MUFON Massachusetts PIPEline - 1987 06

Magazine Overview

Title: P.I.P.E. LINE
Issue: #20
Date: June, 1987
Publisher: MUFON PUBLIC RELATIONS DIR.
Location: Tucson, AZ

This issue of the P.I.P.E. Line newsletter focuses on upcoming organizational meetings and events, particularly the MUFON UFO Symposium and related committee activities.

Public Information and Public Education Committee Meeting

The newsletter announces a crucial meeting of the Public Information and Public Education Committee to be held on Friday evening, June 26, 1987, immediately following a reception at the American University symposium. The meeting's agenda includes discussing the proposed Media Policy, setting future directions for the committee, defining goals for 1987, and focusing on 'selective public information' rather than general dissemination. All committee members are urged to attend, as this is the only time the entire committee is together in one place.

Proposed Media Policy

A revised proposed Media Policy, rewritten by Dan Wright with input from committee members and the MUFON Board of Directors, is enclosed with this issue. Members are asked to study the policy, mark any sections they wish to discuss with an 'X', and come prepared to vote on its adoption at the June 26 meeting. The policy may need further approval from the Board of Directors, potentially at their meeting on June 28. Several committee members have expressed urgency regarding the policy's implementation within the year.

Summer Recess and Newsletter Publication

It is noted that Mildred Biesele has volunteered to publish the MUFON Newsletter during July and August. The P.I.P.E. Line itself will likely take a two-month recess unless significant events at the 1987 annual meeting necessitate an August issue.

UFO Information Week and State Directors

The newsletter addresses the declining participation of State organizations in the National UFO Information Week. In response to this decrease and an increased workload, individual information packages will not be sent to State Directors this year. Instead, the emphasis will be on encouraging State Directors to become more active, professional, and credible in building their respective organizations. A "State Director's Checklist" has been devised and sent to them to identify areas needing improvement. The effectiveness of National UFO Information Week varies greatly by state, with some experiencing success in raising public awareness and generating new memberships, while others see little benefit due to a lack of effort.

The upcoming June meeting will include a discussion on whether National UFO Information Week should continue in the future.

Weekend Retreat Proposed for P.I.P.E.

Michael Swords, a P.I.P.E. Committee member, has proposed a weekend retreat for the committee to "think UFOlogy" and strategize future public information efforts. While acknowledging the impracticality due to members being geographically dispersed, the idea is presented as potentially productive with the right "right brain-mix." The feasibility of this retreat will be discussed at the meeting in Washington, with a possibility of planning it even if only a subset of members can attend. Members are encouraged to submit suggestions for making it more feasible.

Annual MUFON UFO Symposium Schedule

The tentative schedule for the Annual MUFON UFO Symposium, hosted by the Fund for UFO Research, is detailed for Friday, June 26, through Sunday, June 28, 1987. The symposium includes:

• Friday, June 26: Reception at the International Relations Building at 7:00 p.m.
• Saturday, June 27: Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. Opening remarks by Bruce S. Maccabee and Walter H. Andrus, Jr. Morning sessions include lectures such as "From Arnold to Hynek: The End of an Era" by David M. Jacobs, "The Italian Scene, 1947-1987" by Roberto Pinotti, and "Scientific Approach and Results of Studies Into Unidentified Aerospace Phenomena in France" by J-J. Velasco, among others. Afternoon sessions feature "UFO Research in Britain" by Hilary Evans, "UFOs and India: Ancient and Contemporary" by Kanishk Nathan, and "A Historical Survey of UFO Cases in Chile" by J. Antonio Huneeus. Contributed papers will be presented in parallel sessions from 3:00-5:00 p.m. The day concludes with a banquet at 6:00 p.m., featuring speaker William L. "Bill" Moore, author of "The Roswell Incident." A late evening panel discussion on abduction cases from 8:30 p.m. onwards will feature Budd Hopkins, Whitley Strieber, and Eddie Bullard.
• Sunday, June 28: Activities begin with displays, films, and book sales at 8:30 a.m. Contributed papers will be presented in parallel sessions from 10:00-11:00 a.m. Other sessions include "History and Cultural Interpretations of UFOs in Southern Africa, 1947-1987" by Cynthia Hind and "The UFO Mystery in Australia" by Bill Chalker. A private meeting of the Mutual UFO Network, Inc. Board of Directors is scheduled from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Afternoon sessions include talks on "Forty Years of Ufology in Sweden" by Bertil Kuhlemann, "Ufology in Uruguay and Brazil" by Willy Smith, and "The History of UFOs in Canada" by Stanton T. Friedman. A significant panel discussion on "UFOs, the U.S. Air Force, and other governments responses to the UFO question" will feature national representatives knowledgeable about government actions and reactions to UFO reports. Panelists include Barry J. Greenwood, Bill Moore, Stanton Friedman, Jenny Zeidman, and Bill Chalker. The symposium concludes with final contributed papers from 4:30-6:30 p.m.

A total of 24 contributed papers have been submitted for the three parallel sessions, with presenters including Dr. James W. Deardorff, Tom Benson, Dr. Virgilio Sanchez-Ocejo, Vincent Di Pietro, Donald R. Schmitt, Thomas E. Bullard, Barry J. Greenwood, Dr. Daniel H. Harris, Dr. Bertil Kuhlemann, Stanton T. Friedman, and others. A schedule of contributed papers will be available at the symposium.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around organizational structure, communication, and the dissemination of information within the UFO research community, particularly concerning MUFON's Public Information Committee (P.I.P.E.). There is a clear emphasis on policy development, strategic planning for public outreach, and the challenges of maintaining engagement and effectiveness in UFO information campaigns like National UFO Information Week. The editorial stance appears to be one of proactive management, seeking to improve organizational efficiency, member participation, and the overall professionalism of UFO advocacy. The upcoming symposium serves as a central event for these discussions and for sharing research and perspectives from a global range of experts.