MUFON Michigan Annual Report - 2012

Magazine Overview

This document is the Annual Report of the Michigan Mutual UFO Network, Inc. (MUFON) for the period June 1, 2011, through May 31, 2012. It provides a comprehensive overview of the organization's activities, membership, finances, and accomplishments during that fiscal year.

Summary of Activities

Membership The report indicates that the International Mutual UFO Network, Inc. had 32 members in Michigan as per the central office list. The Michigan MUFON, Inc. itself had a membership of 69 individuals.

Current Officers The leadership for the reporting period included: William Konkolesky (State Director and Webmaster), Gary Golem (Assistant State Director and Chief Investigator), Robert Nolan (Deputy Chief Investigator), Wendy Smith (Treasurer and Librarian), David Twichell (Director of Public Relations and Newsletter Editor), and Darlene Bleicher (Librarian).

Investigation During this period, 316 UFO sightings were reported, and all 316 of these reported sightings were investigated by the organization's driven investigators.

Treasury The bank balance and cash on hand at the end of the period was $3,967.21. This figure does not include the value of library items, store merchandise, or office equipment. Income sources were diverse, including membership dues ($25.00 per mailing address annually), fundraising activities (such as charitable gaming), sales of merchandise like clothing, books, video tapes, and newsletters, as well as speaker presentation and luncheon fees.

Disbursements covered various operational costs, including membership meeting expenses (luncheons, speaker fees), newsletter printing and postage, state director incurred expenses, equipment rentals for meetings, office equipment and supply purchases, and deposits for meeting venue contracts.

The $25.00 annual dues entitled members to receive the newsletter six times a year (in paper or PDF format), borrow materials from the state MUFON library, attend all training sessions, and receive discounted rates for speakers at meetings.

Meetings State membership meetings were held in September 2011, November 2011, January 2012, March 2012, and May 2012. Each meeting was preceded by Field Investigator training, and the afternoon sessions featured quality speakers. The general meeting schedule was made available to members in advance.

General meetings cost $14 for MUFON and/or MIMUFON members, $16 for non-members, and $5 for first-time attendees. State Officer/Section Director Meetings were held concurrently with state membership meetings for planning, business, and reporting purposes.

Accomplishments

Michigan MUFON Inc. proudly maintained its 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, largely due to the efforts of Treasurer Wendy Smith, which allowed for tax-deductible donations. Field Investigator training sessions, led by Chief Investigator Gary Golem, were popular and open to all MUFON members, even those not part of Michigan MUFON, allowing them to attend without paying MIMUFON dues.

The organization's investigators, bolstered by new team members, completed 316 sighting reports out of 316 received. State Director Bill Konkolesky conducted presentations on MUFON and UFOs at public libraries and other venues, which were generally well-attended and positively received.

Michigan MUFON possesses a range of technology hardware, including laptops, projectors, VCRs, a movie screen, audio equipment, and a printer, to support their meetings and presentations. The organization's website, mimufon.org, was regularly updated by Bill Konkolesky with current information. The Michigan MUFON lending library, with over 1000 items (books, CDs, DVDs), remained popular and was maintained by librarians Wendy Smith, David, and Darlene Bleicher.

The MIMUFON store continued to be successful, primarily selling t-shirts and used books. Membership cards were issued for verification and credibility. Meetings were consistently held in Flint due to geographic and budgetary reasons, with an average attendance of about 40 people.

Goals

The organization's goals for the upcoming year included:

• Leveraging 501(c)(3) status for growth, including profitable fundraising events and soliciting tax-deductible donations.
• Increasing membership in both MUFON International and Michigan MUFON Inc.
• Identifying methods to attract members and promote MUFON in underrepresented areas of Michigan.
• Promoting professional investigation of UFO sightings and abductions through open communication with law enforcement and news media.
• Informing the public about UFOlogy and promoting MUFON through public relations, interviews, and speaking engagements, exemplified by David Twichell's local UFO radio program "We Are Not Alone."
• Supporting smaller local MUFON gatherings for more personal discussions.
• Developing and implementing new fundraising tactics.
• Updating the MIMUFON store with new items.
• Maintaining a positive administrative attitude to ensure full participation.
• Maintaining open communication with the International Director, the International Board of Directors, and all MUFON members.

Conclusion

Michigan MUFON was described as being in strong shape, optimistically geared toward cooperative growth, healthy financially, and supported by an active team of officers and general membership. The report concludes with a forward-looking statement anticipating another good year.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this report are the active investigation of UFO sightings, the importance of membership engagement and growth, financial stability and diverse income streams, effective public outreach and education, and the dedicated efforts of its volunteer officers and members. The editorial stance is one of positive progress, highlighting accomplishments and setting clear goals for future development and continued service to the UFOlogy community in Michigan.