MUFON Massachusetts PIPEline - 1985 06

Magazine Overview

Title: MUFON P.I.P.E. LINE
Issue: # 10
Date: June, 1985
Publisher: MUFON

This issue of MUFON P.I.P.E. LINE focuses heavily on the upcoming National UFO Information Week and the broader goal of public education regarding the UFO subject. The publication serves as an internal communication tool for MUFON members, providing updates on organizational activities, soliciting feedback, and acknowledging contributions.

Editor's Memo

The "Editor's Memo" by Marge Christensen congratulates members on their work over the past year, highlighting achievements such as standardized slide sets, upgraded Field Investigator standards, the establishment of regional UFO Resource Collection Centers, and the production of a UFO videotape. The memo emphasizes that the greatest challenge ahead is the first National UFO Information Week, an exhaustive endeavor. Christensen stresses that without significant coverage from national printed and electronic media, the week may only begin to shift public opinion. She acknowledges that undoing 40 years of negative media portrayal and public perception will be a lengthy process, requiring the eradication of stigma and the dissemination of facts and documentation. The memo concludes with a call for determination and ingenuity to make the public education process successful until the UFO subject is accepted as a legitimate area for serious scientific study.

MASS. MUFON UFO FORUM UPDATE

An update on the Mass. MUFON UFO Forum announces a significant change: the elimination of the Panel Discussion on Saturday afternoon. This change is to accommodate a presentation by physicist Dr. Willy Smith on "UNICAT," a new computer file of well-documented cases from the Center for UFO Studies. The Panel Discussion on Sunday will be extended to compensate.

SOME NEW IDEAS TO CONSIDER

This section proposes ideas to foster pride and cohesiveness within the MUFON organization, to be implemented or discussed at the 1985 Corporate Meeting. The ideas include:

1. Monthly State Highlights: Featuring a different State Director or State organization each month in the Newsletter to familiarize members with each other and identify sources of expertise.
2. Establishment of Awards: Creating annual awards presented at the Symposium to recognize significant contributions to UFOlogy in various areas such as research (abductions, trace cases, medical effects, pilot sightings, government documents, crash retrievals), investigations, administrative work, public education, public relations, publishing, and media work.
3. Person of the Year: Establishing an award for outstanding achievement in the field of UFOlogy, possibly already existing as the person to whom the Symposium Proceedings are dedicated.

POSSIBLE HELP FROM THE MEDIA

This section discusses potential media coverage that could aid in publicizing the UFO subject. Rumors suggest a two-hour docudrama on the Bentwaters story might air in the fall, potentially boosting publicity for the book "Clear Intent" by Barry Greenwood and Lawrence Fawcett. Additionally, HBO is producing a one-hour documentary on the UFO subject, though its air date is unconfirmed. NBC News is also slated to air five 2½-minute segments on the UFO subject in the near future, though these may be postponed due to ongoing research.

FOR P.I.P.E. COMMITTEE MEETING

A questionnaire is presented for members not attending the MUFON UFO Symposium in St. Louis, seeking input for the P.I.P.E. meeting on June 28. Questions cover agenda items for the next year, improvements for National UFO Information Week plans in 1986, the monthly publication of P.I.P.E. Line, comments on suggested ideas, efficiency of the TELUFONET, willingness to serve on the P.I.P.E. Committee for another year, and strategies to increase Journal subscribers.

COMMUNICATIONS

This section features various messages and acknowledgments:

• Dennis Stacy thanks for notices in the Journal and suggests adding "Information" after "UFO" and using Tom Deuley's poster for the July Journal cover.
• Tom Deuley is tasked with having the poster design ready by late June for distribution to State Directors by mid-August.
• Walt Andrus is working on the final draft of the UFO Info. page, also due by late June for distribution.
• Dan Wright (along with Barry Greenwood and Tom Gates) is commended for the well-done slide set and narrative, which illustrates significant research and effort.
• Bob Bletchman is praised for an effective draft letter to television networks, national magazines, and newspapers, appreciating his promptness and articulate expression.
• Paul Cerny and Tom Gates are recognized for the unequaled accomplishments of their San Francisco Bay Area MUFON group.
• Walt Webb is commended for his anticipated splendid and thorough job with press releases to State Directors.
• John Schuessler is thanked for taking time out of a demanding schedule to create a video segment on the Cash/Landrum case for the UFO documentary.
• Jim Melesciuc is thanked for invaluable assistance in compiling the documentary, providing feedback on Symposium papers, assisting with lectures, and building the Mass. MUFON UFO display.
• Barry Greenwood receives thanks for his continuous contributions, including news, advice, documentary assistance, resources, and work on the computer catalog.
• Doug Labat is thanked for his helpful assistance with the computer catalog.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the critical importance of public education in the field of UFOlogy, the challenges posed by media portrayal and public stigma, and the internal development and coordination of MUFON as an organization. The editorial stance, as expressed by Marge Christensen, is one of determined optimism, acknowledging the long road ahead but emphasizing the power of member dedication and ingenuity to achieve the goal of establishing UFOlogy as a legitimate scientific field. The issue also highlights the collaborative nature of MUFON's work, with numerous acknowledgments of member contributions to various projects.