and written that it often had the opposite effect.  This led some [[fanzine]] publishers, most notably [[Ted White]], to claim that [[Seth Johnson|Johnson]] had no understanding or appreciation of [[fannish]] [[writing]].
+
A [[Fanzine Clearing House]] distribution service was handled by [[Seth Johnson]]. The service paid for ads in some of the [[prozines]] to sell bundles of [[fanzines]] to [[science fiction]] readers who could be potential [[neofans]].  He also took it on himself to locate new recruits directly by scanning [[prozine]] [[lettercol|letters columns]] for addresses, then sending them packages of [[fanzines]]. The problem was, some of the [[fanzines]] he sent out were so poorly produced and written that it often had the opposite effect.  This led some [[fanzine]] publishers, most notably [[Ted White]], to claim that [[Seth Johnson|Johnson]] had no understanding or appreciation of [[fannish]] [[writing]].
 +
 
 +
===Film Bureau===
 +
A latter-day bureau that, since 2018, has published ''[[Films Fantastic]]'', a [[zine]] devoted to reviews of old [[sci-fi]] movies.  
  
 
===Fische Bureau===
 
===Fische Bureau===
−
One of the many bureaus of the N3F, created in the 1980s. It has been proposed that 'fische' is a variant spelling of 'fiche', short for 'microfiche', a data storage scheme on which an entire page was reduced to a small image on a piece of film.  Once upon a time, microfiche library storage was the wave of the future.  [[Paul Doerr]] was the Bureau Head. The Bureau is no longer active.
+
One of the many bureaus of the N3F, created in the 1980s. We have no idea what it did, but [[Paul Doerr]] was the Bureau Head. It is no longer active.
  
 
===Follow-Up Bureau===
 
===Follow-Up Bureau===
−
The Follow-Up bureau asked former members why they left the N3F.   [[Lenny Bailes]] was one-time head.  
+
The Follow-Up bureau asked former members why they left the N3F.   [[Lenny Bailes]] was one-time head.  
  
−
===Franking Service===
+
===Franking Service ===
−
The Franking Service performs the original purpose of the N3F, redistributing [[fanzines]] to N3F members. Nowadays, their work is purely electronic.
+
The [[Franking]] Service performs the original purpose of the N3F, redistributing [[fanzines]] to club members. Nowadays, their work is purely electronic.
  
 
===Games Bureau===
 
===Games Bureau===
−
Supports [[gaming]] by N3F Members, including board games, [[RPG]], miniatures, diplomatic games and [[LARP]]. In 1968, it had a War Games Division that published a [[fanzine]], ''[[Picklehaube]]''.  The Games Bureau, in the 1960s, published the fanzines The Gamesman and The Games Letter.
+
Supports [[gaming]] by N3F Members, including board games, [[RPG]], miniatures, [[Diplomacy]] and [[LARP]]. In the 1960s, it published the fanzines ''[[Gamesman]]'' and ''[[The Gamesletter]]''. Around 1968, it had a War Games Division that published ''[[Picklehaube]]''.
  
 
===Gourmet Bureau===  
 
===Gourmet Bureau===  
−
It’s devoted to [[fans]] interested in recipes used by SF fans and [[pro]]s, and is headed by [[Cedar Sanderson]]. She publishes ''[[Eat This While You Read That]]'', recipes associated with famous authors.
+
It’s devoted to [[fans]] interested in recipes used by SF fans and [[pro]]s, and is headed by [[Cedar Sanderson]]. She publishes ''[[Eat This While You Read That]]'', recipes associated with famous authors.
  
−
===History and Research Bureau===
+
===Hobby Bureau ===
−
Its purpose is to inform fen of the history of [[SF]] and SF [[fandom]]. The current Bureau Head is [[John Thiel]].  [[Jon D. Swartz]] is Associate Bureau Head, and N3F Directorate member [[Judy Carroll]] also assists with the Bureau's activities. The Bureau's fanzine is ''[[Origin]]''. 
+
Presumably covered hobbies other than fandom.  
  
 
===Information Bureau===
 
===Information Bureau===
 
We don’t know what kind of information this bureau dealt in, but [[Don D'Ammassa]] was in charge of it in the mid-1970s, and [[Don Franson]] before that.  
 
We don’t know what kind of information this bureau dealt in, but [[Don D'Ammassa]] was in charge of it in the mid-1970s, and [[Don Franson]] before that.  
  
−
===Information Technology===
+
=== Information Technology Committee===
−
This Bureau maintains the N3F's web pages, social media pages, and fanzine mailing system. [[George Phillies]] is the BuHead.
+
Launched in 2018, it maintains the N3F's web pages, social media pages, and fanzine mailing system.  [[George Phillies]] is the BuHead.  
  
 
===Ladies' Auxiliary===
 
===Ladies' Auxiliary===
−
The '''N3F Ladies’ Auxiliary''' was one of the [[organization]]’s bureaus in the 1950s. The N3F proper never had any rules about members’ genders, so why they needed a ladies’ auxiliary is unclear, especially since all the women in the auxiliary apparently belonged to the main [[club]] as well. [[Florence S. Anderson]] founded the group in 1949, and served as [[president]]; she apparently quit and the auxiliary became inactive in 1950. The auxiliary’s activities included running the club’s lending library. [[Betty Sullivan]] was Librarian.  
+
The N3F Ladies’ Auxiliary was one of the [[organization]]’s bureaus in the 1950s. The N3F proper never had any rules about members’ gender, so why they needed a ladies’ auxiliary is unclear, especially since all the women in the auxiliary apparently belonged to the main [[club]] as well. [[Florence S. Anderson]] founded the group in 1949, and served as [[president]]; she apparently quit and the auxiliary became inactive in 1950. The auxiliary’s activities included running the [[club]]’s lending library. [[Betty Sullivan]] was Librarian.  
  
 
===Manuscript Bureau===
 
===Manuscript Bureau===
 
{{fancy2|text=
 
{{fancy2|text=
−
The N3F has a Manuscript Bureau which was much used by its [[fanzine]]-publishing members like [[Racy Higgs]], but of it least said is soonest mended.
+
The N3F has a [[Manuscript Bureau]] which is much used by its [[fanzine]]-publishing members like [[Racy Higgs]], but of it least said is soonest mended.
 
}}
 
}}
  
Line 176: Line 287:
  
 
===Membership Activities Bureau===
 
===Membership Activities Bureau===
 +
 
Its activities are lost in the depths of time.
 
Its activities are lost in the depths of time.
  
 
===N'APA===
 
===N'APA===
−
[[N'APA]], the Neffer [[apa]], has been going since 1959. It’s open to all members of NFFF.  The [[Official Editor]]s during the ’60s included [[Robert Lichtman]] and [[Fred Patten]].  The current official editor is [[Jefferson Swycaffer]].
+
[[N'APA]], the Neffer [[apa]], has been going since 1959. It’s open to all members of NFFF.  The [[Official Editor]]s during the ’60s included [[Robert Lichtman]] and [[Fred Patten]].
  
 
===Neffer News Bureau===
 
===Neffer News Bureau===
 
[[Sheryl Birkhead]] was buhead in the mid-1970s.  
 
[[Sheryl Birkhead]] was buhead in the mid-1970s.  
  
−
===Neffy Awards Bureau===
+
=== Neffy Awards Bureau===
−
The Bureau manages the nominations and voting for the Neffy Awards (originally the Laureate Awards), which are the oldest awards in fandom.  Neffy Awards cover professional stfnal works and fan activities.
+
The Bureau manages the nominations and voting for the [[Neffy Awards]] (also called the [[Laureate]]s).
  
 
=== Neo Fan Fund===
 
=== Neo Fan Fund===
−
A scheme of [[Harriett Kolchak]]’s, started in the early 1960s, for helping out young [[fans]] who found themselves without sufficient [[money]] at [[conventions]]. See [[Neofund]] for much more.
+
A scheme of [[Harriett Kolchak]]’s, started in the early 1960s, for helping out new [[fans]] who found themselves without sufficient [[money]] at [[conventions]]. See [[Neofund]].  
  
 
===New Fanzine Appreciation Society ===
 
===New Fanzine Appreciation Society ===
 
[[Reed Andrus]] ran this in the mid-1970s.  
 
[[Reed Andrus]] ran this in the mid-1970s.  
 +
 +
===NFFF Trader===
 +
[[K. Martin Carlson]] had a [[column]] of this name in the ''[[The National Fantasy Fan]]'' for members who wished to sell, buy, or trade [[SF]] items. [[Zeda Mishler]] was also a buhead.
  
 
===Overseas Bureau ===
 
===Overseas Bureau ===
Line 212: Line 327:
  
 
===Round Robins===
 
===Round Robins===
−
One of the oldest bureaus in the club. A round robin is a packet of [[Chain Letters|chain letters]] (or emails) written about a subject or author. The letters follow a route headed by a robin master. Most robins have four to six members. Three members are required for each topic to begin "rounding." A few of the N3F’s long-running robins were on SF&F Films, ''Star Trek'', Time Travel, [[Andre Norton]] and [[Anne McCaffrey]]. The Bureau has substantially become inactive.
+
A round robin is a packet of [[Chain Letters|chain letters]] (or emails) written about a subject or author. The letters follow a route headed by a robin master. Most N3F robins had four to six members. Three members were required for each topic to begin "rounding." A few of the N3F’s long-running robins were on SF&F Films, ''Star Trek'', Time Travel, [[Andre Norton]] and [[Anne McCaffrey]].  
 +
 
 +
One of the oldest bureaus in the club, it was once the most active and popular, but is now idle.
 +
 
 +
[[Dick Eney]] considered this use of ''round robin'' “inaccurate” in [[Fancyclopedia 2]], reserving the term for [[Round Robin|round robin stories]].
  
−
[[Eney]] considered this use “inaccurate” in [[Fancyclopedia 2]], reserving the term for [[Round Robin|round robin stories]].
+
===SF Lending Library ===
  
 
===Short Story Contest===
 
===Short Story Contest===
−
The N3F sponsors are annual short story contest for amateur SF writers, with cash prizes to first, second, and third place winners.  There are no entry fees.  [[Jefferson Swycaffer]] is the current judge for the contest.
+
Oversees the annual N3F-sponsored short story contest for [[amateur]] SF writers. 
  
−
===Social Media Bureau===  
+
===Social Media Bureau===
−
The Social Media Bureau supports the N3F's pages and groups on various social media sites.
+
Supports the N3F's pages and groups on social media sites.  
  
 
===Tape Bureau===
 
===Tape Bureau===
−
The Tape Bureau stockpiled authors’ readings from [[cons]]. [[Ann Ashe]] was was buhead in the mid-1960s, and [[Joanne Burger]] beginning in 1969. Ann [[published]] at least five issues of the ''N3F Tape Bureau Newsletter'' from 1965–67. A separate taping bureau read and recorded  books for the blind.
+
The Tape Bureau stockpiled authors’ readings from [[cons]]. [[Ann Ashe]] was was buhead in the mid-1960s, and [[Joanne Burger]] beginning in 1969. Ann [[published]] at least five issues of the ''[[N3F Tape Bureau Newsletter]]'' from 1965–67.
 +
 
 +
===Taping Bureau===
 +
The separate taping bureau read and recorded  books for the blind.
  
 
===Teaching SF Bureau===
 
===Teaching SF Bureau===
  
 
===Video Bureau===
 
===Video Bureau===
−
The Video Bureau, currently headed by the anonymous '''Cathode Ray''', reports on stfnal-related TV events.
+
Headed by the [[pseudonym]]ous [[Cathode Ray]], this reports on [[stfnal]] TV events.  
  
 
===Welcommittee===
 
===Welcommittee===
Line 240: Line 362:
 
The Welcoming Committee, a recruiting adjunct of the NFFF, which would watch the [[prozine|pro]] [[lettercol|letter sections]] for promising letters from [[protofan|non-fans]], and have committee members in the same section of the country write them letters "welcoming" them to [[fandom]] and explaining what it is all about.  
 
The Welcoming Committee, a recruiting adjunct of the NFFF, which would watch the [[prozine|pro]] [[lettercol|letter sections]] for promising letters from [[protofan|non-fans]], and have committee members in the same section of the country write them letters "welcoming" them to [[fandom]] and explaining what it is all about.  
 
}}
 
}}
 +
 +
===World SF Poll===
 +
[[Roy Tackett]] was the pollster in 1969.
  
 
===Writers' Exchange Bureau===
 
===Writers' Exchange Bureau===
−
Members of the Writers’ Exchange Bureau read and critique each other’s manuscripts.  The current BuHead is Judy Carroll.
+
Members of the Writers’ Exchange Bureau read and critique each other’s manuscripts.  [[Alma Hill]] was in charge in the late 1960s. The current BuHead is [[Judy Carroll]].
  
−
===NFFF Press===
+
==N3F Awards==
−
A [[small press]] established in 1948 to publish ''The Sign of the Burning Hart: A Tale of Arcadia'' by [[Dr. David H. Keller]].
+
The club bestows the annual [[Neffy Awards]], the [[Kaymar Award]] and the [[Franson Award]].  
−
 
 
−
To date this is the only hardbound book published by the Press, although N3F has published many [[fanzines]], [[fandbooks]], directories and other materials over the years.
 
−
 
 
−
In 1965, it published ''[[Science Fiction Title Changes]]'' by [[Michael Viggiano]] and [[Donald Franson]].
 
−
 
 
−
For the N3F's 75th anniversary, it published ''A Sea of Stars Like Diamonds'', an edited book of short stories by Neffers.
 
−
 
 
−
==Other activities==
 
−
* In May 1963, [[John Trimble|John]] & [[Bjo Trimble]] hosted what was billed as "The First Annual N3F Swim, Beer, and Good Clean Fun Afternoon" in [[Los Angeles]].
 
−
* An annual story contest with cash prizes to the winners.  The judges included [[Fred Pohl]] (1966).
 
−
* A sponsored hospitality room at [[Worldcons]], the N3F Welcome Room, was something like a Neffer-focused [[Fanzine Lounge]], with literature aimed at explaining [[fandom]] to [[neofen]].
 
−
* Sponsored [[fanzines]], including ''[[The National Fantasy Fan]]'', ''[[Tightbeam]]'' and a [[letterzine]].
 
−
* [[Neffy Awards]] and [[Laureate Awards]].
 
  
 
===Life Members===
 
===Life Members===
−
The [[N3F]] has granted Life Member status to several fans since its founding.  
+
The N3F has granted Life Member status to a few fans since its founding.  
  
 
<tab head=top>
 
<tab head=top>
Line 270: Line 382:
 
[[Jack Robins]] ||2012  
 
[[Jack Robins]] ||2012  
 
[[E. E. Smith]] ||  
 
[[E. E. Smith]] ||  
 +
[[David Speakman]] ||
 
[[Jon D. Swartz]] ||2018  
 
[[Jon D. Swartz]] ||2018  
 
</tab>
 
</tab>
−
 
−
==Fan Feuds==
 
−
 
−
The N3F has been the subject to occasional fan feuds.  The strangest perhaps occurred at the start of the Korean War, when a member issued a fanzine attacking the Red Cross and other groups, and had his publications banned from the mails.  In January 2021, N3F President [[George Phillies]] sent out a mass email to members asking them to publicize the N3F on whichever social media sites they used, including Facebook, Twitter, MeWe, Parler, and Gab. Controversy ensued. Phillies received complaints from several persons who were not N3F members. Phillies' position was that fen with good intent were welcome to join the N3F, no matter where they were found.
 
−
 
−
After several emails from [[Bill Burns]], [[George Phillies]] suggested to Burns that he should not announce publication of N3F [[fanzines]] on [[eFanzines]]. As is typical of fan feuds, in the end, several N3F members revoked their memberships, while a moderately larger number of fen, learning of the N3Fs apolitical nature, joined the N3F.
 
  
 
==More Information==
 
==More Information==
−
* [http://n3f.org/ Official website.]
+
* [https://n3f.org/ Official website.]
−
* {{fanzineindex |name=The National Fantasy Fan |dir=TNFF}}.
+
*{{link | website= http://web.archive.org/web/20131114230322/http://www.thevoicesoffandom.com/mp3/art_widner_n3f_and_more_2007.mp3|text=Art Widner audio}} (archived): An mp3 of [[Art Widner]] explaining how the N3F was founded and more... time: 12:50.  Recorded at [[Corflu]] 25 (April 2008),  [[Las Vegas]], [[Nevada]]. (Audio courtesy of {{link | website=http://web.archive.org/web/20090107053055/http://www.thevoicesoffandom.com/audio-clips.html | text=TheVoicesOfFandom.com}}.) Widner describes the founding of the N3F and along the way gives a general personal history including anecdotes regarding his [[fanzine]] ''[[YHOS]]'', his 34-year [[gafia]], his years as a teacher, the game [[TSOHG]] and more!
−
* {{fanzineindex |name=Tightbeam}}.
 
−
* {{SFE|name=n3f}}.
 
−
* {{link | website=http://www.thevoicesoffandom.com/mp3/art_widner_n3f_and_more_2007.mp3|text=An mp3 of [[Art Widner]] explaining how the N3F was founded and more...}}
 
 
* [[List of Presidents of the N3F]].
 
* [[List of Presidents of the N3F]].
  
Line 293: Line 397:
 
[[Category:initialism]]
 
[[Category:initialism]]
 
[[Category:world]]
 
[[Category:world]]
−
[[Category:Notable]]
 

Latest revision as of 08:49, 4 February 2024

N3Flogo.jpeg

The National Fantasy Fan Federation, also abbreviated as NFFF, founded in 1941, is the oldest international science fiction organization extant. Its members are called “Neffers.”

At one point or another, most old-time actifen belonged to the N3F, but it has long been considered to be almost a separate, parallel fandom.

Today, it sponsors  an annual amateur short story contest, gives several club awards and publishes a number of fanzines, including The National Fantasy Fan, the descendant of its original newsletter, Bonfire.  Activities are supported by nearly 50 offices and bureaus.

Non-voting memberships are free.


“Science and Fantasy”[edit]

From Fancyclopedia 2, ca. 1959
Motto of the N3F, from the interests ascribed to members.

Officers[edit]

The N3F has two Officers, the President and the Treasurer.  The N3F President is elected by the membership.  The Treasurer is appointed by the President subject to Directorate approval.  The President may create Bureaus, appoint Bureau Heads, and set up new activities, all subject to review by the Directorate. 

Directorate[edit]

Originally, the Advisory Board, the Directorate is the governing body of the N3F. It consists of five members elected each year by the club membership. A chair, who guides the activities of the Directorate, is chosen each year from among the newly elected members of the Directorate.

In the past, there was also a Vice-Chair who took over if the chair was unable to function.

From Fancyclopedia 2, ca. 1959
Directorate The Advisory Board of the N3F.
From Fancyclopedia 1, ca. 1944
Directorate Variant name for the Advisory Board.

N3F Fanzines[edit]

History[edit]

The need for a general fan organization was perceived in the earliest days of fandom, but one did not actually get off to a successful start until Damon Knight wrote "Unite — or Fie!" (a play on the Michelist speech "Mutation or Death!") for the October 1940 issue of Art Widner's fanzine Fanfare, in which he said in part: "I sincerely believe that a successful national fantasy association is possible, that it could offer a needed service to every fan, and that it could be established today."

Reader response soon led to the formation of the National Fantasy Fan Federation (abbreviated NFFF or N3F) with 64 charter members, including E. E. Smith, Ray Bradbury, and Knight. While knight's interest soon waned, Widner, Louis Russell Chauvenet (who coined the term "fanzine") and other prominent fans of the day guided the initial development of the club.

The organization had several early successes, including but not limited to publication of a book by Dr. David H. Keller and sponsoring (with Forry Ackerman and the LASFS) the first Fancyclopedia. For much of its existence, however, the N3F was not held in high regard; it became something of an ignorant backwater in the hands of those whose only activity was in the N3F and who behaved as if the N3F was synonymous with fandom rather than just a part of it.

Accordingly, the club was the subject of much satire and derision and it languished for many years. (Some fans claimed that the sole function of the N3F should be to introduce new fen to our way of life, but, in fact, the N3F has not had such an activity in decades.) However, the organization endures while others have come and gone.

1940s and '50s[edit]

From Fancyclopedia 1, ca. 1944
NFFF - National Fantasy Fan Federation. With the decline of New Fandom, damon knight and Art Widner suggested forming a new general fan organization along certain lines, and fans were asked to lend support and suggestions. In 1941 it began functioning after a preliminary election, and President Chauvenet drew up a rather long constitution, describing minutiae of procedure to be followed. Due to the Fincom report, this was not adopted, and tho approval of a constitution was finally secured, an interregnum began in June 1942. This was broken by Evans' Blitzkrieg, but only temporarily.

America having entered the War in late 1941, more and more active fans were removed from activity by going into the Army and other overtime occupations, so that the government structure envisioned for the NFFF could not be worked. The NFFF was to include all fans, it was hoped, determined by activity tests. The US would be divided into several regions, each of which would have certain functions within itself; there was also some provision for affiliating local groups. The central administration of the Federation, besides the elected officers and the Advisory Board, would include several committees, and a permanent judicial or legal body of certain middle-aged fans. The NFFF was expected to perform such functions as coordination and standardizatin, and undertake such projects as were forwarded by the Plancom and approved by the Directorate.

Charter Members[edit]

The founding members of the N3F, the 64 “Immortal Fen,” were:

  1. Forrest J Ackerman
  2. Henry A. Ackermann
  3. Charles A. Beling
  4. Ray D. Bradbury
  5. Donn Brazier
  6. Lynn Bridges
  7. Phil Bronson
  8. James Bush
  9. Louis Russell Chauvenet
  10. Edwin F. Counts
  11. E. Everett Evans
  12. Larry B. Farsaci
  13. Scott Feldman (later Meredith)
  14. Jack Fields
  15. Joseph Fortier
  16. Joseph Gilbert
  17. Jack Gillespie
  18. Lou Goldstone
  19. Mary C. Gray
  20. Charles Hansen
  21. Earle Barr Hanson
  22. Fred Hurter
  23. Harry Jenkins, Jr.
  24. Robert Jones
  25. Robert Jordan
  26. Eugene Jorgensen
  27. Nicholas E. Kenealy
  28. Damon F. Knight
  29. H. C. Koenig
  30. Cyril Kornbluth
  31. Richard J. Kuhn
  32. Gertrude Kuslan
  33. Louis Kuslan
  34. David Kyle
  35. Robert W. Lowndes
  36. Robert A. Madle
  37. Lew Martin
  38. John Michel
  39. John L. Millard
  40. Chris Mulrain
  41. Francis Paro
  42. Elmer Perdue
  43. George Robson
  44. Ross Rocklynne
  45. Milton A. Rothman
  46. Phil Schumann
  47. Arthur Sehnert
  48. Ray J. Sienkiewicz
  49. Clarissa M. Smith
  50. Edward E. Smith
  51. Jack Speer
  52. Robert Studley
  53. Robert D. Swisher
  54. Charles R. Tanner
  55. Dale Tarr
  56. D. B. Thompson
  57. Hyman Tiger
  58. Bob Tucker
  59. Julius Unger
  60. Harry Warner, Jr.
  61. Art Widner, Jr.
  62. Richard Wilson
  63. Donald A. Wollheim
  64. Thomas Wright

Battle Creek Plan[edit]

A plan for managing the N3F.

The club started out with no constitution, and the one drawn up was cumbersome and rejected by the membership when it was submitted. A constitution was finally adopted, but the machinery remained cumbersome, and the negligible results for the early labor plus the difficult requirements for nomination (all under the shadow of the stress of war) caused insufficient candidates to file to fill the necessary offices when the first administration lapsed.

E. E. Evans, Plancom chairman of the first year, got a new set of officers by Blitzkrieg methods; but before the organization could gather momentum again Evans, the new President, was forced to drop activity. VP Tucker turned the presidency over to Evans' neighbor (at the Slan Shack in Battle Creek, Michigan), Al Ashley. It being conceded that the old Constitution was unworkable, Ashley planned to carry out Evans' idea of a pyramiding state-regional-national scheme with many officers (the "Battle Creek Plan") including as "citizens" all who could be called fans, while Harry Warner spoke for an organization with few officials and stiff membership requirements.

A wrangle over whether the directorate should pick one plan for submission to the membership or have a vote on both led to stalemate, again the terms of officers ended with no replacements, and the N3F lapsed. In the fall of '43, at the height of Cosmic Circle furor, Ashley questioned the Board members with a view to revising the group under an emergency for-the-duration constitution; this was realized next year, with Walt Dunkelberger in the Presidential chair. Elections were resumed in 1947.

From Fancyclopedia 2, ca. 1959
See Interregnum.
From Fancyclopedia 2, ca. 1959
The National Fantasy Fan Federation, the chief general fan organization. (Forbye, it's international, despite the name.) It was organized in 1941 by elements of the Stranger Club of Boston, Mass, stimulated by damon knight's article "Unite -- or Fie!" in Art Widner's Fanfare, which had suggested formation of a new general organization with the decline of New Fandom. In 1941 the group began functioning after a preliminary election, and President Chauvenet drew up a rather long constitution. Plans were laid to finance the Federation by a tax on activity by amount, rather than by equal dues; a majority of members had approved this notion when Widner advanced it, but when the Finance Committee offered a concrete plan (omitting calculation of how small the sums would actually be) a great babble went up about "penalizing activity", "paying tribute", usw. This prevented the adoption of the constitution at first; an altered one was finally adopted, but did not prevent the Interregnum in June 1942. And after Evans' Blitzkrieg the removal of active fans by wartime difficulties made it impossible to work the governmental structure envisioned for the N3F. Tho this trouble, as explained under Interregnum, was eventually resolved, the N3F has never since gotten out of a sort of permanent embryonic state. It continues to day by an act of faith among those who Believe in it, but few knowing outsiders would dissent from some such opinion as the one Harry Warner expresses:

"I've heard this assurance that big things were around the corner for the N3F so frequently... it's funny by this time. The N3F invariably has a half-dozen energetic members who can get things done, and several hundred who are either content to let the others work hard, or jealous that the others are active. The organization may be justified by serving as an outlet for fans during a period of six months to a year -- the period when they're just getting acquainted with fandom, with a yen to read long lists of fan addresses, high-sounding words about purposes, and so forth. After that, a verbal arrangement with two or three other people can accomplish more than the N3F has ever done."

The organization started out with fine plans for recruiting fans, inspiring activity, setting up regional subordinate organizations (for New England, Dixie, the rest of the East, the Midwest, West [Mississippi-Rockies], and Pacific areas), selecting convention sites, and so on. The central administration of the Federation, besides the elected officers and the Advisory Board, would include several committees and a permanent judicial or legal body of certain middle-aged fans.

It is said to have a membership of about 400, give or take 100 either way, and supposedly publishes a frequent bulletin, The National Fantasy Fan. But the N3F has never managed to be an important force in fandom, tho some of its aims -- organizing, standardizing, and coordinating fan activities, providing a common meeting ground, and publishing informational booklets like this one -- would be worthwhile. It is so large and unwieldy that it never gets off the ground; the normal official lethargy of fan organizations is multiplied by the fact that the N3F officers consult by correspondence; and the "benefit list" of projects whose fruits are going to drop into the N3Fers laps Real Soon Now is a standing joke in fandom.

The chief complaint seems to be inertia among the membership, which require to be treated like the rank-and-file of large mundane organizations. N3F officials have usually included active and competent fans, even some BNFs of legendary status like Speer, Warner, and Rapp, but the routine of administering a flaccid mass of marginally interested stfnists is such as to drive personalities of the sort fans have into gafia, Insurgency, or paper-doll-cutting. The efficient chaser of details who forms the backbone of any administrating organization is not a type plentiful in fandom, and even when found can usually get greater rewards of egoboo through individual fanac. Fans would probably do better at coordination -- which was the original idea, after all -- and the activities which call for it to exercise only this function, like the Round Robins (chain letters) and N3F APA are the most successful in the club; but as a rule activities to coordinate is just what the N3F lacks.

At the start of the Korean War, an N3F member issued a fanzine attacking the Red Cross and other groups, and had his publications banned from the mails. 

1960s[edit]

The ’60s was mostly a quiet decade for the organization, in contrast to the high-power feuds that racked it during the ’50s. There was a moderate amount of excitement in 1963 when former director Alma Hill started impeachment proceedings against Al Lewis, who was then the chairman of the Directorate of the NFFF. Lewis had written an article in the club's fanzine, The National Fantasy Fan, defending the worth of the newszine Fanac to its readers, which came across as an unfavorable review to the consternation of many readers.

Hardly had that fracas blown over when Lewis was once again the subject of an impeachment proceeding, this time by Clay Hamlin. Lewis had defended Earl Kemp from libelous charges leveled at him by an otherwise little-known fan, D. Bruce Berry, in a fanzine article. Ron Ellik reported, tongue-in-cheek, on the two impeachment attempts: "That Lewis sure is a scoundrel."

In May 1963, John & Bjo Trimble hosted what was billed as "The First Annual N3F Swim, Beer, and Good Clean Fun Afternoon" in Los Angeles.

The club’s annual story contest began, with cash prizes to the winners. The judges included Fred Pohl (1966).

The club used to run a Hospitality Room at Worldcons; the N3F Welcome Room was something like a Neffer-focused Fanzine Lounge, with literature aimed at explaining fandom to neofen. In 1965, George Scithers wrote in his Discon I Report: 

Although the N3F is subject to internal feuds, a strong defensive reaction to intentional and unmeant criticism, and a tendency to charge off in several different directions at once, it is a well-established and stable organization. It has been in existence since 1941; it has a big enough treasury and enough expertise to carry out what it sets out to do, within reason. The relationship between the con committees and the N3F, therefore, has been one of mutual assistance rather than dependence. A hard-pressed con committee can call on, and get, help from the N3F; a particularly strong con committee can offer substantial assistance to the N3F during the con.

This continued through the early 1970s, but stopped for unknown reasons.

1970s[edit]

The growth of general fandom in the 1970s also expanded the club, but most new members were short timers.

2000s[edit]

The club went through a period when a very few active members kept the N3F up and running.

2010s[edit]

Email brought a great increase in membership, from around three dozen up to 250 members. The use of email meant it was easy to distribute many fanzines at little cost.  First, The National Fantasy Fan and then the old letter and review zine, Tightbeam, became monthly.  The N3F apa, N'APA, which had dwindled to two members exchanging emails, was brought to a regular bimonthly schedule. New N3F fanzines, came out, each sent to all members by email. 

The club also published a new series of Fandbooks (fan handbooks).

2020s[edit]

Alt-Right Controversy[edit]

In January 2021, N3F President George Phillies sent out a mass email to members and others asking them to publicize the N3F on Parler and Gab, two social-media sites widely considered to be a hangout of right-wing extremists. Controversy ensued and Phillies doubled down saying that he was essentially a-political and merely seeking fans.

Among other reactions, Bill Burns said he would no longer announce publication of N3F fanzines on eFanzines. David Speakman, a member of nearly 40 years who had been awarded a rare life membership, publicly broke his ties with the club.

See Mike Glyer's File 770 article for much more: eFanzines Drops N3F Zines After Group’s President Seeks to Promote It on Parler and Gab.

NFFF Press[edit]

A small press established in 1948 to publish The Sign of the Burning Hart: A Tale of Arcadia by Dr. David H. Keller.

To date this is the only hardbound book published by the Press, although N3F has published many fanzines, fandbooks, directories and other materials over the years.

In 1965, it published Science Fiction Title Changes by Michael Viggiano and Donald Franson. For the N3F's 75th anniversary in 2017, it published A Sea of Stars Like Diamonds, a book of short stories by Neffers, edited by George Phillies.

Bureaus[edit]

The club, historically, has had many departments, called bureaus, led by BuHeads. Some of them are:

Anime/Comics Bureau[edit]

The Anime, Comics and Manga Bureau supports discussion of all aspects of this hobby. BuHead is Kevin Trainor. It has published Mangaverse since 2004.

Artist Bureau[edit]

Artists from this bureau supply artwork for the N3F clubzines. Technique, subject matter, and publication are part of its discussions. BuHead is Cedar Sanderson.

Birthday Card Bureau[edit]

A bureau that sends birthday cards to members. The Bureau Head is Judy Carroll.

The Bureau has also on and off, been in charge of sending renewal notices to members whose memberships are expiring.

Book Review Bureau[edit]

The Book Review Bureau tries to persuade members to write at least short reviews of all new novels.

Collector's Bureau[edit]

In the 1960s, it published a fanzine, The Collector's Bulletin (Ned Brooks, ed.), and bibliographies such as the Science Fiction Collections Index. Don D'Ammassa was buhead in the mid-1970s.

Comics Bureau[edit]

A bureau that did something for comic-book fans. Tim Marion headed it for a while. It was superseded by the Anime, Comics and Manga Bureau.

Complaints Bureau[edit]

Bob Vardeman was in charge in 1969.

Convention Calendar[edit]

The Bureau published a monthly list of forthcoming Convention events. BuHead: Mindy Hunt.

Convention Coordinator[edit]

Convention dates, conreports, and passing out flyers at conventions was the purpose of this bureau.

Correspondence Bureau[edit]

Organized by Ev Winne, its first BuHead, in 1951, this bureau seems to have recruited members to write letters to other members. Correspondents as of February 1952 were Robert "Jack" Anderson, Richard Bergeron, K. Martin Carlson, G. M. Carr, Lyell Crane, Henry Ebel, Bob Farnham, Eva Firestone, Nan Gerding, Norbert Hirschhorn, Julian May, Charles Moslander, Ray Schaffer, Landis Shepherd and Stan Woolston.

Latest buhead is Judy Carroll.

Fanclubs Bureau[edit]

Fred Lerner was BuHead in the late 1960s.

Fandom Introductory Bureau[edit]

Its purpose was to inform new fans of the history of SF and SF fandom. It seems to have been absorbed into the Fan Research Bureau.

Fan-Pro Activity Coordinating Bureau[edit]

The bureau and its zine, Ionisphere, exist to increase interactions between readers and writers, publish interviews with writers and fen, promote contact information and web locations, and support convention activities. Bureau Head is John Thiel.

Fan Research Bureau[edit]

The Fandom History and Research Bureau seeks to document the history of the N3F and “our hobby.” The bureau head is John Thiel. It has published Origin since 2018.

Fanzine Clearing House[edit]

A Fanzine Clearing House distribution service was handled by Seth Johnson. The service paid for ads in some of the prozines to sell bundles of fanzines to science fiction readers who could be potential neofans. He also took it on himself to locate new recruits directly by scanning prozine letters columns for addresses, then sending them packages of fanzines. The problem was, some of the fanzines he sent out were so poorly produced and written that it often had the opposite effect. This led some fanzine publishers, most notably Ted White, to claim that Johnson had no understanding or appreciation of fannish writing.

Film Bureau[edit]

A latter-day bureau that, since 2018, has published Films Fantastic, a zine devoted to reviews of old sci-fi movies.

Fische Bureau[edit]

One of the many bureaus of the N3F, created in the 1980s. We have no idea what it did, but Paul Doerr was the Bureau Head. It is no longer active.

Follow-Up Bureau[edit]

The Follow-Up bureau asked former members why they left the N3F.  Lenny Bailes was one-time head.

Franking Service[edit]

The Franking Service performs the original purpose of the N3F, redistributing fanzines to club members. Nowadays, their work is purely electronic.

Games Bureau[edit]

Supports gaming by N3F Members, including board games, RPG, miniatures, Diplomacy and LARP. In the 1960s, it published the fanzines Gamesman and The Gamesletter. Around 1968, it had a War Games Division that published Picklehaube.

Gourmet Bureau[edit]

It’s devoted to fans interested in recipes used by SF fans and pros, and is headed by Cedar Sanderson. She publishes Eat This While You Read That, recipes associated with famous authors.

Hobby Bureau[edit]

Presumably covered hobbies other than fandom.

Information Bureau[edit]

We don’t know what kind of information this bureau dealt in, but Don D'Ammassa was in charge of it in the mid-1970s, and Don Franson before that.

Information Technology Committee[edit]

Launched in 2018, it maintains the N3F's web pages, social media pages, and fanzine mailing system.  George Phillies is the BuHead.

Ladies' Auxiliary[edit]

The N3F Ladies’ Auxiliary was one of the organization’s bureaus in the 1950s. The N3F proper never had any rules about members’ gender, so why they needed a ladies’ auxiliary is unclear, especially since all the women in the auxiliary apparently belonged to the main club as well. Florence S. Anderson founded the group in 1949, and served as president; she apparently quit and the auxiliary became inactive in 1950. The auxiliary’s activities included running the club’s lending library. Betty Sullivan was Librarian.

Manuscript Bureau[edit]

From Fancyclopedia 2, ca. 1959
The N3F has a Manuscript Bureau which is much used by its fanzine-publishing members like Racy Higgs, but of it least said is soonest mended.

Wilkie Conner was buhead in the early 1950s.

Membership Activities Bureau[edit]

Its activities are lost in the depths of time.

N'APA[edit]

N'APA, the Neffer apa, has been going since 1959. It’s open to all members of NFFF. The Official Editors during the ’60s included Robert Lichtman and Fred Patten.

Neffer News Bureau[edit]

Sheryl Birkhead was buhead in the mid-1970s.

Neffy Awards Bureau[edit]

The Bureau manages the nominations and voting for the Neffy Awards (also called the Laureates).

Neo Fan Fund[edit]

A scheme of Harriett Kolchak’s, started in the early 1960s, for helping out new fans who found themselves without sufficient money at conventions. See Neofund.

New Fanzine Appreciation Society[edit]

Reed Andrus ran this in the mid-1970s.

NFFF Trader[edit]

K. Martin Carlson had a column of this name in the The National Fantasy Fan for members who wished to sell, buy, or trade SF items. Zeda Mishler was also a buhead.

Overseas Bureau[edit]

Photo Bureau[edit]

Plancom[edit]

From Fancyclopedia 1, ca. 1944
(Evans) - The Long-Range Planning Committee of the NFFF. It was to consider all suggestions for new activities to be undertaken by the Federation and work into shape those that it considered worth while, but after it had finished, they had yet to be approved by the Board, EEEvans was chmn of the Plancom, and sent out carbon-copied sheets to the Committeemen carrying ideas and comments, received comments and ideas, and sent out more sheets. In an active quarter, the ides considered included: establishment of a Welcom, compilation of a history of fandom, recognition of official poll taker, publications of a fannual, reader's bureaus to advise which stories in the current pros were worth reading (disapproved), voting by all fans on time and place of conventions, official stationery, public relations idea, awards, federal subdivision of the country, and others.

Pro Bureau[edit]

Works in support of pros, notably by co-publishing The N3F Review of Books.

Publications Bureau[edit]

Publicity Committee[edit]

Recruiting[edit]

Round Robins[edit]

A round robin is a packet of chain letters (or emails) written about a subject or author. The letters follow a route headed by a robin master. Most N3F robins had four to six members. Three members were required for each topic to begin "rounding." A few of the N3F’s long-running robins were on SF&F Films, Star Trek, Time Travel, Andre Norton and Anne McCaffrey.

One of the oldest bureaus in the club, it was once the most active and popular, but is now idle.

Dick Eney considered this use of round robin “inaccurate” in Fancyclopedia 2, reserving the term for round robin stories.

SF Lending Library[edit]

Short Story Contest[edit]

Oversees the annual N3F-sponsored short story contest for amateur SF writers. 

Social Media Bureau[edit]

Supports the N3F's pages and groups on social media sites.

Tape Bureau[edit]

The Tape Bureau stockpiled authors’ readings from cons. Ann Ashe was was buhead in the mid-1960s, and Joanne Burger beginning in 1969. Ann published at least five issues of the N3F Tape Bureau Newsletter from 1965–67.

Taping Bureau[edit]

The separate taping bureau read and recorded  books for the blind.

Teaching SF Bureau[edit]

Video Bureau[edit]

Headed by the pseudonymous Cathode Ray, this reports on stfnal TV events.

Welcommittee[edit]

Welcomes new members to the club, pretty much as described under Welcommittee in previous editions of Fancyclopedia (below). The committee members used to be called “Hostesses.” One of them was Zeda P. Mishler, who wrote a remarkable letter welcoming BNF Charles Burbee in 1948.

From Fancyclopedia 2, ca. 1959
A group of N3F members who contact new members and help them get acquainted with the club and its activities. Embarrassing passages have arisen from such events as the one in which Burbee, after several years of activity and fame, was "welcomed" to fandom. This group originally had a function (no longer exercised) of watching the prozine letter columns for promising letters from non-fans and having committee members in the same section of the country write them letters "welcoming" them into fandom and explaining what it is all about.
From Fancyclopedia 1, ca. 1944
The Welcoming Committee, a recruiting adjunct of the NFFF, which would watch the pro letter sections for promising letters from non-fans, and have committee members in the same section of the country write them letters "welcoming" them to fandom and explaining what it is all about.

World SF Poll[edit]

Roy Tackett was the pollster in 1969.

Writers' Exchange Bureau[edit]

Members of the Writers’ Exchange Bureau read and critique each other’s manuscripts. Alma Hill was in charge in the late 1960s. The current BuHead is Judy Carroll.

N3F Awards[edit]

The club bestows the annual Neffy Awards, the Kaymar Award and the Franson Award.

Life Members[edit]

The N3F has granted Life Member status to a few fans since its founding.

Name Year Granted
Forrest J Ackerman
David H. Keller
Jacqueline Lichtenberg 2012
Jack Robins 2012
E. E. Smith
David Speakman
Jon D. Swartz 2018

More Information[edit]


Club 1941—
This is a club page. Please extend it by adding information about when and where the club met, when and by whom it was founded, how long it was active, notable accomplishments, well-known members, clubzines, any conventions it ran, external links to the club's website, other club pages, etc.

When there's a floreat (Fl.), this indicates the time or times for which we have found evidence that the club existed. This is probably not going to represent the club's full lifetime, so please update it if you can!

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