MUFON Massachusetts PIPEline - 1985 08

Magazine Overview

This issue of the MUFON P.I.P.E. LINE, dated August 1985, focuses on the outcomes of the 1985 P.I.P.E. Committee meeting in St. Louis and outlines future initiatives and a call for volunteers. The publication aims to keep its readership informed about the committee's activities and strategic planning within MUFON.

1985 P.I.P.E. Committee Meeting Report

The report summarizes key decisions made at the annual P.I.P.E. Committee meeting:

1. National UFO Information Week: It was decided to keep this event entirely separate from the annual MUFON Symposium for scheduling purposes in the following year.
2. Public Service Announcements: Radio PSAs were furnished and read by John Timmerman (CUFOS) and are being distributed to State Directors for use during National UFO Information Week.
3. Press Release: A press release by Walt Webb was summarized, and a shortened version will be used for distribution during National UFO Week.
4. PBS Documentary Funding: A letter regarding seeking funding for a PBS documentary was discussed. While the idea was considered good, it was deemed unrealistic. The committee decided to wait for the HBO documentary's release before supporting a second documentary by Ron Lakis.
5. TELUFONET Revision: It was decided that TELUFONET needs to be revised to be effective nationwide. Dan Wright is currently working on a new proposal for this, which will be reviewed and likely implemented soon.
6. Next Year's Thrust: The focus for the upcoming year will shift from informing the general public to targeting persons in positions of influence.
7. P.I.P.E. Line Subscription: Members agreed to continue receiving the P.I.P.E. Line, finding it useful.
8. Membership and Funding: An emphasis was placed on increasing membership, which in turn would increase available funding.
9. Committee Membership: No resignations were received, so the committee members will remain the same for the upcoming year.

HELP WANTED

This section announces that toward October, after the National Info. Week, the committee will spearhead new projects and requires committee members to take charge. The projects include:

1. Increase MUFON Membership: An aggressive effort to vastly increase MUFON membership, potentially by making the Journal more appealing to a wider audience or by soliciting advertising from relevant companies. Dennis Stacy, Walt Andrus, and John Schuessler are expected to be involved.
2. 1986 Thrust Strategy: Developing a statement of purpose and strategy for the 1986 thrust toward influencing those in positions of influence. This task requires multiple people, possibly those in the same geographical area or willing to spend time on the telephone.
3. Monthly Press Releases: Initiating a program of issuing monthly press releases to wire services and major TV networks to make them aware of MUFON's presence and credibility. This task requires excellent writers, with potential candidates including Dan Wright, Dennis Stacy, Bob Bletchman, Walt Webb, and Barry Greenwood.
4. Fundraising Effort: A nationwide fundraising effort is needed, requiring one or more people to undertake the task using word processors or telephones, with research, planning, and direction.

NEXT MONTH

State Directors are asked to submit written reports or make phone calls to Marge Christensen after National UFO Information Week to evaluate the effectiveness of its projects. These reports will be compiled into a national report for an upcoming Journal article, aiming to provide insights for planning next year's National UFO Information Week.

A SUGGESTION FROM ST. LOUIS

Following the 1985 Symposium, a discussion with Ron Lakis, director of the "UFO Experience" documentary, led to a suggestion for a new public information initiative. This involves leveraging popular movies about space exploration or extraterrestrial visitation. The idea is to designate a knowledgeable MUFON member to present a lecture, possibly with slides, contrasting Hollywood portrayals with actual knowledge about the subject. This would be presented at colleges, potentially using movie screenings as a draw. This initiative is seen as a way to attract large audiences, serve as a fund-raiser, and effectively inform the public. The suggestion is to implement this in several areas simultaneously, requiring multiple lecturers. The article seeks feedback and recommendations for suitable speakers.

Editor's Memo

Marge Christensen's memo references Dick Hall's article "Blueprint for Progress" from the June MUFON Journal, highlighting five key steps for the committee's 1986 program:

1. UFOlogy as a Scientific Problem: Recognizing UFOlogy as a scientific problem needing funding and investigation by qualified scientists, not as a science itself.
2. Differentiation from Other Groups: Clearly distinguishing MUFON from groups with less objective or scientific views that gain media attention.
3. Sophistication and Strategy: Understanding who the real adversaries are and how to deal with them.
4. Scientific Emphasis: Focusing on scientific methods in investigations, documentation, and logical arguments.
5. Self-Policing and Public Denouncement: Policing MUFON's own ranks and publicly denouncing those who make unscientific claims or use faulty logic for personal gain or to promote biases.

The memo underscores the importance of the committee's work and states that so-called "UFOlogists" have historically been the worst enemies of the UFO subject. It calls for MUFON to act as serious, objective professionals. While progress has been made in professionalism and organization, many State organizations still need improvement, with some State Directors being inactive and not demonstrating the commitment required for effective public awareness and respect for UFO research.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the strategic planning and operational improvements within MUFON, particularly concerning the P.I.P.E. Committee. There is a strong emphasis on professionalism, scientific rigor, and effective public outreach. The editorial stance, as articulated by Marge Christensen, advocates for a serious, objective, and professional approach to UFO research, distinguishing MUFON from less credible groups and highlighting the need for greater commitment from its members and leadership to elevate the public's perception and understanding of the UFO enigma.