TenthFleet:News/2026 New Year's Message from the TRMN President

Posted 11 January 2026 by Geoffrey Zoeller, President & CEO, TRMN.

Greetings TRMN members — welcome to 2026! As we close out 2025 and enter the new year, the President offered an update on the association's recent accomplishments and a look at the months ahead.

Policy, Bylaws & Transparency — Continued refinement of organizational structure for transparency, democracy, and accountability. Minutes and meeting videos are posted on the wiki and most Zoom calls are open to the membership. 2026 will focus on making fuller use of the two Houses of Parliament.

Space Lords & Branch Heads — 2025 saw the largest changing of the guard in club history; 2026 aims for stability, organizational capacity, and goal setting.

Branches — Functions refined to avoid overlap with the bureaus; branch heads continue on the Steering Committee with renewed focus on the awards program.

BuPlan — ConStack is back up and fully functional. Planning is underway for MantiCon 2027 (with WindyCon), 8–10 October 2027 in Rosemont, Illinois.

BuShips — The GAUEP continues to drive chapter activity; 2025 final results expected soon. Cooperative work with BuComm re-established the CO Manual on the wiki.

BuComm — Ongoing updates to the wiki, Medusa, and Forums; server consolidation has cut monthly costs; LMS development with BuTrain continues.

BuPers — Background-check system running smoothly; promotion boards active (use the online request form); Awards Office up to date.

BuTrain — Intro to TRMN 1/2/3 video course series released to positive feedback; KR1MA courses and Chiron House re-established; RHN and Sphinx Forestry mainline courses advancing; LMS a major 2026 goal.

BuSup — New store location and systems working well; new products in 2026, including a surprise initiative involving David Weber. Pricing and shipping under review amid rising costs.

Art Department — Developing 20th Anniversary designs for MantiCon 2027; volunteers with art/design skills are needed.

Leadership & Finances — The organization is chronically short-staffed across bureaus, branches, and echelons; volunteers are urgently needed. Rising costs are a concern; while TRMN charges no annual dues, fee and postage increases are likely. A fuller financial update will come in the President's mid-year message in June 2026.

Members are encouraged to share ideas and get involved. Wishing you and yours a fabulous 2026!

— Geoff Zoeller, President & CEO, TRMN