MUFON Massachusetts - Annual Report - 1983-1984

Magazine Overview

This document is the 1983-4 Annual Report for the Massachusetts chapter of MUFON (Mutual UFO Network, Inc.). It details the organization's structure, activities, and notable events during the reporting period. The report is presented at the MUFON International Symposium in San Antonio, Texas.

Membership and Organization

The report outlines the organizational structure, including officers such as State Director Marge Christensen, Special Advisor Joseph Santangelo, Historian Barry Greenwood, and Treasurer Robert Taylor. It also lists State Section Directors for Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, and Worcester counties. The document includes a membership list with names, addresses, and telephone numbers for members, investigators, and contributors in Massachusetts. Meetings are held bi-monthly, featuring speakers, films, and videotapes, with alternate months dedicated to working meetings at Barry Greenwood's home for specific objectives like compiling UFO displays and indexing resources. Field investigator-trainee sessions are also part of these meetings. A psychology professor from Boston College and his students attended one meeting.

Public Information Activities

MUFON Massachusetts actively engages in public information efforts. Members appeared on radio and television programs, including the Pat Whitley show on WTTP Radio and "The Thought Process" on WRKO Radio in Boston. Barry Greenwood, Marge Christensen, and Ray Fowler were among those featured. The organization also received newspaper coverage, with articles appearing in the "Beverly Times" and the "National Enquirer" in conjunction with publicity for "CLEAR INTENT." Guest speakers, including Marge Christensen and Ray Fowler, addressed various groups such as PTO groups, engineering firms, and school classes. MUFON also developed a free-standing UFO display for use in public spaces and published a MUFON Information Page for witnesses and new members.

Public Education Endeavors

Educational activities included a Summer Course in North Shore Gifted and Talented Education Program and guest speaking in schools.

MUFON Resources and Policies

The report details MUFON's resources, including a clipping service, microfilm readers, and a computer listing of resources. It also mentions the initiation of a MUFON National Newsletter and the publication of "CLEAR INTENT" and "AUGUST UFO Forum." A 24-hour telephone hotline (617-944-0686) has been maintained for over three years to receive new cases and serve as a communication channel for officers.

Cases Investigated

The report indicates that cases are investigated, with details on types and numbers, and a computer file is maintained. Approximately 85% of investigated cases are identified, with the remainder listed as unidentified flying objects requiring further research.

The Woodbridge Incident

A significant portion of the report focuses on the December 28, 1980, incident near RAF Woodbridge in England. Art Wallace, an American Air Force security officer, witnessed unusual lights and a "transparent aspirin with a mist in the middle" object. He described a triangular machine with lights. Wallace reported "unending harassment" from the military and difficulty in reporting the incident. Dot Street, a British researcher, confirmed that the British Broadcasting Co. was told by the Forestry Department that something did happen. A letter from U.S. Air Force Col. Charles I. Halt confirmed that two USAF security police patrolmen saw unusual lights and a strange glowing object described as metallic, triangular, approximately two to three meters across the base and two meters high, illuminating the forest with white light, and having pulsing red and blue lights. Depressions were found in the forest floor the next day. Wallace stated he was ordered to "keep quiet" and that his phone calls were tapped.

MUFON's Mission and Operations

The Mutual UFO Network, Inc. is described as an international scientific organization researching the UFO phenomenon. It is assisted by an administrative staff, International Coordinator, Foreign Liaison Representatives, and a network of State Directors, Consultants, and Field Investigators. MUFON cooperates with the Center for UFO Studies, directed by Dr. J. Allen Hynek. MUFON's Board of Consultants includes experts from various scientific and technical fields. The organization sponsors an annual International UFO Symposium. MUFON Field Investigators are volunteers who conduct research at their own expense, upholding confidentiality and professionalism. Investigations typically involve telephone and in-person interviews, form completion, sketches, and documentation of sighting details.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this report are the investigation of UFO phenomena, public education and awareness, and the perceived challenges posed by government secrecy and military resistance to disclosing information. MUFON's stance is that of an objective, scientific research organization dedicated to uncovering and disseminating information about UFO sightings, while advocating for greater transparency from governmental and military entities.

This document is a collection of pages from the MUFON MUTUAL UFO NETWORK, INC. NEWSLETTER, primarily from the February-March 1984 issue (Issue 17), with additional flyers and announcements related to MUFON activities in 1984 and earlier.

Key Events and Announcements

Symposium Update

The February-March 1984 newsletter announces a change in venue for the 1984 MUFON UFO Symposium. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the event originally planned for MUFON Metroplex of Dallas will now be hosted by MUFON of San Antonio, Texas. The symposium is scheduled for July 6, 7, and 8 at the Holiday Inn North-Airport Area in San Antonio. The newsletter provides details on hotel rates, the hotel's telephone number, and symposium fees, which are $27.50 for pre-registration and $35.00 for registration at the door. A list of speakers confirmed for the symposium includes prominent figures in UFO research such as Dr. J. Allen Hynek, Mr. Budd Hopkins, Mr. Barry Greenwood, Mrs. Marge Christensen, and Mrs. Cynthia Hind (from Zimbabwe), among others. Mr. Tom Deuley is listed as the chairman for the symposium.

August UFO Forum in Beverly, MA

Multiple pages announce and provide details for a UFO Forum hosted by Mass. MUFON on Sunday, August 12, 1984, at the Centerville Community Center in Beverly, MA. The event is free for Mass. MUFON members, with non-members and out-of-state members charged a registration fee to cover costs. Members are encouraged to bring food items for a shared lunch. The forum features several speakers, including Mr. Budd Hopkins (author of 'Missing Time' and researcher of abduction cases), Dr. David M. Jacobs (Temple University Professor and author), Mr. Barry Greenwood (co-author of 'Clear Intent'), and Mr. Lawrence Fawcett (co-author of 'Clear Intent'). Mrs. Cynthia Hind has been invited but had not yet confirmed her attendance. The program includes registration and coffee from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m., followed by the main program from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. After a one-hour lunch break, the program resumes from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., concluding with a panel discussion from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Members are urged to attend and to bring guests or forward flyers to interested individuals.

Educational Programs

North Shore G.A.T.E. Inc.

• Pages from the Summer 1983 offerings of North Shore G.A.T.E. Inc. are included, detailing a program for Academically Gifted and Talented Children. The Fourth Annual Summer Session offered Enrichment Programs designed to stimulate creative thinking and problem-solving skills. Specific programs mentioned include:
• College G.A.T.E. at Endicott College: A program for grades 4-8, running from July 6-28, with courses like Puppetry, Math Recreation, Basic Design & Batik, TV Workshop, Computers, Computer Problem-Solving, and Chemistry. The tuition was $235.
• Winter Island 4 in Salem, MA: Offering three 2-week sessions for grades K-8.
• Biking in England/Scotland: For ages 14-16, running from August 1-28.

Guest Speaking Engagements

• Marge Christensen spoke to school classes on UFOs at Beverly High School and a middle school in Gloucester, MA.
• Jules Vaillancourt spoke to students in the Worcester County area about UFOs, including being interviewed by a student working on a report.

MUFON Activities and Resources

Policies of Mass. MUFON

• The document outlines the policies of Mass. MUFON, including:
• Membership Applications: Require a written résumé, references, and a letter detailing reasons for joining. Applications are forwarded to State Section Directors for interviews and recommendations.
• Attendance at MUFON Meetings: Restricted to members and their guests, who must be accompanied by members.
• Field Investigators: Must be trained, adhere to the Field Investigator's Manual, exhibit professionalism, and submit detailed reports on investigations, especially for complex cases like abductions or trace cases. Refusal to accept cases may lead to removal from the ranks.
• Case Discussions at Meetings: Emphasize preserving witness confidentiality while allowing for learning experiences. Locations and dates of sightings may be used for identification.

Mass. MUFON Resources

• Dues: Annual dues fund hotline costs, meeting hall rentals, newsletters, and guest speakers. In 1983, nearly $300 was raised through a magazine drive.
• Clipping Service: Supported by monthly member contributions to preserve this asset.
• Equipment: MUFON has acquired microfilm readers, a microfiche reader, a copy machine, and access to video-cassette recorders. Their historian's office contains microfilm rolls of Bluebook files, OSI files, NICAP files, and numerous journals and magazines in various languages. Efforts are underway to computerize this collection.
• Indexing of OSI Microfilms: An upcoming project to index microfilms in the historian's library.

Cases Investigated

In 1983, Mass. MUFON investigated cases in several counties: Barnstable (1), Essex (3), Middlesex (3), Norfolk (4), Plymouth (1), Suffolk (1), and Worcester (1). The newsletter notes that none of these cases were particularly interesting, except for an abduction case investigated by Joe Nyman, for which a report was forthcoming. All cases are listed on a computer file categorized by status (completed, open, etc.).

Special Achievements

• National Newsletter Initiated: In spring 1983, Marge Christensen initiated a monthly National Newsletter for MUFON, distributed to State Directors and officers to keep them updated on news and information.
• 'Clear Intent' Published: The newsletter expresses pride in the co-authorship of the book 'Clear Intent' by Barry Greenwood and Lawrence Fawcett, noting that three MUFON members assisted in typing. The book was slated for publication by Prentice-Hall in June and is considered a milestone in UFO literature.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this collection of documents are the promotion and organization of MUFON activities, particularly UFO forums and symposia, and the dissemination of information related to UFO research and education. There is a strong emphasis on structured investigation, membership engagement, and the development of resources for UFOlogists. The editorial stance appears to be one of active promotion of UFO awareness and research, encouraging participation and supporting initiatives like the 'Clear Intent' book and educational programs for gifted children. The organization values professionalism, confidentiality, and the sharing of knowledge within the UFO community.