Magazine Summary
Fund for UFO Research Inc. QUARTERLY REPORT
Summary
The Fund for UFO Research Inc. approved grants for investigations into the Roswell UFO crash and UFO crash/retrieval cases. They also sponsored a conference on the UFO abduction phenomenon and a project to analyze a videotape from the space shuttle Discovery. The report details the winners of the 1992 Donald Keyhoe Journalism Award and highlights the financial status of the Fund, noting a net worth of ($5,548.81) and a call for donations to continue operations.
Magazine Overview
This document is the Quarterly Report for the first quarter of 1993 (January - March) from the Fund for UFO Research Inc., based in Washington D.C. It details the organization's activities, financial status, and calls for continued support.
Research and Projects
Roswell UFO Crash Investigation
Efforts to investigate the Roswell UFO crash case continued. The Fund approved a proposal by Karl Pflock, a former deputy assistant secretary of defense and researcher, to conduct further research, including general investigation costs and a field trip to New Mexico to interview witnesses and gather evidence.
UFO Crash/Retrieval Cases
The Fund also approved support for Leonard Stringfield's research expenses into reported UFO crash/retrieval cases, with support up to $1,200 in 1993.
UFO Abduction Phenomenon Conference
On February 6, 1993, the Fund sponsored a conference on the UFO abduction phenomenon in suburban Washington, D.C. Fifty-five people attended, including abduction researcher Budd Hopkins and 20 "experiencers." The conference was coordinated by board member Richard Hall, who has also made his five-year investigation report, "Testing Reality: A Research Guide for the UFO Abduction Experience," available from the Fund.
Space Shuttle Discovery Videotape Analysis
John Kasher, Ph.D., professor of physics and astronomy at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, submitted a proposal to analyze a videotape from the space shuttle Discovery in October 1991. Dr. Kasher believes the tape shows anomalous objects, not ice particles as NASA maintains. The Executive Committee approved the project, agreeing to provide up to $400 for Dr. Kasher to use two graduate students and a $17,000 workstation for the analysis.
Dan Wright's Data Base Project
Several experts praised Dan Wright's initiative to create a national data base for UFO reports. Dr. David M. Jacobs of Temple University called it "immensely useful" and a "sound one," despite the current lack of standardization in methodology. Dr. Eddie Bullard of Indiana University stated that the project addresses the "most outstanding need of current UFO scholarship" and will provide a "vital new tool to ufology." Dr. David E. Pritchard of M.I.T. highlighted its potential as a "tremendously valuable research tool" for therapists, investigators, and scholars, enabling them to study uniformity in accounts and improve investigative techniques.
Donald Keyhoe Journalism Award
A panel consisting of Don Berliner, Richard Hall, and Fred Whiting selected the winners of the 1992 Donald Keyhoe Journalism Award competition:
- First Place: Christopher Evans of the Cleveland Plain Dealer for an article on a U.S. Coast Guard investigation into the landing of an unidentified flying object on Lake Erie in March 1988. Evans received $500.
- Second Place: Annette Gillespie of the Bradenton, FL, Herald for four articles on the UFO abduction phenomenon, featuring local witnesses. Gillespie received $250.
- Third Place: Dawn Shurmaitis of The Times Leader of Wilkes-Barre, PA, for a detailed examination of UFO activity in the state. Shurmaitis received $100.
- Honorable Mention: Robin Hart of the Foothill Leader and Laura Lee Janssen of the Williamsport, PA Sun-Gazette, for articles on a UFO "abductees" support group and a local UFO sighting report, respectively.
Treasurer's Report (1st Quarter, 1993)
Income:
- Donations: $13,374.00
- Sales: $3,189.07
- Postage: $308.66
- Interest: $46.43
- Total Income: $16,918.16
Expenses:
- Program Services: $14,462.81
- Administration: $973.82
- Fundraising: $2,260.34
- Total Expenses: $17,696.97
Financial Summary:
- Balance: ($778.81)
- Current Assets: $8,073.15 (Checking Account: $1,637.92, Dreyfus Account: $3,199.19, Hanson S&L: $2,294.28, Accounts Receivable: $941.76)
- Long-Term Liabilities: $13,621.96 (Crash/retrieval research: $1,200.00, Roswell DC Trip: $5,700.00, Roswell research: $141.39, WSPG project: $840.00, Abduction research: $5,740.57)
- Net Worth: ($5,548.81)
Call for Support
The report emphasizes the need for financial support to continue the Donald Keyhoe Journalism Award competition, requesting at least $2,000 for 1993. It also states that due to increasing costs of postage and printing, this may be the last issue of the Quarterly Report sent to non-donors. Readers are urged to contribute at least $10 to ensure continued receipt of the report.
Premiums and Publications
The Fund offers several premiums for contributions:
- $25 or more: A free copy of Richard Hall's report, "Testing Reality: A Research Guide for the UFO Abduction Experience."
- $50 or more: The above report plus a VHS videotape, "UFO Round Table." If the contributor already has the tape, a copy can be donated in their name to a local cable TV station or educational institution.
- $100 or more: Both premiums plus a $25 gift certificate for future publications or products.
The report also lists several publications available for purchase:
- "Testing Reality: A Research Guide for the UFO Abduction Experience" by Richard Hall (25 pages, stapled): $5.00
- "Abduction Roundtable: New Insights into the UFO Abduction Phenomenon" (60-minute VHS videotape): $30.00
- "Crash at Corona" by Stanton T. Friedman and Don Berliner (Hardcover): $19.95
- "The Roswell Events: A Congressional Briefing Paper" (45 pages, stapled): $15.00
Postage and handling fees are detailed for U.S. and international orders.
Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance
The Fund for UFO Research Inc. is dedicated to investigating UFO phenomena, particularly UFO crashes and abductions, and promoting quality journalism on the subject. The organization actively funds research, supports conferences, and recognizes journalistic contributions through awards. The financial report indicates a challenging financial situation, necessitating a strong appeal for donations to sustain its operations and publications. The editorial stance is one of continued commitment to ufological research and dissemination of information, while acknowledging the practical constraints of funding.
Dan Wright's data base project quite simply addresses the most outstanding need of current UFO scholarship. The skeptics argue that all those UFO reports collected over the years prove nothing, and we prove them right by failing to marshall this treasure of data into systematic, persuasive evidence.
Key Incidents
A U.S. Coast Guard investigation into the landing of an unidentified flying object on a frozen Lake Erie.
A videotape shot on board the space shuttle Discovery in October 1991, believed by Dr. John Kasher to show anomalous objects instead of ice particles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What research projects did the Fund for UFO Research approve in the first quarter of 1993?
The Fund approved a proposal by Karl Pflock to research the Roswell UFO crash case and a proposal by Leonard Stringfield to support research expenses into reported UFO crash/retrieval cases.
What was the focus of the conference sponsored by the Fund on February 6, 1993?
The conference focused on the UFO abduction phenomenon and included abduction researcher Budd Hopkins and 20 'experiencers'.
Who were the winners of the 1992 Donald Keyhoe Journalism Award?
First place went to Christopher Evans for an article on a U.S. Coast Guard investigation of a UFO landing. Second place was awarded to Annette Gillespie for articles on the UFO abduction phenomenon. Third place was given to Dawn Shurmaitis for an examination of UFO activity in Pennsylvania.
What is the financial status of the Fund for UFO Research as of the first quarter of 1993?
The Fund had total income of $16,918.16 and total expenses of $17,696.97, resulting in a balance of ($778.81) and a net worth of ($5,548.81).
In This Issue
People Mentioned
- Karl Pflockformer deputy assistant secretary of defense and researcher/writer
- Leonard Stringfieldresearcher
- Budd Hopkinsabduction researcher
- Richard Hallboard member, abstractor/editor
- John KasherPh.D., professor of physics and astronomy
- Don Berlinerboard member, aviation and science writer
- Fred Whitingformer broadcast journalist
- Christopher Evansreporter, Cleveland Plain Dealer
- Annette Gillespiestaff writer, Bradenton FL Herald
- Dawn Shurmaitisreporter, The Times Leader of Wilkes-Barre, PA
- Robin HartLiving Section Editor, Foothill Leader
- Laura Lee Janssenreporter, Williamsport PA Sun-Gazette
- +4 more
Organisations
- Fund for UFO Research Inc.
- NASA
Locations
- Washington D.C., USA
- New Mexico, USA
- Fairport, OH, USA
- Bradenton, FL, USA
- Wilkes-Barre, PA, USA
- Glendale, CA, USA
- Williamsport, PA, USA
- Lake Erie, USA
- Omaha, Nebraska, USA
- Mt. Rainier, MD, USA