MUFON P.I.P.E. LINE

Magazine Overview

Title: MUFON P.I.P.E. LINE
Issue: # 6
Date: February 1985
Publisher: MUFON
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of the MUFON P.I.P.E. Line newsletter focuses on updates from State Directors, new committee appointments, and strategies for public awareness regarding UFO phenomena.

Summaries of Questionnaires Received in Past Month

The newsletter begins with summaries of questionnaires received from MUFON State Directors across various states. These summaries detail the number of members, meeting frequency, availability of VHS or Beta Max VCRs, and willingness to participate in public outreach activities for National UFO Info. Week. States like Texas, Washington D.C., Louisiana, Ohio, Tennessee, and Oklahoma provide updates on their local activities and challenges.

• Texas (Tom Deuley): 15 members, monthly meetings, VHS VCR. Willing to do mall displays, opinion polls, TV/radio appearances, posters, and potentially a short video for local cable. Also plans news releases.
• Washington D.C. (Dr. David Schwartzman): No members, no meetings, no hotline, no local organization. Plans to work with Dr. Bruce Maccabee for National UFO Information Week.
• Louisiana (Doug Labat): 9 members, no meetings, no hotline, VHS VCR. Willing to do press releases and guest appearances on radio and TV.
• Ohio (Richard Seifried): 32 members, no meetings, VHS VCR. Not able to participate in National UFO Info. Week endeavors.
• Tennessee (David K. Hackett): 6 members, no meetings, Beta Max VCR, no hotline. Not willing to participate in National UFO Info. Week endeavors.
• Oklahoma (Norma Jean Waller): 6 members, meetings twice a year, no hotline, VHS VCR. Willing to do radio talk shows but facing difficulties in gaining support, with no funds and little manpower.

The newsletter also lists states from which no response has been received, including Oregon, Idaho, North Dakota, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Arizona, Nevada, Vermont, and West Virginia. A question is posed to the readers: should the national newsletter be terminated for states that have not responded? Readers are asked to inform Marge Christensen of their opinions.

Posters to be Available

Tom Deuley has agreed to design a poster for distribution to all State Directors for use during National UFO Info. Week. The poster will be 11 X 14 inches, and states will be responsible for making Xerox copies to keep costs down.

New Committee Member Named

Robert Bletchman, MUFON State Director for Connecticut, has been appointed to the P.I.P.E. committee by Marge Christensen. Bletchman is noted for his extensive activity in public information on UFOs. Prior to the CNN program on Bentwaters, he contacted the network's producer and alerted other major networks, newspapers, and government officials. He has also obtained and distributed the complete files from the French GEPAN (government-funded UFO investigation unit) to major media outlets and Congressmen, hoping to encourage further investigation into the Bentwaters report.

Bletchman's contact information is provided: 150 North Main St., Manchester, CT 06040, (203) 646-5237 or (203) 643-2433.

Regarding Subject Matter for a Public Awareness Campaign...

Tom Deuley suggests that using a specific incident, such as the Bentwaters case, would be a more effective lever into the public psyche for a public awareness campaign than a general information approach. Input from committee members is requested regarding this suggestion, with feedback to be included in the March Newsletter.

Ken McLean to Speak on Educating the Public at Large Concerning UFO Phenomena

Wyoming State Director Ken McLean has requested permission to present a paper at the Symposium in St. Louis on Friday evening. Titled "Educating For Critical Consciousness: From Thought to Action," the paper will explore principles of "critical consciousness" as they apply to encouraging the public to ACT on their UFO awareness. Ken McLean will speak at 8:30 p.m., followed by the second annual meeting of the P.I.P.E. Committee at 9:00 p.m.

A cartoon depicts two figures observing an event, with one saying, "Hi, we're here to observe the first National UFO Information Week."

Slide Presentations Nearly Ready; Videotape Training Film to be Possibly Available in Late March

According to Dan Wright, Michigan State Director and P.I.P.E. Committee member, two packages of slides are nearing completion: one for public lectures and one for investigator training. Slides have been contributed by Barry Greenwood, Tom Gates, Dan Wright, and Marge Christensen, with additional contributions expected from Ray Fowler's collection. Dan Wright plans to offer two sets for each type, differing in the number of slides (e.g., 40 or 60 slides). Specific details on price and content will be in the March Newsletter. Dan Wright is commended for his efforts.

Computer Catalog Available

A computer catalog of UFO resources is now available, listing over 1000 books, hundreds of audio-cassettes, video-cassettes, periodicals, clipping files, special publications, and microfilms. The catalog will be expanded to include government documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act. MUFON's resources in Seguin are yet to be entered. Catalogs can be purchased from David Christensen, 2 Cherry Road, Beverly, MA 01915, for $30. Supplements will be available later, and the price may increase as more collections are added.

Requests from State Directors to Us..

Iowa and Illinois State Directors have requested a national information packet for MUFON for distribution to the general public. Since Walt Andrus indicated MUFON's contribution to National UFO Information Week would be a page on MUFON, the newsletter advises these State Directors to wait for that distribution. The question is posed whether any other materials should be made available, and suggestions are welcomed.

Meeting Agenda for St. Louis

Committee members are asked to notify Marge if they have any items they wish to include in the agenda for the meeting on June 28 in St. Louis.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the dissemination of UFO information to the public, the organization and coordination of MUFON's state-level activities, and the development of effective public awareness campaigns. The editorial stance appears to be one of proactive engagement, encouraging participation from State Directors and committee members, and leveraging new resources and individuals to enhance MUFON's outreach efforts. There is a clear emphasis on critical thinking and action in relation to UFO awareness.