MUFON Massachusetts - Journal - 2001 01

Magazine Overview

This issue of the Massachusetts MUFON Journal, dated May 2001, is identified as issue number 2001-1. It serves as a communication tool for the Massachusetts chapter of The Mutual UFO Network (MUFON), providing updates on activities, investigations, and resources for its members and the public interested in the UFO phenomenon.

State Director's Remarks

Reinhard H. Bartelmann, M.S., D.C., the State Director, opens the journal with remarks emphasizing MUFON's vital role in investigating the enduring mystery of the UFO phenomenon. He highlights MUFON's extensive network of specialists and investigators and calls for members to be willing, trained, and ready to investigate and document sightings to better understand UFO experiences. He thanks the members for their work and support.

Meetings and Schedules

Officers' Business Meetings

These quarterly meetings are scheduled for the last Wednesday of the month and are intended for officers, field investigators, and key members. The meetings focus on organizational business, planning, administration, developing case investigation strategies, making assignments, and monitoring investigations. The goal is to maintain an organized structure and promote public awareness to ensure a continuous stream of sighting reports.

Technical Meetings

Technical meetings are also held quarterly for the general membership. Their purpose is to present past case investigations, offer field investigation training, provide updates on active cases, and inform members about current issues, news, and insights related to UFO phenomena. Attendance is encouraged for all members to stay current on UFO activities and investigative efforts in Massachusetts.

Meeting Schedules

• Technical Meeting Schedule:
• May 30, 2001: Framingham Town Hall, 7:00 p.m.
• August 29, 2001
• November 28, 2001
• February 27, 2002
• May 29, 2002
• August 28, 2002
• November 27, 2002

• Officers' Business Meeting Schedule:
• July 25, 2001: Framingham Town Hall, 7:00 p.m.
• October 31, 2001
• January 30, 2002
• April 24, 2002
• July 31, 2002
• October 30, 2002

Recent Sighting Reports

Worcester County... Grafton, MA, Michele L., 1990, UFO Sighting Case No: 1990-1

In 1990, a woman driving in South Grafton reported seeing a "giant puff of light" hovering in front of her car. She described it as a circular puff, about 3-4 feet across, at windshield height. Ten years later, after seeing a similar description on "Unsolved Mysteries," she reported the incident to Mass MUFON. The case is being considered for further investigation, with a possible explanation being a gaseous cloud from a local industrial exhaust. The Massachusetts NUFORC Web Data page showed only one sighting in Grafton for 1990.

Middlesex County ... Bedford, MA, Robert S., 2001, UFO Sighting Case No: 2001-1

On April 4, 2001, a senior member of the Civil Air Patrol, while participating in a search and rescue exercise near Hanscom AFB, witnessed an unusual flash of light overhead. The light blinked several times, moving east in a diamond shape. The witness described it as brighter than an aircraft strobe, as bright as the Moon but smaller, and without a contrail or running lights. This was the second unidentified object witnessed by this individual over Hanscom AFB.

Hampshire County... Cummington, MA, Aug 26, 2000, UFO Sighting Case No: 2000-1

A 34-year-old graphic arts designer and her friend observed an unusual light in Cummington. The light rapidly changed colors (warm white to salmon, red, green, orange, blue) at irregular intervals and appeared to waver. It then moved in a zigzagging and curving pattern, rising and dropping. The witnesses ruled out atmospheric conditions and conventional aircraft, noting the object's unique behavior and appearance.

Cases from the Archives

Worcester County... Leominster, MA, October 28, 1999, UFO Sighting Case No: 1999-2

Two women in Leominster reported seeing two unusual lights. The first was a glowing, comet-like light that moved slowly against the western sky and descended behind a hill. About a minute later, a second, less bright light appeared, traveling at a fast rate from the opposite direction, descending at a 35-45 degree angle and leaving a trail before disappearing quickly. The witnesses were confused, considering meteorological or astronomical explanations but finding them unlikely given the circumstances.

MUFON on the Internet---Using the New Technology

Mass MUFON Website

The journal provides instructions for accessing the members-only area of the Mass MUFON website, which is password protected. The web master is Mark Petty, and questions can be directed to [email protected].

WUFOD-The Worldwide UFO Database Website

This section details how State Section Directors and Field Investigators can access and use the WUFOD website, MUFON's official online UFO reporting center and database. Instructions are given for logging into the members' area and accessing the WUFOD user guide.

Field Investigator Training

The Field Investigator's Exam

The MUFON Board of Directors has adopted an examination for field investigator trainees. This exam, consisting of 100 questions across twelve areas, evaluates a trainee's knowledge of physical and social sciences, technologies, and investigative practices relevant to UFO investigations. It is a take-home correspondence course, and an 80 percent passing grade is required. The MUFON Field Investigator's Manual (4th Edition) can be obtained from MUFON Headquarters.

Field Investigator Training and Technical Topics

This section previews topics to be covered in future editions of the journal, including sighting report analysis, criteria for investigation, essential equipment for field investigators, contacting witnesses, checking for evidence, ruling out conventional phenomena, and utilizing MUFON's technical resources.

Contacting Your Officers

This section provides a directory of MUFON officers, including the International Director, State Director, Assistant State Director, and State Section Directors for various counties in Massachusetts, along with their email addresses and phone numbers.

Attend the Next Technical Meeting

The next technical meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 30, 2001, at 7:00 PM in the Framingham Memorial Building (Town Hall), Room 207. Topics include "Black Box 2001--Recent Technological Enhancements to the Alien Detection Equipment" and "Searching the Archives--Chris Pittman's presentation on historical Massachusetts UFO reports."

New Members in 2001

The journal welcomes new Massachusetts MUFON members, listing their names and roles, such as Field Investigator Trainees and Journal Subscribers.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the ongoing investigation of UFO phenomena, the importance of organized data collection and analysis through MUFON, and the continuous training and development of field investigators. The editorial stance is one of serious inquiry and dedication to understanding the UFO mystery, encouraging active participation from members and promoting the use of technological resources for reporting and research. There is a clear emphasis on professionalism and systematic investigation.

This document comprises two pages from the Massachusetts MUFON Journal, issue number 2001-1, dated October 31, 2001. The content focuses on the operational aspects of MUFON, particularly concerning investigations, case management, and member engagement. The first page, page 11 of 11, lists several article titles related to reporting findings, utilizing MUFON forms, distinguishing between resolved and unresolved cases, and the handling of case reports.

Content Breakdown

Page 11: Article Summaries

The first page presents a table of contents or article listing for the journal. The key articles and their descriptions are:

• Reporting Your Findings: This section details what is expected when reporting the progress and results of an investigation.
• MUFON Forms: This article explains how to use MUFON's reporting forms to guide investigations and document sightings and related evidence.
• Resolved vs. Unresolved Cases: This topic addresses the criteria for concluding an investigation.
• How Case Reports are Handled: This segment provides insight into the organization's process for reviewing, storing, and utilizing completed case reports.

Page 2: Meeting Information and MUFON Operations

The second page provides contact information for MASS MUFON, including a mailing address (c/o Procom, Inc., 7 Lincoln St. #300, Wakefield, MA 01880) and a telephone number (781-246-0523). It also includes an email address for contact information changes: [email protected].

A significant portion of this page is dedicated to the agenda for a Massachusetts MUFON Business Meeting held on Wednesday, October 31, 2001, at 7:00 PM. The agenda includes standard meeting procedures like calling to order and director's welcome, as well as specific items relevant to MUFON's operations:

• Discussion of the July Technical Meeting and its speakers.
• Critique and discussion of the second issue of the Mass MUFON Journal (2001-2).
• Membership email list updates.
• Updates on requests from the public for interviews.
• Reports from State Section Directors.
• Discussion of counties without Field Investigators (FI) or State Section Directors (SSD).
• Progress update on the Mass MUFON website hosting project.
• Information on using WUFOD (Witness UFO Database).
• Progress reports on current case investigations and new case assignments.
• Status update on the "Black Box 2001" project, led by Greg Berghorn.
• Discussion of the "ARUFON article - Part Two."
• Planning presentations for the upcoming November 28 Technical Meeting.
• Content and section assignments for the next Mass MUFON Journal.
• Discussion of any new issues affecting Mass MUFON.
• "Odds and Ends" and meeting adjournment.

Furthermore, the page announces future meetings:

• Next Technical Meeting for the General Membership: Wednesday, November 28, 2001, at 7:00 PM.
• Next Business Meeting for the Officers, FI and Key Members: Wednesday, January 30, 2002, at 7:00 PM.

Both future meetings are scheduled to be held at the Framingham Memorial Building (Town Hall), Room 207, located at 150 Concord Street.

The page also highlights that the Mass MUFON Journal is now available on the web, with the URL provided: http://members.aol.com/MassMufon/Journal/. Members are reminded to keep their National MUFON membership dues current.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the structured approach to UAP investigation and case management, the importance of accurate record-keeping and reporting, and the active engagement of MUFON members through meetings and communication channels. The editorial stance appears to be one of promoting professionalism, organization, and information sharing within the field of UAP research. The emphasis on forms, progress reports, and case handling suggests a commitment to systematic investigation and data collection. The active promotion of the website and upcoming meetings indicates an effort to foster community and accessibility among members.