The Chao Club was founded by Clare Phillips in 2002, as a fan club for the Chao, which are sprite-like creatures she discovered in the Sega video game Sonic Adventure 2: Battle, developed by Sonic Team and released on Nintendo GameCube in December 2001. The Chao Club drew its member base from Clare Phillips's second grade class at St. Benedict's School.
Politics
The Chao Club had a relatively disoriented political structure. Its government included a president, a vice president, and a treasurer. The president, currently Scott DeAngelis, would summon and overlook meetings, during which activities and elections occurred. Elections took place at random times decided by boredom about once a month. The justice system, decided by common law, placed a high priority on property rights.The Chao Club implemented imperialist policies toward non-members, coercing foreigners with threat of slavery. The Chao Club also sought alliances with the Pokémon Trainers Club but was denied any privileges because the request indicated that Clare Phillips had been in violation of the Pokémon Trainers Club's Zero Information Policy.
Culture
The main activity of the Chao Club was the trading of Pokémon cards and GameCube Memory 59 cards between Clare Phillips and Scott DeAngelis to train and care for each other's Chao. Another leisurely (sometimes competitive) pastime for the populace, which included about 10 members, was the writing of graphic novels revolving around Sonic the Hedgehog, his friends, and the mysterious Chao. Members commonly would also discuss the habits of their Chao during midday meals.Economics
The monetary system, regulated by the treasurer, used paper fiat currency called dubbloons. They were produced by hand using colored inks and cut as rectangles from raw materials. Dubbloons were typically double-sided; however, the sides normally did not match in value, shape, or color. Their value would fluctuate according to the cycles of the calendar; this issue was corrected in 2003 when bills became only one-sided.The businesses would sell Pokémon cards in an unregulated market. Individuals would run their own businesses; employment was non-existent except in the case of members exploiting immigrants for their labor.
Notable Members
- Clare Phillips
- Scott DeAngelis
- Thomas Hooks
- Sean O'Rourke
- Robert Leich
- Daniel Panissidi
- Matthew Justus