Pursuit - No 01 - Vol 01 No 1 - 1967

Magazine Overview

This document is the first newsletter, dated May 1967, from the "SOCIETY FOR THE INVESTIGATION OF THE UNEXPLAINED," which is incorporating "THE IVAN T. SANDERSON FOUNDATION." The newsletter serves as a communication tool for its members, providing updates on the organization's activities, accomplishments, and future plans. It carries the motto, "Science is the pursuit of the unknown."

Organization and Mission

The "IVAN T. SANDERSON FOUNDATION" is presented as a non-profit corporation registered on August 25th, 1965, in Warren County, New Jersey, and also registered with the Secretary of State of New Jersey. It operates with a Research Center in Columbia, New Jersey, and a Business Office in New York City. The newsletter lists numerous officers and their roles within the Foundation, including President and Chairman of the Board Oliver G. Swan, and Vice President and Director Ivan T. Sanderson. Contributions to the Foundation are noted as tax-exempt.

The core mission of the organization is stated as "the collection, evaluation, and dissemination of information on new discoveries in the natural sciences." The newsletter emphasizes that this quarterly publication, "Pursuit," has been delayed, necessitating this newsletter to keep members informed.

Editorial and Presidential Messages

The editorial section explains the delay in the planned quarterly publication, "Pursuit," attributing it to prolonged legal procedures in establishing the non-profit organization and the Trust, as well as funding challenges. It highlights the board's collective thinking and the desire to create a high-quality publication that would appeal to institutions like schools and libraries.

Oliver G. Swan, in his "MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT," welcomes the Charter Members and thanks them for their patience. He explains the complexities and delays in setting up the organization and clarifies that the initial "annual" subscription for 1966 runs through to the end of 1967. He commends Ivan Sanderson's organizational skills and details the ongoing work on the library, plans for new buildings, and the significant workload managed by a limited volunteer staff, including the lengthy process of obtaining permission for a machine-shop and storage building.

Membership and Chapters

A "NOTE FROM OUR PR MAN" addresses the premature anticipation of the Charter-Membership closing date. It suggests extending Charter Membership until the initial objective of constructing the new Library Building is achieved. The PR man also proposes that Charter Members organize local "Chapters" for discussions, seminars, and fund-raising activities, with funds to be used for local expenses and visiting speakers. He expresses eagerness to hear reactions and suggestions from Charter Members.

Elaboration of Interests and Methodology

The section "AN ELABORATION OF INTERESTS" details the broad scope of the organization's membership, describing them as "universalists" with interests spanning almost every facet of knowledge and inquiry. The organization functions as a data-collection center, aiming to facilitate an active interchange of ideas and facilities between members, particularly by connecting specialists with complementary interests.

The Foundation's "Evaluation of material" is described as a filtering process, assessed on a "scientific basis" but with parameters wider than normally accepted. The credo "Science is the pursuit of the Unknown" guides their focus on frontiers and borderlands of recorded facts and novel inquiry. The evaluation process aims to eliminate misinformation and erroneous reporting, though even potentially dubious items are investigated thoroughly for corollary data.

Dissemination and Knowledge Classification

The objectives in disseminating evaluated information are varied and include:

1. INFORMATION: Made available to members upon request.
2. PERSONAL CONTACTS: Arranged for members seeking assistance.
3. ASSISTANCE: Provided for organizing projects, including research, equipment design, fund-raising, and logistics.
4. Foundation PUBLICATIONS: This includes the incidental Newsletter and a quarterly journal titled "Pursuit" (approximately 32 pages), featuring articles, editorials, reviews, and a correspondent's forum. They also publish "THE ANIMAL WORLD," a monthly newspaper on zoology for young people.

Additionally, the Foundation offers lectures, seminars, radio and television exposures, and handles films and film-strips.

The newsletter then presents a "purely taxonomic classification of knowledge" to answer the question "Just what are your interests?" This classification includes:

• I. MATHEMATICS: The Structure and Behaviour of Mensuration.
• II. COSMOLOGY: The Structure and Behaviour of Existence.
• III. CHEMIPHYSICS: The Structure and Behaviour of Matter.
• IV. ASTRONOMY: The Structure and Behaviour of Gross Bodies.
• V. GEOLOGY: The Structure and Behaviour of the Earth.
• VI. BIOLOGY: The Structure and Behaviour of Animate Entities.
• VII. ANTHROPOLOGY: The Structure and Behaviour of Manufacture.
• VIII. MENTALOGY: The Structure and Behaviour of Intellect.

The organization's primary interests lie in the segments of Geology, Biology, and Anthropology. The newsletter concludes with a note from Ivan T. Sanderson.

Report on the Library

The "REPORT ON THE LIBRARY" highlights the library as the most important activity at the current stage of development. It encompasses books, maps, periodicals, pamphlets, and picture and information files. The report details both a short-term and a long-term program for the library.

The Short-term Program involves sorting, re-classifying, rebuilding shelving, cataloguing books, and transferring loose material into binders. Approximately 1500 hardback books have been catalogued. The work is being undertaken by Mrs. Virginia Garety and William S. Gibbs, with hopes for additional support.

The Long-Term Program includes plans for a two-story, fire-resistant building to house the library, a fire-proof storage room, a photo laboratory, suites for visiting members, reading rooms, offices, an experimental kitchen, and a large stock-room. Cost estimates are being finalized, and institutional funding will be sought through a professional fund-raising campaign.

The Foundation is authorized to contract with various entities for specific projects and offers services to members through correspondence or visits to the research center, with nominal charges for retrieval, copying, and dispatch. Non-members can access services under specific contracts. All communications should be in writing and addressed to the Business Office.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this inaugural newsletter revolve around the establishment and mission of the Ivan T. Sanderson Foundation and the Society for the Investigation of the Unexplained. There is a strong emphasis on the scientific pursuit of the unknown, the systematic collection and evaluation of diverse information, and the importance of interdisciplinary connections among members. The editorial stance is one of transparency and commitment to informing members about the organization's progress, challenges, and future aspirations, particularly in building a comprehensive resource and facilitating research.