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FUFOR - 1989 Q3 & 4 - Quarterly Report Jul-Dec
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This document is a Quarterly Report from the Fund for UFO Research Inc., covering the period of July to December 1989. It details the organization's activities, research support, financial status, and significant UFO-related events during that time.
Magazine Overview
This document is a Quarterly Report from the Fund for UFO Research Inc., covering the period of July to December 1989. It details the organization's activities, research support, financial status, and significant UFO-related events during that time.
Key Developments and Activities
Veronezh Landing The report highlights the October 9, 1989, TASS account of a UFO landing in Veronezh, USSR, approximately 300 miles southeast of Moscow. The event, which involved the appearance of unusual-looking aliens in a town park and was witnessed by children, generated over 50 media inquiries, leading to 22 interviews by the Fund with various news outlets, including CNN. The Fund is actively seeking to establish contacts within the Soviet Union for more information.
Roswell Case Research Stanton Friedman's research into the Roswell case received significant attention through NBC-TV's "Unsolved Mysteries" program on September 20, 1989. This broadcast reportedly generated over 50 new leads. Friedman's ongoing investigation, connected to the "MJ-12" documents, is supported by a $16,000 grant from the Fund, the largest ever provided by a private organization in UFO history. Due to these developments, Friedman's report, initially expected by the end of the year, will be finalized in early 1990.
UFO Photo and Video Analysis Fund Chairman Bruce Maccabee, Ph.D., an expert in UFO photo analysis, is examining several recent UFO videotapes from different parts of the world. This includes a Japanese video of a "Saturn-shaped" UFO, tentatively categorized as unidentified, which is being compared to a similar object photographed in 1975. Additionally, the Fund is facilitating the analysis of a UFO captured on videotape by a member of the Dutch Ministry of Defense while on vacation in Spain.
Public Outreach and Information Dissemination Prior to the TASS account and the NBC-TV report on Roswell, the Fund distributed a news column on the UFO phenomenon to over 8,000 newspapers across the USA, resulting in numerous public inquiries.
Grant Approvals During this period, the Fund's Board of Directors approved two grant requests: * $1,450 to Marge Christensen to support the publication of a report, "Using Concepts From UFO Studies to Teach Science and Critical Thinking," for presentation at the National Science Teachers Association Conference on December 2, 1989. This report is co-authored by Richard Haines, Ph.D., John Schuessler, and Michael Swords, Ph.D., and is available from the Fund for a contribution of $25 or more. * $400 to Nigel Watson for an analysis of "mystery helicopters" in England.
New Publications The Fund announced the availability of "The Gulf Breeze Sightings" by Ed Walters and Frances Walters, with a foreword by Budd Hopkins. This report, prepared with assistance from Dr. Maccabee, is described as a likely classic in UFO literature and is available for $21.95.
Executive Committee Expansion John Brandenberg, Ph.D., a physicist involved in the Mars Research Project, was welcomed as an Alternate Member of the Executive Committee. His scientific background is expected to be a valuable contribution.
Treasurer's Report
The Treasurer's Report provides financial data for two periods, indicated as '07 3089' and '4089'.
- Total Assets:
- Period 1: $9,210.90
- Period 2: $8,566.72
- Income:
- Contributions: Period 1 - $3,040.90, Period 2 - $1,303.93
- Sales: Period 1 - $2,327.05, Period 2 - $1,216.05
- Interest: Period 1 - $119.88, Period 2 - $113.34
- Total Income: Period 1 - $5,487.83, Period 2 - $2,633.32
- Expenses:
- Mailing services: Period 1 - $2,493.87, Period 2 - $1,549.34
- Grants/awards: Period 1 - $2,600.00, Period 2 - $1,481.41
- Phone: Period 1 - $182.69, Period 2 - $106.73
- Advertising: Period 1 - $630.00, Period 2 - $50.00
- Meetings: Period 1 - $60.00, Period 2 - $0.00
- Subscriptions: Period 1 - $0.00, Period 2 - $55.00
- Miscellaneous: Period 1 - $0.00, Period 2 - $73.19
- Total Expenses: Period 1 - $5,966.56, Period 2 - $3,315.67
The report notes that the Fund faces the possibility of being without resources for new developments and urges a response to fundraising appeals to stay informed.
Abduction Phenomenon Focus
A letter addressed to "Dear Media Representative" dated August 1, 1989, discusses the phenomenon of human "abductions" by alien beings. It poses the question of whether these are actual abductions or a new form of mental illness. The "typical" abduction scenario is described, often involving "missing time" and memories retrieved through hypnosis. The letter references the Betty and Barney Hill case (1961) and the renewed public interest spurred by Whitley Strieber's "Communion" and Budd Hopkins' "Intruders." It also mentions a survey by Omni magazine that identified possible "abductees."
A subsequent section, labeled "Page Two," details the Fund's support for abduction case investigations, including financial support for scientific testing, cataloging cases, laboratory analysis of physical traces, and sponsoring a conference for mental health professionals. The Fund offers assistance to media in preparing articles or programs on UFOs and the abduction phenomenon.
National Board of Directors and Executive Committee
The document lists the members of the National Board of Directors and the Executive Committee, including their affiliations. Notable members include Eugenie Clark (Zoology), Thomas P. Deuley (Electrical Engineer), Barry H. Downing (Theology and Science), Robert L. Hall (Sociologist), Richard F. Haines (Psychology), Richard C. Henry (Astrophysics), Lou Purnell (Nat. Air & Space Museum), Peter Rank (Radiology), Herbert E. Roth (Pilot Trainer), Ron Westrum (Sociology), Bruce S. Maccabee (Physics), Craig Phillips (Dir. National Aquarium), John B. Carlson (Astronomy), and David W. Schwartzman (Geology).
Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance
The Fund for UFO Research positions itself as a nonprofit scientific organization dedicated to investigating UFO and abduction cases. The report emphasizes the importance of timely information dissemination, financial support for research, and collaboration with media and the scientific community. The editorial stance is one of serious inquiry into the UFO phenomenon, particularly abduction cases, and a commitment to providing resources and expertise for such investigations. The need for public contributions to sustain these efforts is a recurring theme.
National UFO Information Week is noted as being from August 13-20.