MUFON Massachusetts - Newsletter - 21 - 1984 01 12

Magazine Overview

This issue of the MUTUAL UFO NETWORK, INC. NEWSLETTER, dated November-December 1984, is identified as Issue #21. It is published by MUTUAL UFO NETWORK, INC. and originates from Massachusetts, USA. The primary language is English.

News from the Field

Meet Me in St. Louis!

The 1985 MUFON UFO Symposium is announced to take place at the Chase Park Plaza Hotel in St. Louis, MO, from June 28-30, 1985. Members are encouraged to plan vacations in St. Louis and support this event.

National UFO Information Week

The National UFO Information Week is scheduled for August 18-25 and is highlighted as the year's top priority. Twenty-one State organizations have begun preparations, with 15 indicating a willingness to undertake major projects such as UFO displays at malls or county fairs, one-day UFO conferences, guest appearances on radio or television, and newspaper releases. Mass. MUFON plans to kick off the week with the 1985 UFO Forum and aims to display their exhibit at shopping malls and send representatives for radio and television appearances in the Boston area. Press releases will also be distributed. The success of this project relies on member assistance. Publicity in the Washington, D.C. area will be handled by the Fund for UFO Research, and public service announcements for radio nationwide will be produced by the Center for UFO Studies. Additionally, Dr. J. Allen Hynek is working on a television documentary about the UFO topic.

CAUS

The Citizens Against UFO Secrecy (CAUS) has revived its newsletter, 'JUST CAUSE'. Subscriptions are available for $10 annually and should be sent to JUST CAUSE, Box 218, Coventry, CT 06238. Funds raised will be used to finance lawsuits aimed at obtaining further documents under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

Mass. MUFON News

Important: New Meeting Schedule for 1985

The Board of Directors of Mass. MUFON has decided to return to a schedule of monthly meetings in Belmont, with specific exceptions. There will be no meeting in July, but a small group meeting will be held to work on the 1985 UFO Forum. There will be no meeting in August, but the 1985 Forum will take place then. There will also be no meeting in December. This results in 9 monthly meetings and the Forum in 1985. Monthly meetings will continue on the 2nd Saturday evening of each month. At alternate meetings, a member will be assigned to research a segment of the Field Investigator's Manual and present a lecture to upgrade investigator preparedness and expertise, which will be useful for the new field investigators examination.

1985 Dues Due

Dues for 1985 are due by the end of January 1985. The cost is $10 annually for individuals and $15 annually for couples. Checks should be made payable to Mass. MUFON, Inc. Membership cards will be issued this year.

Magazine Drive

The magazine subscription drive yielded a profit of $85, with only 5 participants. The project will be reevaluated before next year's drive.

MUFON Banner

With profits from the 1984 Forum and magazine drive, Mass. MUFON has purchased an official MUFON banner, royal blue with white lettering and a gold fringe, for use at displays and conferences. Jim Melesciuc arranged for its production.

Tape Cassette Copier

Another purchase made with Forum and magazine drive profits is a machine for rapidly copying tape cassettes. It allows for voice dubbing and background noise reduction. Orders have already been received from four or five state organizations for copies of the 1984 Mass. MUFON Forum tapes, and it is expected to pay for itself and enable local members to obtain copies easily.

Greenwood on Benzaquin Show

On October 15, Barry Greenwood, co-author of 'Clear Intent' and Mass. MUFON Asst. State Dir., was a guest on the Paul Benzaquin radio program. He discussed government documents and UFO incidents on military bases. The MUFON hotline was mentioned, leading to three calls, one of which may result in an interesting case involving a UFO seen over Newberry St., Boston in 1957.

Christensen at Bates College

At the invitation of Maine MUFON State Director, Dr. Leland Bechtel, Marge Christensen lectured to faculty and students at Bates College on October 29th. The lecture was sponsored by the Psychology Dept. Barry Greenwood, Jim Melesciuc, and Dave Christensen accompanied Marge and exhibited the Mass. MUFON UFO Display.

New Refreshments Policy for Meetings

It has been decided that attendees will now be expected to bring refreshments for 4 persons to each meeting, creating a 'smorgasbord' of desserts. Those who forget will be assigned kitchen cleaning duty. This system worked well for the September meeting.

1985 Mass. MUFON Forum

The 1985 Mass. MUFON Forum is tentatively scheduled for August 17-18. To avoid conflict with the National Symposium, the Forum will start Saturday afternoon, August 17th, at 2:00 p.m. and run until 5:00 p.m., followed by a private dinner by reservation. The Forum will resume Sunday morning, August 18th, at 9:00 a.m. and conclude at 3:00 p.m. The venue is tentatively planned for the Beverly Golf & Tennis Club ballroom, which is larger than last year's location and is air-conditioned. The dinner will also be at the Golf Club. Dr. David M. Jacobs will serve as moderator. Confirmed speakers include Barry Greenwood, Budd Hopkins, Dan Wright, and John Schuessler, with another speaker being contacted. The Forum is expected to be very successful.

Clear Intent Update

The book 'Clear Intent' has entered its fourth printing. The third printing is sold out, and foreign rights are being negotiated.

Documents Promising

Documents received via FOIA requests have yielded promising results. One document referred to UFOs as 'irregular sighting reports.' A request has been filed for information on 'ISRs.'

Meeting Schedule Note

There will be no meeting in December. The new schedule of monthly meetings will begin on Saturday, January 12, 1985.

Dues Mailing Address

Dues may be mailed to: Mr. Bob Taylor, 1164 Hill Rd, Box 886, Boxborough, MA 01719.

Bulletin

Changes in Meeting Location and Dates

The Board of Directors has determined that John Martin's Manor is no longer suitable for meetings. A new location has been found: the Howard Johnson's Motor Lodge on Montvale Ave. in Woburn. The March meeting has been cancelled. Beginning with the April meeting on Saturday, April 13, 1985, monthly meetings will be held at this new location. Detailed directions are provided for both northbound and southbound travelers on Rte. 93, involving Exit 10 and Montvale Avenue. The Howard Johnson's staff has been accommodating, and members are urged to support the dinner meetings to ensure the continued availability of the free function room. Failure to get a specified number of attendees for the dinner could jeopardize future meetings. Mass. MUFON is noted as a highly respected state organization.

A buffet option is being explored for the dinner meetings to expedite service, accommodate vegetarians, and offer variety at a single price. Dinner will be served promptly at 6:30 p.m. (arrival by 6:15 p.m. suggested), and meetings will begin at 8:00 p.m.

The newsletter expresses sincere thanks to supportive members and requests continued assistance. Members are asked to call the hotline (944-0686) by April 4 to indicate their intention to attend the dinner meeting on April 13.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter reflects a proactive and organized approach by MUFON, focusing on member engagement, educational initiatives (like investigator training and lectures), and public outreach (UFO Information Week, displays). There's a clear emphasis on the importance of member participation and financial support through dues and drives. The organization actively pursues information through FOIA requests and highlights significant UFO cases and research publications. The editorial stance is one of dedicated pursuit of UFO knowledge and maintaining the organization's respected status.