Guidelines and Obligations to be observed by all members

Guidelines and Obligations

1. All members are to adhere to the bylaws, guidelines and Code of Conduct set forth by NEARPS. If you have any specific questions about our guidelines, it is your responsibility to ask someone in authority. Any active member who demonstrates ignorance of NEARPS protocols, guidelines and/or codes of conduct will be subject to immediate dismissal from the organization.

2. A written report is expected of all members who attend an investigation. All reports should comply with the report format provided for you, and should be turned in to the NEARPS Director of Information within two weeks following the date of the investigation.

3. All data collected at an investigation becomes the property of NEARPS. This includes, but is not limited to, photos, video recordings, digital recordings, notes, etc. All data is to be transferred to the NEARPS laptop for storage before leaving the investigation site. Members should make sure that his or her personal digital equipment is capable of using USB to transfer to the laptop. If not, don't use it. The laptop is also capable of reading SD style memory cards or mini SD if you have the adaptor that comes with it. *update 6/19/2010* NEARPS has now acquired a Targus 32 in 1 memory card reader, so most any memory card can now be used including Sony brand cards like the pro stick and pro duo.

4. NEARPS normally holds one meeting each month in Northeast Arkansas (unless we inform you otherwise.) Meetings are usually held on Friday evenings. Although meetings are not mandatory for reserve members, active members are REQUIRED to attend all group functions. Any active member with unexcused absences from 3 meetings may forfeit their active member status.

5. NEARPS normally holds at least 1 scheduled investigation each month, usually in Northeast Arkansas. Investigations are usually held on Friday evenings. Although investigations are not mandatory for reserve members, active members are REQUIRED to attend all group functions. Any active member with unexcused absences from 3 scheduled investigations may forfeit their active member status.

In order to provide the public with the help they need, we need investigators we can depend on. Therefore, we made the decision to include the following attendance policy:

Any combination of six (6) unexcused absences, from any required activity, within a twelve month time period may result in dismissal from NEARPS. Potential applicants are advised to make sure they can be available on most Friday evenings and are willing to commit the necessary time before applying. If you are not, you need to request a "reserve" status membership somewhere on your application or do not apply.

6. All active members are encouraged to provide suggestions for future investigations.
a. Should such a suggestion refer to an indoor site, the NEARPS Director of Investigations will be accountable for sending a proposal letter to the person (s) responsible for the location (unless you know the host personally). Please be sure to provide us with all necessary information regarding the suggested location.
b. If an outdoor location is suggested, active members are asked to inform us of any situations possibly limiting our access. (i.e. "No Trespassing" signs, locked gates, etc.) Such limitations would require a proposal letter.

7. The name NEARPS may not be used by anyone without the express written consent of the NEARPS Board of Directors..

8. Any personal investigation (s) conducted by active member (s) will not be deemed as organizational functions unless:
          a. The NEARPS Director of Operations is present at the event; or
          b. Someone has been temporarily appointed by the NEARPS Director of Operations as group/function leader and/or spokesperson in our absence; and
          c. The event was orchestrated through the NEARPS Board of Directors.

9. No active member may communicate, by verbal, written or other means, to any person or organization on behalf of NEARPS unless permission has been given by the Board of Directors. Any communication you may have with individuals and/or organizations not a part of this group is strictly of a personal nature. Should any individual or organization request comments on behalf of NEARPS, they should be directed to the NEARPS Board of Directors. Any communication you may have with individuals and/or organizations not a part of this group is strictly of a personal nature. No information may be conveyed to anyone outside of NEARPS unless it appears on the nearps.com website or it is released by a member of the NEARPS Board of Directors.

10. NEARPS active membership is a voluntary program. In acceptance of, or by maintaining, active membership in NEARPS, you openly agree to the following:
          a. NEARPS is not responsible for any injuries you may incur at any NEARPS function.
          b. Any host (s) permitting access for a formal investigation by NEARPS is not responsible for any injuries you may incur while at the location of investigation.
          c. You, as an active member, accept full responsibility for your individual actions and well being at any NEARPS function.

d. You agree to adhere to and abide by all NEARPS bylaws, code of conduct, or any other protocol guidelines set forth by the Board of Directors.

The induction of new members into the Northeast Arkansas Paranormal Society shall be governed as follows:

1. Persons interested in becoming a member of NEARPS shall first read and understand these governing Bylaws, the Code of Conduct, and Membership Guidelines. These documents are all available online at www.nearps.com .

2. Interested parties shall complete and submit the online Membership Application. If an application is submitted to the Board of Directors with empty fields, it will be discarded. All fields on the application must be filled in.

3. Once an application is approved, the applicant will receive an email notifying them of the date, time and location for an in person interview with the Board of Directors. Members of the Board will then be asking the applicant questions pertaining to his/her background with the paranormal. They may also ask you questions on how you would respond to various situations. They will also be asking you questions about your personal and work schedules to make certain the applicant can dedicate the required time to NEARPS. We need members we can depend on, so if an applicant cannot make investigations, meetings, and other public activities, there is no need to apply. Applicants will usually be notified whether their membership is approved / not approved at the interview.

4. Once an applicant is approved, he/she is expected to pay at least his/her first month of dues and order and pay for a NEARPS T-Shirt, if desired. He/she will also be required to sign the NEARPS Membership agreement and the Liability Waiver. Applicants under the age of 18 will also be required to submit a permission form signed by a parent or legal guardian.

5. As of 6/24/2010 dues are $5 a month and are due on the 1st and considered late if not paid by the 7th. Dues are subject to a $2 late fee if not paid by the 7th of any month. Members can avoid late fees by paying dues for an entire year in the amount of $60. (See Article IX)

6. Newly inducted members will serve a probationary period of 90 days from the date of induction. The probationary period will begin on the date entered on the membership agreement form. This probationary period gives the Board of Directors a chance to assess the members skills, abilities, and composure. They will be looking at a members ability to follow instructions, retain things they have been taught, attendance, sincerity, professionalism, and adherence to NEARPS rules and bylaws just to name a few. Members found to be lacking will be dismissed. Members will be considered investigator trainees until the probationary period is expired. If, after the end of the probationary period, a member has not been dismissed from the group, they will then be promoted to the rank of investigator and become a full fledged member of NEARPS. They will then be eligible to receive a nearps.com email address (for a small fee) and also be eligible to fill a manager position or become an officer. They may also be elected to the NEARPS Board of Directors.

7. The Board of Directors reserves the right to extend a member's probationary period in lieu of dismissal if The Board feels a member would better benefit from extra training and could become a valuable asset to the group if given a few more months of training.

8. The Director of Operations holds the highest responsibility pertaining to the induction of new members, and to their impending training.