Magazine Summary
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MICHIGAN MUTUAL UFO NETWORK, INC.
Summary
The Michigan MUFON's annual report for 2009-2010 details a membership of 81, with 236 UFO sightings reported and investigated. The organization maintained its 501(c)(3) status, held a successful charitable gaming fundraiser, and continued its Field Investigator training. Key activities included participation in the Star Impact Project, presentations by the State Director, and maintaining technological resources and a website. Goals for the upcoming year included hosting a public event on the Rendlesham UFO Event, increasing membership, and promoting professional UFO investigation.
Magazine Overview
This document is the Annual Report of the Michigan Mutual UFO Network, Inc. (MUFON) for the period June 1, 2009, through May 31, 2010. It details the organization's activities, accomplishments, finances, and future goals.
Membership and Officers
The report indicates that the International Mutual UFO Network, Inc. had 84 members in Michigan per the central office list, while Michigan MUFON, Inc. had a membership of 81. The current officers are listed, with William Konkolesky serving as State Director. Other key positions include Assistant State Directors Patty Donahue (Administration) and Wendy Smith (Financial), Chief Investigator Gary Golem, and various Regional and County State Section Directors. Jean Waskiewicz is the Electronic Data Manager, David Twichell is the Director of Public Relations and Newsletter Editor, and David and Darlene Bleicher serve as Librarians. Linda and William Murphy are listed as Consultants, and William Konkolesky also serves as Webmaster.
Investigations and Treasury
During the reporting period, 236 UFO sightings were reported, and 236 investigations into these sightings were completed. The treasury reported a bank balance and cash on hand of $4336.80, excluding the value of library items, merchandise, and office equipment. Income sources included membership dues, fundraising (charitable gaming), merchandise sales, and fees from speaker presentations and luncheons. Disbursements covered meeting expenses, speaker fees, newsletter printing, postage, state director expenses, equipment rentals, and office supplies.
Membership Benefits and Meetings
Membership dues of $25.00 per mailing address annually entitle members to receive the newsletter six times per year (in paper or PDF format), borrow from the state MUFON library, attend training sessions, and receive discounted rates for speakers at meetings. State membership meetings were held monthly from September 2009 to May 2010, often including Field Investigator training and quality speakers. The cost for general meetings was $14 for MUFON/MIMUFON members and $16 for non-members, with a reduced rate for first-time attendees. State Officer/Section Director meetings were held concurrently for planning and business.
Accomplishments
Michigan MUFON proudly maintained its 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, largely due to Wendy Smith's efforts. A charitable gaming fundraiser in Romulus, Michigan, generated $500 in profit. Field Investigator training remained popular, open to all MUFON members. The organization's investigators completed 236 sighting reports out of 236 received. Michigan continued its participation in MUFON's Star Impact Project, led by Gary Golem. The state was divided into three regions with a Regional State Section Director in each to improve investigation management. State Director Bill Konkolesky gave presentations on MUFON and UFOs at public libraries. Michigan MUFON possesses a range of technology hardware to support meetings and presentations, and its website, mimufon.org, is regularly updated by Konkolesky.
The Michigan MUFON members' lending library contains over 1000 items, including books, tapes, and DVDs, maintained by librarians David and Darlene Bleicher. The MIMUFON store, run by Patty Donahue, sells merchandise like t-shirts, sweatshirts, caps, and books. Membership cards are issued and laminated for durability. Meetings are held in Flint due to geographic concentration and budgetary reasons, with an average attendance of about 40 people. A management team of state officers was involved in decision-making processes.
Goals
Future goals include hosting a public event at Henry Ford Community College featuring Peter Robbins discussing the Rendlesham UFO Event on September 18, 2010. The organization aims to leverage its 501(c)(3) status for growth, increase membership in both MUFON International and Michigan MUFON Inc., attract members in underrepresented areas, and promote professional UFO investigation through open communication with law enforcement and media. Public relations efforts, including interviews and speaking engagements, will continue. David Twichell's local UFO radio program, "We Are Not Alone," is highlighted. The organization also plans to support smaller local gatherings, develop fundraising tactics, update the MIMUFON store, maintain a positive administrative attitude, and ensure open communication with international and national MUFON leadership and members.
Conclusion
The report concludes with a statement from State Director William J. Konkolesky, expressing that Michigan MUFON is in strong shape, optimistically geared toward growth, financially healthy, and blessed with an active team. The organization looks forward to another good year.
Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance
The recurring themes in this report are the active investigation and reporting of UFO sightings, the importance of membership engagement and benefits, the financial management and fundraising efforts of the organization, and the commitment to public education and professional investigation of UFO phenomena. The editorial stance is one of positive progress, organizational health, and forward-looking optimism, emphasizing teamwork and continued growth within the MUFON framework.
Michigan is in strong shape and optimistically geared toward cooperative further growth. We are healthy financially and are blessed with an active team of officers and general membership.
Key Incidents
236 UFO sightings were reported and 236 investigations into these sightings were completed.
A charitable gaming fundraiser was held, netting a profit of $500 for the organization.
Preparation was being made to host a public event featuring a presentation on the Rendlesham UFO Event by Peter Robbins.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the total number of UFO sightings reported and investigated by Michigan MUFON during the 2009-2010 period?
Michigan MUFON reported 236 UFO sightings and completed investigations into all 236 of them during the period of June 1, 2009, through May 31, 2010.
What are the primary income sources for Michigan MUFON?
Income sources include annual dues of $25.00 per mailing address, fundraising (charitable gaming), sale of merchandise, and speaker presentation and luncheon fees for membership meetings.
What benefits does a $25.00 annual membership due provide?
The membership dues entitle the member household to the newsletter (6 times per year), the opportunity to borrow books and tapes from the state MUFON library, access to all training sessions, and a discounted rate for quality speakers at meetings.
Where are Michigan MUFON meetings typically held?
Due to geographic concentration of membership and budgetary considerations, meetings are held in the area of Flint, Michigan, chosen for its centralized location.
In This Issue
People Mentioned
- William KonkoleskyState Director
- Patty DonahueAssistant State Director (Administration)
- Wendy SmithAssistant State Director (Financial)
- Gary GolemChief Investigator
- John CastleRegional State Section Director (SW Region)
- Sunny YoungRegional State Section Director (N Region)
- Dave BleicherState Section Director of Selected Counties (Genessee, Lapeer)
- Judy KulkaState Section Director of Selected Counties (Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Kalkaska, Antrim)
- Harold MarquardtState Section Director of Selected Counties (Macomb)
- Zach SmithState Section Director of Selected Counties (Eaton, Jackson, Ingham, Shiawassee)
- Jean WaskiewiczElectronic Data Manager
- David TwichellDirector of Public Relations and Newsletter Editor
- +5 more
Organisations
- Michigan Mutual UFO Network, Inc.
- International Mutual UFO Network, Inc.
- MUFON
- MIMUFON
- MVP Sports Grill
Locations
- Michigan, USA
- Romulus, USA
- Flint, USA
- Detroit Metro area, USA
- Henry Ford Community College, USA