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 Investigations 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.

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 Information 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 Investigations is present at the event; or
          b. Someone has been temporarily appointed by the NEARPS Director of Investigations 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. This does not apply to members who held "active" status membership prior to August 1, 2009 as long as they remain members in good standing.  They are considered Charter members, and possess certain rights within the group that new members must earn by actively participating in group functions.

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.