I really don't like to get into the semantic arguments of what it means to form an official fan club, and a group of "joe's" who say they are a fan club, but I will digress for the sake of helping folks see the light.
Being a member of the 405th.com forums has made you part of a fan club of armor making folks. Nothing stops the forum members from forming local groups to get projects done. Everyone here in these forums is a fan club member, there is no admission requirement, and we do not deny membership to the forums based on costume quality. We don't stop members from getting together and going to events and participating together, in fact it is encouraged. The experienced folks co mingle with the inexperienced, people learn, better their craft, and hopefully don't stop short before they achieve a truly great piece of work.
Here is the twist in the story though.
Being officially recognized by the intellectual property rights owners (Microsoft, Bungie, Etc. means that we are representing their image. It would be in the best interest of the group, that if we wish to be officially recognized, we be as "screen accurate" or "cannon" as possible.
Just like a company expects employees to act in accordance with their rules and policies, the 405th Infantry Division would expect the same as well. Essentially the "Official Club" becomes a responsible entity, morally as well as legally, for those that participate under it's banner. Without exclusivity, there exists no defining characteristic with which to determine membership, and no "official status" would ever be given to the general public.
Anyone care to venture as to why we have been dragging our feet on starting the official fan club? One which we hope would be recognized when we have had the foundation written for more than a year? It is because the staff and moderators of the 405th.com/forums do care what people think and feel. We care about everyone here. We are human and care what people think of us, and we do our best to please as many people as possibly while protecting the general membership from those that wish to do it harm. We have no desire to hurt people's feelings. Forming this club and accepting members would, be the toughest thing that would come to the 405th. Try having to tell someone their costume doesn't quite "meet the cut" because it does not represent the intellectual property owner's vision of their brand, name, and image.
Let talk about hurt feelings. People are so full of pride here and you see it in the willingness to display projects even amongst criticism of quality or accuracy, just to say "look at what I did". I love that about this forum. People post varying degrees of completion, quality, accuracy, all without shame. They inspire themselves to better their own projects, and inspire other as well.
This is an excerpt from the "Official Charter" for the 405th Infantry Division. The charter is roughly a complete and cohesive document that was written of the course of a year, through many heated debates, by the staff and moderators. Yes, you read right, and official charter has been written. However, no, there is no official stand on the date in which it will be implemented.
"The 405th Infantry Division (hereafter referred to as The 405th) is a club of Halo fans dedicated to the customization, creation and support of Halo related costumes and props. The 405th celebrates the Halo universe through the wearing, and displaying of costumes and props, specifically those of the Spartan characters along with various other UNSC, Covenant, and background support characters. The 405th is a volunteer club formed for the express purpose of bringing together a community of costume enthusiasts and giving them a collective identity within which to operate. The 405th aims to celebrate the Halo games/novels/stories/future movies, etc. (hereafter referred to as the "Halo Universe") by promoting the quality and improvement of costumes and props, and most importantly, to create friends and unity among it's members. We the members of the 405th hold no rights to these characters and recognize it is a privilege and honor to wear and craft these costumes. We understand that the public may perceive us as representing the Halo Universe while in these costumes, or while identified as members of the 405th. While in public, we will present ourselves professionally and appropriately in order to respect the Halo property. This Charter serves to define what the 405th aspires to be and to define a set of guidelines for the successful operation of the 405th."
"Membership Requirements -The 405th is an equal opportunity volunteer fan club that celebrates it's diversity by welcoming members without discrimination of age, sex, race, sexual orientation, handicap, or religion. The membership requirements of the 405th are as follows. A member must be at least 18 years old, and posses the legal capacity to enter into a binding contract. The 405th claims no responsibility for minors at events that are hosted or attended by its members. By accepting membership to the 405th, a member agrees to uphold the rules and requirements as set forth in this Chartering document. Members are also required to personally own and be able to wear, a costume which meets the requirements as defined in Article II, Section C - Costume Approval Process. All members must realize that membership means personal responsibility in bearing their share of the financial burden of the local and national organization. Membership in the 405th prop-making forum does not imply membership in the 405th Infantry Division fan club."