THE SIGNA SOCIETY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP87S00869R000200240005-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 4, 2010
• Sequence Number: 5
• Publication Date: September 22, 1981
• Content Type: MEMO

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/06/04: CIA-RDP87S00869R000200240005-4
MEMORANDUM FOR:
VIA:
FROM:
Deputy Director of Central IntefligeY~c?
Deputy Director for Administration
Director of Security
SUBJECT: The SIGNA Society
1. President of the SIGNA
Society, has expressed appreciation for your acceptance
of his invitation to address his organization in the
auditorium at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, 1 October 1981.
The SIGNA Society is an organization composed primarily
of retired Security Officers and number approximately
250 members. It is holding its eighth annual convention
during 1-2 October 1981 at the Tyson's Corner Westpark
Hotel, and members are convening here from throughout the
United States.
2. The SIGNA Society was established in April 1970
in order (1) to promote fraternal fellowship, sociability,
loyalty and good will among its members, and (2) to bring
social, educational, and cultural entertainment to its
members, their families, and friends. The charter indicates
that SIGNA is a nonprofit, nonpolitical organization
founded by retired Agency employees, does not promote
or sponsor any causes, and has no relationship whatsoever
with its former employer. SIGNA is very supportive of
the Agency, and as I observe the group, all tenaciously
defend the organization in both private and public occasions.
In this context, you might wish to provide your insight
as to the role of the Intelligence alumnus, and the ways
which Agency retirees might properly and correctly help
the Agency without generating unfair criticism from the
news media.
3. Many of those in the audience have been involved
in the investigative process and are keenly aware of
recent publicity which was quite critical of our personnel
OS 1 2072
4r
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security screening process. I leave it to your good
judgment as to whether it is appropriate to touch upon the
role of the Office of Security in this important area. Some
SIGNA members have been out of the intelligence business
for a few years, and it might also prove useful if you
could indicate, in broad terms, how things have and are
changing as the Intelligence Community is preparing to
meet the new challenges of the 1980s.
4. Mr. John McMahon, Director of the National Foreign
Assessment Center, has kindly consented to address the
SIGNA Society, and he is scheduled to immediately precede den
you from 4:30 to 5:00 p.m. on 1 October 1981. Mr. McMahon
is very well-known to a large number of SIGNA members who
had dealings with him through the years, when he served
in responsible positions in DDSF,T, DDA, DDO, and now NFAC.
Mr. McMahon is in a unique position to present his personal
views and experience in dealing with Office of Security
representatives on technical, operational, and analytical
programs.
5. I believe that you will have an extremely friendly
audience, and I know they are looking forward to your
presentation.
Distribution:
Orig - Addressee
1 - ER
1 - DDA
1 - D/NFAC
- OS Reg ~- Srrv
1 - P$M chrono
OS/DD/PF, sw (22Sep81)
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/06/04: CIA-RDP87SO0869R000200240005-4