MUFON Massachusetts PIPEline - 1984 12

Magazine Overview

Title: P.I.P.E. LINE
Issue: #4
Date: December, 1984
Publisher: MUFON
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of the P.I.P.E. Line, a publication from MUFON (Mutual UFO Network), focuses on organizational updates, upcoming events, and public outreach efforts related to the UFO subject.

Summaries of Recently Received Questionnaires

The publication begins by summarizing questionnaires received from MUFON State Directors. These summaries provide insights into the activities and resources of various state chapters:

• Colorado: Vance George Reed, State Director and PR Director, reports 10 members, public meetings every few months, no hotline, no display, a Beta Max VCR, willingness to do guest appearances on radio and TV, and the ability to conduct press releases and public opinion polls.
• New York: Dr. Gary Levine, State Director and PR Director, has 60 members. Meetings occur once every 15 months, with some regional meetings also held. They have a hotline, VHS and Beta Max VCRs, and are willing to do guest appearances on media and special cable TV programs.
• Virginia: Bob Grattan, State Director, has no PR Director and no hotline. There are 2 members, and no meetings or displays are held. They have a VHS VCR and are willing to do a library exhibit.
• A note indicates that Bob Grattan has received a Fulbright scholarship to teach library automation and computer literacy in Tunisia and will return to the US next August.
• Mutual UFO Network (International): Walt Andrus, International Director, lists the hotline number (512-379-9216). They have a UFO display and a VHS VCR, and are willing to do UFO displays at county fairs, guest appearances on TV talk shows, organize one-day conferences (if San Antonio hosts their own), issue press releases, and create shopping mall displays and printed posters.

Printed handouts on UFO information (8½ x 11", double-sided) with MUFON's address and space for local organization stamping are available for National UFO Info. Week. These will be MUFON's contribution and furnished for all states.

The publication then poses a question to the readers: "HAVE YOU CONTACTED THE SILENT STATES IN YOUR REGIONS? IF SO, WHAT RESPONSES, IF ANY, HAVE YOU RECEIVED? IF YOU RECEIVE ANY QUESTIONNAIRES, KINDLY FORWARD THEM TO MARGE CHRISTENSEN. THANK YOU."

Washington, D.C. Plans for National UFO Information Week Underway

Marge Christensen has been in contact with Fred Whiting of the Fund for UFO Research to explore the possibility of arranging a UFO display at the National Air & Space Museum at the Smithsonian Institution during the National UFO Information Week. This display could be on loan or permanently donated.

Further suggestions for the Fund, to be considered in December at Marge's request, include placing an ad in the national edition of the Washington Post. This ad would highlight facts about the UFO subject, such as the Kirtland landings, and the Congressional Research Service's publication "UFO Enigma." It would also solicit donations for UFO research. This advertising idea comes from Attorney Bob Bletchman, MUFON's State Director for Connecticut.

Marge Christensen is scheduled to meet with Fred Whiting in December to further discuss these projects.

Dr. Hynek to Address Naval Observatory Audience

The article notes that Dr. J. Allen Hynek has had a busy year, addressing various groups including the AAAS, the MUFON Symposium, the CSICOP Conference, and students at Princeton University. His next significant engagement will be addressing an audience at the Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C., which is described as "the bastion of absolute conservatism." The P.I.P.E. Line commends Dr. Hynek for his efforts to bring scientific respectability to the UFO subject.

Second Annual Meeting to be Held for the Committee on Public Information and Public Education

This meeting is scheduled for St. Louis in 1985. Marge Christensen has requested that Walt Andrus and the St. Louis Symposium committee allow the meeting to be held on Friday evening, June 28, after the Symposium's reception. A similar meeting was held the previous year at the San Antonio Symposium. The St. Louis committee is planning for backup speakers in case some scheduled speakers do not appear. If backup speakers present on Friday evening, the committee meeting might shift to breakfast on Sunday morning.

Attendees are asked to inform Marge Christensen if they plan to attend the St. Louis Symposium and this meeting. The meeting is considered important for discussing plans for the first National UFO Information Week, as it's a rare opportunity for many to be in the same place at the same time.

Dr. Hynek to be Featured in Feb. Issue of Omni Magazine (1985)

An article featuring a lengthy interview with Dr. J. Allen Hynek is slated for the February 1985 issue of Omni magazine.

Walt Andrus Reports Positive Response from PM Magazine Program

On October 18, 1984, MUFON was featured on a segment of the PM Magazine television program. This exposure resulted in positive responses from people across the country, with MUFON receiving telephone calls from numerous states. The publication highlights this widespread exposure as excellent and greatly needed for the UFO subject.

UFO Courses and Lectures

• Marion Marden, from Mass. MUFON, who works at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T.), has been asked to give a course on the UFO subject at M.I.T.
• A Boston College professor, who is a serious student of UFOs and has a large library of UFO books, includes the UFO subject in some of his lectures.
• Mass. MUFON has been contacted by a middle school teacher in the Boston area who wants to conduct a week of UFO lessons for academically gifted and talented students. Barry Greenwood, Mass. MUFON Asst. State Dir. and author of "Clear Intent," has been asked to address the class.
• Marge Christensen spoke at Bates College in Maine on October 29, addressing about 100 students and faculty members who showed significant interest. Mass. MUFON's UFO display accompanied her, attracting audience attention. A feature article about Marge appeared in the Bates College newspaper.
• Dan Wright has addressed the Port Huron Chamber of Commerce, the Battle Creek ESP Forum, and will address the Fremont Chamber of Commerce in January 1985. He also appeared on a talk show on WKAR and is preparing for a long lecture on March 6th at Schoolcraft College.

Readers are encouraged to inform Marge Christensen if they know of anyone giving UFO lectures or courses, so it can be included in an upcoming issue of The P.I.P.E. Line.

Personal Notes

Dennis Stacy suggests including a notice in the MUFON Journal each month to announce that the week of August 18-25, 1985, will be National UFO Information Week. He proposes providing one piece of information about the week with each notice, mentioning that 25 states will participate and outlining some of the projects they will undertake. He plans to submit notices monthly starting in the spring of 1985.

Marge Christensen extends "Happy Holidays to All."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around organizational activities, public education, and the promotion of UFO research. MUFON appears to be actively engaged in outreach through questionnaires, public meetings, media appearances, and educational initiatives like National UFO Information Week. The editorial stance is one of promoting the UFO subject, seeking scientific respectability, and informing the public, as underscored by the statement: "REMEMBER-- AN INFORMED PUBLIC WILL BE A THINKING PUBLIC AND NOT A GULLIBLE PUBLIC. OUR TASK IS AN IMPORTANT ONE."