UFO Lokal Information - 1985 2

Magazine Overview

This issue of "LOKAL INFORMATION" (Nr. 2. 85.) is a Swedish-language publication from UFO-Sweden, aiming to inform its local groups. The cover features a map of Sweden with marked UFO sighting locations and the headline "UFO-SVERIGES LOKALGRUPPER INFORMERAR" (UFO-Sweden's Local Groups Inform).

Editorial and Member Contributions

The issue opens with a letter from Arnold to the local groups, reflecting on the arrival of spring and summer, and thanking UFO-Gävleborg for hosting the national meeting. Arnold notes the usual summer slowdown in association work but emphasizes the need for continued attention to UFO-Sweden's activities. He expresses concern about the low contribution of material to the magazine and suggests a system where members could receive the magazine for a small fee to cover postage and paper costs. He encourages local groups to discuss this proposal and designate a responsible group to handle orders and distribution. Arnold also reiterates the call for other contributions to the magazine, with a deadline of September 1st, and wishes everyone a pleasant summer.

Stockholms UFO-förening Report (1984)

Göran Norle'n, chairman of Stockholms UFO-förening (STUFO), thanks members for their continued support in 1985. He highlights STUFO's role as an organization where individuals can receive serious attention for UFO observations, unlike official channels. The report details the challenges of limited personal resources, with only about 80-100 members, and calls for more active engagement. An example of a vibrant UFO group in Enköping is presented, featuring frequent meetings, a clubhouse, a magazine, and auctions, contrasting with Stockholm's situation. A list of potential volunteer roles within STUFO is provided, ranging from research and investigation to administrative tasks and public relations.

The "Verksamhetsberättelse 1984" (Activity Report 1984) for Stockholms UFO-förening details the board composition, including Göran Norlén as chairman. In 1984, the association held 15 meetings, including general meetings, board meetings, and a visit to the UFO-Sweden national meeting in Karlskoga. STUFO also hosted a conference in Stockholm for about 10 local UFO associations. The report notes a total of 66 paying/registered members by the end of 1984, with 18 under 26 years old. Economically, the association faces challenges, having lost municipal funding and now paying for meeting room rentals. Major expenses include telephone, postage, and printing. The report mentions an intensive observation period in the latter half of 1984, with seven cases reported in August alone, which is a significant number for STUFO, which typically receives 3-6 reports annually. Several specific sightings are detailed:

• August 24: A close encounter (less than 100m) involving a 10-year-old boy describing a ring of red and yellow lights moving slowly. This case was briefly covered in UFO-Aktuellt nr 4/84 and local Stockholm newspapers. The investigation was conducted by Heikki Virtanen.
• August 24 (approx. 30 min prior): A distant object observed north of Husby, Sollentuna, at a high altitude, exhibiting strange light behavior. Investigated by Göran Norlén.
• August 19: A luminous object seen flying rapidly east over central Stockholm, reportedly followed by a military jet. Investigations with military authorities yielded no information. The incident was linked by some to a 20-year-old's disappearance on the same day.
• Mid-August: An oblong, rocket-like object with two wings was observed in Enhörna, near Södertälje. It flew at low altitude, fast, and emitted a whirring sound before disappearing over Lake Mälaren. Investigated by Göran Norlén.
• Date unspecified: An 18-year-old girl in Jakobsberg observed a black dome-shaped object with green and white lights hovering about 1-2 meters above the ground for a few minutes. Investigated by Heikki Virtanen and Christer Nordin.
• October/November: Several cases of strange lights were reported, possibly explainable by atmospheric inversions.

The report concludes that the latter half of 1984 was an intensive observation period, consuming significant resources. While spring activities were satisfactory, autumn events faced cancellations and date changes. The association's economy is described as barely stable, relying on membership fees and member support.

Enköpings UFO-förening Report

This section details the activities of Enköpings UFO-förening. They organized "Fria Aktiviteter" (Free Activities) for students at Västerledsskolan, which concluded on March 21st, with plans for two new groups in the fall. Students were tasked with writing science fiction stories for the club's newsletter, "UFO-Allehanda." The "Teknik i Forntid" (Technology in Antiquity) study circle concluded on May 11th after a session with author Carl-Anton Mattsson. The group also held a successful flea market to raise funds and hosted UFO researcher Jüri Lina, who spoke about UFO cases in the Soviet Union and Estonia. The day concluded with two new members joining. The group plans Thursday evening observation and barbecue events, and a new exhibition is planned for August. The autumn program includes a mandatory kick-off party for the study circle, with the topic yet to be decided.

UFO-Z Report (1984)

The UFO-Z association's 1984 activity report, dated February 25, 1985, lists the board members, including Kurt Persson as chairman. The board held four meetings, and the clubhouse was open every other Tuesday, with a summer break. Two members participated in "Project Hessdalen" in Norway. UFO-Z also had representatives at the UFO-Sweden national meeting in Karlskoga and a field research course in Lersäter. The association joined a local community radio initiative, producing seven programs in the fall. They also presented UFO-Sweden's slide show to a primary school and held a bake sale. UFO-Z has provided updated contact information for UFO reporting to local newspapers, police, and the air force. The report indicates that cases were generally quiet, with natural explanations found for some, and others forwarded to UFO-Sweden. Membership stood at 20 at the end of the year. The association's financial situation is detailed in the audit report.

Article: "Tvärvetenskaparna sopar innovationsbiten under bordet" (Transdisciplinary scientists sweep the innovation bit under the table)

This article, by Bengt Kjellén, discusses the planned formation of a transdisciplinary center in Stockholm, driven by individuals like engineer Dag Romell, who is now stepping down. The core issue is that the transdisciplinary groups have not addressed innovation issues. The article contrasts the planned Stockholm center with a similar organization in Gothenburg, established in 1972 following a doctoral course on the human situation. The Gothenburg center has about 500 active researchers and students as members, with a challenge in attracting social scientists and humanists. Their work includes doctoral courses, university courses, and teacher training, as well as projects on low-energy societies. The Stockholm center's preparation has been ongoing since December 1974, with a decision expected in late May. The article highlights a feeling among traditional scientists that current problems require a broader approach than specialized fields can offer. Dag Romell echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the fragmented nature of knowledge and the lack of a holistic view, as well as the absence of sciences crucial for addressing certain problems. He specifically points to the lack of focus on innovation, arguing that researchers should initiate contact with inventors. Romell criticizes the current research and training systems for producing individuals who are highly receptive but lack creativity, hindering innovation. He notes that none of the working groups for the Stockholm center have addressed innovation, leading him to withdraw from the work, although he still hopes for progress in innovation science. Björner Torsson, another participant, defends the approach, stating that innovation science is a means to solve problems, not an end in itself, and that their work involves practical applications and seeking contact with scientists in the field, regardless of academic rank.

Article: "Forskningsmetodik" (Research Methodology)

This section outlines a simplified model of the scientific method, emphasizing observation as the foundation of all knowledge. It discusses the need for developing methods and instruments to expand observational capabilities, citing examples like X-rays and microscopes in medical research, telescopes in astronomy, and tests and interviews in behavioral sciences. The process involves collecting and classifying data, followed by analysis, which can be quantitative (statistical) or qualitative. Based on the analysis, researchers draw conclusions, formulate hypotheses, and make predictions. The final step is the verification or falsification of these hypotheses through further data collection and analysis. The article notes that this methodology is common across natural, social, and behavioral sciences and is also applied in practical activities, albeit with different terminology.

Letter from Sundsvall

Loy Solli writes from Sundsvall, stating that their local UFO group functioned well from 1971 to 1981. However, key members have moved away, and the group's board has disbanded. The municipality demolished their local meeting place. While the membership managed to cope initially, attendance at meetings declined significantly in the last year. Solli, as chairman, worked hard out of personal interest but faced health issues, including brain tumor surgery in 1982 and another operation in late 1984. Despite these challenges, Solli is recovering and ready to resume activities with renewed enthusiasm.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the activities and challenges of local UFO organizations in Sweden. There is a consistent emphasis on the importance of member participation, the difficulties in maintaining engagement and resources, and the reporting of UFO sightings. The publication serves as a platform for these local groups to share their experiences, reports, and organizational updates. The editorial stance appears to be one of encouraging active involvement, sharing information, and promoting UFO research at a local level, while acknowledging the practical and financial hurdles faced by these volunteer-run associations. The article on transdisciplinary science highlights a broader debate about the integration of different fields of knowledge and the importance of innovation, suggesting a potential intersection with UFO research in terms of interdisciplinary approaches.

This issue of UFO-Sverige, identified as number 14 and dated April 19, 1985, is a Swedish publication focused on UFO phenomena and the activities of the UFO-Sverige organization. The content includes organizational news, meeting minutes, reporting instructions, and announcements for upcoming events.

Key Articles and Sections

Cover Content

The cover prominently features a form titled "När Du flyttar eller byter namn" (When you move or change your name), encouraging members to update their details. It includes sections for old and new addresses and personal information.

Page 1: Member Communication and Forms

This page contains a response coupon for feedback on the "Lokal-bladet" (Local Paper) and requests for member input and contact information. It also includes a section regarding an updated address list for local associations, asking for contact persons and phone numbers to be sent in for publication in "Lokal Information." A separate form is provided for address changes.

Page 2: Field Research Course Announcement

This page announces an upcoming field research course (Fältforskarkurs) to be held on October 4-5-6 in Lersäter. It is described as being suitable for beginners and emphasizes the importance of participation. The announcement is from Köpings UFO-förening.

Page 3-7: Minutes of the 1985 Riksstämma (Annual Meeting)

These pages detail the proceedings of the 1985 UFO-Sverige annual meeting held on April 13, 1985, at Folkets Hus in Gävle. Key points include:

• Opening and Agenda: Christer Nordin opened the meeting. The agenda was approved, with a proposal to elect a deputy for the meeting chairman.
• Elections: Election of vote counters (Gunnar Thorén, Roger Ersson), a chairman (Bertil Kuhleman), a deputy (Mats Nilsson), and a secretary (Ulf Ekstedt). Two scrutineers (Roger Ersson, Carl-Anton Mattsson) were also elected.
• Activity Report: The central group's activity report was read and approved. The economic reports were approved, with a request for more detailed reporting on the support fund next year and the inclusion of Project Hessdalen's fund reporting.
• Motions: Several motions were discussed and decided upon:
• Motion 1 from Stockholms UFO-förening regarding older motions was approved with an amendment to only report 1984 motions in the internal newsletter.
• Motion 2 from Stockholms UFO-förening on increasing motions was approved.
• Motion 3 from Enköpings UFO-förening regarding exhibition material was approved, leading to the formation of a working group.
• Proposals for statute changes from Stockholms UFO-förening were approved.
• Membership Fee: The membership fee was set at 160 kr/group + 1 kr/member.
• Projects: Information was shared about ongoing projects, including plans to take over a publishing house and the progress of Project URD, which has collected 1,000 UFO reports. Plans for a mobile UFO detection station were also mentioned.
• Closing: The meeting was declared closed by Bertil Kuhleman.

Page 8-10: UFO-Sverige Report Handling Instructions

This section provides detailed instructions on how UFO-Sverige handles incoming reports. It outlines the roles of the report central (handled by Ulf Ekstedt) and the public contact point (handled by Stig Aggestad). Key aspects include:

• Annual Report: The organization aims to compile an annual report of UFO/IFO observations, similar to one produced by UFO-Norge. The first report will cover the second half of 1985.
• Report Categories: Reports are divided into three types: IFO-observations, "prickar" (dots) at high altitude, and other UFO observations.
• IFO and "Prickar" Handling: If an observation can be directly explained as an IFO, or is a "prickar" observation without abnormal behavior that cannot be explained, it should be registered on a specific "IFO-rapporter" form. These forms are to be submitted at the end of the year for statistical purposes.
• Standard UFO Reports: For unexplained UFO observations, a standard report form should be sent to the observer, and any suspicion of IFO should be noted on the back of the form.
• New Forms: New, simplified forms are being introduced to streamline the reporting process, particularly for IFOs and "prickar."

Page 8: Organizational Information

This page includes the address and contact details for UFO-Sverige and its support fund, along with the names of the handlers for report processing (Stig Aggestad and Ulf Ekstedt).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue reflects a strong emphasis on organizational structure, member participation, and systematic data collection within the UFO research community in Sweden. The editorial stance appears to be one of promoting rigorous reporting, clear communication channels, and active engagement from local groups to support the national organization's goals. There's a clear push towards standardization and data analysis, as evidenced by the detailed reporting instructions and the plan for an annual report. The organization also seems to be exploring new ventures, such as publishing.