MUFON Massachusetts - Annual Report - 1984-1985

Magazine Overview

This document is the 1984-5 Annual Report for MUFON Massachusetts, published by the Mutual UFO Network, Inc. It details the organization's structure, activities, policies, and achievements during the reporting period. The report is presented as a comprehensive overview of the Massachusetts chapter's operations and contributions to UFO research.

Membership and Organization

The report lists key personnel for Mass. MUFON, including Marge Christensen as State Director, Barry Greenwood as Assistant State Director, Joseph Santangelo as Special Advisor, and Robert Taylor as Treasurer. It also details the State Section Directors for Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, and Worcester counties. An extensive address list (MASSMUF/DAT) is provided, containing the names, addresses, and contact information for numerous members and contacts across Massachusetts and New Hampshire, categorized by county or state affiliation. Membership applications are described as requiring a written résumé, references, and a letter detailing reasons for joining, with a process involving State Section Directors and the State Director before notification to MUFON Headquarters in Seguin, Texas.

Public Information Activities

Mass. MUFON engaged in various public information activities. These included radio appearances by Barry Greenwood, Jules Vaillancourt, and Ray Fowler, often in conjunction with publicity for the book 'Clear Intent'. Newspaper coverage was significant, particularly following a sighting in Magnolia, MA, and an interview with Marge Christensen, with articles being largely accurate. Marge Christensen also sent 100 letters to editors across Massachusetts. The organization maintained its own 'Mass. MUFON Information Page' to introduce the organization to witnesses, potential members, and the media. Guest lectures were presented by Marge Christensen at Bates College, Lions Club, MENSA, and school classes, while Barry Greenwood lectured to academically gifted youngsters. Notably, Marion Marden, an employee at M.I.T., instructed a course on UFOs there. Informational cards introducing MUFON were sent to 156 public libraries to provide information on the UFO subject and direct witnesses to MUFON.

National UFO Information Week Activities

Activities during National UFO Information Week included an 'UFO Forum', media appearances, mall displays, press releases, and the production of a videotape documentary.

Mass. MUFON Resources

The chapter maintained resources such as a tape cassette copier, video cassette recorders, a Mutual UFO Network banner, microfilm readers, a microfiche reader, and other resources, including the Mass. MUFON Archives.

Special Achievements

Key achievements highlighted include the establishment of Regional UFO Resource Collection Centers and the compilation of a Computer Catalog of Resource Listings. Additionally, a 60-minute UFO documentary for local access cable television was produced, and an 'UFO Forum' was held.

Cases Investigated

The report indicates that summaries of investigated cases are included, though the details of these cases are not elaborated upon in the provided text.

Policies of Mass. MUFON

The document outlines the policies of Mass. MUFON, including guidelines for membership applications, attendance at meetings (restricted to members and their guests), and the role of Field Investigators. Field investigators are trained, expected to adhere to the Field Investigator's Manual, maintain professionalism, and uphold confidentiality. They are required to submit detailed reports on complex cases, such as 'unknown' objects, abduction cases, or trace cases. Investigators are expected to accept assigned cases unless there are extenuating circumstances. Case discussions at meetings are emphasized for learning but must preserve witness confidentiality, with locations and dates of sightings potentially used for identification.

Meetings and Hotline

Meetings are held monthly on the second Saturday evening at the Howard Johnson's Motor Lodge in Woburn, MA, featuring dinner and subsequent discussions, case reports, guest speakers, and training sessions. Mass. MUFON also maintained a telephone hotline for several years, which served to gather witness reports, provide information, and allow Section Directors to leave messages for each other. Joseph Santangelo was responsible for providing this hotline service.

P.O. Box

A Post Office Box (P.O. Box 176, Stoneham, MA 02180) was maintained for the organization's correspondence.

Editorial and Research Focus

An 'Editor's Note' or letter to the editor section addresses the public's belief in UFOs, citing a Gallup Poll indicating over 57% of Americans believe UFOs are real. It invites Massachusetts residents to report sightings via the hotline. The Mutual UFO Network is described as an international, nonprofit, scientific research organization employing hotlines, technical resources, and a procedural manual, emphasizing critical objectivity and professionalism. Its members include scientists, with some affiliated with NASA. The organization hosts an annual UFO Symposium. The report references a Congressional Research Service publication, 'The UFO Enigma' by Marcia Smith (revised by George Havas), which includes details about five UFO landings at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, in 1980. The document is available free of charge from US Congressmen.

MUFON's Structure and Operations

The Mutual UFO Network, Inc. is presented as an international scientific organization with staff, International Coordinators, Foreign Liaison Representatives, and a network of Directors and Field Investigators. MUFON cooperates with the Center for UFO Studies, directed by Dr. J. Allen Hynek. MUFON's Board of Consultants comprises experts from various scientific and technical fields. The organization sponsors an annual International UFO Symposium. MUFON Field Investigators investigate reports from police agencies, the Center for UFO Studies, and the National UFO Reporting Center. The Massachusetts hotline number is reiterated as 944-0686. Membership is by invitation only, and investigators are trained volunteers who conduct research at their own expense, using extensive computer data banks for analysis. The investigative process typically involves telephone and in-depth personal interviews, documentation of sightings, and attempts to identify the object. Approximately 85% of cases are identified, with the remainder listed as unidentified flying objects requiring further research.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this report are the systematic research and investigation of UFO phenomena, the importance of public information and education, the professional conduct and confidentiality expected of members and investigators, and the organization's role in collecting and analyzing UFO-related data. The editorial stance is one of serious scientific inquiry into UFOs, aiming to provide credible information and a channel for reporting sightings to the public. The report emphasizes the organization's commitment to objectivity and professionalism in its research efforts.

This document, titled "NATIONAL UFO INFORMATION WEEK ACTIVITIES," details the events and initiatives organized by the Massachusetts chapter of the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON) for National UFO Information Week. The primary event highlighted is the 1985 Mass. MUFON UFO Forum, scheduled for August 17 and 18 at the Beverly Golf & Tennis Club in Beverly, MA. The issue also covers MUFON's resources, special achievements, and recent UFO case investigations.

MUFON Organization and Contact Information

The Mutual UFO Network (MUFON) is presented as a scientific, international non-profit research organization. For information on the UFO subject, individuals are directed to contact the Massachusetts chapter at P.O. Box 176, Stoneham, MA 02180, or by calling their telephone hotline at (617) 944-0686. The organization is identified as MUTUAL UFO NETWORK, INC.

UFO Display

MUFON has developed a free-standing UFO display consisting of four panels, each 3' x 4', with display materials on both sides, totaling 8 sides of display. The panels cover topics such as UFOs in History, IFOS, UFO Photos, Current Events, Close Encounters, Government Secrecy (documents), and Massachusetts MUFON Information. This display has been used at previous UFO Forums and at Bates College in Maine, and is planned for use at the 1985 UFO Forum. MUFON is exploring the possibility of exhibiting the display, along with a VCR and videotape, at a shopping mall, with investigators present to answer questions. Slides of the display panels are available for other organizations seeking ideas for their own displays.

1985 Mass. MUFON UFO Forum

The 1985 Mass. MUFON UFO Forum is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, August 17 and 18, at the Beverly Golf & Tennis Club, Beverly, MA. Dr. David M. Jacobs will serve as moderator. The speakers include prominent figures in the UFO field: Dr. J. Allen Hynek, Mr. John Schuessler, Mr. Budd Hopkins, Mr. Barry Greenwood, Mr. Dan Wright, and Mrs. Marge Christensen.

The program outline for the forum is as follows:

• Saturday, August 17: Registration & reception (1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.), speakers (2:00 p.m. - 4:40 p.m.), and a panel discussion with audience questions (4:45 p.m. - 5:45 p.m.).
• Sunday, August 18: Coffee and pastries (9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.), speakers (9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.), lunch recess (11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.), a speaker (1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.), and a panel discussion with audience questions (2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.), followed by closing remarks.

Throughout the forum, television videotapes of UFO documentaries will be shown in the hall adjacent to the ballroom, and books and materials will be available for purchase.

Forum Prices:

• Pre-registration fee for both days (if paid by July 1, 1985): $15.00.
• Fee at the door: $20.00 for both days, or $10.00 per day.

An important note warns that last year's forum sold out, and it is anticipated the same will occur this year. Those who do not pre-register by July 1 should understand there will be no guarantee of entry if tickets are purchased at the door.

A pre-registration form is included, requesting name, address, telephone number, membership in a UFO research organization, and mailing instructions to MASS. MUFON, INC., P.O. Box 176, Stoneham, MA 02180, with a postmark no later than July 1.

Directions to Beverly Golf & Tennis Club:

Detailed driving directions are provided, starting from Rte. 128 North, taking Exit 20-S (1A, Beverly), and proceeding on Rte. 1A through Beverly. The club is located at the intersection of Balch St. and McKay St. Ample parking is available, with an overflow lot at McKay School.

National UFO Information Week Activities

Mass. MUFON is kicking off National UFO Information Week with the UFO Forum. Other planned activities include:

• Media Appearances: Preparations are underway to book forum speakers on Boston area radio and television talk shows. Marge Christensen, Barry Greenwood, and others will make guest appearances on electronic media.
• Mall Displays: The possibility of exhibiting the UFO display and related items at shopping malls throughout the state is being explored.
• Press Releases: Press releases will be sent to newspapers throughout the state by the Public Information and Public Education Committee.
• Videotape Documentary: A 60-minute documentary produced by Mass. MUFON for the Mutual UFO Network will be aired on cable television stations across the state. Newspaper coverage announcing the program is expected.
• Posters: Posters will be distributed throughout the state to advertise local activities and the national information week.

Mass. MUFON Resources

MUFON's resources include:

• Equipment: A tape cassette copier (purchased with funds from the 1984 UFO Forum) allows for copying audio tapes. Several members collectively own about 5 or 6 VCRs (VHS and Beta formats). Mass. MUFON has two microfilm readers and a microfiche reader, housing the entire Project Bluebook files, NICAP files, and some OSI material on microfilm. A special file cabinet is used for these microfilm rolls.
• Computer Equipment: Available at members' homes, this equipment is used for printing address files and labels, sending notices, communicating with UFO Networks (like Fund Computer Network and COMPUFON), and managing a computer catalog of UFO resources. The forum registration list is also computerized.
• Banner: A blue Mutual UFO Network banner with white lettering and a gold fringe was purchased with funds from the 1984 Forum and is used for meetings and lectures.
• Other Resources: A clipping service maintained by Barry Greenwood, supported by monthly donations, is useful for obtaining sighting information and tracking similar sightings.

Special Achievements

• Regional UFO Resource Collection Center and Computer Catalog Listing Resources: David Christensen, a Mass. MUFON member, has compiled a computer catalog listing books, tape cassettes, videocassettes, microfilms, periodicals, and clipping files from regional UFO collection centers. The Mass. MUFON collection, managed by Asst. State Director Barry Greenwood, is noted as extensive. Plans are in place to include MUFON Headquarters' collection in Seguin, Texas. Other centers listed include those of Doug Labat and Tom Benson, and Arcturus Book Service.
• Documentary for Airing on Cable Television: A 60-minute UFO documentary was produced by Mass. MUFON for the Mutual UFO Network, aiming for national coverage on local cable access stations. Barry Greenwood served as Executive Producer, James Melesciuc as Technical Consultant, and Marge Christensen as Director. Dr. David M. Jacobs hosted the program. Participants in the film included Dr. J. Allen Hynek, Walt Andrus, Budd Hopkins, Dan Wright, Ray Fowler, Barry Greenwood, and John Schuessler.
• UFO Forum (1984): The 1984 UFO Forum was held as an experiment and was a success, selling out and requiring standing room. Due to high demand, it was decided to make it an annual event, unless the MUFON Symposium is held on the East Coast. The 1985 forum was expanded to 1½ days to accommodate requests for a longer conference.

Cases Investigated

While sightings in Massachusetts have been few in number, they have been significant. Several objects reported resembled those seen in Westchester, Fairfield, and Putnam Counties in New York and Connecticut.

• Greater New Bedford Area (November 14, 1984): Between 6:00 and 7:00 p.m., three independent groups witnessed objects described as inverted pyramids of enormous proportions. These objects suddenly extinguished their perimeter lights and sped rapidly northwestward without a sound. The lights/object traveled slowly at a seemingly low altitude, soundlessly, for several minutes for each viewing group. This case is under investigation by Joe Nyman, and a report is being submitted to MUFON files.
• Magnolia, MA (November 26, 1984): A couple walking their dog on the beach witnessed a huge triangular object traveling at four to five miles per hour at an altitude of no more than 100 feet. The underside of the craft featured an oval framed translucent yellow canopy, described as a sky-light. A muffled humming sound was reported as the object passed overhead. The sighting duration was 45 minutes. This case was investigated by Jim Melesciuc, and a report will be submitted to MUFON files.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the promotion and organization of UFO-related events, particularly the annual MUFON UFO Forum. There is a strong emphasis on public education and information dissemination through displays, media appearances, documentaries, and press releases. The document highlights MUFON's commitment to research and investigation, as evidenced by the detailed listing of resources and the summaries of investigated cases. The editorial stance is one of active engagement and promotion of UFO awareness and research, encouraging public participation and pre-registration for events due to high demand. The organization positions itself as a scientific and serious research entity.