Minnesota MUFON Status
In response to many allegations raised about MUFON and mentioned Minnesota
MUFON in particular, let the following be known about Minnesota MUFON:
1) We as of 10/2/96 are not as yet incorporated. We do not consider it
necessary but possibly desirable to do so. It is in discussion. We are,
due to our affiliation with the MUFON National Org., a non-profit org.,
and to that effect, if any money should be generated by this web site,
it will be automatically donated to the Minnesota MUFON Chapter as
funds to cover expenses associated with it's operation. It is not expected
to happen and if it does, it will not likely add up to anything substantial.
2) We charge $12/year for our locally produced newsletter just to cover
costs. This pays no one including the editor, who spends much time
with no compensation on it. We do not charge a membership fee. We
may, on occasion, ask for a donation to help with expenses for a special
speaker (optional). All other expenses we incur as individuals out of our own
pockets without being asked.
3) We are in the process of developing clear rules and policies for the group.
Some have been approved, others in the process. We try to keep in line
with National MUFON, but we don't want to "put the blinders on" like other
MUFON groups do. We consider it necessary to be a little skeptical, but
open minded, and pay attention to detail in the investigative process.
We want our reports to be as useful and valid as possible, otherwise we
would be wasting our time and effort. We sometimes have questionable
material presented at the meetings, but this is done with the clear attitude
that the individual must decide for him/her self what they wish to accept as
valid. (We as a group do not sanction or necessarily agree with the content).
We believe it is important to let everyone or idea have a chance to be presented
even if chuckles are generated.
4) While it is true that Minnesota MUFON in the past has not been very
active as an investigative unit, we now have a good group of people
and are recruiting more with a lot of motivation and competence. We
already have a number of good reports and some in the works and try to
keep people informed via the web site and meetings. Rome was not built in
a day, and neither will Minnesota MUFON be.
5) Our leaders have been with MUFON a while and know the ropes, so accusations
of poor leadership are false. You can only do what you have the capacity to do
with the current membership involved. We are happy to say we are well off the
ground and proud of what we're doing and how we're doing it. We have a
healthy number of skeptics to keep the group centered.
6) Accusations of poor focus or becoming new-age groupies do not apply to us.
We observe what goes on around us, including the new-age stuff. That doesn't
make us groupies. It makes us open-minded and observant. We don't want to
be limited to a "hardware" only type of invetigative organisation. We do the
best we can for a group of unpaid highly interested but not professional
investigators. We are always open to criticism and suggestions for improvement.
Joel Henry
Minnesota MUFON