1978 - BUFORA AGM Oct

Magazine Overview

This document is the official notice and agenda for the Third Annual General Meeting of BUFORA Limited (British UFO Research Association), held on December 2, 1978. It includes the agenda for the meeting, the Report of the Council of Management for the twelve months ended August 31, 1978, the Report of the Auditor, and the financial accounts.

Notice of Annual General Meeting

The notice, dated October 7, 1978, and signed by Miss B.D. Wood, Secretary, outlines the purpose of the meeting: to receive the President's Address, Chairman's Report, Council of Management's Report, Auditor's Report, Treasurer's Accounts, and to elect the Council of Management and re-appoint the Auditor. It also includes a note about the right of members to appoint a proxy.

Agenda

The agenda for the Third Annual General Meeting includes:
1. Notice convening the Meeting.
2. Minutes of the Second Annual General Meeting.
3. President's Address.
4. Chairman's Report.
5. Treasurer's Report.
6. Director of Research's Report.
7. Adoption of the Report of the Council of Management, the Report of the Auditor, and the Accounts for the year ended August 31, 1978.
8. Re-appointment of Auditor.
9. Election of Directors to the Council of Management for the ensuing year.

Report of the Council of Management

The report covers the twelve months from September 1, 1977, to August 31, 1978. It highlights the principal activities of BUFORA, which are to encourage, promote, and conduct unbiased scientific research of UFO phenomena, collect and disseminate evidence, and co-ordinate research efforts both nationally and internationally. The report notes that membership stood at 731 at August 31, 1978, a slight decrease from the previous year, attributed partly to the loss of overseas members and the turnover of younger members attracted by the popular image of UFOs. However, there is a positive trend of new members being qualified individuals genuinely interested in research.

• Key events and activities during the year included:
• National Conference: Held in Nottingham on April 15-16, 1978, organized by Council Members Mr. C.F. Lockwood and Mr. A.R. Pace, featuring speakers like Dr. R.F. Haines from California. The conference aimed to foster interdisciplinary approaches and international co-operation, and was financially successful.
• Lectures: Ten lectures were held at the Kensington Central Library in London from September to June, arranged by Mr. N.T. Oliver, covering various aspects of ufology.
• Public Engagements: Members and Council Members gave lectures to various organizations and provided information to local and national media.
• BUFORA Journal: Published six times during the year under the editorship of Mr. N.T. Oliver, distributed to members and exchanged with other organizations. The journal focused on sighting accounts and investigators' reports, and was expanded to 32 pages.
• Publications: Sales of BUFORA publications, including the "Investigators Handbook," "UFO Guide," and three Science Papers, continued. Two new publications arising from the November 1976 conference were launched: "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" (based on a lecture by Mr. T.R. Bloecher) and the "Proceedings of the Second National Research and Investigation Conference."
• Research Projects: The Vehicle Interference Cases project was nearing completion, with a report and catalogue of 420 cases compiled by Mr. G. Falla. Work on Radar Cases had begun. A BUFORA sponsored Orthographic Projection Project was underway to study photographic material. Co-operation with international UFO research groups continued, including the exchange of information and data.
• Investigations: Approximately 500 investigations were initiated, many stemming from a series of articles in the Daily Express. A new physical data section was formed to examine physical evidence.

The report also lists the members of the Council of Management as of August 31, 1978, and those retiring by rotation.

Report of the Auditor

Mr. J.C. Foxon, Chartered Accountant, provided an unqualified opinion on the Balance Sheet and Income and Expenditure Account, stating that they presented a true and fair view of the company's affairs and financial performance, prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Companies Acts 1948 and 1967.

Chairman's Report

Mr. L.E. Beer, Chairman, summarized the Association's activities and financial viability. He highlighted the success of the National Research Conference in Nottingham and mentioned plans for a truly international UFO research conference in the UK in 1979. He also noted the positive impact of the film "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" on the number of enquiries received, particularly from younger individuals. The Chairman emphasized the importance of members' generosity and the continued hard work of the Council and investigators.

Financial Accounts

The Balance Sheet as at August 31, 1978, shows Assets of £2207 and Liabilities of £2138, resulting in Net Assets of £69. The Income and Expenditure Account for the year ended August 31, 1978, shows total income of £3873 and total expenditure of £3767, resulting in a surplus of income over expenditure of £106 before tax. Notes to the accounts clarify the treatment of life subscriptions and UK Corporation Tax.

Minutes of the Second Annual General Meeting

These minutes, from December 3, 1977, record the proceedings of the previous AGM, including the Secretary's notice, approval of minutes, President's address, Chairman's statement emphasizing the dependence on members' generosity, Treasurer's report on the financial position, Director of Research's outline of activities, and the adoption of reports and election of Council members.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The document reflects BUFORA's commitment to rigorous, unbiased UFO research, emphasizing scientific methodology and the collection of evidence. There is a clear focus on organizational management, financial stability, and membership engagement. The editorial stance is professional and dedicated to advancing the understanding of UFO phenomena, while also managing the public's perception and expectations of UFO research. The organization appears to value qualified members and international cooperation. The financial reports indicate a healthy, albeit modest, financial standing, heavily reliant on member donations and subscriptions.