Not too many years ago HQ began receiving communications from one of our MUFON members in France. He was concerned over the lack of information being received by the various European UFO groups from MUFON. The Académie d’Ufologie is the leading UFO organization in France, if not most of Europe. It has had communications with MUFON in the past but felt that as the years have gone by the flow of information fell silent. It contacted us to consider reestablishing our communications and reviving MUFON’s presence in Europe.
Shortly after that initial email, another communication was received concerning a gentleman in Germany who referred to himself as the Director of MUFON Central Europe or something like that. Now some red flags were up and waving. We have had no such group, nor any such director. I was not the only one in management that was concerned. We have enough problems domestically with unauthorized use of our name, much less worldwide.
I contacted our French representative and inquired if he was familiar with this gentleman. Not only was he familiar with the gentleman but stated that he is one of Europe’s most well-known and highly respected ufologists, with a very large following. He further suggested that rather than confronting him, why not use the opportunity to extend our hand in friendship? Well, we really started investigating this matter and what we found was a real eye-opener. The two gentlemen mentioned above were in fact MUFON National Directors offering official MUFON representation in Europe. They were appointed by Walt Andrus back in the 70s and have been loyal ever since.
In the years following those initial contacts, we have stepped up communication and interaction with outstanding results. The flow of information and the camaraderie are incredible. (Thank heavens for computer-based translators.) We quickly reaffirmed these gentlemen’s positions with MUFON, and their promotional efforts have been exciting, to say the least. Word spread fast and more groups began coming on board.
As of this writing, MUFON now has National Directors, complete with fully functional operating groups and fully trained Field Investigators, in 46 countries. And those groups are growing.
Now, with the advent of Project Aquarius and other recent research projects, MUFON continues to be a leader in global UFO research and study. Our database continues to grow on a daily basis as do our operations both foreign and domestic.
None of this would be possible without a network of Field Investigators, State and Provincial Section Directors, State and National Directors and all those who assist and support them.
So, I want to thank every one of our volunteers—both foreign and domestic—for the incredible dedication and hard work you contribute to our mission.
You are the greatest!
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